Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1860-06-22

GO 1t is silly report, said Martin.
Nobody can believe that a ghost has
really been seen there; and doubt if
person here believes at all in the exis-
tence of ghosts
"' You do yourself-you know you do,
Martin, although you are ashamed to own
it., cried Isabella. But Martin only
laughed.
g" Come now,' continued the thought
less girl, " | can prove that you have
some idea that such things may exist.
Go to the churchyard alone in the dark,
and then declare, if you can, that you
have felt no fear
:" And what would that provo 2
g" Why, you would be frightened,
though you should see nothing. Your
fears would put your belief to the test
"' | DO cot think your logic is very
good, replied Martin, laughing
Men are often troubled with fear
when their reason tells them there is no
cause to fear. But | deny in the first
| place that a journey to the churchyard,
even at midnight, would frighten me in
the least ?
9" How bravely you can TALK said
Isabella, indulging in her customary tone
of sarcasm. But nobody here be-
lieves it don't at any rate. Why, you
hadn't courage enough the other day to
help kill rabbit; your mother TOLD me
so!
49, never like to cause or impress
pain, if it can be avoided answered
Martin, blushing
g" Ha! ha F! ha what a poor excuse
You are brave enough, to be sure, but
tender hearted Come, now you dare
not go to the churchyard this night,
alone. You are not half so courageous
as you would have us believe Whether
you think there are ghosts, or not, you
are afraid Of them
Martin was extremely sensitive !; but
the sarcasm of nobody except Isabella
could have stuog him to the quick.
Scorning the imputation of cowardice, he
was ready to do almost any desperate act
to prove his courage"
49, But said he, although | have
no more fear Of churchyarls aud ghosts
than | have Of orchards and apple-trees
| am not going to walk halfa mile, mere.
ly to be laughed at
"t Hal ha but you shall not escape
50 ? laughed Isabella. Here, before
these our friends, promise that tbi,
ring shall be yours. she continued
displaying one given by an old lover,
which Martin. had desired her to part
with, provided You go to the church
yard, alone, in the dark, and declare, on
your honor, when you return, that you
were not in the least afraid
GO Agreed, said Martin, buttoning
his coat, for the night was chilly.
"' And, as an evidence that you 20
the entire distance, you can bring back
with you the iron bar, which you will
) find close by the gate, said Isabella.
" Thus.driven by taunts to the com
mission Of folly Martin took leave Of
the company, full of courage and spirit,
, and set out on his Grand.
: " II was near a quarter of a mile to
the churehyard, which was approached
by lonely, dreary path, seldom Travelled
? except by mourners.
! " 1t is impossible to relate precisely
j what happened to Martin on that gloomy
road. judge from the circumstances
which afterwards came to light, aud con.
= lecture his adventure must have been as
| AN about to relate it,
T "Slight as he was in frame, and tender
in bis feelings, he was not destitute Of
g courage. ] do not think he was fright
J ened by the signing of the wind and the
rustling of the dry autumnal leaves, as
many stronger men might have been.
z He marched steadily to the churchyard,
stopped moment, perhaps to gaze sadly,
! but not iearfully, at the white tombstones
: cleaning family in the dark and desolatc
, ground, for the stars shone brilliantly in
the clear cold sky then shouldering the
, iron bar Of which isabella had spoken,
: he set out to return.
} " lie had proceeded about half way,
/ when in the gloomcst part of the road
ne saw white figure emerge from a
clump Of willows aud come up toward
him. 1t looked like walking corpse, in
a winding sheet which trailed upon the
ground. All Martins strength Of nerve
was gone in an instant. Courage gave
place to desperation, his hair standing
erect, and his blood running chill with
horror; still he stood his ground. The
spectre drew nearer, seeming 30 grow
larger and whittier as it approached. We
cannot tell VIVA. frenzy seized upon the
brain Of the youth at that moment.
The guests at the C!ergyman's heard
terrific screams. Dreading some tragic
termination to the farce, they rushed 10
the spot, one Of the number carrying
lantern. They found Martin knoeling
over PROSTATE figure, his fingers clutch
ing conyulsiyely it's throat, while he still
uttered frantic shrieks for help. His
wild features exhibited the very extrom-
| ity Of terror
Only two Of the most courageous
young men dared approach him. One of
them forced Martin 10 relqx bis hold on
the throat Of the figure, whilst the other
tore away the folds Of the sheet. At that
moment the bearer Of the lantern came
up. Its light fell on the blood-stained,
distorted features of-lsabella T! Mar
tin uttered one more unearthly shrek,
and fell lifeless upon the corpse. lie
never spoke again, but liyed--an IDIOT
A frightfuI confusion on Isabella's
temple bore evidence that in his frenzy