St. Landry democrat., 1882-12-30
A NEW-YEAR'S GHOST.

The wind races wildly through inc
town, making weird, moaning sound
in desolate places near the coast. where
great, dark rocks cast their uncanny
shadows, and around the village gables.
The few stars which glimmer between
the heavy clouds look pale and SILVER
ing, but the village windows are red
with light, and it is evident that an
event Of no small Importance is at hand.
Lanterns CLEAN along the main street,
footsteps echo on the frozen ground,
for there is only the lightest sprinkling
of snow over the rough bubbles. But
lanterns and footsteps all wind toward
the village store just now, where every
evening the sailor and farmer, even the
squire. the aristocracy. as well as the
humber portion of the town, congre-
gate to discuss the weather, the crops,
the news, and to relate thrilling stories
of adventures at sea.
Tonight conversation is unusually
brisk and interesting. The parson
himself is there, and condescends to
joke little with the coy group at the
back of the glowing store, while wait
ing for his purchases to be weighed
and tied up in separate brown paper
parcels. and. in spite of himself waits a
moment to hear the denouement OF a
thrilling ghost story, told with the as
surance that it is a solemn fact, by a
brown old sailor, who shakes his gold
earrings as he proceeds in his recital,
with great deal Of nervous energy.
Now. this is ez true as set in this
cheer, gentlemen. y he Announces
gravely, at the end Of nearly every SEN
tence.
And though he is not sitting at all,
but leaning his stalwart length over a
flour barrel. no one seems to doubt
The squire looks as gravely interested
rs the boys. The parson smiles, but it
is noticeable that the smile affects only
. one side of his mouth and is as lacking
in amusement as is the open mouth Of
the man who is waiting for the forceps
of the dentist in the advertisement of
the toothache medicine which adorns
the smoky wall. The teller seems to be
as awe stricken himself as his hearers.
The effect of the tale is heightened by
the dead silence of the place, the dim
ness of the lamplight. the weird shad-
ows in the corners. and meandering
wreaths of smoke which curl UP toward
the dingy rafters overhead. and encircle
tie head Of the old story-teiler, giving
him the look Of an enchanter or genii
of old working over the fire.
Outside there is the troubled voice OF
the sea, the wailing of the wind. The
story ended, long-drawn breath goes
around the circle. The parson gives
utterance to nervous little laugh then,
suddenly becoming alive to his dignity
and his duty, speaks against the folly
of superstition, with which he declares
the whole town to be alive.
..Wall, It amt no wonder, parson,
when ghosts is seen walkin' these here
streets on dark nights, spoke up anoth-
er old fisherman. Il see John Norton
ghost last night as plain as | see you
this blessed minute. went daoWn to
nv boat-haouse there to the landin'
about eight o'clock, an comm back,
lest en- waz against them teW tall pine
trees afore you git to my haouse, there
he was standin, m lookin' me in the
face. The moon shone right onto bis
!. features, m lor'! there wa.nt nosmore
Z mistaken EN- than mistakfA' my broth.
er's. I didn't say nothin'. I was 50
kinder took aback, not believin In
ghosts afore, m he turned into the
woods road that leads to the old Nor.
ton place. He moved sprya ernuf. but
,tgwa M like walkin' He kinder gfided
of like shadder, n his coat looked
sorter thin m white
.Wall, naow, if / liant dashed" ex.
claimed jolly-looking farmer, rubbing
his stubbly chin, excitedly. my wife
M her sister declared to Moses thai
i t,nu, Il seed the same Teller last night