The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-12-10

THE GHOST ROBBER.

sn0w-white limestone read leading
through the Black Forest in Baden, from
the village of Glasherete to Naustadt,
some thirty miles distant
Although the horse champed his bit,
tossed his head proudly, and showed by
the nervous, quick flashing OF his clear,
bold eve, that he was more than an xious
TO quicken his pace, his master held him
to slow walk, and occasionally tried to
soothe his impatfence by patting him
upon the neck, while he spoke to him
as affectionately as he would address a
child.
Just as the sun was going to- rest for
the day, and when gloomy shadows were
BEGINNING to stalk forth from every part
of the wood, the stranger found himself
within a few rods of an old-fashioned,
dilapidated building, standing all alone
by the roadside, and bearing weather.
beaten sign-board, upon which were
scrawled the words, "Gasthaus zum
Aiersch" Deer HoteI, he dismounted
and entered the parlor of the inn, where
he sat down before small table. He
had no sooner taken his seat than the
landlord made his appearance, with what
was intended to be bland smile upon
his countenance, but which ended in a
half-grin.
elbow can serve you, meinheer"
"See to my horse outside" replied his
gsest carelessly, but at the same time
eyeing the landlord from head to foot
"and let me have some wine--Rhine will
do"
The horse was attended to and the wine
furnished. The landlord was turning to
withdraw from the strangers presence
when he stopped and said: '
(which way, meinheer, do you
travel?"
''To Naustadt," replied his guest.
"You will rest here tonight, | sup
pose" continued the landlord.
81 will stay here for two or three
hours, but I must then be off so as &c
reach my destination in the morning.
am going there to purchase lumber for
the market" ,....
~ "And you have considerable money
with you. no doubtT added the land.
lord, innocently.
eyes, considerable" replied his guest,
slipping at his wine disfnterestedly.
"Then, if you'll take my advice" said
the landlord, you'll remain here till
morning"
"Why?' queried the stranger, looking
UP half curiously.
Because every man who has passed
over the road between this and Naustadt
at night, for this last ten years, has been
robbed or murdered under very singular
circumstance"
"What were the singular circumstan
oes?' asked the stranger, laying down his
glass empty, and preparing to fill i
again.
"Why, YOU see," the landlord wenton
while he approached the guests table
and took seat, 81 have spoken with
several who have been robbed, and all
could learn from them is that they re.
member meeting in the lonesomest part
of the wood something which looked
white and ghastly, and frightened the il
horses, SO that they either ran away OF
threw their riders; after that all WAS con
fusion with them; they felt a choking
sensation 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
looking abstractedly at the rafters in the
ceiling, as though he were mere intent on
counting them than he was interested in
the landlords story.
The inn-keeper looked at him in amaze.
nent. Such perfect GOODNESS he had not
witnessed in long time.
"You will remain then?' suggested the
landlord, after waiting some time for his
guest to speak.
''Me?" cried the stranger starting from
his fit of abstraction as though he were
not sure that he was the party addressed
Ooh, NEST certainly not; ] am going
straight ahead, ghost or no ghost, to-
night"
"You will need guide then; it's q
dark night, and always dark, you know,
in the Black Forest"
every vel" said the stranger, eff You
can furnish me with one I'll pay him
what he wants, proyidedhe's reasonable" "
"You shall have my son, Wilhelm, u
responded the landlord with an attempt
at making show Of pride as he men
toned that worthy's name, "and Q
brighter lad never crossed a saddle. Why
sir, there is scarcely tree in this ole
forest that he does not know, nor patti
that he can not tell exactly where it leads
to-"
"HaEe him ready, then," interrupted
the stranger, "at II tonight. 4n the
meantime will rest if you show me to {
room."
When the stranger found himself alone
instead of going to bed, he took from hi
breast pocket heavy rdouble-baprelei
pistol examined the printing, and, being
satisfied with it, put the weapon back
after which he paced up and down fh
reom with his head bent upon his breast
and eyes fastened upon the door.
A half an hour Later, the stranger AMI
his gMide, Wilhelm, were out on til
road, going at pretty round pace to
ward Eaustadt. The moon had disap
peared within n large black cloud MlIif1