New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1860-03-19
Another Ghost Story = FOOTBALLS on tn
-.- Boundaries, etc.

DR.. Cogswell the Librarian Of the Astor Library,
has for some time been in the habit of laboring in
the classification of the books there until late |
hour He recently has been in the habit of seeing
ghost, and his friends have judiciously sent him
on sea voyage for his health. Here is the story
told by the New York Post:
| Some two weeks ago, Dr.. Cogswell was at work
as usual on the catalogue. 1t was about IL o'clock
at night, and having occasion to refer to some
books in a distant part of the library, he left his
| desk, took his candle, and as he had often done
4 before pursued his course among the winding pas
| sages towards the desired spot But before reach
ing it, while in an aleOye in the southwest part OF
the older portion of the building, he was startled
\ by seeing q man. respectfully dressed in citizens
clothes, surveying shelf OF books The doctor
supposed it to be robber, who had secreted him
self for the purpose Of abstractng some Of the
valuable works in the library; after stepping hack
behind a partition for a moment, he again moved
cautiously forward to catch glimpse of the indi
viduals face, when to his surprise ne recognized
in the supposed robber the features of physician
(Whose name we forbear giying) who had lived IN
the immediate vicinity of the library, and who had
died some six weeks ago. 1t should be borne in
acquaintance Of Dr. Cogswell, not an Intimate
friend, and since his death Dr. oogswel had not
thought of him. 7s..
But the apparition was in the presence of man
not easily scared The Librarian, so farfrom faint
ing or shouting, as might reasonably be expected,
calmly addressed the ghost
"Dr. :, said he, you seldom, if ever, visited
this Library while living. Why do you trouble Us
now when dead?"
Perhaps the ghost did not like the sound of the
human voice; anyway, it gave no answer, but DIS
appeared.
matter, attributed it to some optical deusion and
again visited the southwestern alcoye. There
again as large as life was the ghost, very calmly
= and placidly surveying the shelves. Mr.. Cogswel
Dr.. --,'' said he, "again ask you, why yor
never visited the Library while living, trouble
now when dead n
brarian pursued his task without Interruption. Th'
next day he examined the shelves before which thu
appariton had been standing, and by singular co
9 Incidence found that they had been filled wit
y books devoted to demonology, witchcraft, magic
Z. spiritualism, etc Some Of these books are rar
Il tomes several centuries old, written in Latin il
I; Illustrated with quaint diagrams, and redolent Q
mysticism While On ae mex. nrts sle
spirtualists of Britain, Davis Edmonds and Others
The very titles on these mystic books are
" There are the Prophecies or Prognostieations
Is; Michael Nostradamus, folio published in Londo
e es in 1872; Albamasar de Coniectionbus, kerner
n, Majikon, Godwin's Lives Of the Necromancers
" Glanyille on Witches and ASPIRATIONS, Corneiu
Agrippa, Bodn's Demonomania Llys Astnro oses
,r and others pernsal Of any of which would efec
N, ually murder the sleep of person OF ordinar
d nerve for at least half dozen nights. It wa
* these volumes that appeared to attract the Al
.s The third night Mr. Cogswell, still determine
lis that the shade spirit, deluson effect of indigo
IS tion-whateyer It might be-should not lnterfel
ID with his duties, again visited the various books
L which he wished to refer, and when occasion d
PSI manded did not fail to approach the mystic aicoy
There again was the appartion, dressed precise
III as before in gentlenan's usual costume, as nat
ey raj as life and with hand raised, as If about
1T take down book. Mr.. CogsWell again spoke
T.. "Dr -,' he said boldly, This is the thi
er time have met you. Tell me if any OF this ella
BY. of books now disturb you? If they do will ha
/ them removed"
.o: But the ungrateful ghost, without acknowledge
eri this accommodating spirit on the part of Its int
I'll rogator disappeared. Nor has it been seen sine
lin, and the librarian has continued his nightly
,R searches since without interruption
Afs A few days ago. at dinner party at the hou
I'm of well-known wealthy gentleman, Mr. Gogsw
per- related the circumstances as above recofdea,
and nearly as we can learn. AS some eignIeeM
Hiss twenty people were present. the remarkable stoi
v p of course, was soon spread about. number
,dy literary men, including an eminent historian u
Others heard the recital, and though they attrlpu
Mrs Mr. Cogswells ghost seeing to the strain ana .
rk sion of his nerves during his too protTaclea ape
at the catalogue, they yet confess taat we sto
inc has its remarkable phases. Both Mr.. CogsW
IS and the deceased physician were persons OF q PIT
anu tcal turn of mind, and always treated the mary
ons phost stories sometimes set afoat with desery
-. confempt And as they were not all intimate
aus will ia 1T least curious question for the psyche
.ms rist to determine why the idea OF tins deceas
res Gentleman should come to Mr.. GogsWell brain
East resolve itself into appartion, when engaged
81. dry. statistical labors, which should etectus
rent Danish all thoughts of the marvellous.