Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1892-07-27
A GHOSI'LY BANQUET,

ministerial tour through the south of
Ireland one autumn day, found it i'm.
possible to reach his place of destina-
tion, yet distant many miles, before the
coming ON of night, which already an.
nounced its rapid approach by its som.
ber herald twilight. During the day his
ride had been suggestive of solitary med.
itation, as the portion of the country
through which lie journeyed was, owing
to the grandeur and diversifcation OF
its scenery, one of the most picturesque
in the kingdom.
His path had wound through gardens
abandoned to the rank luxuriance of the
thistle and bramble and past deserted
homesteads, the histories of which were
rife with tales of violence, bloodshed
and family extinction; and he had oft
with toll and difficulty guided his good
steed through many of those deep laby-
rinthian glens and matted fens and
natural fastnesses in which the land of
the shamrock glories.
In the earlier part of his journey a
few comfortable homes and farnhouses
had been visible to Mr.. E., but as
the day wore on the way grew increas-
ingly gloomy and disheartening, and
glimpses of the human face divine more
and more rare. At last it became ex-
pedient to think of obtaining lodging
for the night, and he paused to reflect
and reconnoiter. Not far from him
lowered the turrets of a venerable cas-.
tie, around which clustered trees of an
immense growth and height, whose
thick trunks, gnarled and overhangine
branches and somber foliage seemed as
if anxious to keep out the gaze of pry-
ing stragglers and prevented the main
body of the building from being seen.
A sloping lawn led down to q deep,
silent lake, SO still and so CLASSY that not
ripple disturbed its calm surface. Be-
yond were piled a ledge of mountains,
rising in bold relief against the murky
sky and adding additional wildness tc
the Land zcape. Altogether the aspect Of
the place was so repelling and spoke SC
strongly of desertion that the clergyman
involuntarily turned away.
Meanwhile the darkness increased
apace, and no other habit, ton was in
sight but one-that Of person whom
he well knew by report to be an i'm.
placable hater of religion and its minis
tiers. Alternative therefore there was
none between seeking admission as an
unwelcome guest, from which his innate
delicacy shrunk, and remaining exposed
to the fury of a storm which gave warn
ing of being in preparation by hoarse
boomings of thunder, the mighty sub
bass of the elements and lurid CLEANS
of fire.
He hesitated for some time, but deter
mined at length to try whether the voice
of hospitality might not plead his cause
and gain for him at least the shelter oi
a roof, whatever might be his subse.
quent treatment and entertainment:
any refuge appeared preferable to ex.
posure to the peltings of the storm. His
horse also began to exhibit unequivocal
symptoms of dissatisfaction at the ex
isting state of affairs. and plainly in.
timated disposition to seek better
quarters by impatient stampings and
neighings. Mr.. E. accordingly rode
up to the door of the house and knocked.
A tall, dark visaged man appeared
Mr.. E. introduced himself, apollo
gized for the intrusion and solicited &C.
commodation for the night. The gen.
tleman replied that he would with pleas.
ure furnish him supper and find room in
the stable for his horse, but regretted
that there was not in the house vacant
chamber.
But are you coward?" he demanded
abruptly.
81 hope not"
Because if you are not yonder is the
castle across the park of which l am
agent. No one is in it, as the owner is
travelling on the Continent. will not
disguise from you, however, that strange
tales are told of its being haunted, which
was in fact the principal reason for the
desertion Of the Earl of LIS family.
If, as you say, you are not afraid, and
feel willing to incur the risk of midnight
visitants, you are welcome to a bee
there"
Not seeming to notice the sneer which
accompanied the last words, Mr.. E.
accepted the offer with thankfulness.
remarking that, however he might pre-
fer society, yet, as a minister of the
Gospel, he had no cause for fearing ever
the powers of darkness, should they
league against him.
Every well, then," said the host
whom we may designate as Mr.. D..
81 will order supper, and while you art
partaking of it send servants over to the
castle to prepare room and light a fire
and lest you should be in any doubt as
to the sincerity of my intentions, will
attend you there myself and assist il
searching your room and the adjoining
ones"
After supper, having ascertained that
his horse had been well attended to, Mr.
E. expressed himself in readiness te
attend his host to his destined lodgings,
as he was much fatigued with his jour.
ney and longed for repose. The rain
had not yet commenced, but the flashes
of lightning and the bowling of the
winds through the stately oaks and elms
presaged its coming violence and sug.
gested to the imagination Of Mr.. E.
the fitness of just such a night and
place for deed of blood, and he shud-
dered as they traversed the gloomy
park, as many tale of murdered trav-
elers that he had heard in boyhood came
forward in his mind.
To the best of men sudden death has
an appalling aspect, but under such cir
cumstances as these, apart from all that
he loved, alone and unpitied, it seemed
tenfold terrible. Then again he would
think ON the unexpected hospitality of
Mr.. D. and smile at the horrors
which busy fancy had conjured up.
As they drew near the castle, its des-
olate appearance was not much calcu-
lated to reassure him, or calm his droop-
ing spirits. Mr.. D. carried lantern,
the faint glimmering of which only
served to make darkness visible, as it
fell ON the grass grown walks and old
gray stones that paved the courtyard.
Tho -,oirn of fhoir stnns and uniaae die