The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1872-10-25

were about going back, laughing at
Uncle Japs stampede, when suddenly
| caught glimpse of something white
| fitting around the corner of the church.
"D'ye see that p whispered /.
~ did see something-I thought"
said Zeke. "But gracious !" exclaimed
he, suddenly, jerking my arm, look
there y
looked. Out Of the dark shadow of
one side Of the church dim white form
! was moving slowly toward us, not
twenty rods Oft.
We were boys then; and / consider
it no disgrace to say that we ran off in
perfect panic, never stopping till we
were back at the tavern.
We had seen a ghost. And by the
next day everybody knew it, and talked
Of nothing else.
And when Sunday came, the con.
gregation in the church kept casting
furtive glances out into the church.
yard, and at noon little groups were to
be seen examining the places where the
specter had appeared
Good Mr.. Granger was scandalized; and
all the deacons-especially old Deacon
Grover-denounced the "spook " as
mockery, or device Of Satan"
But only the next night, as the worthy
deacon was going to call on his pastor,
the spook suddenly rose from the path
in front of him, and waved him back.
At first the old man-if we may credit
his accourt-had withstood it, abjuring
it, IN the name of Heaven, to give place.
But it wouldn't bulge. And the deacon
had in the end fled back to his dwelling
in as great fright as we had fed from
the church.yard.
The last scare" was the signal for
general hubbub throughout the parish.
Everybody was on the lookout; and
during the next fortnight more than a
dozen persons had got glimpse of the
spook. The most absurd and ridicu.
lous accounts were current respecting
it. The church.yard seemed to be the
favorite resort-Friday nights at least.
Indeed, SO rampant grew the stories
as to endanger the faith and spiritual
welfare Of the church; so at least Par.
son Granger thought. And after con.
sultation with his dcacons, it was de-
cided that, as Gods servant, it was
their duty TO confront and appease the
spirit, if it were a good one: or by vir
tue of their piety and parochial Office,
to drive it off, if, as most suspected, it
was foul one. And, as the spook was
nearly nocturnal in its habits, and |
must be met on its own ground, they |
agreed to go to the church.yard the |
next Friday evening, and there g con.
front" it.
Zeke and heard of this decision, and !
resolved to be of the party. Or as they |
might livery properly object to such an |
addition as ourselves, we
concluded to follow them, unknown,
and watch the proceedings from some
safe covert. l really don't think we
would have cared to go there alone, but
with so many good Christians ahead |
there would be little risk; for in case
Of any sudden manifestations. we
judged we could get Oft as fast as any of
them.
! we'll recall that Friday evening.
Zeke and | were on the lookout. and
at eight o'clock saw Mr.. Granger and
his deacons sally forth from the par.
sonage, and take their way TO the
church.yard.
The moon had not risen and we fol.
lowed them unobserved as far as the
gate, where we concealed ourselves in
clump of raspberry bushes, in such a
way as to command view of what
vent on in the ward, through the chinks
n the fence. But the spook was in no
hurry and for a long time its would.be
nterviewers had nothing better to do
han to sit on the tombstones and pace
Up and down the walk through the CEN
er of the yard.
An hour or two passed but mean.
while the moon rose, making it little
lighter.
"Call rather too early" whispered
Leke.
MAY not appear at ALL said l.
Another hour passed. We we're be.
ginning to wish ourselves at home, when
! sudden exclamation from Mr.. Gran.
ger came to our ears.
"There! there t u.s." whispered
zeke, pointing to distant corner Of
he yard.
Sure enough, just emerging from
'ome low cedars which bordered one of
he lots, was the form in white. For
it paused, as if uncertain, then
ylided straight toward the intruding
party.
"Pause, spirit I" cried Granger, ner.
,ously; whether good or evil, stand
till and answer usI'
And, with solemn gestures, the spook
same straight for the speaker, extending
is arms as if to clasp him. Mr.. Gran.
ger shrank back upon the nearest
leacon, who shrank in turn behind his
elbow. In short, they all shrank; and
by way Of shrinking little faster,
urned and ran. In trice, and be.
ore we could get up out of the briers,