Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1861-04-30
THE GHOsT-RAIsER

My uncle Beagley, who commenced his com.
mercial career very early in the present century
as a bagmau, eW tell stories. Among them, be
tells his Single Ghost Story so often, that | am
heartily tired of il. In self-defence, therefore,
publish the tale, in order that when next the
good, kind old gentleman offers to bore us with
il, eVerJbody may Say they know IL. remem-
ber every word of it.
One fne autumn evening, about forty years
ago, was travelling on horseback from Shrews-
bury to Chester. felt tOlerAbly tired, and was
beginning to look out for some snug wayside inn,
where l might pass the night, when sudden
and violent thunderstorm came Oh. My horse,
terrified by the lightning, fairly took the bride
between his teeth, and started off with me at
full gallop through lanes and crossroads, until
at length I managed to pull him up just near
the door Of a neat looking country inn.
'Well,' thought l. there was wit in your mad
ness, old boy, since it brought us to this COM
Portable refuge And alghting, gave him in
charge to the stout farmers boy who acted as
ostler. The inn kitchen, which was also the
guest room, was large. clean, neat and comfort
able, very like the pleasant hostelry described
by lzaak Walton. There were several travellers
already in the room-probably, like myself,
driven there for shelteT-and they were all warm
ing themselves by the blazing fire while whiting
for supper Joined the party. Presently, be-
ing summoned by the hostess, we all Get down,
twelve IN number, to a smoking repast Of bacon
and eggs, corned beef and carrots, and steWed
hare.
The conversation naturally turned on the
mishaps oceasioned by the storm, Of which every
one seemed to have had his full share. One had
been thrown off his horse; another, driving In q
gig, had been upset into muddy dyke all bad
got q thorough wetting, and agreed unanimously
that ii was dreadful weather-a regular witches
sabbath
Witches and ghosts prefer for their sabbath q
foe moonlight night to such weather as this =
These words were uttered in a solemn tone,
and with strange emphasis, by one Of the com.
paDy. fle was tall, dark-looking man, and
had set him down in ny own mind as q travelling
merchant or pedlar. My next neighbor was a
gay. well-looking, fashionably dressed young
man, who. bursting into peal of laughter, said
You must know the manners and customs Of
ghosts very we'll, to be able to tell that they dis.
like getting wet or muddy
The speaker, giving him dark, fierce look,
said;
Young man, speak not so lightly of things
aboy4 your comprehension +?
sDO you mean to imply that there ore such
things no ghosts 2
Perhaps there are il you had courage to look
at Them
The young man stood up, flushed with anger
But presently resuming his seat he said calmly:
That taunt should cost you dear, II it were
not such foolish one'
"A foolish onel exclaimed the merchant,
throwing on the table heavy lenthern purse.
There are fifty gnineas. l am content to lose
them, if, before the hour is ended do not sue
coed in showing you, who are so obstnately pre-
judiced, the form of any one Of your deceased
friends; aud il, after you have recognized him,
| YOU will allow him to kiss your lips,'
| We oil looked at each other but my young
neighbor, still in the same mocking manner,
replied
'You will DO that, will you?
yes said the other, Il will stake these fifty
guinsas, on condition that you pay a similar sum,
il you lose.'
After short silence, the young man said
gaily:
Fifty guineas, my worthy sorcersr, are more
than poor college siaar ever possessed; but
here arc five, which, il you are satisfied, l shall
be most willing to wager
The other took up his purse, saying, in con-
temptuous tone:
Young gentleman, you wish to draw back p
Il draw back ? exclaimed the student. We'll
If | bad the fifty guineas, you should see wheth-
er wish to draw back
Here said |, are four guineas, which l will
stake on your wagerp
! No sooner had l madQ this proposition than
the rest of tho company attracted by this sin
| guarity of the affair, came forward to lay down
their money and in q minute or two the fifty
guneas were subscribed. The merchant appear
ed so sure of winning. that be placed all the
stakes ia the students hands, and prepared for
his experiment. We selected for the purpose
small summer-house in the garden, perfectly
isolated, and having no means Of exit but
window and a door, which we carefully fastened,
after placing tho young man within We put
writing materials on q small table in the summer
house, and took away the candles. We remain,
ed outside, with the pedlar amongst us. In
low solemn voice be began to chant the follow
ing lines;
| "what rlseth slow from the oseAn caves,
! And the stormy surfi
The phantom pale sets his b!arkensd foot
On the fresh green turf.
Then raising his voice solemnly, he said:
'YUu asked TO see your friend, Francis Vii
liers, who was drowned three years ago, oa the
const Of South Amerca-What do you see 2
d see, replied the student, "a white light ris.
ing near the window; but it has no form 1t Is
like an uncertain cloud
We--tbc spectaiors-remained profoundly si-
lent.
Are you afraid. asked the merchant, in a
loud voice.
Il am not, replied the student firmly.
After moments silence, the pedlar stamped
| Anlee uiheS w tHp Btnuhui uhu eauB
"And the phantom white, whose eny.eold face
Was ouee 80 fair,
Dries with bis stroud his eliuglng vest
| And his sea-tossed hair
Once more the solemn question:
You, who would see revealed the mysteries Of
the tomb-what do you see now p
The student answered, in calm voice, but
like that of man describing things as they pass
before him:
Il see the cloud taking the form Of phantom;
its head is covered with long veil it stands
still =
Are you afraid ?
Il nm notn
We looked at each other in hoIror-stricken
silence, while the merchant, raising his arms
above bis head, chanted, in O sepuchral voice
Aud The phantom said, as ha rose from The wave,
lie shall know me In south
will SO to my ffisnd, gay, smiling. aud fond,
As In cur htst youth"