Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-02-20
TEE GHOST ReBBER.
A STORY OF THE BLACK FOREST.

through the Black FOrest.
Just as the sun was gong to rest for
the day. when the gloomy shadows were
heginung to stalk, he drew rein, as he
said:
This must be near the spot, surely.
I'll stop here, anyhow. tor while, and
see what can learn"
lie lhereupsn dismOunted and enter
ed the parlor Of the inn, where he sat
down beside small table.
Hoy can serve you, meinherr Z?
said the landlord.
See to horse outside replied the
guest carelessly, but at the same time
eyeing the landlord from head to foot ;
and let me have some winc-Rhrne will
do"
The landlord was turning to withdraw
from the stanger's presence, when he
stopped and said
'Whicn way, meinheer. do sou tray
elY'
To Nanstadt,' replied the guest.
You will rest here tonight. | sup
pose = continued the landlord.
| will stay for tive or three hours, but
must then be off. so as to reach my
dest nation there III the morning to pur-
chase lumber for the market
And you have considerable money
with YOU. no doubt?' asked the landlord
innnecently.
Yes. considerable replied the guest.
slipping at his wine dlsintercstedly.
Then, if you'll take my advice, said
the Landlord, you'll stay here till morn
ing
Why replied the stranger, looking
up curiously.
BECAUSE whispered the landlord,
looking around as ii he were disclosing q
great secret and was afraid OF being
heard by somebody else, every man
that passes over the road wtween this
aud Nansladt at midnight for the laHt
tn years, has been robbed or murder
I'd under very singular circumstances
What were the circumstances Z askt
the stranger, putting down his glass
empty, and preparing to ill 1t again.
Way YOU see, the landlord went on
while he approached his guests table an'
took seat. i have spoken with sever
al who have been; all | could learn from
tnrm is thai they +, nenbered meeting
IN the lonesome part OF the 00l,eon!e
TIM. that looked white aud ghastl y ,an'
frightened their horses so that they elthe
ran away 0r threw their riders they ieli
checking SENSATION aud sort o
snaotherng. aud finally died. as the.
thought, but aw oke in an hour Or SO t.
lind themselves lying by the Roadside
robbed of of everything
'Iudredn calculated the stranger,
looking abslractll at the rafters in Tia
ceiling, as though he was aiore nten
upon counting them than he was inter
ested in the landlords story.
The inu-keepe: looked at him with as
constituent. such perfect coolness III
had not witnessed tor a long time.
YOU will remain thenI' suggested IL
landlord, after waiting some time for hi
guest to speak.
'I!"crled the stranger, starting from
his tit of abstraction, as though he wa
not sure lhat he wa, the person address
ed.
Oh. most certainly not; I'm goini
straight ahead, ghost or no ghost, to
night
Half an hour later. the stranger and
guide. called Wilhelm, were out on tn
road, going at pretty round pace to
ward Nanstadt.
I During flash OF tightening, the stran
ger observed that his guide looked yer.
uneasy about something. and WAS slack
ening his horse's pace as though he ln'
tended to drop behind.
Lead on. cried the stranger, don
bc afraid
Pm afraid | cannot replied the per
sou addressed. continuing to hold III
horse in until he was now at least
length benlnd his companion. Ny hors
is cowardly. and Interchangeable III
thunder storm. Ifyou will go on though
think can make him follow clos
enough t. point the road
The stranger pulled up instantly. >
strange light cleaned in his eyes, Will
his haud snusht his brest pocket, iron
. which he drew something. The guild
saw the movement and stopped also.
Guides should lead, not fellow, SAT-
the stranger. quietly but with tirmnes
which seemed to be exc edingly I'm
pleasant to the prison addressed.
But. faltcred the guide. my nors
won't 60"
Won't he 2 quericd the stranSer,"it
mock simplicity in his tone.
The guide heard a sl.arp click'and SAY
something CLEAN in his companion
right hand. He seemed 10 under
stand perfectly. for he immediately droy
his spurs into his horses TANKS, an
shot ahead of his companion with
out another word.
He no sooner reached his old position
however. then the stranger saw him Civ
sharp turn to the right and then dis
appear, as though he had vanishe
through the foliage Of the trees that skin
/ ted tho road.
{ He heard the clatter ofhis horse as h
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