The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1857-07-09
The Ghost Raiser.


century, Hs bagman, will tell stories.-
Among them he tells his single ghost story
so often, that am heartily tired of It. In
self'defence, therefore, ! publish the ta!e in
order that when next the good, kind old gen.
tleman offers 10 bore US with it, every body
may say they know it. I remember every
word of It. a.
One fine autumn evening, about forty
years ago, was travelling on horseback from
Shrewsbury to Chester. felt toleraby
tired, and was beginning to look out for soms
snug way-side inn, where might pass the
night, when sudden and violent thunder
storm came on. My 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 al
length managed to pull him up just neal
the door Of a neat looking country inn.--
"Well," thought /, "there was wit in your
madness, old boy, since 1t brought us to this
comfortable refuge"
And alighting gave him in charge to the
stout farmers boy, who acted os ostler.--
The inn kitchen, which was also the guest
room, was large, clean, neat and comforta-
BILE, very like the pleasant hostelry describ.
ed by Isaac Walton. There were several
travellers already in the room-probably like
myself, driven there for shelter-and they
we're all warming themselves by the blazing
fire while waiting for supper. Joined the
party. Presently, being summoned by the
hostess, we all sat down, twelve in nGmber,
to smoking repust 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.
driving in gig, had been upset In muddy
dyke; all had got q tboro1gb,wettiRg. and
agreed unanimously that it was dfetdiul
weather-a regular Witches Sabbath!
"Wtches and ghosts prefer for their Sab
bath fire moonlight night to such weather
as this!''
These words we're uttered with soleni n
tone, and with strange emphasis by one oil
the company. He was dark looking man.
and had set him down in my own mind as
travelling merchant OF beddlar. My nexl
heighbor was gny, we'll looking, fashiona
BILE young man, who, bursting into peal oi
laughter, said: -, ,s~<..
"You most kuow the tiinnniers and Gus.
toms of ghosts very we'll, to be able to tell
'hnt they dislike getting victor mnddy.".-
The first speaker, giving him dark, fierce
look, said:.
"Young man, speak not SO lightly ofthings
above your comprehension. = s., .
ado you mean to imply that there are such
things as ghosts!"
"Perhups there are, if you had the coirage
to look at tliem.' . -.
The young man stood up, flushed with an.
ger. But presently resuming his seat, he
said CALMLY:
"That taunt should cost you dear, If 1t
were not foolish one."
"a foolish one!::' exclaimed the merchant,
throwing on the tablea heavy leathern purse.
"There are fifty guineus. Tam content to
lose them, il, before the hour is ended, do
not succeed in showing you, who are SO OBJ
stinateIy prejudiced, the form Of any one Of
your deceased friends; and after you have
recognized him you allow him to kiss your
lips"
| We ali looked at each other, but my young
neighbor, still in the same mocking man.
her, replied:
"You will do that, will your"
"Yes," said the other.:sI will stake. these
fifty guineas, on conditfci, that you will pay
similar .spm if you lose.", H..
After short silence, the young man said,
gaily:
"Fifty guineas, my worthy sorceter, are
more than poor college sizar ever possess
ed; but here are FIVE, which if you are salts
fed, shall be most willing to wager"
The other took up his purse, saying in q
contemptuous tone:
""YoGng gentleman, you wish to draw
back"
al draw back b. exclaimed tie ssudent.--
'"Well if had fifty guineas, you should see
whether wish to draw back!%,
"Here," said T,;"are four guineas, which
I will stake on your wager" +ss" 3"
| No sooner had I made this proposition
than the rest Of the company, attracted by
the singularity Of the affair, came forward
to lay down their money; and in minute or
two the fifty guineas we're subscribed. The
merchant appeared SO sure of winning, that
he placed all the stakes in the Students
hands, and prepared for hfs experiment.
We selected for the purpose small sdm'
mer house in the garden, perfectly isolated,
and having no means Of exit but q window
and door, which we carefully fastened, af-
Etef placing the young man within. We pu,
writing materials on table in the summer
house. land took away The candles. We %:
mained outside, with the peddlar among US.
r. lo,,, eolaton vn;re he heUan To chant