aiting for a conveyance to continue on my journey, the
stage passing over these unfrequented roads only twice a week. It has
always been my lot to have friends raised up for me when friends were
most needed; and while sitting in the little parlor of the tavern,
feeling very desolate, and very impatient, a gig drove up to the door,
from which an old clergyman alighted. He soon entered the parlor, and in
a few minutes we were engaged in a pleasant conversation, in the course
of which I mentioned the circumstances of my detention in that place,
and my extreme anxiety to progress in my journey."

"The old gentleman, it seems, had been on a three days' journey to a
ministers' meeting, and was now returning home, and as he was travelling
in the same direction in which I wished to go, he said it would give
him great pleasure if I would take a seat in his gig, in case my
heaviest trunks could be sent on by stage. This the good-natured
landlord very willingly consented to attend to. The trunks were to be
sent to the care of the old clergyman, who was to ship me for my
destined port, and send my trunks on after me."

"You may be sure I did not hesitate about accepting the old clergyman's
offer, for after jolting along with rough men, over rough roads, as I
had done for many days, I anticipated with much pleasure a ride of two
or three days in a gig, with the kind, pleasant old gentleman. And now
comes the ghost story."

"As we were riding along through this thinly settled part of Western
Virginia, I noticed occasionally large, dark, barn-like looking
buildings, with the wooden shutters tightly closed. After passing two or
three of these buildings, I at length asked my companion for what
purpose they were used."

"'Why, those,' said he, 'are our churches. I had forgotten how entirely
unacquainted you were with this part of the country, or I should have
pointed them out to you.'"

"'Is it possible,' I exclaimed, 'that you worship in those dreary,
dark-looking places! I must go inside of one of them on the first
opportunity.'"

"Soon after I spoke, as we were ascending a hill, some part of the
harness gave way, and we were obliged to alight from the gig, while the
old gentleman endeavored to repair the injury."

"'How long will it take you, sir,' said I, 'to set this matter right?'"

"'Oh, some time--perhaps a quarter of an hour,' he answered."

"'And cannot I help you?' I asked. 'I believe I can do almost anything I
unde