The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1866-06-08
FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 1866.


ly in motion, and voice very near me utter
ed three deep groans.
+" Before could consider what il would b,
prudent to do under such circumstances, the
noise ceased, and the next moment was heard
Ggain on the floor overhead. The following
night | provided myself with firearms plac-
cd phosphorus box on the table, and await
cd in bed-half asleep, half awake-the OPP
proach Of midn ight
Il had not lain long before tho noises OF
the preceding night were renewed; spranH
out of bed, the cock Of my pistol snapped,
but without effect; the flint had been re-
moved, and the powder did not ignite. /" The
Devil cried /, "what unbidden guest comeS
to disturb my rest. would have you know
that there are neither treasures nor curioSi-
teS here. lfyeu are in search Of imprinted
manuscripts, wait till have got light, and
then you may read them all at your leisure"
Whilst was speaking made several un-
successful attempts to procure light, but
the brlmstoue went out; and just as sue
ceeded, groan was audible, the door closed
gently, and there |, stood sans euloAe, gazing
at it, like child at broken toy.
This has occurred every night since, and
have ceased to concern myself about find
ing the cause Of what appears inexplicable;
sleep soundly and leave the ghosts to amuse
themselves aS they please. And now, pray,
what do you think ofall this know you
bold all mysticists and Platoni5ts of the new
school in contempt; but do you deny she eI-
existence Of einatural things2 viii you
affirm that in the spiritual world nothing but
God can become the subject OF our serses' "
"There may, indeed, exist supernatural
beings, Victor, observed, but the idea
what is supernatural involves contradlc-
tion, and what is contradictory is nonsensi-
cal In IL Catholic and a poet, this creduli-
ty does not surprise me but depend up
on it, the flights of too ardent imag-
ination, not the pranks Of supernatural
beings, have furnished you with the ma
terials Of your ghost story"
ADO you take me then for fool, who has
been talked out ofhiswits by the priests? Look
you, neither go to mass nor to confession
| have thrown away my rosemary aud as to
their absOlution, laugh at IT, Only give me
proofs instead Of words-prove to mo that
there exists nothing bsides Godand nature >.
"Let us quit the subject" said !, to-mor-
row will call upon you and show you how
to lay spirits"
"Be it so, said he and having finished
our bottle, we shook hands and parted for
the night.
The next evening visited the chamber
Of my friend found him sitting at the ta-
bic, with his arms crossed, and bis back lean
ing against the wall "Sly what you will,
remarked he, as the conversation turned again
upon spirits, talk as much as you like Of
the force OF Imagination, you will alter yonr
opinion before tho night 10 past.
1t was eleven o'clock went down stairs,
and stepped gently up again, in order not to
excite the suspicious of the fellow-lodgsrs.
Now follow my advice" said Victor,
"take your dagger, seat yourself on the 9th
er side ofthe door, as do this on this, put
ou. the light, speak little, and softly, and
wait lill the door opens" lie did as said.
We had scarcely sat an hour, when we heard
footsteps approaching the stairs creaked and
presently afterwards key was put into the
door at which we were stationed it was un-
10 eked and gently opened. lsrose from my
seat, and retreated pace; and holding my
breath, listened intsntly, though the utter
darkness Of the room prevented me from dis
tinguishing single object. Scarcely had the
door closed, when began to feel about for
the intruder with my right hand, while | kept
my left hand raised, and in readiness to deal
a heavy blow, Oh ould occasion require ii.
"Now Victor" cried | and my friend did
not suffer himself to be called twice, but
sprang forward instantly to the attack. a
Io1d laugh escaped us both as we seized tho
ghost, which powerless and fainting did NOS
make an effort to escape "Light your can
de-, cried |, "Gnd leave me the hObgoblin,
who shall die in rly arms IL he mAnifesI any
iesiro 10 move or make noise" Victor
ian into the next room, and brought light
"0h pray gentlemen, have compassion on
poor girlP muttered the spectre, which, as
already began to suspect, was maiden In
ii sguise. Victor entered With candle In
lAnd. "a girlp exclaimed he, holding a
light IN the face OF the trembling gLost, who
u soft accents implorsd our pity, aswe stood
razing at each other In asionishment The
maiden was clad 10 white, her long bair fell
IN disorder on her shoulders, and she kept her
lace buried In her hands. hadIuifersd tho
little creature 70 sink down on the Sofa, and
was indeed not little amazed. | had eK-
pee,ed the shedding Of blood, Instead Of
which my own mounted into my ehoek5, a.
tho little res,-dsS,roysr regarded US with her
.sarful blue eyes, and bssonghl our pity.
""Ny siep-mo,her, said tho fair girl,
Il wishes to purchase this house. and has
'orced mo for more than aysar to wander