The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1857-10-10
The Ghost Raiser.
FROM AN ENGLISH MAGAzINE.T

!. My uncle Beagley, who commenced his
commercial career very early in the pre-
sent century as a bagman, acW tell stories.
Among them, he tells his single ghost story
so often that am heartily tired of it. In
self-defence. therefore, publish it, in Or
der that when the good, kind old gentle
man next offers to bore us with it every
body 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. I felt toler-
ably tired, and was beginning to look out
for some snug way-side inn, where |
might pass the night, when sudden and
violent thunderstorm came on. Ny
horse, terrified by the lightning; fairly
took the bride between his teeth, and
started off with me at a full galIop through
the lanes and crossroads, until at, length
1 managed to pull him just at the door of
neat-looking country inn. Well, ="
thought ], there was wit in your Md
ness, old boy, since it brought lis to this
comfortable refuge ~ And alighting, l
gave him in charge to the ST. ut farmers
boy, who acted as ostler. 8a
The inn kitchen, which was also the
guest room, was large, clean, neat, and
comfortable, very like the pleasant hos
qtelry described by Izaak Walton. There
were several travellers already in the
room-probably like myself driven there
for sheter-and they were all waiting for
supper. joined the party. Presently
being summoned by the hostess, we 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 mishaps occasioned by the storm. of
which every one seemed to have his full
share. One had been thrown off his
horse; another driven in a gig, had been
upset into a muddy dixie; all had got a
thorough wetting, and agreed unanimous
ly that it was dreadful weather. regu-
lar witches Sabbath! aa i4
? "Witches and ghosts prefer for their
Sabbath fine moonlight to such wealth
er as this p
These words were uttered in solemn
tone, and with strange emphasis, by one
ofthe company. He was tall, dark look
ing man, and | had set him down in my
mind as a travelling merchant or peddler.
My next neighbor was gay, well-look-
ing, acknowledgement young man, who,
bursting into a peal of laughter, 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 COM
prehcnsion." -,-
"Do you mean to imply that there are
such things as ghosts ?" asked the young
man.
"Perhaps there are" replied the other,
off you had 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 one.'
"a foolish one" exclaimed the mer-
chant, throwing on the table heavy
leathern 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 our deceased friends;
and if, after you have recognized him, you
will allow him to kiss your lips"
2 We all looked at each other but my
young neighbor, still in the same mock
ing manner, replied; ''You will do that,
will your"
"les, said the other, II will stake