Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1860-04-05

UI Hlm.
But the apparition was in the presence
Of q man not easily scared The librarian,
so far from taintiug or shrieking, as might
reasonably De 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 human voice; anyway, it gave no an
swer, but disappeared
The next day Mr. Cogswell thought over
the matter, attributed it TO some optical de-
lusion, and in the evening proceeded with
his work as usual. Again he wished to re
fer to some books, and again visited the
southwestern alcoye. There again, as large
as life, was the ghost, very calmly and
plaeidly surveying the shelves Mr. Cogs-
we'll again spoke to it:
'Dr. - said he, 'again / ask YOU,
why you, who never visited the library
while living, trouble it now when dead 2
Again the ghost vanished, and the IN
daunted li6l&rian pursued his task without
interruption. The next day he examined
the shelves before which tue apparition had
been seen standing, and by a singular CO.
incidence found that they were filed with
books devoted to demonolooy witchcrait
magic, spiritualism, &c Some Of these
books are rare tones, centuries old, writ
ten in Latin, illustrated with quaint dia-
grams, and redolent OF mysticism, while on
the next shelves are their Younger breth-
ren, the neat, spruce works Of modern spir-
itualist;, of Britain, Davis, Edmonds, and
Others. The very titles on these mystic
books suggestive. They are the Proph-
ecies or Representations of Michal Nos
tradamous, folio published in London in
1872; Aibamasar de Conjectionibus Ker-
ner's Majikon; Godwin's Lives of the Ne
cromancers; GlanYil on Witches and Ap-
partitions; Cornelius Agrippaj Bodin's
Demonomania; Lilly's Astrology and 9th
ers, a perusal of any of which would ef-
tectually murder the sleep OF person Of
ordinary nerve for at least half dozen
nights. 1t was these volumes that appear
ed to attract the apparition
The third night Mr.. Cogswcll, still de-
tcrmined that the shade, spirit, delusion,
or effect of igestion-whateye it might
be-should not interfere with his duties,
again visited the various books to which to
refer to, and when occasion demanded did
not fail to- approach the mystic alcove
There again was the apparition, dressed
precisely as before, in gentlemans usual
costume, as natural as life, and with hand
raised, as if about to take down book
Mr. (.0rswpll AGAIN sroke.
DR.. -, he said boldly, this is the
third time | have met you. Tell me if any
of this class of books now disturb you? If
they do, | will have them removed
But the ungrateful ghost, without ac-
knowledging this accommodating spirit on
the part Of his interrogation. disappeared
Nor has it been seen since, and the librarian
has continued his nightly researches with
out interruption
a few days ago, at dinner party at the
house Of a we'll known wealthy gentleman,
Mr.. CogSwell related the circumstances as
above recorded, as nearly as We can learn.
As some eighteen Or twenty persons were
present, the remarkable story OF course was
soon spread about. 4 number of literary men,
including an eminent historian and 9th
ers, heard the recital, aud though they at
tribute Mr.. Cogsweips ghost seeing to the
strain and tension of his nerves during his
too protracted labors at the catalogue, they
yet confess that the story has its remark
able phtses. Both Mr. Cogswcll and the
deceased physician were persons of prac-
tical turn Of mind, and always treated the
marvellous ghost stories sometimes set afoat,
with deserved contempt And, as they
were not at all intimate, it will be at least
a curious question for the psychologist to
determine, why the idea of this deceased
gentleman should come to Mr. Cogswell's
brain and resolve itself into an appariton,
when engaged in dry, statistical labors,
which should effectually Danish ali thoughts
of the marvellous.
Acting on the advice of several friends,
Mr. Cogswell is now absent on a short trip
to Charleston, to recuperate his energies. /
His indefatigablc industry, his devotion to
the interests of the library, and his great
efficiency as librarian, render it highly
desirable that he should enjoy recreation
and repose, and not endanger his health by
a too close application to his duties In
regard to the apparition we will make no
comments, but give the story as related by
DIR. Cogswell, as we are credibly informed,
and as it has already been talked about in
various literary and domestic circles in this
city.
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