The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-10-16
Misfsllaneons.
From an EHgiish Magazine.
The Ghost Raiser.

Ny uncle Beaglcy, who commenced ms
commercial career very early in the pre-
sent century as a bagman, riW tell sto'
ries. Among them, he tells his single
ghost story so often, that | am heartily
tired of it. In self-defcncc, therefore,
publish it, in order that when the good
kind old gentleman next offers to bore us
with it, everybody may say they know 1t
remember every word OF 1t: ...I
One fine autumn evening, about forty
wears AGO, | was travelling on horseback
from Shrewsbury to Chester. felt tol.
crably tired, and was beginning to look
out for some wayside inn, where ! might
pass the night, when sudden and vio-
lent thunderstorm came on. My horse,
terrified by the lightning, fairly took the
bride between his teeth, and started of
with me at full gallop through the lanes
and cross roads, until at length ] man,
aged 10 pull him up just at the door Of
a neat-looking country inn. "Wcll,
thought /, "therc was wit in your mad,
ness. old boy, since il brought us to this
comfortable refuge" Aid alighting, !
gave him in charge to the stout farmers
boy. who acted as ostler.
The inn kitchen, which was also the
guest-room, was large, clean, neat and
comfortable, very 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 waiting for
supper. joined the party. Presently,
being summoned by the hostess, VIC all
sat down, twelve in number, to a smoking
repast OF bacon and eggs, eorncd beef and
carrots, and stcwcd hare.
The conversation naturally turned on
the mishaps occasioned by the storm, OF
which every one seemed to have his full
share. One had been thrown OFT ms
horse: another, riding in ZIG, had been
upset into n muddy dixie; all had got a
thorough wetting, and agreed unanimous.
lv that it was dreadful weather-a rcgu'
lar witches Sabbath
switches and ghosts prefer for tlicil
Sabbath fine moonlight to such weather
rs this"
These words were uttered in solemn
tone, and with strange emphasis, by one
of the company. He was tall, dark
looking man, and had set him down
| in NV mind rs travelling merchant ol
pedlar. Nv next neighbor was gay
well.looking, fashionably dressed young
man, who, bursting into peal OF laugh
ter, said: ..'
.You must know the manners ant
customs of ghosts very well to be able tc
tell that they dislike getting wet o'
muddy" ........ :,
The first speaker, giving him dark
fierce look, said: "Young man, spcal
not so lightly of things above your com
prchensiou."
ado YOU mean to imply that there ar
such things rs ghosts = asked the young
man.
.Pcrhaps there are" replied the other
.if you had the courage to look at them.
The young man stood up flushed will
anger. But, presently rcsuming his scat
he said calmly:
.The taunt should cost YOU dear, IL !
were not such foolish one"
a foolish one " exclaimed the mer
chant, throwing on the table hcav.
lcathcrn purse. "Thcrc arc fifty g',inea'
am content to lose them, II, before tn
hour is ended, do not succeed in show
in. YOU, who are 50 obsiinately prcju
diced, the form Of any one of your dc
ceased friends; and il after you hav
recognized him, YOU will allow him to ki'
your lips" rH
We all looked at each other; but m
younc neishbor, still in the same mocl
ing manner, replied: "You will do tina
viii YOU" -. ;,
AYES" said the other, III will stak
these fity guincas, on condition that 20
j will pay similar sum if you lose
n Aher short silence the young ma
Isaid gaily: @Filty gaineas my worth