The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1868-01-16
TEE GHOST HUNTER.

horse passed slowly over the snow-wbite
limestone road leading through the Black
Forest.
Just as the sun was going TO rest for
the day, when the gloomy shadows were
beginning TO stalk, he drew rein, as he
said
''Ihis must be near the spot, surely
I'll stop here, any how, for awhile, and
see what can learn
He thereupon disIaounted end entered
the parlor of the inn, where he sat down
beside a small table
Glow can | serve you, meinheer 2"
said the landlord.
''See to my horse outside replied the
guest carelossly, but at the same time
cycling the landlord from head to foot :;
''and let NE have some wine-Rhine
| viii do
The landlord was turning to withdraw
from the strangers presence, when he
stopped and said
vel %
''To Nanstadt," replied the guest.
'EYou viii reet here tonight, l sup
pofe," continued the landlord.
81 viii stay here for two or three
hours, but I must then be of, rs to reach
my destination there in the morning. /
am agoing to purchase lumber for the
| market"
''And you have considerable money
| with you, no doubt % asked the landlord
| innooently.
eyes. considerable" replied the guest,
| slipping at his wine disinterestedly.
'EThen, If you will take my advice, =
said the landlord, you'll stay here till
| morning
why ?" replied The stranger, looking
uD curiopsiy.
''Because % whispered the landlord,
looking around as if he were disclosing Il
great secret, and was afraid Of being
heard by somebody else, ''every man that
| passes over the road between this and
Nanstsdt for the last ten years, has been
| robbed or murdered under very singular
circumstance"
'What were the circumstsGces ?" ask
ed the stranger, putting down his glass
| orr'Pty, and preparing to fill 1t again.
"Why you see," the landlord went on,
while he approached his guests table and
took seat, 81 have spoken with several
who have been robbed, al / could learn
from them is that they can remember
meeting IN the lonesome part of the wood,
something that looked white and ghastly,
and that frightened their horses so that
they either ran away or threw their riders
they felt a choking sensation and a snoth-
Crn NJ, and finally died, az they thought, but
awoke in an hour or so 10 find themselves
lying by the roadside robbed of every
thing!'
''Indeed," calculated the stranger, dook-
ing abstractedly at the rafters in the cell
ing, as though he was more intent upon
counting them than he WAS interested in
the landlords story.
The inkeeper looked at hiIn in astonish-
Ilent. Such perfect GOODNESS he had not
witnessed for long time.
''You will remain then 2" suggested
the landlord, after waiting some time for
his guest to speak.
81 . cried the stranger, starting from
his fit of abstraction, as though he was
not sure that he was the person addressed.
''Oh, most certainly not; I'm going
straight ahead, ghost or no ghost, to-
night
Half an hour later, the stranger and a
guide, called Wilhelm, were out On the
road. going at pretty round pace toward
Nanstadt
During flash Of lightning the stranger
observed that his guide locked very IN
easy about something, and was Olacken-
ing his horses pace az though he intended
to drop behind
dead on" cried the stranger, don't be
afraid.
''I'm afraid I cannot replied the per-
son addressed, continuing TO hold his horse
in until he was now at least length be-
hind his conpanion. ''Afy horse is cow
ardly and unmanageabie in g thunder
storm. If you will go On though l think
I can make him follow close enough TO
point out the road
The stranger pulled up Instantly. Z
strange light cleaned in bis eyes, while his
hand sought his breast pocket from which
be drew something The guide saw the
movement and stopped alac.
F'Guides should lead, not follow" said
the stranger, quietly, but with firmness
which seemed to be exceedingly unpleas-
ant to the person addressed.
'But," faltered the guide, "my horse
wont 60"
''NFont he ?" queried the stranger, with
mock simplicity in his tone.
The guide heard a sharp click, and saw
something gleam in his companions right
hand. lie seemed to understand perfect
y, for he Immediately drove his spurs
into his horses TANKS, and shot ahead of
bis companion without another word.
He no sooner reached his old position,
however, than the stranger saw him give
a sharp turn to the right and then disap-
pear, as though he had vanished through