The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1857-10-10

will pay a similar sum you lose"
After short silence the young man
said, gaily: FIFTY guineas. my worthy
sorcerer, are more than poor college 81
Ear ever possessed but here are five,
which, if you are satisfied, shall be most
willing to wager"
The other took up his purse saying, in
a contemptuous tone: "Young gentle
man, you wish to draw 2"
~ draw back p exclaimed the student
-"Well if had fifty guincas, you should
see whether | wish to draw back !"
"Here," said [, care four guincas which
l will stake on your wager"
No sooner had l made this proposition
than the rest of the company, attracted
by the singularity of the affair, came for
ward to lay down their money; and, in =
minute or two, the fifty guineas were
subscribed. The merchant appeared so
sure of winning that he placed all of the
stakes in the students hands, and prepar-
cd for the experiment. We selected for
the purpose a small summer-housc in the
garden, perfectly isolated, and having no
means OF exit but window and door,
which we carefully fastened, after placing
the young man within. We put writing
materials on a small table. and took away
the candle. We remained outside with
the pedlar amongst us. In solemn
voice he began to chaunt the following
lines:
"What riseth slow, from the ocean caves,
And the stormy surf? t4c
The phantom pale sets his blackened foot
On the fresh green turf"
Then raising his voice solcmnlv,
he said: 'sYou ask to see your friend
Francis Villiers, who was drowned three
years ago off the coast of South America,
what do you see?" ts
81 see" replied the student, "a white
light rising near the window, but it has
no form-it is like an uncertain cloud"
We-the pectators-remained pro-
foundly silent
care you afraid?" asked the merchant.
in a loud voice. asue A. la
81 am not, )" replied the student firmly.
After few moments silence, the ped
lar stamped three times on the ground,
and sang.
"And the phantom white, whose clay-cold
face
Was once so fair,
Dries with his shroud his clinging vest
And his sea- tossed hair" ..,
Once more the solemn question
"1ou, who would see revealed the
mysteries of the tomb--what do you see
now ?" ..t.
The student answered, in calm voice,
but like that of a man describing things
as they pass before him: ri see the cloud
taking the form Of a phantom; its head
is covered with long vcil--it stands
still p 49,
care you afraid?" '"
II an not"
Welooked at each other in horror-stric-
ken silence, while the merchant. raising
his arms above his head, chanted in Sc
pulchral voice: ~, s....
And the phantom said, as he rose from the
wave,
He shall know me in sooth!
L will go to my friend, gay, smiling and
As in our first youthv'
What do you see 2" said he.
81 see the phantom advance said the
student-"he lifts his veil-'tis Francis
Viiliers he approaches the table he
writes-'tis his signature p
care you afraid ?"
A fear moment of silence ensued; then
the student replied, but in an altered voice.
81 am not p t-a
With strange and frantic gestures, the
merchant then sang:
"And the phantom said to the mocking
come from the South; l.qs e -.9
Put thy hano on my hand-thy hand on
my heart
Thy mouth on my mouthP .B
"What do you see?" r...
"He comes-he apprenticeship pur-
sues me-he is stretching out his arms
he will have me! Help-help! Save
mew i.Uu .-... "A
"Are you afraid ,,o,c ?" asked the mer-
chant, in a knocking voice.
A piercing cry, and then stifed groan,
was the only reply to this terrible ques-
ton.
"Help that rash youth !" said the mer-
cnaHt, oltCerly. Il nave, | thlnk,won the
wager; but it is sufficient for me to have
given him the lesson. Let him keep the
money, and be wiser for the future
He walked rapidly away. We open
ed the door of the summer house, and
found the student in commissions. A pa
per signed with the name of 'Francis
ViGiers" was on the table. AS soon as
the students senses were restored he ask
ed vehemently where the vile sorcerer was
who had subjected to him such horrible
ordeal-he would kill him! He sought
him throughout the inn in vain; then,
with the speed ola mailman, he dashed
off across the fields in pursuit of him
and we saw neither of them again. That
children, is my ghost story!
"And how is it, uncle, that after that,
-n,,r lry,S 1ol IL I II