Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1870-12-03
A Ghost in q Bag.
BrJ. PARISH STEELE.

BUT few weeks hive rolled past since stu-
dent, attending the H. College Of Meli-
cine, got into queer as well as somewhat TN:
profitable scfape must tell you about it,
Some three or four Of the students took 4
into their Head, That they would so ott TO the
Poor Farm, near tic city, and pfocufc for
themselves stllitct 70: anatomical expert
ments, it having been reported that very
desirable one had just been put beneath the
sod out there. So, having hired old Black
Sam to follow them with his cart, they pro-
eiled themselves with sack, ect., and struck
out The arrangement specified that Saih
Should stop bis carl some two hundred yards
from the burial place, so that its tracks might
not be seen thcrcabouts next morning that he
should so on 70 It to the gate, where he was to
find something tied up in a bag tha. hb was
TO shoulder the something tied UP in bag,
carry It to ,hc ca:t, haul it to the city, and to
the rear of the college building, receive lis
pay, and ask no questions
The students reached the Poor Farm in due
time but, from some cause or othet they could
not fnd the grave of their intended subject
1t was a complete failure, and, chOpfallen,
they begin to fettace their steps, wien one Of
their number caught an idea, and exclaimed
al say, boys, hold on "
They held on Of course.
Lets not give it mp this way five can't
find our bag Of bones, let's have some fun any
how. I'll go into the bag, and you can tic me
up and leave me at the gate and then, when
old Sam comes, think we can make good
thing of it. Yon all hide along the fence Jc-
tween here ard where he leave his cart
1t was voted a capital hit; so the speaker
was nicely tied up in the bag, and all was ar
ranged as had been suggested
In little while old Sam appeared on tic
scene, and stopping his cart at the place ar-
pointed, he, with 'eat and trembling, proctc'
ed to the gate. The bag with something tied
up in it was there as per agreement, and Sam
sEoulleredit as per agreement, and, with Wool
much clttat6d entered into the business of
making long strides toward his vehicle.
Warm yet, as livew muttered the oil
darkey between lis rattlhs teeth, as he hur-
riei on. "Specs dis pusson hain't been dctl
long, nohow. Dreflul business, dis"
lie had now attained aJout TIE halfway
point between the gate and his cart and Lc
was preparing to indulge in further remarks ia
himself, whcu ids ears were suddenly greeted
with
Il say, Sart-ain't hcayy?"
"Who dat spoke % said the negro, coming
TO sudden halt. Went mortal like II cohc
out'n the bag Reckou it din't, though, cause
ef it's 4 ghost deys gore an tied up, how
world de ghost know my name was Sam
Rekon it must bin somebody else"
ComfCrted by this reflection, Sam fenewrl
his cxcr,ions to reach the cart. Only few
steps more had been taken when tie object
the bag, which, up to this time, lad remained
stiff and straight, relaxed its sincws, and came
down with a hop, jack-ku;fe fashion, giving
linn a pretty sound JOLT both front and rc'r.
This was too much for the nerves of a supc--
stitious individual like old Sam, so he very
suddenly walked out from beneath bis burden.
allowing Il to como down with chug, All
himself to make rapid tracks for the city, lcav-
ing his cart, as well as his tlonghts, far be-
hind
The students all laughed I'LL they could lau-'
no longer; not ALL either, for the one IN TIE
bag did not laugh-he groancd On hearing
this, his companions went to inquire after {
state of his health, when, to their no little s,lr-
prise, they found him with an arm broken --
And so the old negro had not brought his cart
for nothing they found use icr il.