The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1871-04-18
A True Ghost Story.
F.! HaUs BIZ JUDGE CLARKE. 2 ,

Half way up the mountain side,
looking down upon the valley, Of the
Cumberland, twenty years ago, stood
a country inn, famous for the goodness
of its cheer aud the heartiness of its
host, Cleophas Co0te by name. ~
In the summer of 1850, the "Moun-
tain House" $50 the inn was called
had more than its usual quota OF visit
o.s, one of whom had come to die. AT
ter few days he kept his room, and
! in few more he breathed his last,
whispering names Of loved ones far
away. MGtFWFHAG
When the strangers trunk was open
ed (Which was done by the landlord in
the presence of two of his guests
doctor, the other a clergyman-at
least we took him for such, on the
strength of his cravat and conversa-l
tlon,) it was found to contain cOnsids
cradle sum Of banknotes. Of these
Mr.. Coote made compete list, noting
their numbers and denominations al
ter. which he carefully sealed them UP,
and locked them away in u drawer III
in his own bedroom-iacts to which he
likewise called the attention of the
doctor and minister. OIDo Y'qqL
On the evening Of the funeral, the
conversation as was natural, took a
serious turn.
From death thetransition was easy
10 the subject Of departed spirits and
status. And here an animated discus
siun- spraDg upTbetween the clergyman
aud the doctor.
Whatever may or mayn't be" in
terposed our worthy host, there's one
thing some of you may have reason TO
believe in before you leave these parts.
What's thatS" | venture to ask,
"The Man Of the MouDtain," Mr..
Coote answered. y-r -'"
"And who's hep" inquired several.
"That's the question" said Mr..
Coote, Il can only tell you what / saw
of him !; Others may describe him diff
ferently. 1T was early one morning !;
us i stood on aaspur of the mount.,u,
looking down into the valley, that /
saw at distance, and gang straight
up at me, a irighifi.. object in human
shane, at least torty feet high n
"Oh, Mr. Coote?9 screamed theAla.
dies. 1Ioot-a .ir., ta.n.. ro1
"It's every word true, and l can
bring twenty witnesses who will tell u
similar story"
"Well what did you 10 ?" some one
inquired. Il 81
aWhat any sensible man would"
said Mr.. Coote-"took to my heels
and ran away" VI. has4.,i adI a. ..5..
1t was PLAN our host was not joking,
and all felt convinced that he thought
he had seen what he said he had, ,-rE
That there's a dash of superstition,
even in the most skeptical, is saying
as true as triIo. l doubt if any one
ever sleDt quite comfortably in a
chamber reyuted to be haunted, or
crossed 1t graveyard alone in the dark
without wishing himself safely over.
Mr.. Coote's account, it was easy tn see.
made deeper impression than any of
us would have cared to own and there
is no reason to believe that more than
one inmate Mountain House went to
sleep With their heads covered. /.
l had lain for some time musiEg IN
Mr., Coote's curious statement, and mad
just fallen asleep, when | was aroused
by loud shout, followed by success
sion of terrific screams. Springing from
the bed and opening the door, | rangin
the direction of the sounds, which led
me straight to Mr.. and Mrs. Coote's
chamber.
Before | had ti.ne to ask what was
the matter half the dodgers had APP
peared on the scene, and Mr.. Coote,
lamp in had followed by his sp,. use
both pale and trembling-rushed into
the hall way. sl IA 4
"Ghostl the ghostl" the pair ex-
claimed together.
"The ghost what ghost p inquired
all the spectators once. I....-. ,,....
"The dead mans ghost" cried poor
Coote in q voice shaken with terror.
1--WE had gone to bed with our lamp
burning, mother and |. Mothers a
light sleeper. The least noise awakes
her. might have dozed through it
if she hadn't nudged me. When
awoke she was all IN tremble and
too frightened to speak. She notion
ed towards the bureau, where the dead
mans money was; ana sure enough,
there he stood in his winding sheet, his
face pale and ghastly as We saw il in
his coffin, He had either taken the
key from my pocket, or broughtanoth-
er i'll Lis own; for at once he proceed
ed to unlock the drawer and take out
the package Of money, after which he
passed out, and mother and gave the
alarm as soon as passible. JlLUlA
The first idea Of those selfpossessed
enough to have any, was that sklful
robbery had been committed, aad that
it might not be too late to discover the
the thief. Lights were procured and
immediate search began. The first OBJ
ject found was the skeptical doctor.
standing in the passage shIyering and
speechless. His eyes we're fixed as if
spell bound, on the door of the cham
ber laLely occupied by the dead man,
"V hats the matter, doetor" !
FASTENED To ask.
1t was not TIL the question had been