The conversation turned naturally on the mishaps occasioned by the storm, of which every one seemed to have had his full share. One had been thrown off his horse; another, driving in a gig, had been upset into a muddy dyke; all had got a thorough wetting, and agreed unanimously that it was dreadful weather—a regular witches’ sabbath! “Witches and ghosts prefer for their sabbath a fine moonlight night to such weather as this!” These words were uttered in a solemn tone, and with strange emphasis, by one of the company. He was a tall, dark-looking man, and I had set him down in my own mind as a traveling merchant or pedler. My next neighbor was a gay, well-looking, fashionably-dressed young man, who, bursting into a peal of laughter, said: “You must know the manners and customs of ghosts very well, to be able to tell that they dislike getting wet or muddy.” The first speaker giving him a dark, fierce look, said: “Young man, speak not so lightly of things above your comprehension.” “Do you mean to imply that there are such things as ghosts?” “Perhaps there are, if you had courage to look at them.” The young man stood up, flushed with anger. But presently resuming his seat, he said calmly: “That taunt should cost you dear if it were not such a foolish one.” “A foolish one!” exclaimed the merchant, throwing on the table a heavy leathern purse. “There are fifty guineas. I am content to lose them, if, before the hour is ended, I do not succeed in showing you, who are so obstinately prejudiced, the form of any one of your deceased friends; and if, after you have recognized him, you allow him to kiss your lips.” We all looked at each other, but my young neighbor, still in the same mocking manner, replied: “You will do that, will you?” “Yes,” said the other—“I will stake these fifty guineas, on condition that you will pay a similar sum if you lose.” After a short silence, the young man said, gayly: “Fifty guineas, my worthy sorcerer, are more than a poor college sizar ever possessed; but here are five, which, if you are satisfied, I shall be most willing to wager.” The other took up his purse, saying, in a contemptuous tone: “Young gentleman, you wish to draw back?” “_I_ draw back!” exclaimed the student. “Well! if I had the fifty guineas, you should see whether I wish to draw back!” “Here,” said I, “are four guineas, which I will stake on your wager.”