The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1864-12-09

sure OF winning lnat ne piaceu Ill 'ne
stakes in the students hands, and pre-
pared for his experiment We selected
for the purpose small summar-h ouse in
the garden, perfectly isolated. and having
no means of exit but the door. W hich we
carefully fastened after placing the young
msnwithin. We got wri ting materials
on small table in rhc summer house,
and took away the candles. We remain
ed outside with the pedlar amongst us
In low. solemn voice he began to
chant the following lines
"What riseth slow from the ocean caves.
And the stormy surf?
The phantom pale sets his blackened foot,
On the fresh, green turf"
Then raising his voice solemnly. he
said.-
"You asked to see yonr friend. Francis
Villiers. who was drowned three years
ago off the coast of America-whst do
you see?"
II see." replied the student, "a white
light rising near the window; but it has
no form; it is Ike an uncertain cloud"
We--the spectators-remained pro-
foundly silent.
care you sfraid:" asked the merchant
in loud voice.
Il am not" replied the student, fra-
ly.
After moments silence, the pedlar
stamped three times on the groand, and
sang
"And the phantom white, whose clay y-cold fsce,
Was once so fair,
Dries with his shroud his clinging vest.
And his sea tossed hair"
Once more the solemn question:
"You, who would see revealed the
m mysteres of the tomb-what do you see
now?"
The student answered in calm voice,
but like that of a man describind things
Is they pass before him:
II see the cloud taking the form ofs
phantom: its head is covered with = long
,oil-it stands still?'
care you afraid!"
Il am not"
We all looked at each other in horror
tricken silence, while the merchants, {
aising his arms above his head, chsnted,
n sepulchral voice.
And the phantom said. as lie rose from wave {
He shall know me in sooth!
will 60 to friend, gay, smiling and fond.
AS in our first youth"
"What do you see?"
Il see the phantom advance: he lifts
lis veil-'tis Francis Villiersl he sp-
reaches the table--he writes! tits his
ignature"
care you afraid?" !
A fearful moment of silence ensued;
hen the student replied, but in an altered .
oice:---
Il am not"
With strange and frantic gestures the i,
lerchsnt then sang ,
And the phantom said to the mocking seer, Z,
| come from the South;
ut thy hand ou'my hand-thy heart on my heart;
Thy mouth on my mouth" Z
"What do you see!'
"He comes-he approachesl-he pur-
les me--he is streaching out his arms
Q will have me! Help! help! Save mel"
"Are you afraid now' asked the mer-
nant. in mocking voice.
A piercing cry. aud then stifled grosn
ere the only replies to this terrible
uestiou.
"Help that rash YOUTH said the mer' :,
hant, bitterly. 81 have, ] think, won :.
,e wager; but it is sufficient for me to
ave given him lesson. Let him keep 7
le money, and be wiser for the future" J
He walked rapidly away. We opened
he door of the summer house, and found
be- student in convulsions. A paper. q
igned with the name "Frsncis Villiers," {
vss on the table. AS soon as the stu I
ent's senses we're restored he asked vehe :
nently where was the vile sorcerer who
sd subjected him 10 such horrible or
esl--he would kill him. He sought I
i'm throughout the inn in vain; then with .
he speed of madman, he dashed off I
cross the fields in pursuit Of him--snd
ve never saw either Of them sgsin. That.
hildren, is my Ghost Story.
"And how is it, uncle. that sfler Gat,
ou don't believe in ghosts?" said !, the
rst time l heard it.