Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1860-08-16
Hlistellantaug.
The Barber's Ghost.

A gentleman, travelling some years since
| in the upper part of this State, called at a
tavern and requested entertainment for the
night. The landlord informed him that il
was out Of his power to accommodate him,
as his house was already full. lie persisted
in stopping, as he, as well as his horse, were
, almost exhausted with travelling. After
much solicitation the landlord consented to
his stopping, provided he would sleep in a
certain room that had not been occupied for
a long time in consequence Of a belief that it
was haunted by the ghost of barber, who
was reported to have been murdered in that
room some years before.
"Vcry well" says the man, al am not
afraid of ghosts"
After having refreshed himself he inquired
Of the landlord how and in what manner tho
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 accent, say
ing
DO you w-a-n-t to be sli-a-vcd2"
"Well," replied the man, if he comes
he may shave me.
lie then requested to be shown to the
apartment, in going to which he was coh-
Quoted through large room where were
seated great number Of persons at gam
ing table. Feeling curiosity which almost
every one possesses after hearing ghost sto-
res, lie carefully searched every corner of his
room, but could discover nothing but the
usual furniture Of the apartment. lie then
laid down, but did not close his eyes immc-
diately, and in a few minutes he Imagined
lie heard a voice saying:
Tln JbOu Jr-u-Df In he yI. N -JpJ l'
lie arose from lis bed, and searched every
part Of the room, but could discover nothing.
lie again went to bed, but no sooner had he
begun to compose himself to sleep, than the
question was again repeated. lie again arose
aud went to the window, the sound appear
ing to proceed from that quarter, and stood
awhile silent. After few moments of anx-
ious suspcncc he again heard the sound dis
tincty, and, convinced that it was from with
out lie opened the window, when the question
was repeated full in his ear, which startled
him not little. Upon minute examina-
tic II, however, he observed that the limb of
large onk tree, which stood under his win
dow, projected so near the house that every
breath of wind, to lively Imagination,
made noise resembling the interrogation
ado you want to be sh-a-ved?"
Having SatlsIlcu UllilSell blldI HIS SIoSI Wsto
nothing more nor less than the limb of a tree
coming in contact with the house, he again
went to bed and attempted to get asleep;
but lie was now interrupted by peals of
laughter, and an occasional yollcy of oaths
and curses, from the room where the gam
blers were ssemblcd-Thinkng he could
turn the late discovery to his own advantage.
he took sheet from the bed and wrapped
it round him, and taking the washbasin in
his hand, and throwing a towel over his arm,
proceeded to the room of the gamblers, and
suddenly opening .he door walked in exclaim-
ing in tremendous voice:
"Do you want to be sh-a-ved?"
Terrified at tire sudden appearance of the
ghost the gamblers were thrown into the
greatest confusion, in attempting to escape
it, some jumping through the windows, and
others tumblng head over heels down stairs
Our ghost taking advantage of clear
room, deliberately swept large amount of
money from the table into the basin, and re-
tired unseen to his room.
The rcxt morning he found the house in
the utmost confusion. He was Immediately
asked if lie rested well, to which he replied
in the affirmative.
"Well, 10 wonder" said the landlord,
g. for the ghost, instead of going to his own
room, made mistake and came to ours and
frightened us out of the room, and took
away every dollar of our money
The guest, without being the least sus-
pected, quietly ate his breakfast and depart
ed many hundred dollars richer by the ad-
venture.