The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1864-12-09
Selected STORY,
THE GHOST RAISER.

stories. Among them he tells his Single
Ghost story SO often that l am heartily
tired Of it. In self-defencc. therefore,
publish the tale, in order that when mex
the good, kind old gentleman offers tc
bore us with it. everybody may say they
know it. remember every word OF it.
One autumn even ng, about forty years
ago, / was travelling on horseback from
Shrewsbury to Chester. fell tolerably
tired, and was beginning to look out for
some snug wayside inn where / might
pass the night, when sudden and violent
thunder. storm came on. My horse. ter.
ri6ed by the lightning, fairly took the
bride between his teeth and started of
with me at full gallop, through lanes and
crossroads. until, at length, l managed
70 pull him up just at the door OF neat
looking country inn.
"Well." thought I, "thsre was wit in
your madness, old boy, since it brought
us to this comfortable refuge" An
alighting, l gave him in charge to the
stout farmers boy who acted as oster.-
The inn kitchen, which was also the guest
room, was large. clean. neat and comfor-
table. very like the pleas ant hostelry des-
crihod by Izaak Walton. There were
several travellers already in the room
probably like myself. driven there for
shelter-and they were all warming and
drying themselves by the blazing fire
while waiting for supper. ] joined the
party. Presently, being summoned by
the hostess, we oil sat down, twelve in
number, to a smoking rcpast Of bacon and
eggs, corned beef and carrots, and stewed
hare.
The conversation naturally turned ou
the mishaps occasioned by the storm, of
which every one seemed to have had his
full share. One had been thrown of his
horse; another, driving in his gig. had
been upset into muddy dyke; and all
hsd received thorough ducking, and
agreed unanimously, that it was dreadful
weatber--a regular witches Sabbath!
"Witches and ghosts prefer for their
Sabbath fine moonlight night to such
weathe, as thisw
These words were uttered in solemn
tone and with strong emphasis. by one of
the company. He was tall. dark look
ing man, and mad set him down in my
own mind as a travelling merchant or
pedlsr. My next neighbof was gay,
well looking, fashionably dressed young
man. who, bursting into peal Of laugh
ter, said
"You must know the manners and Gus.
TENS of ghosts pretty well. to be able to
tell that they dislike getting wet and
muddy"
The first speaker, giving him dark,
fierce look, said:-
young man. speak not so lightly of :
things above your comprehension.
"Do you mean to imply that there are
such things as ghosts?'
perhaps there are, if you had the
to look at them"
The young man stood up, flushed with J.
anger. But presently resuming his seat
,e said, calmly
"That taunt should cost you dearly, if
{ were not such foolish one."
IA foolish onep' exclaimed the mer-
,hant, throwing on the table heavy
eathern purse. "There are fifty guineas
am coneent 10 loose them, if, before the
lour is ended, / do uot succeed in show. i,
ng you, who are so obstinately prejudic-
ID. the form Of any one Of your deceased
riends; and if, after you hove re recognized
,im, you will allow him to kiss your ,
ips."
We all looked at each other, but my
'oung neighbor, still in the same mock
ng manner. replied
"You win do that. will you?"
"Yes" said the other, II will stake
hsse fifty guineas, on condition that you
will pay a similar sum if you loose"
After a short silence the young man
aid, gaily:-
Fifty guineas, my worthy sorcerer
re more than poor college sizar ever
,ossessed: but here are five. which, II 20
ire satisfied, shall be most willing to
wager"
The other took up his purse. sayin G,
o . contemptuous tone:-- Z
sYounr gentleman, you wish to draw ,