The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-04-11
GBe STORY Teller.
A DREADFUL GHOST.
ny TIE AUTHOR OF "JonS HALIFAX, GENT" "

"Such dreadful ghost! oh, such dread
iul ghost !"
My wife, who was luckily sitting by me,
was at first as much frightened as was, but
gradually she succeeded in quieting both me
and herself, which indeed she has wonder.
ful faculty for doing.
When she had drawn from me the cause OF
my terrified EXPLANATIONS, we discussed the
whole matter-in which we differed consider
ably and on this subject we invariably and
aHectionately do. She is perfect matter-in.
fact, unimaginatiye, and interpretations in
diyidual; quite satisfied that in the invisible
rs in the visible world. two and two must
make four, and cannot by any possibility
make FIVE. Only being, with all her gentle.
ness, little pig headed, she does not see that
one flaw in her otherwise very sensible argu-
mCnt, namely, the taking forgranted that We
finite creatures, who arc 80 liable to error
even in material things, can in things i'm.
material decide absolutely upon what is two
and what is four.
There lives more faith In honest doubt,
Believe me, than In half your creeds.
And it is just possible that when the devil
tempted our iorelather to eat Of the tree Of
knowledge, he was laughing, as maybe he
often laughs now. to think what u self.cOn'
ceited fool man must be ever to suppose
that he can know every thing.
When preach this to my helprnate-who
is the humblest and sweetest of women-she
replies, in perhaps the safest way woman
can reply to an argument, with smile; u.
she did when, having talked over and viewed
on all sides my Dreadful Ghost, she advised
me to make it public for the good Of the
community in which we agreed, though
differing. She considered it would prove
how very silly it is to believe in ghosts al
all. | eonsidered-but my story will explain
that.
She and I were, thought, invited to q
strange house, with which, and with the
family, We w,re only acquainted by hearsay
Ii was, in fact. one Of those "inyitations on
business" such rs literary persons like my.
self continually get and which give little
pleasure, rs We are perfectly aware from what
motives they spring; and that if we could
pack up our reputation in portmanteau,
and our head in hat-box, it would answer
exactly the same purpose, and be equally sat
isfactory to the inviting parties. However,
the present case was an exception; since,
though we had never seen our entertainers,
we had heard that they were, not show.
loving. literary.lion.hunting household. but
really family; adectionately united among
themselves, and devoted to the memory of the
lately Lost head. lie was physician, widely
esteemed, and also man Of letters, whose
death had created great blank, hoth in his
own circle and in the literary world ut large.
Now, after years interval, his widow and
three daughters were beginning to reappear
in society; and at the British Association
meeting. held at the large town which need
not particularize, had opened the doors Of
their long hospitable house to my wife and
me.
Being strangers, we thought Il best to ap-
pear. as would advise all stranger guests to
do, at the tail-cnd Of the day; when candle