Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-02-12
from the yufalo Peas
A Genuine Ghost Story.


with every assurance of its truth, as far as
the belief of the w6ter is concerned. In
other words, it is told in good faith, we are
satisfied, and with no hoaxing intent We
presume there are many who will credit it
entirely as supernatural incident, while
other people will readily explain it as one of
the many recorded phenomena illusions caus-
ed by some physical disorder, We leave
each reader to apply his own theory to the
story, giving it exactly as it,comes to us:
l have reason for not signing my real name
to the following statement, and for withhold
ing it from every person living, although I
can pledge the word of an honest man that
every word l am now about to relate is, as far
as l am capable of judging, as true as truth
itself.
On the night of Christmas eve, then, as 1
was returning home after attending divine
service in certain church in this city, on
nearing my residence L became suddenly
aware that stranger was walking close be-
hind me, and keeping step with me in man
ner which l considered to be somewhat ia
miiar and offensive. Influenced by the sa-
credness of the place L had just left, and
feeling that 1 should soon be relieved of
such undesirable company, said nothing,
leading to my own door. At this point L
halted for moment with the intention2of-
scrutlniZlng the stranger more closely as he
passed on, whenI became sensible, at once.
that, although it was showing rather fast
from the time / became cognizant of the
strangers proximity up to the moment that;I
reached my residence; none of the snow fell
upon either of us, but seemed to have been
repealed about two feet all around from each
OF US, we both, as it were, walking in a sort
OF vacuum. Although 1 saw this palpabIy
at the time OF its occurrence, and was quite.
aware that not a particle of snow touched
either OF us while we were together, vet
strange to say, it never struck me as being
singular until had mounted the steps and
found the fakes falling on mo once more
At this juncture became very much alarm
cd, and the more SO FROM the fact that when
turned round, on the upper. step of the
flight, to cndeayor to get peep at the stran-
gers face, he was gone {? He had disap-
peared with the velocity of light, and under
circumstances the most incom pre- hensible,
leaving strange impression that had seen
him before, but to when or where [ was
totally unable to determine. Completely as
tonlshed at an adventure so strange, L enter
ed my residence, where, to my surprise and
pleasure, l found an old friend seated in my
study beside a cheerful coal fire that burned
in the CRATE, and whom l had not seen for
years although l was in the habit of constant
ly corresponding with him. We were mu-
tuatiy delighted at meeting, and was happy
IN making him at homo in my bachelors
quarters having passed into the oscar and
yellow leaf without being fortunate or I'M
fortunate enough to make a favorable inn
preston upon any of the fair sex. In the
novelty of my position, and the qualification
1t afforded me, all remembrance of my adj
venture IN the street was completely lost sight
OF, and addressed myself to conversation
and the meager Inequalities that could of
Ter HIM at SO late an hour of the night-my
housckeeper having gone to bed.
After supper and single glass of ale each.
we retired to our respective sleeping apart
ments, to renew our conversation at breakfas
and spend happy Christmas day together.
| Somehow or other [ did not sleep very we'll {;
but as L am rather abstemious and quite un-
| used to late suppcrs, l fancied that nv rest
lessness was occasioned by even the single
glass of ale and the few mouthfuls had ia
ken to cat. As the day began to dawn, how
ever, became drowsy, and sank into deep
and refreshing slumber, from which l was
| aroused about eight o'clock by the WELL
known voice of my aged domestic announc-
ing that breakfast was ready. 1 was soon I'D
| passed into my study for 4 few moments be-
fore going down stairs.
Here, TO my utter surprise, I perceived
standing on the table, at which my friend and
had supped, two gasses-one empty, and
the other filled with ale, besides plate, the
contents Of which appeared not to be touch
cd. L was astounded and confused beyond
measure at this; for, before retiring to rest,
L had locked door leading out into the hall
at the head of the stairs, which cffectua!ly
cut OFT both my study and my bedroom from
all intrusion. Unable to account for this
strange condition of the table, fastened to
the apartment Of my friend, and knock ed at
the door. Receiving no reply, | entered the
room, when To- and behold it was emntv
while the bed bore all the evidence of its not
having been slept in the night previously. I
ran down stairs in great Consideration, and
learned from my housekceper that she had
rot made up any beds that morning, and that
not soul had left or entered the house that
morning. Utterly bewildcred, [ was about
to make some more inquiries, when my at
tentlOn was arrested by knock at the hall
door. 1t was the postman. lie handed me
letter L opened it and sank into a chair.
1t contained the announcement ofmy friends
death, which had occurred at Washington a
few days previous. After having perused
the sau contents, TIE recollection of my
! strange adventure in the street rushed in
with great force and distinctness upon nv
memory, while my subsequent experience in
my study absolutely for the time being para
lyTed all my reasoning faculties, although I
am far from being a stranger to mysterious
sights and sounds in the reality of which 1
have never believed, or do 1 fully'yet But
what conclusion can 1 arrive at in this in
stance AS may be presumed the subject
has been present with me ever since; and