Delaware Democrat. (Wilmington, Del.) 1857-1858, 1857-10-10
Mllsttllaneous department.
THE GHOST RAISER.

Ny uncle Beageloy, who commenced
his commercial career very early in the
present century as a bagman, will tell sto.
ries- Among them he tells his single
ghost story SO often, that l am heartily
tired of it. In SEE = :. ;sst'sl oHf bore us
r,rsew uusvruA > =
$ of u next offers to- "
publish y IN ordtf may say they know it.
| remember every word Of it;
One fine autumn evening, about forty
years ago, was travelling on horseback
from Shrewsbury to Chester. l felt tol-
erably tired, and was beginning to look out
for some snug wayside inn, where might
pass the night, when sudden and violent
thunderstorm came on. My horse, terri
fed by the lightning, fairly took the bride
between his teeth, and started off with me
at full gallop through the lanes and cross
roads, until at length managed to pull
him up just at the door of neat looking
country inn. "WelI," thought I, "there
was wit in your madness, old boy, since it
brought us to this comfortable refuge" y
And alightipg, 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 hostelry
described by Isaac Walton. There were
several travellers already in the room
probably like myself driven there for shell
ter-and they were all waiting for supper.
| joined the party. Presently being sum
moued by the hostess, we all sat down,
twelve in number, to a smoking repast Of
bacon and eggs, corued beef and carrots,
and stewed hare.
The conversation naturally turned on
the mishaps occasioned by the storm, of
which every one seemed to have bis full
share One had been thrown off bis horse;
another, driven in gig, had been upset
into muddy dyke; all had got thorough
wetting, and agreed unanimously that it
was dreadful weather-a regular witches
Sabbath
"Witches and ghosts prefer for their
Sabbath fine moonlight to such weather
as this p
These words were uttered in solemn
tone, aud with strange emphasis, by one
of the company, He was a tall, dark
looking man, and had set him down in
my own mind as travelling merchant or
pedlar. My next neighbor was a gay,
well-looking, fashionably dressed young
man, who, bursting into peal of laugh
ter, said
"You must know the manners and GUS
toms of ghosts very well to be able to tell
that they dislike getting wet or muddy"
The first speaker, giving him dark,
fierce look, said; "Young man, speak not
50 lightly of things above your compre-
hension."
DO you mean to imply that there are
such things as ghosts Y asked the young
man.
"Perhaps there are,n replied the other,
'if you had the courage to look at Them
The young man stood up, flushed with
anger. But presently resuming his seat,
he said calmly;
"That taunt should cost you dear, if it
were not such foolish onc.n
"a foolish one p exclaimed the mer.
chant, throwing on the table heavy leath-
ern purse. "There are fifty guineas.
am content to lose them, if, before the hour
is ended, do not succeed in showing you,
who are so obstinately prejudiced, the form
Of any one of your deceased friends, and
if. after you have recognized him, you will
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"
ayes" said the other, 81 viii stake
these fifty guincus, on condition that you
will pay similar sum if you lose"