New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-08-06
IFor tho New Orleans Republican.
DIR. G-S GHOST STORY.
BY EESTA LA NOVICE.

By EESTA LA NOVICE.
We were sitting around the camp fire one
night, the conversation had been about
ghosts. omens and so forth; Dr.. G. had
been quietly smoking his pipe while the
rest of US Tom, Ned, Glib and myself were
arguing. some for and some against the
truth of the existence of supernatural be-
inga, when remarked:
well, doctor, what think you! Do you
believe in ghosts!
DIR. c. much to my surprise slowly
shook his head, without replying. The mo
ton did not imply dissent, but rather doubt.
what" said 'snd are you, OF all men
in the world, superstitious'"
He did not reply for some time, but kept
on smoking. in meditative mood as if he
had not heard my question. BY this time
Tom and Ned and Glib, were looking at him,
awaiting his reply.
"Well, boys, don't know" here he took
long pull at his pipe "but''-Tom inter
rupt him with, "Dr. C., have you ever
seen ghost!"
l expected the doctor to throw himself
back and give vent to that hearty laugh
for which he was renowned, at this, to me,
silly question, but instead he replied,
Listen, boys, III tell you my experience,
and leave You to draw your own coaclu-
siOns."
~ fret took up my abode, as practic-
ing physician, in the little country village
of F.. l was very enthusiastic. as all
young doctors are. looked upon myself
az a benefactOr to the whole human race;
entered with genuine zest into everything
/ undertook, and think may safely say
l did my duty conscientiously. l had eff
fec:ed some cures which the simple people
choose to look upon as almost miraculous;
and in fact was getting along pretty we'll,
but still the wealthiest portion of the vii
iage still chung to the resident physician.
zone night was aroused by knock at
my door; opening it l saw one of Farmer
Middletoe's laborers; l asked what was
wanted. He said the squire was sick
asked where was DR.. Threelips, the far
ue;'s family physician.
..Sck, hisself. They sent me for you,
and said as if you didn't hurry, Farmer
Middletoe 'ould be dead
'All right" replied, "you may hasten
home; I'll be after you Immediately.
81 was soon on my horse, and galloping
swiftly across the fields, for l was anxious
about Farmer Middletoe; so l FASTENED to
be there in time to cure him, as it seemed
to me my medical reputation rested upon his
recovery. 1 knew full we'll, that if he was
very sick, and cured him, that he'd prove
a powerful friend, so urged my horse on
at his quickest.
81 remember the night, as if it was yester.
day; the foil moon was shining brightly,
gentle bree ze made the summer night pleas
ant; not soul was to be seen. passed
farms and cottages; all were wrapped in
darkness, and except the noise of my
horses io1,falls, not q sound was to be
heard
eater riding for some time the road
brancbed. Both would lead me to Squire
Middletoe's, but one was twice as long as
the other. OF course l did not pause to
think which l would take, but galloped up
the one that would bring me to my desti-
nation in the shortest space of time. This
road led through the country graveyard, land
as l approached it almost unconsciously
slackened my horses speed. 1t seemed to
ne an act of Dissertation to gallOp through
the abode Of the dead. My holse walked
softly, as if knowing that he was in con-
place.
Il tell you, my friends, felt STANCE
sensation. don't think l can call myself
a coward, but still felt compelled to turn
my head now and then. 1t seemed to me
hat l was not alone. l expected some
thing, | know not what, to spring Out from
behind every tree and tombstone. The
wind blowing the branches of the trees
caused the moss and leaves to wave back |
ward and forward, and the shadows ap-
peared to be creeping upon me. Ipeered
cautiously into every dark corner, and |
laughed to myself at my strange feeling
sven while so doing. | longed to be out of |
he place, but dared not hasten nv horses
ootsteps."
At this part Of his story DR.. c.
stopped and cast sharp glance around,
and we teven y with one accord looked
lurriedly over our shoulders; we knew. by
he appearance of the doctor, that he was
oming to the principal part of his story.
''Well, DOCTOR" said Tom, almost in a
Thisper.
Suddenly resumed the doctor, laying
side his pipe ana leaning forward, II felt
~ horses flesh shake and culver, and it
semed to NE his very bones ratified to-
sther. There is said to be a strange, sym
athletic feeling between the horse and
der. Whether 1t was this that caused nAv
,eh to creep and culver, and my heart to !
Ilnitate till it seemed it would fly out Of N
= mouth; whether it was this feeling,
the sight saw, know not, but suoh
IS NY condition. My horse had come to
lead stop, and looking in the direction in
ich his eyes were turned as if fascinated, | f
aw-" AZ d
Yes, doctor, you saw" said Ned.
The outline of woman