The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-12-08
THE GHOST ROBBER.

On fine evening IN the spring oil
1880, a stranger, mounted on noble
| looking horse, passed slowly over the
snow white limestone road leading
through the Black Forest.
! Just us the sun WAS going 10 rest for the
day, when the gloomy shadows were
beginning to stalk, he drew rein, as ne
| said;
"rhis must be near the spot, surely
I'll stop here, anyhow, for while, and
see what can Learn"
He thereupon dismounted and entered
the psrlor OF the inn, where he sat down
beside small table.
"How can l serve you, neinheerP
said the landlord.
"See to my horse outside" replied the
guest carelessly, but at the same time
eyeing the landlord from head 20 foot;
"and let me have some wine-Rhine will
! do"
The landlord was turning to withdraw
from the strangers preseace, when he
stopped and said:
(which way, meinheer, do you
travel?"
"To Nanstadt," replied the guest.
you will rest here tonight, sup
pose continued the landlord.
81 will stay here for two or three
hours, but l must then be of, 50 Is to
reach my destination there IN the morn
ing. ain going TO purchase lumber for
the market"
"And you have considerable money
with you, no doubt?' asked the landlord,
innocently.
ayes, considerable" replied the guest,
slipping at his wine disinterestedly.
"Then If you'll take my advice" sal
the landlord, you'll stay here till morn
ing
"Why2" SAID the stranger, looking up
curiously.
Because" whispered the landlord,
looking around rs il he were disclosing u
great secret, and WAS afraid of being
heard by somebody else, "every mFn
that passes over the road between this
and Naustadt at midnight for the last
ten wears, has been robbed or murdered
under very singular circumstances
"What were the circumstancesr asked
the stranger, putting down his glass
empty, and preparing to fill 1t again.
oUWhy YOU see" the landlord went on,
while ne approached his guests table
and took seat, 81 have spoken with
several who have been robbed; all L
| cnuld learn from them is that they re,
member meeting in the lonesome part o'
| he wood, something that looked wh'te
and ghastly, aud that frightened their
horses so that they either ran away or
threw their riders they felt choking
sensation and sort of smo.herlnS, ana
finally died, rs they thought, but sWoke
IN An hour or so to find themselves lying
nv the roadside, robbed OF everything!
Indeed" CALCULATED the stranger,
looking abstrsctedly at the ratters IN the
ceiling, rs though he was more intent
upon counting them than he was inter
psted in the lsnd.old's story.
The inn keeper looked at him in as
constituent. Such perfect coolness
ne had not witnessed for long timo.
"You will rema ther 2 suggested Il
landlord, after waiting some time tor
guest 10 speak.
az? cried the stranger, starting from
ms H. of abstraction, "a though he Was
not sure that he WAS the person 80
dressed. "Oh, most certainly not; IL
gong straight ahead, ghost or no gnosI
t,-nIgnt.
Halt an hour later, the stranger and &
guide, called Wilhelm, were out on the
road, going at q pretty round pace TO-
ward Nsnstadt.
During a fl .sh of lightning the s,ran'
GER observed that his guide looked very
uneasy about something, and was slack
eninr his horses pace MS though he IN
tended to drop behind. .
LEAD on" cried the stranger, "don
be afraid" ,--
son addressed, continuing TO hoid M
horse in until be was now nj ieas!
LENGTH behind his companion. m
horse Is cowsrdly and unmanageAble II
thunder storm. II You will 90 on
though, l think l can make him follow
close enough to point out the road.
The stranger pulled up instantly. 4
strange light cleaned in his eyes, whiI
ms hand sought his breast pocket, IRON
which he drew something. The guld
saw the movement and stopped also.
"Gudes should lead, not follow salt
the stranger, quietly, but with hFmh IS
E which seemed to be unpleasant to tn
person addressed.
but, faltered the guide, "my hor5
went GO
Wont her. querled the stranger, wit
mock simplicity IN his tone.
The guide heard sharp click, a.
saw something gleam IN MS companion
right hand. He seemed TO underS,au
per,ec,lv, for he Immediately drove hJ
e spurs into his horses TANKS, AID Sn'
ahead OF bis companion without Srothe
word.
He no sooner reached his old position
, however, than the stranger saw him CIV
y sharp turn To the right and then dlsaI
pear as though he had banlshed throug
: the .o.ia-e OF the trees that sNl'ted u
road.
He heard the chatter OF his horse as
gail,pcd ott. Without waiting ano.he
instant. he touched his borse nghli
with the reins, gave him prick with II
rowels. and of the noble animal staTit
like the wind in the wake Of the ty!r
guido.
The strangers horse being much s
+, perior to the others, the race was she
one, and terminated by the guide oelr
d thrown nearly from HE saddle by
heavy hand, which was laid upon b
bride, stopping him. .,
He turned IN his seat, beheld Il
strangers face, dark snd irownlng, nj
tremb!ed violently as ne felt the smoot
cold barrel of pistol pressed against b
cheek.
This cursed beast almost ran avs
9 with me- cried the guide, composiI
himself as we'll Us he could under the el
cumstances,
= ayes, | know" said his compani'
i tryly, "5ut mark my words, young ma
J If your horse plays such tricks again, he