The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-02-14
THE GHOST ROBBER.

Ono fine evening in the spring of
1880 stranger, mounted on a noble
looking horse. passed slowly over the
snow-white limestone road leading
through the Black Forest.
just as the sun was going to reat for
the day, when the gloomy shadows
were beginning to stalk, he drew rein
as he said:
This ut be near the spO., surely
Ill stop here, anyhow, for while,
and see what can learp.'
He therefore dismounted and en-
tered the parlor of the inn, where he
sat down beside small table.
See to my horse outside replied
the guest carelessly, in answer to the
landlords question about his wants,
but at the same time cycling him from
head to foot, and let me have some
wine-Rhine will do
The landlord was turning to with
draw from the strangers presence
when he stopped and said:
(Which way, meinheer, do you trav-
el?'
To Nanstadt,' replied the guest.
'You will rest here tonight, I sup.
pose,' continued the landlord.
Il will stop here two or three hours,
but l must then be off so as to reach
my destination there in the morning.
am going to purchase lumber for
the Market
And you have considerable money
with you no doubt asked the land
lord innocently.
Yes, considerable replied the
guest, sipping his wine disinterestly.
Then if you'll take my adyice, said
the landlord, you'll stay here till
morning
why P replied the stranger, look.
ing up curiously.
Because whispered the landlord,
looking around as if he were disclos.
ing q great secret, and was afraid OF
being heard by somebody else. severy
man that passes over the road between
here and Nanstadt at night for the last
ten years has been robbed or murder
ed under very singular circumstances.
What were the circumstances !?
asked the stranger, putting down his
glass empty, and preparing to fill it
again.
why, you sce,' the landlord went
on while be approached his guests Ia.
BILE and took = seat, l have spoken
with several that have been robbed !;
all could learn from them is that they
remember meeting, in the Lonesome
part of the wood, something that look
cd white and ghastly, and frightened
their horses SO that they either ran
away or threw their riders; they felt
a choking sensation and sort of a
something, and finally died, as they
thought, but awokc in an hour or so
to find themselves lying by the road
side, robbed of everything
Indeed! calculated the stranger,
looking abstractcdly at the raftcrs in
the ceiling, as though he were more
intent upon counting them than inter-
csted in the landlords story.
The innkeeper looked at him in as
constituent. Such perfect cOOlness he
had not witnessed for long time.
You will remain ihen!' suggested
the landlord, after waiting some time
for his guest to speak.
'Iv cried the stranger, starting from
his fit of abstraction, as though he
thought he was not sure he was the
person addressed. ooh, most certain
ly not Pm going straight ahead, ghost
or no ghost, Tonight
Half an hour later, the stranger and
a guide called Wilhelm, were ont or
the road, going at a pretty round pace
toward Nanstadt.
During fash oflightning the stran
ger observed that his guide looked
very uneasy about something, and
was slackenlng his horses pace u
though he intended to drop behind.
Lead on, cried the stranger, don
tdon't be afraid
'I'm afraid 1 cannot replied th'
person addressed, continuing to hole
his horse in until now he was at leas
q length behind his companion. m.
horse is cowardly, aud unmanageabl
in Q thunder storm. If you 60 throu2l
can make him follow close enought t
point out the road.
The stranger pulled up instantly.
strange light cleaned in his eye'
while his hand sought his breast p0ck
L a. from Hhioh rlnaunA6 ann nfhinn