Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-02-28
THE BARRIERS GHOST

A gentleman, travelling some wear. sinca in
the upper part of - State called at a tavern
ana requested entertainment for tho nirkt
Inc landlord informed him thst Il was ont of
ms power t" accommodate him, as his house
was already full. He persisted in stopping,
"a Ne, as well "a his horse, were almost ex-
naueted with travelling. After much solicita-
ZION, the landlord consented to his stopping
provided he would sleep in a certain room that
had not been occupied for long time in con-
sequence OF belief that 1T was haunted By the
gnost OF a barber who va reported to have
been murdered in that room some years before
very we'll, says the man, II III not afraid Of
ghosts. After having refreshed himself, he
inquired Of the landlord how and in What m an
ner the room in which he was to lodge was
haunted The landlord replied, that shortly
after they retired to rest, an unknown voice
was heard in trembling and protracted ac-
cent, saying, do you want to be sh-a-ved9"
Well, replied the man, "if he comes he may
shave me-"
He then requested to be shown to the apart
ment in going to which he was conducted
through a large room, where were seated
great number OF persons at gambling table.
Feeling curiosity which almost every one nos
Sesses after having heard ghost stories, he
carefully searched every corner of his room,
but could discover nothing but the usual fur-
nitare OF the apartment. He then laid down.
but did not close his eyes to sleep Immediately,
ana In few minutes he imagined he heard q
voice saying, do you w-a-n-t to be sh-a-vedl"
nc arose from his bed and searched every part
OF the room, but could discover nothing, lie
again went to bed but no sooner had he begun
10 compose himself to sleep than the question
was again repeated. lie again arose and went
10 the window, the sound appearing to proceed
frcm that quarter, and stood awhile silent
AFTER few moments Of anxious suspense, he
again heard the sound distinctly, and convinced
that 1t was from without, he opened the win
dow, when the question was repeated full in his
ear, which startled him not a little. Cpon n
minute examination, however. he observed that
the limb of large oak tree, which stood under
his window, projected so near the house that
every breath of wind, to lively Imagination
''DO you wa-n-t to be sh-a-ved?"
Having satisfied himself that his ghost WAS
nothing more nor less than the limb of p tree
coming In contact with the house he aoain
went to bed and attempted to get asleep: but
he was now Interrupted by peals of laughter,
and al occasional 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
sheet from the bed and wrapped it round him
taking the wash-basin in his hand and throw
ing towel over his arm, proceeded TO the
room of the gamblers, and suddenly opening
the door, walked in, exclaiming in tremu-
auu' NoiCo, 10 you H-a-nt 10 De Shaved =
Terrified at the sudden appearance Of the
ghost, the gamblers were thrown into great
confusion in attempting 10 escape it, some
jumping through the windows and others
tumbling head over heels down the stairs Our
ghost, taking advantage of clear room. de-
liberately swept 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. lie YVES asked if he rested
we'll, to which he replied in the Affirmative
w ell, no wonder" said the landlord . for
the ghost, instead of going to his own room.
made mistake and came to ours, frightened
US out OF the room. and took away every dollar
OF the money The guest, without being the
least suspected, quietly eat his own breakfast
and departed, many hundred dollars richer
by the adventure