The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1859-12-21
A Ghost Story.

damp, overlook us eight or ten miles from
home, but only short distance from Judge
BLANKS. Knowing that we should find out.
side the Judges door the latchstring, and
inside warm welcome, warm fire, and a
warm supper, besides beds which we could
worm for ourselves-we unhesitatingly con-
signed ourselves 10 his hospitalites Sup
per being over, and our persons disposed
according 10 our several tastes in a semi.
circle before an old fashioned blazing fire,
we were just IN tho mood to enjoy the en-
terlainment of our hosts conversational
gifts. Among other things he narrated the
following unique tale, which we unani.
mously agreed to put in print
Said the Judge substantially as follows:--
"Years ago, we had in our house sweet
little child about four years old, the object,
of course, of very tender affection. But
sickness laid his hand upon ii. Remedies
promptly resored TO, all proved in vain.-
Day after day the roses faded from the
cheek, and the fire in the eyes burned low;
and at length death closed those eyes, ard
sealed the lips forever; and we learned, by
trying experience, how intense darkness
follows the quenching of one of these little
| lights oil lille.
"The time rolled sadly on, brought us at
length 20 the hour appointed for committing
our treasure TO the ordinarily sure custody
| OF the grave. The friends assembled, the
customary services were held, the farewell
taken, and the little form securely shut be-
meath the well-screwed coffin.lid, and in
due time the grave received its trust. We
looked on and saw the earth thrown in, the
mound raised above, and the plates of sod
neatly adjusted into green sheltering roof,
and then wended our way back 10 our des.
olated home. Evening came on and wore
away. My wife had gone into an adjoining
room 10 give some directions to a servant,
and |, untitled by the scenes of the day for
aught else, had just laid my head upon my
pillow, in our room upon the lowest floor
OF the house, when heard shrek, and
in moment more my wife came flying
into the room, and springing upon the bed
behind me, exclaimed,
"'See therel our child our childp
Raising my head, my blood iroze within
me and the hair upon my head stood up as
l saw the little thing in grave clothes, with
open, but manifes,ly sighless eyes, and
pale as when we save il the last kiss,
walking slowly towards us! Had been
alone-had not the extreme terror of my
wife compelled me 10 play the man, |
should have leaped from the bed and win
dow without casting look behind. But
not daring 20 leave her in such terror, l
arose, sat down in chair, and took the lit.
tie creature between my knees-a cold
sweat covering my body-and gazed with
feelings unutterable upon the object before
me. The eyes were open in a vacant stare.
The flesh was colorless, cold, and clammy;
nor did the child seem 10 have the power
either of speech or hearing, as it made no
altemp 10 answer any of our questions. The
horror of our minds was the more intense
as we had watched our child through its
oiShhCoo ouu uCotiit anu uCCu put IC w
hours before eye-witnesses of its ipterment
"While gazing upon it, and asking in my
thoughts, 'What can this extraordinary
providence mean For what can it be sent 2
the servant girl having crep. to the door, af.
ter a time suggested, Itlooks like Mr. IS
child Now, our next neighbor had a
child OF nearly the same age as ours, and
its constant companion. But what could
bring it 10 our house at that hour, and in
such plight? Still the suggestion had oper.
ated as powerful ssdative upon our excl.
ted feelings, and rendered US more capable
Of calm reflection. And after time, we
discovered in truth that the grave clothes
were night clothes, and the corpse som.
nambuist And it became manifest that il
was the excitement attending the loss and
burial of its playmate, working upon the
child's mind in sleep, to which we were
indebted for this untimely and most startling
visit.
"Wiping away the perspiration and taking
few long brealhs, prepared to counter.
march the little intruder back TO its forsaken
bed. Back we went, it keeping at my side,
though still asleep. 1t had walked quite a
distance across the damp grass. l found
the door of its home ajar, JUST as the fugi.
tive had left it, and its sleeping parents un.
conscious OF its absence. The door creaked
as pushed it open, and wakened the child
who looked wild around moment, and then
popped into bed.
"Now, had it not been for my wife, as
have said, should, on the appearance Of
this apparition, have made leap of un'
common agility from that window, and
after flight of uncommon velocity for q
person of my age and dignity, | should
have been ready 10 take oath in any court
either in Christendom or heathendom, tina
had seen ghost. ."-Presbyterian
"MA, didn't the minister say last Sunday
! that sparks flew upward Z" "Yes, dear
how came you TO think of it q' "Because
yesterday saw cousin Sally's spark stag
gering down the street, and fall downward
| "MoTHER," said little urchin the othe
day, "Why are orphans the happiest chill