Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-07-15
MAD MATTY.

A belief in ghosts is common to most
primitive people. The outlying dis
tricts of our town had their legends Of
ghosts and fairies; indeed, no Welsh
district is without them. But most of
these were harmless from their antiqui-
ty, and even the peasants began to con-
slider them as bygOne tales This, how
ever, was not the case with ghOstly
stories originating within the memory
of the living, for much terror was eXpe-
rienced by the ignorant and supersti-
tiOus concerning sights which had their
origin in circumstances of recent date
Nor was it easy to convince them that
flesh and blood were not spirit when
once they had resolved that they were.
Mr. superintendent Pryse was one of
the anti-Spiritualists Of his day, and
during his long rounds took almost as
much trouble to run ghosts as criminals
to ground. But he had friend who
occasionally came from Il distance to
visit him, who was rs profound be-
lever as he was skeptical. They dis
cussed the matter without coming to
conclusion; grew hot, grew cold, like
the weather, but found the temperate
degree unattainable.
81 am told that hundreds have seen
the ghost that haunts Gwynant Bridge"
said Capt. Glyn one day when the sub
ject cropped up.
Fools! they can't have seen it, be-
cause they are afraid to cross the mead
Ows," returned the superintendent.
But women lose their wits and even
their legs when they do happen too near
the spot"
Have you ever seen it?"
eyes, more than once; but don't be
leve in it"
81 thought seeing was believing"
Not III the matter of ghosts. Our
natural eyes are no more constructed
to see into the spiritual world than they
are into the animalcular We haven't
arrived at spiritual microscopes, eh?"
mo need. Ghosts are visible with
out EN-"
1--WE will go and look up the Gwynant
ghost this evening"" said the superin-
tendant. 1t is woman you sec; for all
fools are feminine, except perhaps,
Capt. Glyn, commander III hermajesty's
navy
The Captain would rather have CON
fronted death on Il raging sea then have
soughta ghost by moonlight, but he
was too proud to say so and therefore
acceeded mwillingly to the proposal.
Mr.. Superintendent Pryse took down
his club and the heavy walking stick
whence he could draw sharp weapon;
then called majestic Gwen, his house
keeper.
Tell Williams to wait here until 10;
l., 70 G. 10
Gwynant Bridge" he said
Where the ghost stands and talks
sir?" asked immovable Gwen, who, her
master said, ought to have been 4 man.
yes. Come along, Glyn."
They set out between Is and Z o'clock
of fine April evening for four-mile
walk across country. The moon was
rising and would be at her full. Their
way led them first up hilly road, be-
meath which rapid river foamed and
tumbled over rocks and stones, between
trees that looked like an army of spirits
in the shadowy light; then through Il
wood. Here myriads of blue-bells had
folded themselves to sleep III the white
light and primrose buds slumbered
amongst their leaves, while between the
beam and breeze it seemed that FAIRIES
tripped it among the silent flowers.
BY the time they reached Gwynant
Meadows the moon had risen, and had
made of the dews that trembled on the
grass blades prisms of light. They trOd
them down rs they crossed in the di-
rectiOn of the bridge. When they
came within a few PAGES of the haunt
ed spot they halted involuntarily, and
In, al 49,
There it certainly was. Among the
trees on the left side of the bridge stood
white transparent figure, tall and I'M
movable. One hand was outstretched
the other concealed by shadowy drap-
cry The most incredulous must have
acknowledged that an apparition was
before him-a pale, thin, luminous,
motionless ghost.
Enough. Come away" whispered
Glyn.
Not till we see what she's made of, .
returned Pryse aloud.
'Made of" was audibly repeated by
some knocking voice.
"She can speak, anyhow" said Super
intendent softly, breaking from the
grasp of his trembling friend.
He walked toward the bridge holding
his official club in one hand, his stick in
the other, resolute enough to frighten
away any ghost. He done so in effect.
i vow she's gomez he exclaimed.
Gomez repeated the uearthly
voice.
mo; she's herew returned the cap
tain, and Here, was the ghostly repe-
titiOn.
81 say she's gone!" l say she's herer'
Gomez Here" was repeated until the
wrathful superintendent scarcely be-
ieved his senses. 1t was new version
of the fable of the chameleon.
At last he walked back to the captain,
and there she was! pale, luminous,
transparent. He stood awhile, silent,
perplexed; then Selling the captain,
dragged him toward the bridge
There! didn't | say she was gone ~
he cried, pointing to the group of feath-
cry birch where no ghost was visible.
The captain was also more terrified
by her absence than her presence, and
returned to his first standpoint, followed
by the superintendent.
"There she is again. they both ex-
claimed, and again" repeated the
knocking voice.