Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1878-02-04
The Ghost Robber.

lO0U, stranger, mounted Oh d nODle-
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, and see what |
can learn
He thereupon dismounted and entered
the parlor of the inn, where he sat down
beside small table.
"How can serve you, meinheer 2"
said the landlord.
'Sec to my horse outside" replied
the guest carelessly, but at the same
time eylng the landlord from head to
foot; "and let me have some vine
Rhine will do"
The landlord was turning to withdraw
from the strangers presence, when he
stopped and said
(Which way, meinheer. do you trav-
ell 2"
ITO Nanstadt," replied the guest.
"You will rest here tonight, l sup
pose ?" continued the landlord.
81 will stay here for two or three
hours, but must then be off, so as to
reach my destination there in the morn
ing. l am going to purchase lumber
for the market
''And you have considera BILE money
with you, no doubt % asked the land
lord, innocently.
Eyes, considerable said the guest,
slipping at his wine, disinterestedly.
"Then if you'll take my advice" said
the landlord, you'll stay here till morn
ing"
"Why?" replied the stranger, look
ing up curiously.
Because" whispered the landlord,
looking around as if he were disclosing
great secret, and was afraid of being
heard by somebody else, "every man
that has passed over the road between
this and Nanstadt at midnight for the
last ten years has been robbed or mur-
dered, under very singular circumstan.
ces."
"What were the circumstances ?''
asked the stranger, putting down his
glass empty, and preparing to fill il
again.
"Why, you see," the landlord went
on, while he approached his guests Ia
BILE and took seat. 81 have spoken
with several who have been robbed al
l could learn from them is that they re
member meeting in the lonesome part Of
the wood, something that looked white
and CHASTITY. and that frightened theil
horses so that they either ran away Of
threw their riders; they felt choking
sensation and sort of something, anC
finally died, as they thought, but awokt
in an hour or so to find themselves ly
ing by the roadside, robbed of every
thing"
"Indeed," calculated the stranger
looking abstractedly at the rafters il
the ceiling, as though he was more in
tent upon counting them than he was in
terested in the landlord's story.
The innkeeper looked at him in aston
ishment. Such perfect GOODNESS he ha
not witnessed for long time.
"You will remain, then % suggeste
the landlord, after waiting some tim
Tor his guest TO speak.
"I?" cried the stranger, startin
from his fit of abstraction, as though
was not sure that he was the person &C
dressed. "Oh, most certainly not II
going straight ahead, ghost or no ghos
tonight"
Half an hour later the stranger and
guide, called Wilhelm, were out on tt
road, going at a pretty round pace t.
ward Nanstadt.
During flash of lightning the stral
ger observed that his guide looked vel
uneasy about something, and was slacl
ening his horses pace, as though he il
tended to drop behind.
LEAD or" cried the stranger, 'don
be afraid"
"I'm afraid cannot" replied Il
person addressed, continued to hold b
horse until he was now at least leng
behind his companion. "My horse
cowardly and unmanageable in thu
der storm. If you will 90 on, thoug
| think | can make him follow clio
enough to point out the road"
The stanger pulled up instantly.
stranger light cleaned in his eyes, VIII
his hand sought his breast pocket, fre
which he drew something. The gui
saw the movement and stopped also.
"Guides should lead, not follow" sa
the stranger, quietly. but with fir
ness which seemed to be exceeding
unpleasant to the person addressed.
J But" faltered the guide, 'my ho
t won't CO.
won't he queried the stranger, W
mocking simplicity.
The guide heard sharp click, a