The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-07-02
Select Story.
A NIGHT WITH A GHOST.

No; was not dreaming. was awake
and conscious. Il IS true it was night, and
l was in bed. But l had not slept. l
was engaged in the perusal Of a report
which | had been preparing for the Acad-
emy of Sciences on insects found in snow
drifts, which we're microscopical. This
ought to satisfy you that my mind was
preoccupied-foreign to the idea Of ghosts,
which until that hour | did not believe
had existence. Nay; had no belief in
the existence of the soul apart from the
body Now am firmly persuaded that,
at least to me, the inquiry Of the age has
been afirmatively solved-namely, that
man does live after death.
NY friends in the fields of science 10
which l am interested scout the hypothe-
sis when broaeh it, and find that lose
standing with them, and consequently use
fitness as contributor to the "sum Of
human knowledge" when | revert 10 my
strange experience-Bhich / would not
part with, if l could, for all the wealth the
earth contains
You ask me to give you my experience
as ''ghost seer.
Briefly, then, | will do so.
There resided not far from the pretty
village of Ethington family that bears the
historical and kingly name Of Lancaster.
They are, OF course, Of English descent
The head Of this family is an amateur en-
tomologist. He had made certain discoy-
cries in this line of investigation, | had
been informed wrote to him concern
ing them. In his answer be cordially in
vited me to his residence, where, he added.
he could better demonstrate his theories.
/ accepted the invitation.
In consequence Of an accident to the
train on which | was a passenger-an ac-
cident Of no particular moment, however,
beyond causing delay Of several hours in
nav arrival at the station where | was to
be taken up aud conveyed to the residence
of my host, it was believed By the family
that an unforeseen cause had delayed my
visit. 1t was sundown when | did arrive
at the mansion, an old and comfortable
structure, which gave assurance Of refine
ment, wealth aud consequence.
As the information was in quest Of
could not be demonstrated after sundown,
l was pressed to remain for the night, and
did not refuse the invitation.
Shortly subsequent to my arrival, having
made my toilet and otherwise refreshed
myself, / was conducted to cosy recep-
tion room, where was introduced to the
members of the family. / found them
particularly the daughters-exceediogly
agreeable.
In few moments / was at my case,
feeling as if had been on intimate terms
with the charming circle all my life.
awe are very plain people here, Doc
tor" said Mrs. Lancaster, ''and we shall
be pleased if you will make yourself as
one of US, and not stand upon ceremony.
Ah, there is the dinner-bell;" she added,
rising. "Isola, escort DIR. Riverson to the
dining-Toem"
The young lady designated turned to
me and quietly took my arm. She was
tall, splendid creature Of twenty years
Her eyes we're dark, brilliant, keen, mag
netic; and | could see that she was full
of animation.
@Doetor, she said, with a low, silvery
laugh, do not be alarmed. will conduct
you safely to seat in the hall. But mind
you, sir, if you take a place, by my side at
the table, you must not utter word hav-
ing seventeen syllables in it during the
repast
as there word with so many syllables,
Miss Isola ?" | asked sportiyely.
l really do not know" she answered.
"How should l, never having gone beyond
seven 10 all my life ? But it has always
seemed to me that learned people are
never better pleased than when they can
get words that measure by the yard, de-
spising those Of inches and feet.
II know it, replied; but then, of what
use would our studies in Latin and Greek
be if we could not manufacture words Of
"thundering length, such as Goldsmith
aseribes to his schoolmaster 10 the Desert
ed Village ?"
care you very courageous, Doctor, my
companion asked, suddenly changing the
drift Of the conversation.
We were by this time seated at the ia
ble
"Why do you ask me n | questioned.
"Why? Simply because it will be put
to the test before morning" she answered,
with a silvery laugh.
II really do not understand you. do
you expect visit from housebreakers, or
am to be courageous and put an impen-
etrable target around my heart to preserve
it from the magnetic eyes of Miss Isola
Lancaster p
The lady again laug he'd, and blushed.
''0h, no, She said "No, not so bad as
that; it would be really cruel in me to
subject you to so fearful test in order to
measure the quality of your courage"
''Then be kind enough to explain, |
really do not comprehend you"
The lady became exceedingly sedate.
Even the smile that almost constantly rest
ed on her rosy lips, making her very beau
tiful, faded away and her eyes that were
SO brilliant seemed to lose their lustre.
@Are you believer in ghosts ?" she in
terrogated.
1t was now my tuIn to smile. L an
swered that as had never behold ghost
/ had no belief in the existence of an or
ganization SO ethereal.