Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-10-23
From an English Magazine

ul0H0c therefore, puDllSn IT, IN order That when the
good KIND Old gentleman next offers to bore us with it.
everybody may say they know it. | remember every
word off
| One fine autumn evening about forty years ago. was
travelling on horseback from Shrewsbury to Chester
felt toleraby tired and beginning to look out for
some snug waySde inn, where | might pass the night,
when sudden and violent thunderstorm came on. NV
horse, terrified by the lightning fairly took the bride
between his teeth and started off with me at full gallon
through the lanes and crossroads until at length man
aged to pull him just at the door of neat-oong coun-
try Inn. Well thought /, There was wit in your
madness old boy, since it brought to this comfortable
refuge" And aFghting, gave him in charge to the
stout farmers boy, who acted as ostler.
The inn kitchen, which was also the guest room was
large cean neat and comfortable very like the pleasant
hoselry described by Izaak Walton. There were sever
al travellers already in the room-probably like myself
driven there for sheerand they were all waiting for
supper. joined the party. Presently being summon
ed by the hostess all sat down. twelve in number to
smoking repast of bacon and eggs, corned beef and
carrots, and stewed hare.
The conversation naturally turned on the shaps oc-
caslOned by the storm, Of which every seemed to
have his full share One had been thrown off his horse
another, driving in gig, had been upset into muddy
dixie all had got thorough Wetting and agreed unan-
mOusly that it dreadful weather-a regular witches
Sabbath!
Witches and ghosts prefer for their Sabbath fine
moonlight to such weather as this !"
These words were uttered in solemn tone, and with
Il
TALL dark looking man, and had set him down in my
mind a travelling merchant pedder. My next
neighbor gay, wellooking fashionably y-dressed
young man, who bursting into peal of laughter, said
- Ou must know the manners and customs 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 too lightly of things above your
comprehension"
DO you mean to imply that there are such things as
ghosts" asked the young man.
Perhaps there are, replied the other, if you had
courage to look at them.'
The younger man stood up flushed with anger. But
presently resuming his seat he said calmly:
That aunt should cost you dear, if it were not such
foolish one'
" A foolish one ~ exclaimed the merchant throwing
on the table heavy leather purse. There are fifty
guneas content TO lose them it, before the hour is
ended, do not succeed in showing yOu who so OBJ
stinatey preudiced, the form of any of 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 neig ghbor
still in the same mocking manner, replied You will
do that, will you?'
Yes said the other, will stake these fifty guineas,
on condition that you will pay similar sum if you
lose"
After short silence the young man said gaily eff
ty guineas my worthy sorcerer are more than poor
college szar ever possessed but here ve which, if
you are satisfied shall be most willing to wager"
ous tone: Young gentleman you wish to draw"
g | draw back y exclaimed the student. Well if [
had fifty guneas you should whether wish to draw
back"
on your wager.
No sooner had | made this proposition than the rest
of the company attracted by the snguarty of the affair."
came forward to lay down their money and in min
ute two, the fifty guineas subscribed The mer
chant sure of winning that he placed all of the stakes
in the students hands, and prepared tor the experiment.
We selected for the purpose small summerhOuse in the
garden, perfectly isolated and having of exit
but window and door, which we carefully fastened,
after placing the young man within. We put writing
materials 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 caves,
And the stormy surf?
The phantom pale sets his backened foot
On the fresh green turf.
Then raising his voice soemnIy he said You ask
to see your friend Francis Viiers, who drowned
three years ago off the coast of South America what do
you see?'
q" see, replied the student, white light rising near
the window but it has no form-it is like an uncertain
cloud
We-the spectators remained profoundly silent.
Are you afraid?" asked the merchant, in loud
voice.
a am not replied the student firmly.
After few moments silence, the pedar stamped three
times on the ground and sang:
And the phantom white, whose cay-cold face
Dries with his shroud his clinging vest
And his seatossed hair"
Once more the solemn question
" YOu, who would see revealed the mysteries of the
tomb-what do you ?"
The student answered in a calm voice, but like that of
man describing things as they pass before him I"
see the cloud taking the form of phantom its head is
covered with long veil-it stands stii'
" Are you afraid ?"
b" | am nOt!'
We looked at each other in horor-stricken silence,
while the merchant, raising his above his head,
chaunted in a sepulchra voice
And the phantom said, as he rose from the wave.
He shall know me in sooth
| will go to my friend, gay smiling and fond
AS in our first YOUTH
What do you see ?" said he.
g the phantom advance, said the student" he
lifts his veilts Frances Vers he approaches the
table he wrtes-ts his SIGNATURE.
g Are you afraid p
A fear moment of silence ensued then the student
replied, but in an altered voice. am not ~
With strange and frantic gestures the merchant then
sang:
" And the phantom said to the mockng seer,
? come from the South:
Put thy hand on my hand-thy hand on my heart
Thy mouth on my mouth!
What do you see?"
He comes-he approaches-he pursues me-he is
stretching out his arms--he will have me. Help
help Save me-"
Are you afraid now ?" asked the merchant, in a
mockng voice.
A piercing cry and then stihed groan, the only
reply to this terrible question.
Help that rash youth !" said the merchant bitterly
have think, 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 opened the door of the
summer house. and found the student in convulsions
paper signed with the name of Francis Villiers was
on the table AS soon as the students senses were re-
H.