A "REAL AMERICAN" GHOST STORY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3778, 24 August 1883, Page 4

A "REAL AMERICAN" GHOST STORY.

In Linn County, of tho State of lowa there lived once a well-to-do farmer, whom we will call Mr G . Uo was a I _nnsylvanian by birth, but had married and reared a large family in Ohio, and when lie emigrated to lowa the only child remainingat home was a daughter born to tho farmer and his wife late in life, and just entering her teens when they moved to what was then tho "Far West." At the time of tho occurrence I am about to relate, this daughter, who was my informant, was about eighteen years of age. One evening in early summer, the men and maids had gathered to milk tho cows. The farmer .stood near by, feeding the pigs, unci his daughter was helping the maids. Contrary to the usual custom, the cows had not been driven into their yard, but stood outside and near the public road, which was not, however, in these early times much frequented. It was a peaceful pastoral scene upon which the declining sun threw his last beams, tho mild-eyedcowscheiving their cuds patiently, while red-cheeked Phyllis and stalwart Corydon relieved them of their empty treasure. But suddenly a noise, as of a heavy waggon furiously driven, broke upon the stillness, coming nearer and nearer, until the clattering' of tho horses' hoofs and the rattling of the wheels could be distinctly heard. Mr G called out to the milkers, " You had better get out of the road ; I expect a runaway is coming;" and with that all withdrew to the side, though as yet nothing was to be seen. But there was no cessation of the noise, which approached with increasing velocity, and was by this time almost abreast of the startled hearors. And now the dumb creatures begin to show signs of unmistakable terror; tho cows flung their heads high, and, with piteous bellowing, rushed off into the surrounding woods, while the pigs tore around their enclosure, squealing in a most distracted manner. Only tho human creatures stood their ground with staring eyes which saw nothing, and blanching cheeks that told their fear of this invisible presence. Having arrived at that part of the road opposite (lie fence, the noiso turned round, passed through a " stakc-and-rider " fence, every rail of which scented to fall, adding to the horrible confusion, though to tho eye till remained secure, traversed tho cow-yard, struck against tho fence which constituted tho pig-pen, passing in so doing within a few feet of Mr G , who staggered back and foil to the ground, and then, as if its mission was accomplished, it turned off abruptly, ran through another fence, and, striking into an unused wood-road, gradually died away. Meantime, attracted by the noiso, Mrs G came out of the house, calling, "What i.s the matter, whose team is running away ." When someone one answered that they had seen nothing, she grew pale, and exclaimed, -'Which one of us does it mean ?" It was her known belief that her family always received some warning of approachhi"death, though neither husband nor daughter shared in this superstition. As soon as sho iearnod that tho manifestation seemed t directed especially against Mr G , sho at once made up her mind that it was bo 1 who would bo called for. Nor did her foara mislead her, as in ten days from that

time the farmer, Avho Avas assisting in digging a avoll on his place, Avas overwhelmed by the earth caving in and falling upon him. Ho died shortly at'tenvards from tho injuries roceiA'cd.