Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1857-08-27
IEasi GHOST RAISER.

My Uncle Beagely, who commenced his
career very earl y in the present century
as bagman, will tell s.ories. Among
them he tells the following Ghost story:
One fine autumn evening, about forty
years ago. WAS travelling on horseback
from Shrewsbury 10 Chester. | felt toler
ably tired, and was beginning 10 look ou
for some snug waysle inn, where | Nigh
pass the night, when sudden and yioen
thunderstorm came on. My horse. terri
lied by the lighting, fairly took the bride
between his teeth. and started off with M
at fall gaIlop, through lanes and cross road.
until at length [ managed to pull him NJ
just near the door Of a neat looking coun
try inn.
Well thought |. there was wit in you.
Madness Old boy, since it brought us to
this comfortable refuge
And aliShting, gave him in charge to
he stout farmers boy who acted as host
Ter. The Inn kitchen, which was also the
guest room, WAS large. clean, neat and com
iorta5lc, very like the pleasant hosiery de
scribed by lzaak Walton. There were
several travellers already in the room--prob-
ably driven there for sheter-and were ali
warming themselves by the blazing fire.
while we waited for supper. Il joined the
party. Presently. being summoned by the
hostess, We all sat down, twelve in mum
Der TO a smoking repast of bacon and eggs.
corned beef and carrots, and stewed hare.
The conversation naturally turned on the
mishaps occasioned by the storm, of whic!
every one seemed to have had his ful
share. One had been thrown off his horse
and anotherdrivinya gig, had been thrown
INTO muddy dyke; all had got a thorough
wetting, and agreed unanimously tha
Il was dreadful weather, regular witches
Witches and ghosts prefer for thei
fine moonlight to such weatheI
rs this.'
These words were uttered in a solemn
tone, by one Of The company. He was
tall, dark-looklng man, and | had set him
down in my mind, rs travelling mcrchan.
or peddler.
My next neighbor was gay, well-look-
ng, fashionably dressed young man, who,
bursting into peal of laughter, said:
You must know the manners and Gus
oms of ghosts very well, to be able to tell
hat they dislike getting wet or muddy.
The speaker, giving him dark look,
said:
Young man, speak not SO lightly OIL
hings above your comprehension
DO You mean to imply that there are
such Thugs as ghosls?'
Perhaps there are, if YOU had courage
o look at them.
The young man stood up flushed with !
InGer. But presently, rcsumIpg his seat, |
he said. calmly:
That tauni would cost you dear, if it
we're not such foolish one
a foolish one!' exclam ID the merchant. |
hrowing on the table a heavy lealhcrn
,urse. There are fifty guineas am
content to lose them, if, within the hour,
10 not succeed in showing you, who are SO
'bstnalely prcjudiced, the form ofany one
If your deceased friends; and IT, after YOU
rave recognized him, YOU will allow him to
,iss your lips
We all looked at each other, but my
,oung neighbor. still in the same mocking
manner, replied;
You will do that, will you?'
Yes said the other. i will stake these
fifty guineas. on condition that you pay a
similar sum if you lose.'
After short silence, the young man said
,aily:
Fifty guineas, my worthy sorcerer, are
more than college sizar ever possessed.