Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1894-10-25

also on tllS ROAD, IlNeu an IrlSl family
named McSherry, from whom are
sprung the highly-respectable people
of that name who now adorn nearly
every learned profession in West Vir-
ginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, es-
pecially that of medicine. Between
these two residences lived Joseph Min
ghini, an Italian, the grandfather of
the gentleman referred to as now own
ing the tract called The Priests
Field" The Minghini Of our tale had
accompanied the famous General
Charles Lee from Italy when that ec-
centric character was obliged to fly
from the land of the Caesars, but find
ing himself disappointed in his patron,
had set up for himself in the neighbor-
hood of Middleway. So much for a
preface, and now for our story.
ARRIVAL OF THE STRANGER.
One evening a stranger called at
Livingstone's house and asked for
nights lodging. This was accorded to
him cheerfully by Livingstone, and,
in Justice to the lady of the house, it
must be recorded that tradition is silent
on the subject of what she thought of
her husbands hospitality, and, being
an impartial chronicler, the writer will
give her the benefit Of any doubt on
the subject, especially as it turned out
afterward that she had good reason to
regret having taken in the stranger.
The family and their guest conversed
for a good part Of the night, as is GUS
tomary in Virginia on such occasions,
and the new acquaintances separated
about 10 o'clock, Mr.. Livingstone con-
Quoting the stranger to a sleeping
apartment, and then betaking himself
to his own. After having slept some
time the master of the house awoke,
and became aware Of queer noises com
ing from the direction of his guests
apartment. lie arose, knocked at the
strangers door and inquired what was
the matter The occupant replied
that. he was very sick, and that he had
a presentiment that he could not live
till daylight. At the same time he
beseeched that Catholic priest be sent
for to shrive him-that he had been
brought up in the Catholic faith, but
that he had neglected religion when
in health. Now he would gladly ac-
cept its consultations, for he felt HIM
self to be in extremis. Livingstone
replied that he knew Of no priest Of
that faith anywhere near, and that he
could not hope to find one closer than
in Maryland. Heremarked, however
that he had neighbors who were Cath
olics-meaning the McSherrys and
the Minghinis, and that they might
set him on the track Of priest, and
he volunteered to 20 Immediately to
make inquiries of those people. On
this the wife, who, too, had been
aroused, and, woman like, was listen
ing to the conversation, became very
angry, and told herhusband that if he
was fool enough to start on such a
wild-goose chase she would take good
care to thwart him, even ifhe succeeded
in finding the clergyman, which was
unlikely enough She was determined,
she said to hinder any Roman priest
from entering her house, and that the
best thing Livingstone could do would
be to return to his bed and leave the
stranger to his fate. The good-natured
and well-disciplined husband submit
ted, and again retired to slumber.
Next morning the guest did not appear
for breakfast, and Livingstone, a good
deal alarmed, went to the strangers
room and found him dead. The neigh !
bors knew nothing Of these occurrences,
and the Livingstones would not be
likely to say much about them, unless
they were driven to disclosure by
the pangs of terror and remorse.
They, however, had the corpse on their
hands, and, of course, the fact Of the
death could not be concealed. A few
neighbors were notified, and the un-
known was committed to a nameless
grave. No other designation can be
given to him than the unknown, " be-
cause the stranger had not revealed
to the family his name, or anything
connected with his history, except the
few remorseful words to Livingstone
when he confessed the sinfulness Of his
life. No clew was ever found to his
name, family or nationality, but as
the Livingstones did not report any
popularity in his accent, 1t is to be IN
ferred that he was an American by
birth, or very long residence.
sPOOK IN THE FIREPLACE.