Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1878-12-11
UNCLE BEN,s GHOSTLy RIDE.

used to say, "No modern mansions
of stucco and plaster for me; give
me a grand old house, all covered 10y
ivy and hid len by tree, whose walls
are hung with tapestry, and whose
passages, extending from room to
room, make the blood curdle with
their gloom and length. WHY, sir,
there is something enlivening even
in its decay the. dampness OF Its
walls, and the cracks in the disrol-
ored ceilings which only suggest
TO the vulgar mind ague and rbeu-
matism, are evidences To me OF It's
venerable age aud responsibility.
The very mice that scamper mp
and down in the time-worn vain
scoting give me friendly greeting
that | never meet in your new
fashioned houses, huilt for n race
of mammon worshippers, who have
made their wealth ont Of shodd!
and petroleum"
really believe that Uncle Ben
valued the shade that was said TO
haunt his house far higher than all
his tangible property. Nothing
made him more angry than for any
one 10 donht it's existence he was
always ready to break lance with
any skeptic on the subject. and to
offer him n he'd in the haunted
room and. although many Of the
yonng members of the family scotf-
ed the story, very few had the
courage to accept the challenge.
One winter night, when the
wind was moaning round the
chimney pots and through the
caves, singing a dirge among the
leafless branches Of the gaunt old
spectral trees for the joys of the
departed summer, the family were
gathered ronnd the fire in the
diawing-room.
Uncle Ben, who was standing
with his back TO the fire, said TO
his nephew.
81 think, Joe, we had better PIT
on another log Of wood. | don't feel
inclined for bed yet, AMI suppose
yon youngsters intend to sit up
half the night, as usual
al don't intend 70 turn in yet for
one, uncle, replied Joe, Tell US
one of your ghost stories n regu-
lar blood-crndler."
"Ah, joe" said the old man. 81
am afraid you are thorough scep-
tic. You dishelieve in all super
natural appearances"
Certainly" answered Joe, who
was secretary to the literary dehat-
ing society in the little town OF
Marlborough. and who had written
an essay to prove the non-existenre
of everything, and that we are the
creation Of our own thoughts.
"Certianly, these impalpahle spec
tres are only illusions which the
disordered condition Of our weak
physical organs bring before us.
al own that you are clever lad,
Joe. but don't care a button for
your arguments. | believe in
ghosts, because / have seen them
"Oh, l am open to conviction, if
Won introduce me to bona ide
ghost, I'll give in; / believe only
In the things / understand"
"Joe, if you only believe in what
you understand, your creed will
be shorter than that OF any other
man l know" .
"Can yon give us any proof
Can you mention one instance II
which the spretre has appeared t
any one yon know :.
"a hundred, if you wish" sal
the old man.
"One will do; give M one GEM
inc case, and we will believe"
81 will ; listen. The history ! an
about to relate is an incident tina
happened to myself some twent
years ago, and for the truth c
which / can vourh.
"Well, proceed
81 would give yon the history
the spectre, attached to this hous'
but that only appears TO favore
few, and | have not seen
although have heard the noises
makes"
1--WE should prefer ghost tn
can I've seen, if you have ever IN
one"
"You must understand tb
the village in which lived, u
many others, possesses its sprt'ti
visitor. Abont 100 years ago.
ancestor Of mine started for L.
don in his travelling carriage, o
evening about the latter end
June. He was an exceedins
irascihle man. and the coachm
was not sufficiently quick in y
pairing the vehicle. He heca
much enraged. aud used exceedi
passionate language. For so
time the coackman bore his alb
patiently, hut at last he lost
temper and struck the old gen
man in the face.
"In those days everybody W
sword; and my ancestor alw
ready to draw. snatcbed his weal
from his sheath, and, with one I'll
severed the unfortunate mans b
from his body.
"ConscieDce-s at this 4
full crime, and terrified hy
dread of its consequences, he
ed upon the headless body TO
II ,la., hotnrr