New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-08-06
md, as if by one impulse, We drew nearer

in white, flowing robes, and seemed to be
suspended just above Farmer Middletoe's
tomb"
Farmer Middletoe's tomb p said Glib.
Eyes; IL was the largest in the little
graveyard. | atterward heard story
about the farmers only daughter, but did
not know anything about it before saw
the-we,l-vlson, Illusion. or whatever
you choose to call it,. did not even know
the farmer had ever been married
What was the story, DR.. c." said L.
1T seems" resumed the doctor. relight-
ing his pipe, that Farmer Middletoe was
married to very young lady, who died at
the birth of her first child-a girl The
farmer loved his little daughter with all
his honest heart, nothing was too good for
her. He had governesses and masters en-
pIoyed to educate her, and at the age OF
eighteen Ellen was a very accomplished
young lady. l do not think the idea OF
Ellens ever getting married orce entered
her fathers head, he evidently thought
there was no one IN the world good enough
for her. 1t seems she was of a different
opinion, and fell in love with worthless
scamp. OF course Farmer Middletoe, like a
sensible man, forbid him the house, and
told his daughter never to speak or racog-
nize him. II appears strange to me that
Young lady 50 well educated could think OF
such blackguard, but think OF him she
did, and one day the farmer met his
daughter and her lover walking together
it was the first time. but not so thought
Squire Middetoe. He knocked the fellow
down and sent Ellen home:
ELLEN Middletoe went home under the
firm con Vi ton that her father had killed
her lover, ani-it is the most charitable
construction to place upon her actions-she
became insane for shortly afterward her
body was found floating in the riverside
had drowned herself
'She was fool said Ned.
We'll, what about the ghost" said Tom.
'.Ah, yes,' resumed the doctor. Il felt
my flesh creep and culver, my teeth chatter
and my heart beat very quick. What,
said to myself DR.. James c., are you
a coward Myself answered, 4 didn't think
/ was Well. why don't you Investigate
the affair." so will, 90 will
Il was soon of my horse, and as l left
him he gave a neigh of fear at being left
alone, but when I attempted to lead him
forward he would not move. l went to-
ward the tomb. The outlines of the lady
became fainter and fainter, and long ere
peared. l looked about, but could see
nothing. went back to my horse and tried
to urge him forward, bat in vain. looked
again, and there was the lady. l dis
mounted and again went forward, looked
behind the tomb and all about the others
near it, but found nothing As soon as
approached shs disappeared, and reap
peared distinctly as scoa as l was on my
horse.
"a second time | mounted, and third
time dismOuntsd. 1t must be some trick
muttered to myself; there must be some
hiding place in the tree above the tomb or
on top of the tomb ITSELF Again wendell
my way toward Farmer Middletoes family
tomb. l climbed to the top, but 70 hiding
place there. peered up into the tree; no
one could hide there; the limbs we're almost
bare. 1 was convinced in my mind that i.
was no trick and as the conviction forced
itself upon me that l had seen a super
natural being, my heart beat faster and
faster.
''And did you zee nothing IN or near the
tomb" said /, in doubt.
Nothing. Oh, yes. did see something
but it was so insignificant that it's NOT
worthy Mentioning
What was it," l inquired, eagerly.
''Only cobweb," said the doctor.
"Only cobweb!'
Eyes, only cobweb; some ambitious
spider had built his web from the tree to
the urn on top of the tomb; only cobweb,
that was all"
l did not know what to say. At last a
thought came into my head.
''You said it was summers night; was
here dew on the cobweb'''
The doctor looked at me in surprise, no
doubt wondering at my acuteness, tor ! had
The reputation of being thoughtless, reck-
ess sort OF fellow.
Il know what you would say, Jack; but
10. thought the same myself at first,
out further reasoning convinced me was
l suppose you would say the
noon shining upon the dewdrops on the
web caused what supposed was the out
ines of woman. Well, maybe 80, maybe
20
THAT'S Ridiculous said Glib, why, you
amt see u cobweb in daytime at distance
If three or four yards; then how foolish to
uppose you could see one at night. You
nay talk as much as you please, say it
vas ghost"
80 do H. said Tom.
WELL" said Ned, ibid you cure Farmer
DR.. Co.
Now, boys, comes the curious part, |
After had mounted my horse the third |
ime, ! W IS compelled by some strange i'm
'ulse to look at my watch. 1t was Just five
minutes past twelve. My horse would not
% step forward probably he saw more
han did,, but stood there trembling like
leaf. l turned his head back. and he
aced out Of the graveyard as if "Old
lick" was at his heels. When reached
'armer Middletoe's the squire was dead"
dead !" said Tom.
"Yes. I asked, without knowing why,
hen he died, and was told just after twelve
clock. / don't pretend to account for
hat saw. The farmers daughter was
l