Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1861-07-05
A GHOST STORY,

We we're returning from our spring
meeting of the Presbytery; one gentle
man and two young ladies--in "rocka.
way" and the roads Of the best Night
cold and damp, overlook us eight or ten
miles from home, but only short dis
tance from Judge Banks. Knowing that
we should find outside the Judges door
the latchstring, and inside warm well
come, warm fire, and a warm supper, be.
sides beds which We could warm for our
selves--we unhesitatingly consigned our
selves to his hospitalities. Supper being
over, and our persons seated according to
our several tastes in semi-circle before
an old-fashioncd blaze, We were just in
the mood to enjoy the entertainment Of
our hosts conversational gifts. Among
other things he narrated the following
unique tale which we unanimously agreed
to put in print.
Said the Judge substan TALLY as follows
"Years ago, we had in our house a sweet
little child about four years of age the
object of course Of very tender affec-
ton. But sickness laid his hand upon it..
Remedies promptly resorted to, all proved
in vain. Day after day the roses faded
from the cheek, and the FIRE in the eyes
burned low; and at length death closed
those eyes, and sealed the lips forever !;
and we learned by trying experience, how
intense darkness follows, the quenching
of one of those little lights of life.
The time rolling steadily on, brought
US at length to the hour appointed for
committing our treasure to the ordinarily
sure custody of the grave. The friends
assembled, the customary services were
held, the farewell taken, and the little
form securely shut beneath the screwed
coffin lid, and in due time the grave re-
ceived its trust. We looked on and saw
the earth thrown in, the mound raised
above, and the plates of sod neatly adjust
ed into green sheltering roof, and then
wended our way back to our desolate
home. Evening came on and wore away.
My wife had gone into an adjoining room
to give some directions to a servant, and
I, untitled by the scenes of the day for
aught else, had just laid my head upon
my pillow in our room upon the floor of
the house, when heard shrek, and in
moment more my wife came flying into
the room, and, springing upon the bed
behind me, exclaimed:
''See there! our child! our child |"
Raising my head, my blood froze with
in me and the hair upon my head stood
up as I saw the little thing in grave
clothes, with open, but manifestly sight.
less eyes, and pale as when we gave it the
last kiss, walking slowly towards us !
Had been alone--had not the extreme
terror of my wife compelled me to play
the man, should have leaped from the
window and bed without casting look
behind.
But not daring to leave her in such ter
ror, arose, set down in a chair, and took
the little creature between my knees-a
cold sweat covering my body--aud gazed
with feelings unutterabe upon the object
before me. The eyes opened in vacant
stare. The flesh was colorless, cold and
the power either of speech or hearing as
it made no attempt to answer any of our
questions. The horror of our minds was
the more intense as we had watched our
child through its sickness and death, and
had been but a few hours before eye-wit-
nesses of its interment.
While gazing upon it, and asking in my
thoughts. What can this extraordinary
providence mean? For what can it be
sent?" the servant girl erept to the door,
and after time suggested; at looks
like Mrs. IS child" Now, our next
neighbor had child nearly the same age
as ours, and its constant companion. But
what should bring it to our house at that
hour, and in such plightP Still the
suggestion had operated as powerful Sc
dative upon our excited feelings, and rem
dered us more capable of calm reflection.
And after a time, we discovered in truth
that the graUe clothes were night clothes,
and the corps a somambulist And it be-
came manifest that it was the excitement
attending the loss and burial of its play
mate, working upon the child's mind in
sleep, to which we were indebted for this
untimely and startling visit,
} Wiping away the perspiration, and TAX
ing few long breaths, l prepared to coun-
termarch the intruder back to its forsake
} bed. Back we went, it keeping at my
: side, though still asleep. 1t had walked
quite distance across the damp gross
J | found the door Of its home ajar, just as
} the fugitive had left it, and sleeping par
cnts unconscious of its absence. The
door creaked as | pushed it open, aud
wakened the child, who looked wildly
around a moment, and then popped into
bed.
: Now had il not been for my wife, as
} have said l should on the appearace oI
: this apparation have made leap of un
common agility from that window, ant
0 after a fight of common velocity for q
| person of my age and dignity, l shoult
= have been ready to take an oath IN any
court, either in Christendom or heather
5 dom that 1 had seen Ghost.
WHALER's CONDEMNED The New Or
leans True Delta of the 23d ult. says
Yesterday in the Confederate State