The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-03-29
A GHOST.

best known jurists in Arkansaw, after an adjournment of the historical society, the other night, related the following story ! to party of friends who fingered in the chamber of odd old manuscripts While . young man, was not looked upon as one of these hard-working, plodding boys who never fail to make a reputation in youth and lose ii in man. hood. The fact is l was rather wild, and, by certain people whose lives were spent in the straight jacket of narrow minded opinion, not regarded as par ticularly truthful. OAe or two of our most prominent farmers went SO far as to say that some times drank too much, i but what quantity in those days was re- garded as too much, was not at that l time, and neither am l now, able to de- termine.
 ] One day l went to town, little village in the northern part of the state, and yielding 10 the ailuremen,s of metropol- itan life remained until late in the eve ming. Night came on shortly after 1 started home, and with the darkness, d heavy rain. About half way between town and my fathers house, stood an old log church, dismal enough in the day, to say nothing of q night like this, bu, AS il afforded inc only means of shelter from the downpour Of rain, stopped, dismoun,ed and stood in the doorway, holding my bfidle reins. cast my eye around rather nervousIy and attempted 10 penetrate Inc deep gloom of the interior, for although 1 was not afraid, yet felt that strange. unspeakable dread which occasions often cause to set lie upon the most courageous of men. After awhile, just as vivid fash ef light ming lit up the place, looked around i again. Standing near the pulpit, with long hair disheveled. with ghas,ly face and staring eyes, stood q woman, dressed ln robes of flowing white. was startled, but moment afterwards, when total darkness came again, persuaded myself that ii must have been only fancy, still l kept my eyes turned back, in dreadful fascination. Another flash. The tgure. deaihiy pallor, and with hail streaming III tangled masses, approached slowly down the aisle l knew that II ran away and ever told my experience. people would laugh at me, and though by this time was somewha, frightened, yet Was determined to wait while longer and Dc fully convinced. IL was some time before there was another flash. but stood, gazing in;en,ly. The church WAS again Il, with daA1ling glare, and great Lord, the woman was in few feet from where l stood, jast in the at of throwing her aras around me My horse snor;ed and pulled me from the doorway. There was no longer any mis- take. and. though this may have been q fancy, my hair pushed my ha, oil. Any way, the hat fell, and too terrified 10 re- gain 1t, sprang upon my horse and dashed away, letting the animal out. as the saying is. How dashed over logs and among trees without being killed is wonder. but reaching the road. the from the church lived old Mr. Gantlirg. with whom l was acquainted, and reach ing his house, dismoun,ed. hitohed my horse and almost burst into the room. The old gentleman had not gone 10 bed, and seeing me bafeheaded and doubtless noticing my fright, he started up and eN- claimed
 Why, Andrew, wha, in he world is the matter ~
 = Eve seen a ghost."
 "What..' with surprise. tor he knew that was not given to superstition. " Have seen ghost -
 :" Yes, sir; at the old church" then related my experience, during which re- cital the family gathered around me.
 That was certainly very strange, said the old man when had finished. "bu. are you certain that Il was not fancy"
 '. l would be, my life on its being tact. I, was ghos, jus, IS sure as you live"
 Well, let's put up your horse. Stay all night, and in the morning we'll 20 and investigate
 lcouldn't sleep. Every time succeeded in pursuadin. myself into d doze. that face, with it's startling eyes, unear,hly cx- pression and dea,hly complexion, came up before me. No ono ever welcomed the sunlight more than did that morn- ing, and yet, dreaded to go back to the church