Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-09-05
For the SPIRIT Of the Age.
A Ghost Story.
BY W. MASON TURNER.


A Ghost Story.
BY W. MASON TURNER.
AS the popular mind has been directed
to the subject of spirit rappings, &C.. we
think the following little story, told US by a
friend who was the chief actor in the scene
will of certainty cause ones hair to stand
on end
Having some business to transact (said
our friend) in the town Of Minden, Prussia,
not far from which lived, my father des-
patched me to execute it for him I was
at that time a lad of only some twelve years,
though was large for my age. Mounting
my poney struck off for the city, which I
reached in due time. I soon transacted my
business andset out to return. On my way
home | stopped to loiter awhile with the
sons of neighbor, lads about my own age.
All Of US were mischievous, merry and light
hearted as youths of our age are wont to
be. Unconsciously the time flew by unno
ted, and night came on and found me still
with Meinherr Fredland's sons Somewhat
alarmed for the consequences Of my tardi-
ness-.for birches groao IN Germany-I was
for leaving at once, but [ was almost forced
to remain to supper, which in my country
comes off generally at 10 P. NJ I half
reluctantly and half willing yielded. My
pony during this time was standing at the
gate, occasionally neighing to admonish me
that | was oyerstaying my time. La the
midst of my plays [ suddenly remembered
that had to pass through the Long Lane.
This way was memorable promenade
ground for ghosts, bogles, goblns, &c, and
many were the tales-terrible enough-told
by spirit seers, of their adventures on this
solitary road.
Although naturally brave lad, [ did not
like much to pass through the lane,' at that
hour of the night with no company but my
pony, and no means ofdefense except those
furnished by nature. But consoling mysel
that a brisk gallop would soon carry me ove
the dreaded ground, bade adieu to Mein
herr Friedlands hospitable mansion and tool
my way to the gate What was my sur
prise and trouble to find that my pony hac
slipped bride and gone without me!
could not stay at Meinherr's, for | feareC
they would be uneasy concerning me a
home moreover [ feared lest Meinherr'!
boys would deem me not brave enough t(
go through the haunted lane These two
reasons-strong ones in nsy mind, determin
ed my course of conduct. Without ac
quainting those in the house Of my loss,
armed myself with stout cudgel and de
parted on my journey.
The night was extremely dark-the moo
and stars, and blue armament was complete
ly hid. Above it seemed as if chaos in th
garb of pitch darkness had come again
Low rustling winds crept along the ground
and occasional flashes of lightning, inter
mingled with the solemn tones Of the mul
muring thunder, told me that storm wa
brewing. The Long Lane!' we'll it de
served itsappellation was six miles ia lengil
straight as sun beam, and haunted troI
one end to the other! The way had bee
excavated instead Of elevated, and hig
banks, on which grew tall hedge, ran alon
on either side. This rendered the road eve
at MONDAY dismal and gloomy.
As we have before remarked, many tale
were current concerning this place of spirit
One of the most common, but not the lea
terrible was, that if a person should wa
through the lane after o'clock at night,
huge creature, with glaring eyes and horne
feet, would invariably spring out of the ear
, and casting his fore feet, molems voleas, ov
the persons's shoulders, would, thus assiste
journey the whole length of the lane, whi
the person by some unknown agency, wou
, be bereft of his powers and compelled
l carry this extra burden. Young as [ w
, however, I was not much affected by the
: idle stories and whistling to keep n
$ courage up, and to make sound of some
scription familiar to my ears, [ kept on.
7 cannot deny that my heart beat quicker,
1 treaded the dark and dreaded lane.
: | went, my courage, strange to say, sinki
i more the further advanced into the dref
IL ed place. The wind grew louder
), lightning CLEANED brighter, and already c.
e drops pattered slowly down and touched |
IS heated cheek. Solemnly my tune arr
( quiyeringly on the thick air. | could
70 stop.
If 1 had gone about three or four miles {
ID no sight had as yet beer painted on
of vision, except the impenetrable gloom, W
ID suddenly | distinctly heard behind me
Id slight pattering. Ny whistling instal
n ceased-the muscles, expressive of fear,
ed drawn my mouth out of shape for whist
v with sudden leap my heart left its r
he ing place and for better protection spr
k, into my throat. With desperate res
lot ton turned my head, when, Oh hor
9? there was the identical creature-the Oh
h had often heard it said, that extreme fr
Id would cause the hair to stand on end.
ow periencing is believing. My cap was f
of lifted from my head | turned wit
is fainting feeling from the sight. 1t did
lys attempt to place its feet on my should
be this revived my heart. With stern
f age I pursued my way. At sometime
the slight patterings would die away-at
hat times | could feel the creatures he
t to breath, and her its rapid breathing as
npt lowed my hasty steps. On we went.