Rising Sun Times, Volume 3, Number 120, Rising Sun, Ohio County, 27 February 1836 — Page 4

MISCELLANEOUS.

From the KVex RedsUr. the h.m:nti:i nocsE. 'Twasa bright and beautiful evening near the cloevf Mav, lh.it the Inn, in (he village of C '- , not an hundred miles from Poril and, was hrigntly lit up and thronged with company. Men from every p 'rt of the State, an. of all the various ranks classes and profusions in hfe, oro lainuling their voices in the bar room; and the notes of rejoicing were heard till a late hour in the night. The farmer, the lawyer, liic soldier with his tattered unifotm, and the clergyman with his wig and d irk vcftments, wore mingled together in one promiscuous throne, and all drank to 'the happiness and prosperity cf America their beloved and long l.arrasscd land. And surely the patriotic hand had cause for rejoicing; for Ions had the daik and angry cloud of war overshadowed their devoted land; and often had the hopes of the patriot and the soldier waxed dim, as he beheld their gloomy aspect, ar.d heard the shout of the victorious focman. Hut the God of liberty had at length stretch cd forth his mighty arm, and Anient a rose from her oppression free and glorious. Although the little Inn was crowded with visitors, and the scene of jov and revelry, it had long been considered a haunted house by the superstitious villagers; and doleful tah s were told respecting the strange sights that had been seen on the premise. In fact C was one of these little sequest ered villages, where the wild lantacics and gloomy superstitions lie garnered up. From the earliest period cf its settlement, ghosts, goblins, and w itches had been seen, and the woeful effects of their gambols felt by the people w ho inhabited it. The dark and gloomy tales of yore, had been handed down from generation to generation; like the traditions of the Aborigines "till the progeny of the Pilgrims hid become such unwavering believers in the supernatural, that if a cock eicw, or a horse neighed, in the dca 1 of night, it was marked down as a:i infallible precursor of woeful tribulations about to befall them. Many- w ere the hoi rid tlcs that one night herololcd forth on a long winter's right, while seated by the fire side cf the aged settlers scarce cue of whom had not encountered a ghost or two, amid dreadful circumstances; and many of the t.ld lulics hid, of a truth, encountered 'the spirit cf the air' the eery 'arch fiend himself. There was the story of the 'Soldier Ghost,' who patrolled the slrcil in front of the church yard ond.uk and moonless nights: and of the Haunted alley,' and of 'Silent Brook,' w here two captive families had been murdered by the Indians all of which were firmly believed and attested to by the simple settlers. The little Inn had also been the theatre of strange and mys terious transactions since ihe present landlord's sign had been hung out upon the worm eaten sign post; and a certain chamber had been rendered total v un inhabitable by the gambols of a spectre damsel who held her nightly vigils in the dusky apartment. The country uumpkin as nc passed aiong nv ino house late of a night, on his return from 'sparking,'gradually increased hisspeed, until every nerve was exerted to its ul tcrmost; and not even deigned to ca?t an eye behind,' he llcw along toward the silent domicil of his father w ith his heart in his mouth. Hut eld II in. Zindeihoop, the landlord, was uniram mcllcd by the fears which possessed ihe hearts of his neighbors, and a perfect pattern of happiness and contentment lie however believed in the stories re ported about the haunted room for the very reason that his neighbors believed them and in fact, more for the sake of custom, and popularity, than from any convictions he had that they were true. He was among superstitious people he therefore must be superstitious, or, unpopular. Possessed of a good share cf politeness and alfabihty he had long enjoyed an increasing patronage, and taverns were scarce that afforded the weary and way worn traveler better accommodation than his. I lis 'better half' had long since ceased to gladden his heart by her presence; and a plain but neat marble slab in the Churchyard, told that Alice Zindeihoop was gathered to her fathers many years before the commencement of (his tale. An only child a girl, was all that remained of that once powerful family of Zinderhoops, excepting himself. 1 le had denied many a young man the happiness of leading her to the altar who had sought it with tears in his eys; for lie could not consent to his Mary's being married, and thus rob himsef of the stair on which he had long hoped to lean in the down hill journey of life. She was young and beautiful, and the light and joy of the old man's heart. To her the key's of the house were cn-

trusted, as well as the charge of the fivonir box. whose contents were at her

disposal; and the concerns of the house 7 at large, were managed by her with the stiictest propriety and decorum. Having made the reader sufficiently acpiaintod with the condition of the fam ily at the Inr., and also initialed him in to a knowledge of the superstitions of the village, we will return to the joyous group we left in the bar room. The '(lowing howl' passed current around the room, and the names of 'Washing ton 'Lafayette' burst from the full hearts of the soldiers who had served under them in their country's defence; and the frequent shouts of 'Liberty forever,' made the old tenement rock to its very foundations. The old clock had struck ten; and the villagers who had come in to participate in the joys of the occasion began to retire; and in a shott lime all that remained were strangers, and a large majority of them were soldiers who had been honourably discharged from the service and were returning to 'the vales which had nursed their lender years,' to the fond scer.es and endearments of home. Ev ery room (the haunted one excepted) was literally crowded to overflowing and every article of bedding wasbrought forward to form field beds around the lire; but after all some two or three iVund themselves compelled to doze a wav the night in chairs by the tire. All at length became still. No sound was heard disturbing the sepulchral silence that reigned throughout the a parlmcnts, save the loud hoarse snoaring of the way worn soldier, as he lay locked in calm embrace of the 'balmy God.' dreaming of battle scenes, of blood and carnage. I lie accommoda ting spit it of Hans Zindei hoop forbade him to retire to rest; and so he seated himself by the fire side in order to supply the (ire with fresh fuel when needful; and he had fallen into a gentle and refreshing nap when he was arous ed by the entrance of a traveller. He arose, and the stranger throwing ofT his cloak which revealed a rich uniform dress, requested lodging for the night. The old gentleman informed him that the house was already crowded to oversow ing and that he was sorry; truly sorry that he could not accommodate him. 'Sfop,' said the officer, 'is there not an apartment in your house that you do not occupy, being impressed with the belief that it is taunted r lcs,7 was the biief reply of the host. Then,' u I the stranger, 'if that room is this night unoccupied, I claim the privilege of passing the night in it.' The old man eved the stranger for some time, with a keen and penetrating look, for during the long period that he had occupied the house, no one had dared to enter it much less to sleep there; and he thought that the present applicant must be some demi devil, thus to brave its dangers; and he reluctantly granted the request so boldly and feai lessly made. A lire, was accordingly kindled in the haunted room, and the traveller's cloak, w ith some other articles of clothing brought forth, to form the bed on which l e was to repose. The fire burn ed briskly in the little narrow fire place, ana the soldier, as lie entered with sword and pistol in his hands, cast a care less glance around the room and scaled hiniMilf in a chair by the fire, awaiting some refreshments he had ordered. The old man soon appeared with the required dish, and placing it in the hands of his guest, bid him good night, and closed the door. Whilst parlak ing of the refreshments with w hich he was supplied, his mind, for the first time in his life, was occupied by a sin gular concatenation of unpleasant and fearful ideas. He was a brave man constitutionally and habitually, but so daik and doleful were the stories he had frequently heard narrated respecting this room, that he fell differently from what he ever had before; and his meandering path had led him through scenes of real danger, which by their lerilic aspect were enough to appal the hearts of brave men but his courage failed him not. He had faced Hrilaiir's best and bravest troops on the field of battle lie had been a prisoner, con fined in the dark and lonesome cells of a fortress, for many long and gloomy months; but his mind had never been actuated by superstitious fears before. Hut fear could not long hold its way in his breast; and drawing forth his pistols, he proceeded to examine their primings, and finding them in proper order, the soldier stretched himself on his bed, as calmly as he would have done had he been surrounded by a guard. "Soldier rest! thy warfare o'er, l'ream of righting Grids no more. Sleep Ihe sleep ihat knows no breaking, Morn of toil, nor night of waking." A soft and refreshing slnmKor ennn stole over the liarrasscd soldier and lis(

dreams were sweet and joyful as those

bright visions of childhood, when the pirit, uncramped and unsullied bv earth's cares and turmoils, rises on the holy wings of confidence and basks in uie golden rays ot anticipation, suddenly the loud ring of the old clock in the parlor beneath, chases away his sweet visions, and he awakes. ile turns toward the door 'tis standing w ide open the doleful and querulous voice of the cricket sounds behind the w orm eaten wainscot, and he hears a light step near his head, and the next instant he is on his feet. The fire was nearly burned down, and alforded him a scanty light by which to survey the more distant parts of the room; but by its evanescent rays he beheld the outlines of a human figure leaning against the window with its face toward him. After his first emotion had subsided, he proceeded to close the door; and then returning to the fire, he placed a fresh billet of wood on the embers in order to be better enabled by the light it would give to ex plore the mystery. While our hero was thus engaged, the ignus falus moved not At length the full billet he had placed on the lire, after cracking and snap ping some time, lit up into a bright and brilliant flame. What does he see? There leaning against the window he beholds the most lovely being he had ever seen! Her raven hair streamed over her shoulders, which were as white as the snow, in rich and luxuriant ring lets. "And ne'er did Grecian chisel trace A Nymph, a Naiad, or a Grace, Of liner form or lovelier face. For a while he gazed in mute and bewildered astonishment at the charm ing vision before him; for so surprising ly lovely was the form and features of the strange intruder, that he hesitated not to pronounce her a child of some more glorious sphere than earth a be ing clothed with ihe unfading, and im mutable habiliments of eternity ! While thus he mused, the fragile form of hi visitor became tremulous, and shook like the aspen leaf before the whistling wind; but she moved not, neither coul he perceive that she breathed! 'His soul was passion loss'd.' He had seen more of beauty, of loveliness, and of grace, m that lonely lugubrious cham ber than he had ever seen during his wide perambulation amid earth's high and exalted scenes; and the rcsplen dent charms of Europe's tilled dames could but ill compete with those on which he gazed. The dark blue eye of the specter grew restless and glared wildly around the room her head fel on her snowy breast, and she wept His heart leap'd within him. The truth at length became plain as the light of noon day. The lovely form before him was mortal! and one of those unfortunate people who rise in their sleep and wander about to the great an noyancc of weak and superstitious peo pie. The truth was now made apparant but he'detcrmined not to divulge it to any one, until he had an opportunity to speak to the Sunt on the subject and opening the door the fair prisoner disappeared. I hrowing himself into the only chair that the room afforded, he leaned his head upon his hand, and feil into a profound and pleasant reve rie. How, thought he, shall I make my way to the fair creature who has this night unconsciously visited me Shall I go directly info her presence, and disclose ihe secret of my burlhened heart or, shall I wait her re-appearance to-morrow night, in this still and silent chamber? Ah! the soldier's heart is at last taken by storm, and will eventually be pillaged and sacked, se eundem artcm, if I do not cry quarter! N hile he was thus engaged in troubled thought, Ihe loud voice of chanticleer is heard in the neighboring stable, pro claiming the approach of day. 'Good morning, landlord! I have es caped the toils of Satan this time; and though his meshes were cunningly pla ced to ensnare me, I have steered clear of them all, and come from the haunted room an unscathed man,' said the soldier, as he entered the bar room, where the old man was seated alone. 'Well, captain, and wot iv ye seen?' Ah, my woitliy host,' said the soldier, drawing a long breath which started the old man on his feet, 'I have seen a dreadful sight.' 'And wot iv vc seen, good mon, ex claimed the astonished landlord, staring him in the face, and repeating the question, before the soldier could answer him. 'He calm ' said the soldier; 'we can do nothing by hasty and inconsiderate acts we must, if possible, dislodge the frightful specter, or t shall be forever ruined; and peradvenlure you will be ruined in the downfall. Hut I can drive Ihe spirit hence, if you will aid me will you?'

Yaw, that I will, brave mon. An' I

if ye drive de gose away, 111 give ye

'Enough,' replied the soldier; 'this night I'd brave again the dangers of the enchanted room.' The stranger's breakfast was now announced and on entering the break fast room, the first individual he saw w as the specter which he had represen ted to the landlord as so horrific in its appearance, and his heartbeat violently w hen he took his scat at the table. The old man made many enquiries concerning his travels, &c, and the narrations of the young soldier drew tears from the eyes of his auditors. He had been expelled from his father's house early in life because he had won the affections of a girl who was beneath him in point of family and fortune; and since that time he had subsisted upon the fruits of his toil and unremitting industry, until the commencement of the revolution, when he entered the army and had been promoted to the rank of captain. lie was now about to return to the home of his youth, and if his parents still refused to receive him as a son, he would seek an asylum in distant climes. He had mingled in the bright and in the somber scenes of earth, and he had returned from a distant clime to aid his country in the defence of her liberty that liberty was at length sac rificed, and written on her mountains and lovely valleys, in the blood of her tyrant foes; and now covered with hon orable scars, he could once more bid farewell, if those he loved, loved him not in return. iNightoncc more spread her raven pinions over the romantic little hills of t ; and the fire was once more kindled m the chamber, where our friend was to sleep, or rather watch; and old Hans and the soldier were sit ting by the parlor lire, engaged in eager confabulation. Previous lo entering the breakfast room in the morning, the old man had been instructed not to mention to his family the events of the preceding night and now the same restrictions were imposed upon him as before. The old man in the fullness of his heart, had promised the soldier the half of his property if he succeeded in dislodging the ghost; and he even went farther, and informed the young man 'that although his daughter's hand had been requested in marriage by several worthy men, he had forbidden the band, because his Mary was his oniy child but if he succeeded in rendering him this essential service, he should be in duty bound to give her hand to him, if so requested. That night the same Spirit visited the chamber of the soldier. Over the transactions which ensued 'oblivion's veil will rest' for the present. The hero returned to his parents he found only their grave! Long and bitterly did he weep over the dcsola lion of his house, and his ow n lonely and forsaken condition in life; but the spirit of the soldier sustained him in that, and subsequent scenes of tria through w hich he was called to pass. At the appointed time, he returned to the village Inn. The specter had cca scd to haunt the room, which was fur lushed in a rich and beautiful style Peace resided within the walls the only daughter of Hans Zindcrhoop smiled and was happy; and the old man prepared to bestow his proffered boun ly. Months rolled on, and the affec tionate father of Mary Zindeihoop laid his hand on the soldiers head, and be stowed a parents blessing; and the young and daring youth and his Maryled the old man calmly over the accliv ities of life s declining day, and smooth ed his dying pillow. Iast Notice. npiIE subscribers have closed their business in Rising Sun, and hereby give the first and last notice to all per sonsindebtcd to the firm, lo call mime diately and make settlement, with 'J Decoursey. lney hope that those in terested will avail themselves of this notice, and thereby prevent the neces sity of using coercive measures. Decoursey Richardsov. Rising Sun, Jan. 23, 183G. Daniel Kelso, ATTORNEY & COUNSELLOR AT LAW, WILL practice in the United States District Court, and the Supreme Court of Indiana ; also, in the Circuit Courts of Ihe 3d Judicial t xuit, and the inferior Courts of the counties of Switzerland and Dearborn, where due attention will be given to all business confided to him. Office at New York, Switzerland county. Oct. S3b. ly 103 "BJAVING resigned hisofliceas Judge of the Court, will practice LAW. Office on Walnut streel, opposite the Methodist church.

VJK W GO O IPS. S. HATHAWAY,

I'D" AS just received from New York L and Philadelphia, an extensive variety ot rsMY and SEASOiNAULE GOODS, whichMie offers at prices that cannot fail to cue satisfaction to the purchaser consisting jn pa,t 0f the following articles, viz: DRY GOODS. Super black, blue, mulberry, green olive ana mixea e-roau v.ioihs, Blue, black, drab, light ar.d dark striped Cassimeres; A complete assortment of ladies' and gentlemen's gloves &, hosiery ; A large ass't of plain and figured silk, Marseilles, Valencia and cotton Vestings; Stocks; Plain, pink, bull", striped, and checked Scotch and French Ginghams; French printed Muslins and Ginghams, rich patterns; Bleached and unbleached Sheeting and Shirting; Plain, corded and crossbarred White Cambrics; colored do. Cambric Muslins; jaconet, Swiss, mull, plain and figured Book do. Green Barrage; Italian imitation do. Gro de Nap, Gro de Swiss, Florence, and sarsanet Silks, Bombazenes and crape Deleria; Irish Linens; brown and bleach'd Russia Linens; Linen Cambric; Bobinct laces, Edgings, black silk Velvet, Russia diaper; Bed ticking; Silk and Cotton Umbrellas; Flannels, twisted Silpk; crape, gauz, and fancy dress Hdkfs; Flag, bandanna, Italian and pongee silk pocket Ildkfs. Also, about J00 pieces Calicoes, comprising al most every style; British Sew ing Twist on spools; Summer stuffs, Drilling, Ermenct, Summer Cloths, 6cc. Straw and Leghorn Bonnets, latest fashions; Palm Hats, Fur do. Hoof, Shoes and flrosraifis. Also, a fine assortment of Hardware, Crockery, Glass, China and Hollowware.Groceries, Medici nos, Paints, Dye Stufls, SHOT GILVS, Iron, Steel, Nails, IIocs, Shovels, Spades, Strap Hinges, &c. &c. Rising Sun, April 25, 1 335. -y L. N. HALL, (WING received an additional supply of Family Groceries, ice. wishes to inform his customers generally that he will be ready to wait on them at any hour, from day light to nine o'clock, P. M. to the following articles, with many more too tedious to mention: Sweet and Irish Potatoes; Flour, Meal and Cheese; Zanesville and Kanawha Salt; Apples and dried Fruit; Cheese, Bolognes and dried Beef; Maekarel and Herring; Dried and pickled Codfish; Honey, Molasses and Butter; V inegar I i mr find V v itm Whiskey, Bounce and Brandy; Loaf and Orleans Sugar; Imperial and Y. Hyson Teas; Coffee and Chocolate; Rice, Ginger and Boston Crackers; Butler Biscuit and Pickles; Pumpkins, Cabbage and Crout; Tallow and Sperm Candles; Sperm Oil and loaf tabic Salt; Tobacco, Cigaisand Snuff; Palm, Rosin and Shaving Soap; Pepper, Alspice, Cloves, Nutmegs; Cinnamon, Raisins and Candies; Powder, Shot, Lead and Nails; Tar, Rosin and Chalk; Starch and Wooden Bowls; Tin and Potter's WARE; Shoe and Sewing Thread; Stives, Twine and Suspenders; Parsley, Peppers and Sage; Beets, Hops and Carrots; Apple Butter and Glassware; Water and Whitewash Lime; Fresh Beef generally; OrOn the corner of Front fc Grand streets, opposite h. Hathaway s store. IV. B. No liquors to be sold by the mall. Rising Sun, Nov. 7, 183G.-y Srhcol Iatad lor Salt. mllh SchoO! section JSo. 15, in township 3, range 2, wesf. will be offer ed for sale at the Court house door, in the town of Law renceburgh, Dearborn couiny, on the seventh day ol Mach, 1836, between Ihe hours of 10 o'clock, A. M. and 4 P. M. of said day , in sepa rate lots, according to a division and survey of the same, made by the Trustees of (owrfship 4, range I, wesf, a plat of which will be shown on the day of al& by the School Commissioner for the county aforesaid. JOHN I'. LUIMlM j Noy. 14, 1835.-.S Comrnr