Connecticut western news., 1878-01-10
The Ghost RObber
A STORY oF THE BLACK FOREST.

STORY oF T4E BLACK FOREST. Cha fine svehing in the Spfing of 1880, 5 stranger, tiiotinted 0ti a tioble looking aoFse, pissed slowl ly 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 while, and see what can learn."
 He thereupon dismounted and entered the parlor of the inn, where he sat down beside st1a1 table.
 ".How, can serve you, 1Heinheet ' said the landlord. :. "See to my horse outside" replied the guest carelessly, but at the same time eyeing the landlord from head to foot "and let me have some wine-Rhine will do:"
 ithe landlord was t%Ffning to withdraw from the strangers presence, when he stopped and said:
 / 6 Which way, meinheer, do you traveI?"
 :" To Nanstadt, replied the guest.
 You will rest here to-night, I SUD- poss," 6ontintled the landlord.
 !" I will stay here for two or three hours, but l must then be of, so as to reach my destination there in the morning. I am going to purchase lumber for the market.
 .'And you have considerable money With you, ho d6dbt?" asked the land lord innocently.
 ''Yes, considerable, "replied the guest, slipping at his wine disinterestedly.
 "Then, if you'll take my advice" said the landlord, ''you'n stay here till , morning
 ''Why y?'' replied the stranger, look ing up curious1y.
 Because whispered the landlord, looking around as if he were disclosing a great secret, and was afraid of being heard by somebody else, "every man that pass6s over the road between this and Nanstadt at midnight fof the last ten years, has been robbed or murdered under very singular circumstances.
 What were the circumstances ?" asked the stranger, putting down his glass ethpty, and preparing to fill it again.
 Why you see" the landlord went on. while he approached his guests table and took seat, "I have spoken with several who have been fobbed; all I could learn from them is that they re- member meeting in the lonesome part sf the wood. something that looked white and ghastiy, and frightened their hotses so that they either ran away or threw their riders; they felt choking sensa- ton and sort of smothering, and finally died, as they thought, but awoke in an hour or so to find themselves lying by the roadside, robbed of everything?"
 Indeed "" calculated the stranger, leoking abstractedly at the rafters in the ceiling, as though he was more intent upon counting them than he was in. terested in the landlords story.
 The innkeeper looked at him ir astonishment Such perfect coolness he had not witnessed for long time.
 "You will remain then?' suggested the landlord, after waiting some time fol his guest to speak.
 "I?" cried the stranger, starting iron his fit of abstraction, as though he wa not sure that he was the person ad dressed. ooh, most certainly not; Tn going straight ahead, ghost or no ghost tonight"
 Half an hour later, the stranger and guide, called Wilhelm, were out on tn road, going at pretty round pace towar Nanstadt.
 During flash of lightning, the straH ger observed that his guide looked yer uneasy about something, and was slacl ening his horses pace as though he il tended to keep behind.
 ''Lead on," cried the stranger, "don = be afraid"
 fTm afraid I cannot" replied th person addressed, continuing to hold h horse in until he was now, at least length behind his companion. "M horse is cowardly, and manageable thunder storm. If you will go C though, think l can make him folio close enough to point out the road"
 The stranger pulled up instantly. strange light gleamed in his eyes, whi his hand sought his breast pocket fro which he drew something. The guit saw the movement and stopped also.
 'sGuides should lead, not follow sa the stranger, quietly, but with fr1 ness which seemed to be exceeding unpleasant to the person addressed.
 "But," fa1tered the guide, 'tmy ho1 won't go."