The Republican journal., 1869-06-17
THE GHOSTLY ROBBER.

road leading through the Black Forest.
Just as the sun was going to rest for the
day, when the gloomy shadows were begin
ming to stalk, he drew rein as he said:
''Ths must be near the spot, surely. I'll
stop here, anyhow, for while, and see what
| can learn
He thereupon dismounted and entered the
parlor of the inn, where he sat down before a
small table,
How can [ serve you, mienheer?" said the
land lord
See to my horse outside,'' replied the
guest carelessly, but at the same time eye
ing the landlord from head to foot land let
me have some wine-Rhine will do.'
The landlord was turning to withdraw from
the strangers presence, when he stopped, and
said:
(Which way. nienheer, do you travel:?"
'tTo Nanstadt," replied the guest
You will rest here tonight I suppose ~
continued the landlord.
Il will stay here for two or three hours,
but l must then be off, so as to reach my des-
tination there in the morning. | am going to
purchase lumber for Market
"And YOU have considerable money with
YOU. no doubt ?" asked the landlord, innocent
lv.
Yes, considerable replied the guest sip
ping his wine mconcernedly.
Then, if you'll take my advice said the
andlord," you'll stay here till morning.
"Why?' inquired the stranger, looking up.
curiously.
Because" whispered the landlord, look
ing around as if he was disclosing a great
secret, and was afraid of being heard by some
body else, "every man that passes over the
road between this and Nanstadt at midnight,
tb,- thn Ia It toy hoc ham rol,I,aI
dered, under very singular circumstances .
'What were the circumstances? ?" asked the
stranger putting down his empty glass, and
preparing to fill it again.
why, you see,'' the landlord went on,
while he approached his guests table and took
a seat, Il have spoken with several who have
been robbed, and all could learn of them is
that they remember meeting in the loneliest
part Of the wood something that looked white
and CHASTITY, and that frightened their horses
so that they either ran away or threw their
riders; they felt a choking sensation and sort
of smohering, and finally died, as they
thought but ;awokc in an hour or 50, to find
themselves lying by the roadside, robbed of
cyerythingm
"lndeed," calculated the stranger, looking
abstractedly at the rafters in the ceiling, as
though he was more intent upon counting
them than he was on the landlords story.
The innkceper looked at him in astonish-
mont Sn"h porfoct GOODNESS he had not wit
messed for n long time
~ ou will remain, them" suggested the
landlord, after waiting some time for his
guest to speak.
'I?'' cried the stranger, starting from his
fit OF abstraction, as though he was not sure
he was the person addressed
"Oh most certainly not I'm going straight
ahead, ghost or no ghost, Tonight
Half an hour later, the stranger and a
guide, called Wilhelm. were out on the road,
going at pretty round pace toward Nam
stadt
During a flash of lightning the stranger OBJ
served that his guide looked very uneasy
about something, and was slackening his
horses pace as though he intended to drop
Lead on" cried the stranger, ''don't be
afraid
I'm afraid I cannot" replied the person
addressed, continuing to hold his horse in un-
til he was now at least a length behind his
companion, My horse is cowardly and un-
manageable in a thunder storm. If you will
90 on. though, | think | can make him follow
close enough to point out the road
The stranger pulled up instantly. A strange
light CLEANED in his eyes, while his hand
sought his breast pocket, from which he drew
something. The guide saw the movement,
and stopped also.
''Guides should lead, not follow" said the
stranger quietly, but with firmness which
seemed to be exceedingly unpleasant to the
person addressed
But, taltered the guide my horse won't
60
won't he ?" queried the stranger, with
ei,,pIioi4,, ph
The guide heard a sharp click, and saw
something CLEAN in his companions right
hand. He seemed to understand perfectly
for he Immediately drove his spurs into his
horses tlanks and shot ahead of his compan-
ion without another word.
He no sooner reached his old position how
ever, than the stranger saw him give sharp
turn to the right, and then disappear, as
though he had vanished through the thick TO-
llage of trees that skirted the road.
lie heard the clatter Of the horse as he gal
loped off. Without waiting another instant,
he touched his horse lightly with the reins,
gave him prick with the rowels, and off the
noble animal started like the wind, in the
wake of the flying guide.
The strangers horse being much superior
to the others, the race was short one, and
terminated by the guide being nearly thrown
,iolil W MS sauule Dy u neaFy hand winch was
lald upon his bridle stopping him.
lie turned in his seat, beheld the strangers
face, dark and frowning, and trembled vio-
lently, as he felt the smooth, cold barrel of a
pistol pressed against his cheek.
This cursed beast almost ran away with
me- cried the guide, composing himself as
well as he could under the circumstances.
yes / Know said his companion dryly,
''but, mark my word, young man, if your
horse plays such tricks again he'll be the
means of seriously iujuring his masters
health"
They both turned and cantered back to the
road. When they reached it again, and turn
ed the heads Of their animals in the right di-
rection, the stranger said to the guide, in a
tone which must have convinced his hearer
as to his earnestness:
'Now, friend Wilhelm, | hope we under
stand each other for the rest of the Journey.
You are to continue on ahead ofme, the right
road, without swervng either to the right or
to the left: If see you do anything suspici-
Gus, will drive a brace of bullets through
you without word of notice Now push on :"
The guide had started as directed, but it
was evident from his mutterings that he was
alarmed at something besides the action of
his follower.
In the mean time the thunder had increas-