Tribune and telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1855-1856, 1856-02-14
The Ghost Raiser.

mereiaa career very carly in the present century
as bagman, will tell stories-Among them, he
tells ms single ghost story so often that am
heartily tired of it. In self-defence, therefore,
publish the tale in order that when next the good
kind old gentleman offers to bore US with ii,
every body may say that they know it, rcmem-
Der every word of it.
One hne autumn evening abeat forty years
ago, was travelling on horseback from Shrews-
bury TO Chester, felt terribly tired, and was be-
ginning to look out for some snug wayside ian,
where might pass the night, when sudden
and violent storm came on. My horse, terrified
by lightning, took the bit between his tee H. and
started off with me full gallop through lanes and
cross roads, until at length L managed to pull
him up just near the door of neat looking
country inn.
Well thought l. there was something in
your madness, old boy, since it brought us to
this comfortable refugee ana alighting, l gave
him in charge of the stout farmers boy who ac-
ted as hostler. The inn kitchen, which was al
SO the guest room, was large, clean, neat and
comfortable, very much like the pleasant host
elry described by Izaak Walton There were
several travellers already in the room-probably,
like myself driven there for shelter-and they
were all warming themselves by the blazing
fire while waiting for supper.
joined the party. Presently, on being sum
moned by the hostess, we all sat down, twelve
in number. to O smoking repast of bacon and
eggs, corned beef and carrots, and stewed
hare.
The conversation turned naturally on, the
mishap occasioned by the storm of which every
one seemed to have had his full share One
had been thrown off his horse; another driving
gig, had been upset into muddy dyke; all
had got thorough wetting and agreed unani-
mously that il was dreadful Meather-Witch s
sabbath.
Witches and ghosts prefer for their sabbath a
fine moonlight night to such weather as this
These words were uttered in a solemn tone,
and with strong emphasis, by of the COM
pany. He was tall, dark looking man, and
had set him down in my mind as a travel
ling merchant or pedlar. My next neighbor
was gay, well-ooking, fashionably dressed
young man, who bursting into goal of laugh
ter said.
You must know the manners and customs OF
ghosts very well to be able to tel that they dis
like getting wet or muddy
The first speaker, giving him dark look,
Young man, speak not so lightly Of things
beyond your comprehension
DO you mean to imply that there are saeh
things as ghosts 2!
Perhaps there are if you had the courage to
look at them
The Young man stood up. flushed with an.
ger. But presently resuming his seat he said
calmly:
That taunt should cost you dear if it were
not such foolish one
a foolish one = exclaimed the merchant
throwing on the table heavy leather purse,
there are fifty guineas. l am content te lose
them, if, before the hour is ended, do not sue
coed in showing you, who are so ohstinately
prejudced, the form Of any oae Of your deoeas-
ed friends: and if after you have recognized
him you allow him to kiss your lips
We all looked at each other, but my young
neighbor still in the same mocking manner
replied -
| You will do that will your
/ Yes said the other-'vill you stake those
fifty gulneas, on condition that you Will pay a
similar if you lose
Fifty guineas my worthy grocer, more
! than poor college sizar ever possessed, but
there are FIVE, which, if your are satisfied,
shall be most willing to wager
/ The other took up his purse saying in con
! temptuous tone
Young gentleman, you wish to draw back.
Draw back . exclaimed the student. We'll
if | had the fifty guineas, you should see wheth
er wish to draw back
Here said he, are five guineas which will
stake on your wager
No sooner had he made this proposition than
the rest of the company. attracted by the sim
gulsrity Of tAs. affair, came forward to lay down
their money; and in minute or two the fifty
guineas were subscribed The merchant ap-
peared so sure of winning that he placed all the
stakes in. the students hands and prepared fe;
his experiment. We selected for the purpose a
small summer house in the garden, perfectly
isolated and having means of exit but a win
dow and door, which we carefully fastened, af
ter placing the young man within. We put
writing materials on a small table in the sum
mer house, and took away the candles. We
remained outside with the pedIar amongst us
In a. low, solemn voice, he began to chant tho
following lines -