The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1857-07-30
CAROLINA SPARTAN.
From Russell's Magazine.
MY FATHERS GHOST.

On stormy March evening, in the year
IL, found myself beuighted upon
lonely road, which ran through one of the
most sparcely settled districts of North
Eastern Virginia. The clouds, which had
been lowering all the afternoon, gathered
at twilight into tempestuous masses, which
swept madly before an east wind, and soon
overspread the entire heavens with one inn
penetrable veil of gloom.
The rain rushed down in torrents and so
blinded was by its force, that literally
could not see the head of my horse in whose
sagacity and sure-footedness, however, /
was ready implicitly to confide. The storm
ragged for three hours with uninterrupted
fury, and began to despair of finding shell
ter for the night, when feeble glimmer on
the left, proceeding apparently from the
summit of a steep hill, apprized me of the
vicinity OF a human dwelling. At the
same moment, my animal quickened his
pace, and in a short time stood painting be-
fore the entrance of house, which, in the
imperfect light of lantern that swung in
the front passage, seemed to DO Of conside-
rable size and pretension. dismounted,
and Knocked loudly at the door. There
was no answer. After pause knocked
again. Still, no answer. Were the in
mates dead, or had they, like myself, lost
their way in the storml For full five min
utes pounded the panels Of the heavy oak
door, shouting at intervals untilI was quite
hoarse and exhausted. At last there was
stir within. The stairway creaked under
The footsteps of some person descending 10
the first story. The movements were slow
and cautious, as Of one win, anticipated
meeting a foe. la = moment OF two they
ce'lsed altogether was silent a~
before. now grew impatient, aud taking
the butt Of my riding whip, which was
bound with iron. struck against the. door
farously and without iutermission. .Who
Are you!" said a quavering voice from the
interior. "Whsl do you want! go away
go away. I've nothing to give you-go
a.w-t-y." Never before or since have
listened to tones which denoted such an
abyss of abject terror. Here's some wretch.
ed n.isef, thought |, who fears au inroad
upon his iron chest! explained my posi-
ton, and besought shelter and hospitality
until morning. The bolts were slowly
Withdrawn, and to my amazement there
stood before me Il hale and stalwart man of
about sixty, habited in a faded dressing
gown. and slippers. but whose face, AS re-
vealed by the candle which he carried in
his trembling hand, was as pale as the face
Of death. ~
"Sir," said he, with an evidently Hercu-
lean effort to recover his composure, 81 beg
your pardon-this is wild neigaborhood
-burglalies are common-and- -md-in
short, | did not know i should have to
deal with gentleman. You're welcome,
sir, walk in."
followed my host, who, with singular
uncertain gait, (nct the gait Of an intoxica-
ted man, led me up one flight of stairs to
an apartment which presumed to be the
drawing room. II so, it had evidently not
been put to its legitimate uses for long
period. Heavy layers of dust rested on the
chairs and ottomans, and the rich carpet
upon which we walked, defaced rather by
neglect than age, gave out a dry musky
odor, excessively pungent and disagreeable.
The mirrors, of which there were four of ex-
traordinary size, were completely mil-dew-
ed, and huge chandelier depending from
the ceiling, aud enveloped by several thin
wrappers Of gauze, looked wholly dim and
lustreless.
The ceiling itself was of most remarkable
construction. 1t was concave very lofty in
the centre, and adorned in several parts
with elaborate bas.reliefs by no means in
artistically conceived. Two tall wax
candles, in ponderous silver CANDLE
sticks, stood upon the mantle piece.
Fastening to light one of these, my con-
ductor happened to stumble. The lamp
fell from his hand, and was instantly extin-
gushed. This simple accident appeared
to give him the most intense concern. L
could hear his teeth chatter in the dark,
and he fumbled so long about the floor at
tempting to regain the lamp, that was
forced to come TO his assistance. | had a
box OF matches in my pocket, few of which
were dry, and with one of these / succeed
ed in illuminating the room. The face of
my companion was even more ghastly than
il had been before.
| tried to re.sssure him by assuming
gay and frank manner.
sWhat noble old mansion, sir, yours
seems to bel / had not expected to find
such an establishment in the back woods"
The man mumbled something in reply,
pulled the bell rope with violence, and then
fell languidly back into seat.
| followed his example, and for FIVE min
utes neither OF US spoke. During this in
terval, | repeatedly observed that my com
panion's eyes were fixed upon me in fur.
tive, suspicious manner. He was dreadful.
ly nervous and uneasy, shifting his po-
sition every moment, aud looking from
time to time keenly towards the door. At
length, a brawny negro, his servant, pre-. !