Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-02-21
For the SPECTATOR.
An Hour with Confirmed Believer in
6hOstS.
MINT SPRING. VA. Feb. 3 1892

MINT SPRING, VA, Feb. 8, 1882.
1t was the night of the Both ult. that
your writer, in company with DIR. C.
of this village, entered the quiet and
dreary apartments of solitary shoe
maker, who has recently moved into
this community. The subject of this
sketch ia man of tall. lean stature,
whose visage plainly indicates years not
far short OF three score and ten /; and, in
fact, ell features of his appearance bear
| witness of life full of toll, and anxiety.
| Having reared large family, and now
the proud grandfather of bright and
happy children, he has returned from
the paternal home of responsibilities
and careful watching to seek the enjoy
ments (if any such there be) around q
hermit's fireside. He has fostered the
belief, from early childhood, thai appa-
ritions in various forms walk our earth,
and 1t has now become his second ma
ture. 1t is not the result of ignorance,
or lack of common sense, that engen-
ders this not uncommon belief, but
probably arises more from q deceptive
vision.
The time ct which we crossed the
threshold of his lovely abode was char
acterized by dark and starless sky, an
hour when imaginative and ilIusory
minds are prone to discard the rational
faculties and follow the aIluring lights
of the agnas fatwas to perish in danger
GUS regions. A bright. blazing fire,
cheered the hearthstone, and humble
seats were prepared for our comfort.
The Doctor, being an inveterate smoker,
had a sufficient supply of the weed to
divide with his companion and our
host; and the pipes being filled to their
utmost capacity, the theme of ghosts
was next in order. i,
"Well, my old FRIEND" says the Doc
tor, VINO has been for many years sue
cessful practitioner, "do you really be-
lieve there are such things as ghosts or
spirits 2" Our host quickly responded,
II do" "Now," continued the Doc
tor, "do you not think that many
across our pathway in dark and dismal
the earth 2" Never" replied the old
man. 81 remember" said the Doctor.
with suppressed smile upon his coun-
tenance, "of being aroused at the dead
hour of night to go to see very sick
patient. My road lay partly along the
northern slape of pine thicket. The
night was intensely dark and forebod.
ing no good. A grim, white monster of
gigantic size, in shape resemblinga dog,
appeared in my front. My horse be.
came frightened and whirled to retrsce
his steps. An elegant coWhide and two
large cavalry spprs enabled me, with
the greatest difficulty, to urge the ami
NAL forward. But in the twinkling of
an eye, the object vanished, no more to
obstruct my course" "You don't tell
me, Doctor" Interposed cur friend,
whose very hairs, at this juncture,
seemed to point heavenward.
This exciting narrative aroused our
old friend to the highest pitch, and he
began with relating series of startling
tales, as follows:
THE eneighborhood of Old Providence
church, where I have spent the PALMER
days OF my life has been the famous spot
OF my spectral scenes. Were to go in
to details of the numerous images, in a
variety of shapes and forms, that have
appeared unto me, I am sure it would
occupy hours, and cause you to shudder
and cling closer to your firesides than
ever. Not great while ago 1 was en-
plOyed by farmer In that vicinity to
do some work. Night was at hand be-
fore started for my home. I knew
my nearest and most direct way was to
pass by Old Providence grave yard
The thoughts of this bore heavily on
my mind. My heart beat TREMENDOUSLY
and fast. A blacker night never cur.
tanned the land, and the wind howled
long and fierce through the great and
mighty woods, as drew nearer to the
slumberer's home. Heaven bears wit
ness to what frightful object rose from
behind huge, snoldering tombstone
and hastened to welcome my approach
A moment later, and a human form
without head, all dabbled in blood
stood before me, The very blood in my
veins seemed chilled tried to speak
but was dumb. Prostitution, like the
poisonous asp, stole stealthily upon my
frame. l felt that must soon burs
asunder the shackles that seemed to stay
my progress and make my escape, or elst
be the monsters victim and sink to earth
on the long travel of thousand years
In brief moment summoning all my
courage, tore from my perilous situa
ton with sudden bound, and mad,
race horse time down the pike, never
looking back or taking breath until
was seated by my fire. A short tim,
before this. Doctor, went on an erran(
several miles from my house and was de
talned q while after dark. A star-lit sky
somewhat relieved the tedium of dark
HeSS on this occasion 7 had nrOcpedef