The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1878-01-11
The Ghosr Robber.

The Ghost RObber.
On a fine evening in the spring of
1880, a 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 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 enter
ed the parlor of the inn, where he sat
down beside small table.
How can l serve you, meinheer said
the landlord.
See to my horse outside, replied the
guest carelessly, but at the same time
cycling the landlord 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
traveli
To Nanstadt, replied the guest.
You will rest here tonight, 1 sup
pose, continued the landlord.
will stay here for two or three
hours, but must then be off, 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, no doubt? 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'll stay here till
morning.
why, replied the stranger, looking
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 passed over the road between this
and Nanstadt at midnight, for the last
ten years, has been robbed or murder
ed under very singular circumstances.
What were the circumstances ask
ed the stranger, putting down his glass
empty, and preparing TO fill it again.
Why you see, the landlord went on ,
while he approached his guests table
and took seat, have spoken with
several who have been robbed; all l
could learn from them is that they
| LAOCbAnS Ah IhO AOhOOOA4O
part of the wood, something that look
ed white and CHASTITY, and that fright
ened their horses so that they either
ran away or threw their riders; they
felt a choking sensation and a 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,
looking abstractedly at the rafters in
the ceiling, as though he was more in
tent upon counting them than he was
interested in the landlords story.
The innkeeper looked at him in as
constituent. Such perfect GOODNESS he
had not witnessed for long time.
You will remain then? suggested
the landlord, after waiting some time
for his guest TO speak.
1? cried the stranger, starting from
his fit of abstraction, as though he was
not sure that he was the person adj
dressed. Oh, most certainly not; I'm
going straight ahead, ghost or nc
ghost, tonight.
Half an hour later, the stranger an6
guide, called Wilhelm, were out the
road, going at pretty round pace to-
ward Nanstadt.
During a flash of lightning the
stranger observed that his guide looked
very uneasy about something, and was
slackening his horses pace as though
he intended to drop behiRd.
Lead on, cried the stranger, don't b.
afraid.
I'm afraid cannot, replied the per
, son addressed, continuing to hold hi
! horse In until he was now at least
length behind his companion. MJ
horse Is cOWardlY and unmanageabl'
: In thunder storm. If yoI
t will GO on though, 1 think I cal
{ make him follow close enough to poin
out the road.
The stranger pulled up in stantly. 4
strange light CLEANED in his eyes
I while his hand sought his breast pocket
from which he drew something. Tn
: guide saw the movement and stoppeC
: also.
Guides should lead, not follow, sail
the stranger, quietly, but with firm
e ness which seemed to be exceedingi..
. unpleasant to the person addressed.
But, faltered the guide, my hors
8 won't 60.
Won't he ? queired the stranger, wit
Q mock Simplicity
The guide heard q sharp click, an
/ saw something CLEAN in his compan
. ions right hand. He seemed to IN
: derstand perfectly, for he immediatel,
: drove his spurs into his horses TANKS
and shot ahead of his companion with
out another word.
He no sooner reached his old posi-
: ton, however, than the stranger saw
: him give a sharp turn TO the right an
9 then disappear, IS though he had van
: ished through the foliage OF the tree
d that skirted the road.
n. nfa of hts hnrca a
4 he galloped OF. Without waiting an
e other instant, he touched his hors
= lightly with the reins, gave him pric
n with the rowels, and OF the noble ami
: NAL started like the wind in the wax
; of the flying guide.
The strangers horse being much 50
peri0r to the others, the race was
short one, and terminated by the guild
being thrown nearly from his saddl
. by heavy hand which was laid upo
o his bride, stopping hin.
7, He turned in his seat, aud saw be
e hind him the strangers face, dar
b and frowning, and trembled viOlentl
i as he felt the smooth, cold barrel of
n pistol pressed against his cheek
It'll This cursed beast almost ran ava
"a with me, cried the guide, composIn
h himself as we'll as be could under Cd
1 CkICul15lalSCos
Yes, I know, said his eompanio
dFyly, but mark my word, young maj
= If your horse plays such tricks sgail
II he'll be the means Of seriously injurin
10 his masters health.
)e They 10th turned and cantereG bsc
: /; to the road. When they reached
le again, and turned the heads of the
10 aniInals in the right direction, Il
le stranger said 20 his guide, in q ton
re- which must have convinced his heaFs
e. as 70 his earnestness:
n Now, friend Wilhelm, hope we III
n derstand each pther for the rest of q
"A Journey. You are 70 continue on shes
= Of me, tn the right road, Withol
y swerving either to the right or left.
I see you do anything suspicious,
viii drive q brace OF bullets thrcus
you without 3 word Of notice. No
push on.
The guide had started IS dfrecfe
5nt Is vas svident FROM his mqtterinl
that he was alarmed at something
A sides the actiop Of his follower.
al In the meantime the thunder had !
creased iss vIolence, and the flashes