St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1860-11-15

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Lighted, beth at Georges safety and,at his
soon expected return, and tperhsps, though
less demonstrative none felt intcnser though
cslmcr joy than Lucy, whose heart as well
ss prayers: had followed George through
all his peril. Yyryr, E.::,::.,..y15a o55is1o
"It is unnecessary to describe the meet
ing when George, somewhat tanned and
fformidably moustached, returned from the
campaign. Lucy, the dear girl, began her
preparations for ! the wedding, and
George meanwhile took up his residence
at Bellevue, as did also some other young
friends Of the family. = af4, ,.~.D
"With books, chess, fencing, and other
athletic sports, several days were srent
most happily, till unfortunately. one morn
ing the conversation happened to turn upon
courage, and in. the course of the argu-
ment, one Of the visitors named Forbes,
addressing George, said, With some appear
ance Of warmth, that there were situations
as for instance, where supernatural, sights
and sounds were supposed. in which no
man on earth could retain courage and
coolness. Now, both these qualities George
WIS known to possess in an eminent de-
gree indeed on one occasion he had, sin
gle-handed, saved the .iregimental colors
when in imminent danger Of being cap
tured be smiled, therefore, as he said that
never having had the pleasure Of meeting
a5ghost, he could not declare what he had
done on the occasion; but as he did not
believe that disembodied' spirits walked
the earth, he had no doubt he would act
upon the belief that some imposture was
being practised upon him, and would treat
the ghost as he believed the appearance
really was, in most if not all cases, as .
person in disguise: Forbes then, with
some eagerness, asked him if he would
pass night in . Haunted chamber; George
replied that he undoubtedly would, and
that moreover, he would take pistol on
watch with him, and try the effect Of a
bullet on the phantom. .'",
Forbes told: Stephen Morton Of Georges
resolution, and asked his assistance in a
project which be, had in view: Morton
replied, that as far as tradition went, any
one might sleep in the haunted chamber
with impunity, except on certain night
in November; but Forbes said Els scheme
was to disguise some person as the skele-
ton, and for this purpose he thought Ste
phen was well qualified, as he was tall and
thin. Stephen had no objection in the
world to playing ghost, but said he had
several reaions for not wishing to be a tar
get for George, who was dead shot lone
of his objections being based upon the de-
cided unwho1esomeness Of lead when vio-
lently introduced into the system But
Forbes quietedv his fears be declaring that
of course the experiment should not be
tried unless he could. unknown to. George,
extract the bullet from his pistol It was
therefore decided that Morton should be
dressed in thin black tights, which their
amateur theatrical wardrobe would provide,
and should have the ribs and all the bones
chalked or painted on this black surface,
trusting to the dim light afforded by one
candle, and also the the trepidation which
it was promised George would experience
to hide the imposture. I..;:3,ls s..1 Z:
"Poo1 Morton was delighted, and was
very much in favor Of making terrific
speech, beginning with unhappy mortal
or something to the same effect, and ma
king his appearance in a fash of lightning
OF at least Of -lycopodium. However,
Forbes declaimed strongly against the
likelihood Of a skeleton speaking, for, as
he forcibly put it, where would he keep
his wind 2. and thought it would be much
more digni6ed :foz: the phantom after he
was discovered, to move forward slowly,
receive, the supposed shot; from George,
and if the latter had neither yelled, run
away, nor tainted and one Of these con-
tingencies Forbes thought likely
then the imposition was to be ackhowl.
edged, those on the lookout at the door
would enter, and they. would all enjoy a
hearty laugh at:their want IF success. L
"Of course, as it was likely that pistol
would be fired, .in the house at or about
midnight, it was necessary that all the
family should: know as much about the af-
fair as George did; ;1namely, that he had
received and accepted a challenge to pass
a night in the haunted chamber, the
young men haying been let into the whole
secret Id TIE manner ID which: George
resolution was commented upon wis char
acteristic; the father, who was a disbe-
lever in ghosts, said, Nonsense, in the
most decided manner; the mother, more
doubtful, said, I hope nc, harm will come
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