Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1877-10-26
CaIIfornIanGhost.

II might naturally be supposed
that California, with her magnif.
cent and unequaled climate, would
easily surpass every other State in
the Union in the size and quality of
her ghosts. Hitherto, California
has taken no part in the ghost indus
try, and has permitted the Eastern
States to enjoy a monopoly of the
business. This monopoly, however,
no longer exists, for a Californian
ghost just made its appearance,
which, in size, enterprise, and gener-
al ability, is far in advance of the
| ablest Eastern ghost.
A month or two since, Mr.. Yung
Ting, whom spite of an accidental
similarity of name, is not related to
a prominent clergyman of this City
was managing laundry at Yel-
low Gulch, Alameda County. Ow-
ing to a more than usual self-re-
straint among the miners in regard
to the enervating practice of wear
ing clean shirts, Yung Ting's bust
ness was not fourishihg one. Still
he managed to make a living, and
was contented with his lot until one
fatal evening, when he was visited
by large and hungry ghost. The
ghost, who was fully six feet high
and clad in a long white garment,
stained, here and there, with appar-
ent splashes of blood, entered the
washerman's cabin while he was
soundly sleeping, and awakened him
by flashing a dark lantern in his
eyes and groaning dismally. Mr..
Yung Ting was dreadfully frighten-
ed, but retained sufficient presence
of mind to ask the ghosts name and
the reason of his visit. Speaking in
a deep and solemn voice, the ghost
informed him that he was the spirit
of deceased miner, that he was ex-
tremely hungry, and that he wanted
some boiled rice and tea without the
slightest delay. Furthermore, he
assured the Chinaman that no meals
were furnished to residents of the
graveyard, and that perhaps he had
better take Mr. Yung Ting to his
private grave and convince him Of
the truth Of his assertion. 1t is hard
Iy necessary to say that the washer
man hastily expressed his entire be-
lief in the ghosts veracity, ,and watch
ed with fear and trembling while
his'spectral visitor made hearty
supper of rice, molasses, and tea, af-
ter which the ghost directed him to
keep his eyes shut for two cOnsecu-
tive hours, and avoid mentioning to
any one his ghostly experience.
These directions were strictly follow
ed, and when Yung Ting ventured to
open his eyes the ghost had van
ished.
The next night the ghost made an
other visit to Yung Ting's cabin,
again devoured an enormous guam
tity of rice, and drank five cups of
tea. Before taking his departure
he ordered his host to have boiled
cabbage in readiness for the next
Enthusiastically remarking that
there was a general demand in
ghostly circles for Mr.. Yung Ting's
presence, but that, if he strictly fol-
| lowed his instructions, compulsory
removal to the graveyard might
possibly be avoided. Of course, the
ghost was duly supplied with cab
| -. IL fro,o tho fiuoo of his third
visit he showed selfish determine
tion to crafty his own appetite, no
matter how much inconvenience he
might thereby infIct pom his Chi
nese host. He soon demanded
roast pork, and when the Chinaman
eloquently represented that to buy
pork enough to give the ghost a
square meal would bankrupt him,
the unfeeling spectre replied, "Suit
yourself, Johnnie; but just remember
that in case you don't produce that
pork, you'll have to camp IN my
grave; and it's a mighty damp and
uncomfortable residence" Where
upon Yung Ting promised to spend
his last penny on pork, and sadly
kept his word.
Pork soon palled on the ghosts
appetite, and he demanded chickens,
at the same time warning the China
man not to try to play any of his
rats or puppies on discriminating
spectre. By this time Yung Ting,
who at the outset was a thoroughly
honest man, had been driven toilliclt
practices to supply the monstrous
hunger of the ghost. He stole chick
ems and embezzled shirts in order to
purchase materials for stuthng and
gravy. The ghost insisted upon be-
ing supplied with mixed pickles,
orcestershire sauce, and other
high-priced delicacies, and Yung
Ting was so hopelessly enslaved by
his fear of having to exchange his
cabin for a damp grave that he
would have committed any crime
and run any risk in order to meet
the ghosts astronomical views
Finally, that unsorupulous spectres
demanded a bottle of brandy ana
though this was the most eHPensi'o .
order he had given, it proved a
blessing in disguise to the much-Sul-
fering Chinaman'
On the evening when brandy was
nroduced the ghost drank deeply,
PPnG 70 the serious detriment of his
temper. He soon became both
drink and riotous, Not content
with singing Yung Ting all around
the cabin by his cue, he proceeded
to perform the feat known in mining
circles as cleaning out the cabin.
Yung Tng's furniture was broken
into small pieces, his stove was up
set, and his crockery was thrown
out of the window, and had not the