Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1878-05-02
The Ghost Robber.

looking horse, passed slowly over the
snow white limestone road leading
through the Black Forest.
Just as the sun was going to rest for
the day, when the gloomy shadows
were beginning to stalk, he drew rein,
as he said:
This must be near the spot, surely.
I'll stop here, anyhow, for awhile, and
see what can learn
HetherefOre dismounted and entered
the parlOr of the inn, where he sal
down beside a small table.
How can L serve you, meinheer2'
said the landlord. sEH
See to my horse outside, repfie
the guest, carelessly, but at the same
time eyeing the landlord from head to
foot; and let me have some wine
Rhine VIII dO.'- - aNs
The landlord was turning to with
draw from the strangers presence
when he stopped and said:
Which way, meinheer, do you
travel?' p -
To Nanstadt,' replied the guest.
You will rest here tonight, 1 sup.
pose, continued the landlord. a.. -.
L will stay here for two or three
hours, but l must then be off, so as te
reach my destination there in the
morning. L am going 10 purchase
lumber for the market s1kG
And you have considerable money
with you, no doubt" asked the md
lord, innocently. rr.f Cffa a12ETI
Yes, considerable, replied the guest,
slipping at his wine, disinterestedly.
Then, if you'll take my advice,
said the landlord, you'll stay here till
morning.
'Why@ replied the stranger, looking
up curiously. e..,-..,--. $50
Because whispered the landlord,
looking around as if he was disclosing
a great secret, and Was afraid of being
heard by somebody else, every man
that passes over the road between this
and Nanstadt at midnight, for the last
ten years, has been robbed or murder
ed under very singular circumstances.
What were the circumstances ask
ed the stranger, putting down his
glass empty, and preparing to fill it
WHY, you see,' the landlord went
on, while he approached his guests
table and took seat, L have spoken
with several who have been robbed;
all could learn from them is that they
remember meeting ins-the lonesome
part of the wood, something that Hook
ed white and CHASTITY, and that fright
ened their horses so that they either
ran away or threw their riders; they
felt choking sensation and sort OF
smOthering, and f1dally died, as they
thought, but awoke in an hour or 81
TO find themselves lying by the road
GiHn rnhhOd Of
Indeed, calculated the stranger
looking abstractedly at the rafters in
the ceiling, as though he was more in.
tent upon counting them than he was
interested in the landlords story.
The innkeeper looked at him in as
tonishment. Such perfect coolness be
had not witnessed for long time.
You will remain, then? suggested
the landlord, after waiting some time
for his guest to speak.
IL? cried the stranger, starting from
his tit OF abstraction, as though he wa;
lot sure that he was the person ad
dressed. Oh, most certainly not; Pm
going straight ahead, gIost or nc
ghost, to night i.
Half an hour later, the stranger and
guide, called Wilhelm, were out OIL
tie road, going al a pretty round pact
toward Nanstadt.
Duling a flash of lightning The
stranger observed that his guide look
ed very uneasy about something, ano
wss siackeniDg his horses pace as tho
he intended to drop behind.
Lead on cried the stranger, dom
be afraid.' ttt fltt i
Pm afraid l cannot replied tht
person addressed, continuing to holC
his horse in until he was now at leas
length behind his companion. MY
horse is coWaldly and unmansgeable il
q thunderstorm. Ii you will go OF
thogoh, l think / can make him fol
low close enough TO. point out the
road.'
The stranger pulled up in tantly. A
strange light cleaned in his eyes
While his hand sought his breast p0ck
et, from which he drew something
The guide SAW the movement anC
stopped also. t-z
Guides should lead, not follow, sale
the stranger, quietly, bnt with firm
unpleasant tothe person addressed.
But faltered the guide, 'i3y horse
won't co.
Won't hep queried, the stranger,
wrth mock simplicity.
The guide heard sharp click, and
saw something gIeam in his com
paDion's right hand He seemed 70
understand perfectly for he immedi-
utely drove hisspurs into his horses
fanks, and shot ahead of his compan-
ion without another word.
He nosooDer reached his old position,
however, than the stranger saw him
give asllaTp turn 10 the right and then
disappear Gas though he had vanished
through the foliage Of the trees that
skirted the road =