Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-11-30
Ghost iEs am Insurance Office.

The St. Louis Republican Of Oct. 3Oth.
says: A singular occurrence took place a
few nights ago in one Of our insurance off,
ces. A young man whose name we choose
to withhold, employed as clerk in the Of
fce-which is located in the third story Of
the building was engaged writing at his
desk, between 9 and 10 o'clock at night. -
NO one else was present or in the immediate
vicinity-sll the adjoining Offices had been
closed at nightfall. While thus engaged in
writing, he was suddenly interrupted by a
man whom he had not noticed, who iuquir-
ed if Mr.. McCuloch was ia The clerk re-
piled that he was not, end HAT he knew Of
no man CT that name employed anywhere
about the premises.
Having made this reply, be commene ea
wiring again, Il few minutes later he dis
covered that his strange intruder had net
moved from the position which be first as
sumed. and the inquiry and attendant cir
cumstances then struck him as being some
what singular lie Immediately turned
from tbs desk at which he was seated, and
scanned the strange gentleman appearance,
anquirng at the same time whether he had
any further business. The appearance Of
the stranger vas rather prepossessing. He
was tall, dark featured, and well dressed
de made nc response to the clerks first in
terrogaiory, however, but cody gszed at
him with an air Of Indifference.
This procedure aroused the suspicion of
the clerk, as well as his anger, and he re-
peated his first inquiry rather more distinct
~, and at the same time emphatically in-
formed the strange gentleman that unless he
could give satisfactory account OF himself
he should be under the necessity of hustling
him out Of the Office The stranger there
upon placed his hands behind him and lcis-
urely replied as follows: II have been sent
here. and shall stay here" Without stop
ping to parley further the clerk opened
safe near at hand, took out revolver and
leveled it at once at his visitor, at the same
sime informing him th 1t he would give him
two minutes to leave the Office The stran-
ger did not move, and did not offer any re-
mark in return; but gazed steadily, with his
hands behind him, at the clerk. TIE two
minutes passed and there stood the stranger,
in statu quo. The clerk then took deliber-
ate aim at him and fired. He stood within
ten feet Of thestranger He is known to be
good shot, and his bravery is uDquestion-
able. and were we at liberty to publish his
name, his numerous acquaintance would
not doubt our assertions.
But Notwithstanding these facts, the stran-
ger, after the discharge Of the pistol, re-
manned as immovable as ever. He ezhibi-
ted no surprise whatever and offered no re-
marks. The clerk was of course much as
tonishel, and not little startled, and was
at loss what next 20 90, as he had discbarg-
ed the Gully barrel Of the pistol, which was
loaded. After the lapse of about q minute
after the discharge Of the pistol-d during
which time no word was uttered the stran-
ger shook his coat skirts, gave light shrug
and walked leisureiy out Of the room and
down stairs The whole affair was so strange,
unusual and unaocountable, that the clerk
was completely nonplussed, and remained
stationary for few moments after the de-
parture Of his visitor. Suddenly rousng
himself however, he rushed down stairs into
che street. but the stranger had vanauished.
The clerk has heard nothing from him since.
The affair every one must acknowledge was
very singular, but the circumstances occur
red precisely as we have related them: