Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1868-12-04
BY A SPECTATOR.

We were seated round our pleasant fire.
side one night last winter, talking of the
heavy falls Of snow, and specializing on
sleigh ride the following day until the eyes
of my young brothers and sisters. cleaned
with anticipated delight.
Our uncle Otis occupied, as usual, his big
arm chair, gazing through his large specta-
cles upon the pleasant family group that sur
rounded him with that benignant air which
old bachelors assume when having no family
of their own, they adopt those of others.
"Uncle OTIS" cried Fred. ''you have
travelled ever so much. Won't ycu tell us a
nice ghost story2 Do uncle p And the
young scamp laid his curly, fourteen year
old head on the old mans shoulder
My uncle frowned a little and looked
around, as much as to say, s'Who has been
putting those foolish ideas into the children's
heads 2" endeavored to look as if | was
not guilty, but [ fear much that had to an
swer for several sins Of narration. possessing
as did large repertory of such lore
ut is only fools and towards that believe
in ghosts" said uncle Otis in a severe tone
We all kept silence, but after moments
Election he seemed to forget his anger, and
said softly,
''You wish for ghost story? Well you
shall have one. 1t happened to myself, SO
yon can not doubt its truth.
We all gathered round hiln-Fred closer
than any-and he commenced.
One evening in autumn, forty years ago,
when | was hardly twenty, was travelling
in France in ole Of those heavy vehicles in
WHICH we travelled post in those days, when
passing close to a small towp--Sainte Ga
belle, [ think it was called-a furious storm
overlook US, and one Of the horses was struck
by lightning and instantly killed.
There was no possibility of proceeding; SO
philosophically leaving my courier to follow
With my baggage. l quiz thy walked to road
side inn which was about a quarter of mile
distant The place seemed filled with COM
pany as entered-some Spanish merchants
yonng sportslnen overtaken by the storm,
with a few persons whose trade or occupation
was not discernible. We all crowded round
the huge fire to dry ourselves, and in short
time after, supper was announced.
This unlocked every tongue, ana CONVEX
sation-before conducted in monosyllables-
became eneral Each related the perils he
passed through. One had been flung from
his horse anothers carriage had been upset.
At last some one cried,
'sThe devil must be abroad tonight !! It's
regular witches Sabbath p
This remark was commonplace enough,
but it give birth to singular rejoinder:
sSorcerers and ghosts prefer moonlight
night to stormy one like this"
We all looked at the speaker. It was one
of the Spanish merchants. His race was
easily known by his aress and figure; breech-
es open at the knee, CATERS laced with thongs
of leather, red cloak picturesquely hanging
from the shoulders, and an air of proud pov-
erty painted on his brown face, round which
hung long, black, curling hair. No one
seemed inclined to contradict this observation
made as it was in a grave severe voice, until
young man who sat next to ME burst into
q fit of laughter, and said,
''You appear, Sir, to know the habits of
ghosts. Have they told you that they do
not like to get wet in their feet :?
He had scarcely finished speaking, when
the spaniard cast on him q ferocious glance,
saying
'Young man. you must not speak Sc
lightly of things you know nothing about. ="
'sDo you mean to pretend to persuade me
to believe in ghosts p answered the young
man, contemporary.
perhaps" replied the spaniard, ''if you
had the courage 10 make the trial.
My neighbor bounded angrily from bis
seat; but he composed himself instantly,
saying calmly,
''You would have to pay dearly for tllis
impertinence if it was not that of a fool
''That Of a fool p cried the Spaniard
leaping to his feet. ''Well," he added
bringing his fist down on the table, and fling
ing thereon large leathern purse, ''see
here are five thousand francs, which I an
content to lose, if in one hour from this tim
I do not show you the ghost Of any of you
deceased friends that you choose to name, nj
matter how long he may be dead and if, at
ter having recognized him, you have TIL
courage to permit him to lay his lips agains
yours
The Spaniafd had such terrible air as h
said this. that we all started. My neighbo
alone preserved his disdainful and mockin!
smile.
'sYou will do that will you?" he answered
Eyes and | will stake these five thous
and francs on the event, if you will wage