Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1860-05-31
'EI,c lsarber's Ghost.

I
A gentleman travelling some years
since in the upper part Of State, call
ed at tavern, and requested entertain
ment for the night. The landlord in =
! formed him that it was out Of his power
to accommodate him, as his house was
already full. lie persisted in stopping,
as he as well as his horse, was almost ex-
hausted with travelling. After much So
licitation, the landlord consented to his
stopping, provided he would sleep in a
/ certain room that had not been occupied
( for long time, in consequence of be-
lief that it was haunted by the ghost Of
a barber who was reported to have been
murdered in that room some years before
! Very well, , says the man, Il III not afraid
of ghosts After having refreshed him
self, he inquired of the landlord how and
in what manner the room in which he
was to lodge was haunted The landlord
replied, that shortly aiterward they re-
tired to rest, an unknown voice was
heard in trembling and protracted ac
cent saying "Do you want to be shay
ed?' We'll, said the man, If he comes
he may shave me-.
He then requested to be shown to his
apartment, in going to which he was con-
ducted through large room, where were
seated great number of persons at
gaming table. Feeling curiosity, which
almost every one possesses after having
heard ghost stories, he carefully searched
every corner Of his room, but could dis
cover nothing but the usual furniture of
the apartment. He then laid down, but
did not close Ills eyes to sleep immediate
ly, and in few minutes he imagined he
heard voice saying, DO you want to
be s-h-a-v-e-d?' He arose from his bed
and searched every part Of the room; but
could discover nothing. He again went
to bed, but no sooner had he begun to
compose himself to sleep than the ques
ton was again repeated. He again rose
and went to the window, the sound APP
pearing to proceed from that quarter, and
stood awhile silent. After few moment
OF anxious suspense, he again heard the
noise distinctly, and convinced that it was
from without, he opened the window,
when the question was repeated full in his
ear, which startled him not little. Up
on minute examination, however, he OBJ
served that a limb of a large oak tree
which stood under his window, projected
so near the house that every breath Of
wind, to a lively Imagination made
noise resembling the interrogation, ado
you w-a-n-t to be sh-a-vcd""
Having satisfied himself that his ghost
was nothing more nor less than the limb
OF u tree coming in contact with the
house, he again went to bed and attempt
cd to get asleep; but he was now inter
rupted by peals of laughter, and an occa
sional volley Of oaths and curses, from
the room where the gamblers were assem-
bled. Thinking that he could turn the
late discovery to his own advantage, he
took Il sheet from the bed and wrapped it
round him, taking the wash basin in his
hand, and throwing a towel over his arm,
he proceeded to the room of the gamblers
and suddenly opening the door, walked
in, exclaiming in trembling voice, "Do
you want to be sh-a-v-ed?" Terrified
at the sudden appearance OF the ghost,
the gamblers were thrown into greatest
confusion in attempting to escape it, some
Jumping through the windows, and others
tumbling head over heels down the stairs.
Our ghost taking advantage of a clear
room, deliberately swept a large amount
of money from the table into the basin,
and retired unseen to his own room.
The next morning he found the house
in the utmost confusion. He was asked
if he rested WE'LL to which he replied in
the affirmative "Well no wonder" re-
piled the landlord, "for the ghost, instead
of going to his own room, made a mis-
take and came to ours, frightened us out
of the room, and took away every dollar
of the money" The guest, without be-
ing the least suspected, quietly eat his
own breakfast, and departed, many hun
dred dollars richer by the adventure,