Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-12-05
A Hrue Ghost Story.

The Rev. DR.. Baker is aud has been
for thirty years the rector of q promi.
Dent parish on the Eastern Shore OF
Maryland. He is resident of the town
of Camden, and has, or had some twelve
years ago when this happened, a mission
charge in the village Of Venice, sixteen
miles distant, and between these places
he was constantly on the road. About
six miles from Camden was the country
residence of Judge Silverton, we'll
known and venerable parishiOner of the
worthy doctor. This gentleman had
been dead about six weeks when DR..
Baker happened to be returning from
Venice to Camden one afternoon in q
carriage with Mr.. Alden, a prominent
citizen of the former place. 1t was in
broad daylight, just about sunset, and
not far from Judge Silverton's gate,
when carriage, drawn by q white
horse, passed them rapidly from behind
and was soon out of sight.
THAT fellow must be lin q hurry to
reach Camden, remarked the doctor.
"Did you notice anything particular
about that vehicle ?" inquired his conn
panion. 81 -
"Only that it moves very quietly.
heard no sound as 1t went BY"
"Nor did ], ," said Mr.. Alden, incl
ther rattIing of wheels nor noise of
hoofs. 1t Ia certainly strange."1 f gI
In few minutes the matter was for-
gotten and the two drove on, convers.
ing about other things. They had pro-
ceeded about half mile, when sudden.
ly the same horse and carriage again
passed them from behind, and again in
thesame absolute silence, notwithstand-
ing the hardness end narrowness of the
road. Nothing could be seen of the
driver except his feet, the carriage cur.
taiDs hiding his boys. There was no
cross road by which q vehicle In front
could possibly have got behind without
making circuit of many miles and
consuming several hours. Yet there
was not the least doubt that this was
the same conveyance which only little
while previous had passed on before,
and the two gentlemen looked at each
other in blank amazement and with .
certain suggestion of awe which pre-
vented much discussion of the matter,
especially as the horse was to all ap
pearance the well.known white one ha-
bitualiy driven by the deceased judge.
Another half mile brought them in
sight of Judge Silverton's gate, when
for the third time the ghostly team
dashed by-again from behind-in the
same mysterious silence. This time,
however, it turned, in full view, into
the judges gate. Without q word Of
comment the doctor quickened his
norse's speed and reached the gate only
q few yards behind the silent driver.
Both Mr.. Alden and himself peered
eagerly up the long, open lane leading
to the horse, but neither carriage nor
wheel track was visible, though It was
still clear daylight, and there was no
outlet from the lane. nor could any ve-
hicle have possibly, in the time occupied,
accomplished half the distance. In the
simple language of Plihy, nothing wor-
thy of note followed" The peculiar feat
ures of this strange incident are that 1t
was equally and simultaneously evident
to two witnesses, both entirely unpre-
pared for any such manifestation, and
differing widely in temperament, hab-
its of life, mental capacity and educa-
tiOnal a;taiDments, and by mere acci-
dent making this journey together, and
that to this day both of them-witness-
es, be it noted, of the most unimpeach-
able credibility-attesti it and fully cor
rOborate each other, but without being
able to suggest the slightest explains
tion.-Lippihcott's Magazine.