The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-05-04

The water beneath the bridge excep' in the
spring, or when there has been heavy
rains, was quite shallow, so much 80 that
many of the rocks in its bed were quite
bare, and one could have leaped from one to
the other, and so crossed drys hod.
"There was no moon, but the stars were
shining brightly as went down the road on
my way TO SEQ Susan. My delight at the
prospect OF seeing her again filed my mind,
but as noared the outskirts of the woods
that lined the Branch, l could not help
thinking Of the stories had heard that day,
and as | went along must confess that
cast many glance among the trees, as If
| expected to see something that would
cause the hair to rise upon nv head.
Whstling. I'm afraid to keep up my cour-
age, | passed along and over the bridge,
without seeing or hearing any thing could
| not account for.
"Susan was at home, and so glad to see
| mo that the hours passed unhceded, and it
was past midnight when gave her part
| ing kiss on the doorstep, and set out for
home, despite her repeated invitation to re-
| tire there and not brave the terrible mon
ster that had taken up his quarters at the
bridge for she, like the rest, firmly believed
In the story of the ghost. think she was
secretly proud of my courage, and on that
account was glad did not accept her invi-
tation, for woman always likes pluck in
| the man she has chosen for husband. Her
| last words, when she found was going, were
| caution to be careful, and then she closed
| the door, and was alone, with tho lonely
walk and the ghost before me.
at must be confessed that when / drew
near to the edge of the forest that led to the
bridge, had less courage than when / set
| out from home that evening. As l have
said it was past midnight-the very time
when ghosts may be expected to be wander
ing about according to old but good author
ity; and If such thing did haunt the bridge,
l was in fair way to be favored with a
view of it. However, / summoned all the
courage / could muster, and went boldly
forward. and in few minutes Twas so close
upon the bridge that could hear the water
as it rippled over tho stones beneath.
"Although l told myself that there was no
occasion for any feelings of dread or alarm,
l did not feel quite at ease as neared the
spot where the ghost was said to be seen.
Every one had met since had got home
told the same story, Susan among the num-
ber, and her, at least, Regarded US person
of sense; and such evidence will go far to
convince fellow, even against his own
better Judgment If there really was a
ghost, was just in the right time to see it
and making up my mind to face whatever
was before me, approached the bridge,
which could now see in the glimmer of the
starting
every thing looked peaceful and calm.
There was not breath of air, and the leaves
hung notonless upon the trees. / neared
the bridge; moment more | would set my
foot upon it; when sound fell upon my
ear, coming up apparently from the earth
beneath my feet. 1t sounded like the ring
of hammers striking upon metal, but in a
measure deadoned by the sound through the
earth. l paused for moment, listening
eagerly, and glancing about me on every
side. The sound of the several hammers
kept up their ring beneath my feet, but all
was quiet about me. Every living thing
seemed to be sleeping. Nothing spoke of
life, save that strange sound that came up
from the solid earth on which / stood.
II moved forward and set my foot upon
the bridge somewhat heavily, and then |
paused and listened again. All was rs
silent as the grave. The rat-tat of the ham,
mers had ceased, and although 1 waited
several moments it was not renewed, and j
began to think that had been mistaken in
the direction from whence the sound had
come; that it might be woodpecker at
work on dead tree that stood near by,
though why it should be at work at night
when it ought to be on its roost l could not
determine
~ moved slowly across the bridge, and
paused again by the further edge. The fear
| had felt ten minutes before as l neared
the bridge, was nearly departed, and am
afraid was pluming myself on my cour-
age. when, glancing towards the other end
of the bridge, beheld a sight that caused
the hair on my head to rise so violently as
to almost throw of my hat, while felt cold
shivers running over me strangely.
"On the opposite end of the bridge, in the
very spot where / had stood but u moment
BEFORE now lowered a tall figure, wrapped
in sheet that touched it's feet. One hand
was held aloft, in which was grasped what
appeared to be a bloody dagger. The eyes
seemed burning with a blue flame, and
similar light shone from its mouth and
nostrils. A more hideous sight it would be |
hard to conceive; and when it uttered |
fearful groan, as If in mortal agony, 1t was |
more than could stand, and taking to my |
heels left the bridge behind me at pace
not to be despised by those who value |
light pair of heels.
~ reached home without further adven- |
ture, and went to bed; but / never closed |
my eyes to sleep that night. ] thought of |
what ! had seen and heard, and / made up |
my mind to sift the matter to the bottom. |
II the ghosts of the departed, wrapped in |
sheets, walked the earth, wanted it fairly |
understood that such was the case; and II 1t |
were trick l wanted to expose the author. |
At any rate. would pay the bridge visit |
by daylight, and see what discoveries / |
could make that would throw light upon
the subject.
"When / made my appearance at the
table the next morning / was questioned US
to what had seen, and l told them all, and
also of my determination to go to the bridge
that forenoon. AS the visit was to be made
in daylight, father offered to accompany me;
and we went, accordingly.
''For one hour we wandered over and
under the bridge; and then discovered the
clue-a very slight one. indeed-one that
might lead to nothing, but still worth the
trial Of following up, and we went home to
make our arrangements
"Nne o'clock that night saw half score
Of men secreted about the bridge, Sheriff
Clark among the number, and quarter of
an hour later came whistling down the
road as unconcerned as though the bridge
were not haunted by so fearful an object
every night crossed the bridge and went !
out through the woods, and made a call on
Susan. saw and heard nothing while COM
ing, and an hour later / set out on my re-
turn. had told Susan during the day of
my plan, and that was why she had been
sitting up for me.