I had not, however, gone many times
to the sheep, before all the rest of the shepherds told my master
that I knew nothing about herding, and begged of him to dismiss
me. He perceived too well the truth of their intelligence; but,
being much taken with my learning and religious conversation, he
would not put me away, but set me to herd his cattle.
It was lucky for me that before I came here a report had
prevailed, perhaps for an age, that this farm-house was haunted at
certain seasons by a ghost. I say it was lucky for me for I had not
been in it many days before the same appalling noises began to
prevail around me about midnight, often continuing till near the
dawning. Still they kept aloof, and without doors; for this
gentleman's house, like the cottage I was in formerly, seemed to
be a sanctuary from all demoniacal power. He appears to be a
good man and a just, and mocks at the idea of supernatural
agency, and he either does not hear these persecuting spirits or
will not acknowledge it, though of late he appears much
perturbed.
The consternation of the menials has been extreme. They ascribe
all to the ghost, and tell frightful stories of murders having been
committed there long ago.
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