The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1863-05-06

ishly mentioned the subject of ghosts
something of that description was report
ed as having been seen in the church
yard. H o
alt is silly report" said Martin
"Nobody can believe that ghost has re-
ally been seen there; and I doubt if any
person here really believes in the existence
of ghosts" 70
"You do yourself you know you do,
Martin, although you're ashamed to own
it." cried Isabella; but Martin only laugh
ed. "Come, now," continued the thought
less girl, Z" can prove that you have some
idea that such things may exist. Go to
the churchyard alone in the dark, and
then declare, if you can, that you felt no
fear"
"And what would that prove?"
"Why, you will be frightened, though
you should see nothing. Your fears wod
put your belief to the test. How could
you be afraid ifyou did not feel that there
was something to be afraid off"
"I do not think your logic the best in
the world" replied Martin, laughing
"Men are often troubled with fear, when
their reason tells them there is no cause
for fear. But deny, in the first place,
that journey to the graveyard, even at
midnight, would frighten me in the least"
cha! hal but you shall not escape
sol" laughed Isabella. "Here, before
these, our friends, l promise that this ring
shall be yours" she continued, displaying
one given her by an old lover, which Mar
tin had often desired her to part with,
provided you 90 to the churchyard alone,
ir the dark, and on your honor, when
you return, you were not afraid"
agreed" said Martin, buttoning his
coat.
Thus driven by taunts to the commits
sion of folly, Martin took leave Of the
company, full of courage and spirit, and
set out on his errand. He marched
steadily to the churchyard, stopping a
moment to gaze at the white tombstones
cleaning family in the dark and desolate
ground-for the stars shone brilliantly in
the clear, cold sky-then shouldering the
iron bar Of which Isabella had spoken,
set out TO return.
He had proceeded about halfway,
when, in the gloomiest part Of the road,
he saw a white figure emerge from a
clump of willows, and coming towards
him. All Martins strength of courage
was gone in an instant. Courage gave
place to desperation; his hair standing
erect, and his blood running chill with
horror; still he stood his ground. The
spectre drew nearer, seeming TO grow
winter and larger as it approached. We
can not tell what frenzy seized upon the
brain of the unhappy youth at that mo-
ment. r
The guests at the clcrgyman's house
heard terrific screams. Dreading some
tragic termination to the farce, they rush
ed to the spot. They found Martin kneel-
ing on prostrate figure, his fingers clutch
ed convulsively It's throat, while he still
uttered frantic shrieks for help. One Of
the young men forced Martin to relax his
hold on the throat of the figure, whilst
another tore away the folds of the sheet,
and disclosed the blood-stained, distorted
features of Isabella. Martin uttered an
unearthly shrek, and fell helpless upon
the corpse. He never spoke again; but
livod-an IDIOT
The tolling bell has told us that Heav-
en- in its mercy has finally freed the spir-
it from its shackles of clay, and given it
light in better world.
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SAGINAW COUNTY OFFICIAL CANVASS.
The democratic majority for Associate