next night I came to this
house, where the farmer engaged me as a shepherd; and, finding him a
kind, worthy, and religious man, I accepted of his terms with great
gladness. 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. Of late, however, they are beginning to suspect that it
is I that am haunted; and, as I have never given them any satisfactory
account of myself, they are whispering that I am a murderer, and
haunted by the spirits of those I have slain.

August 30.--This day I have been informed that I am to be banished the
dwelling-house by night, and to sleep in an outhouse by myself, to try
if the family can get any rest when freed of my presence. I have
peremptorily refused acquiescence, on which my master's brother struck
me, and kicked me with his foot. My body being quite exhausted by
suffering, I am grown weak and feeble both in mind and bodily frame,
and actually unable to resent any insult or injury. I am the child of
earthly misery and despair, if ever there was one existent. My master
is still my friend; but there are so many masters here, and everyone of
them alike harsh to me, that I wish myself in my grave every hour of
the day. If I am driven from the family sanctuary by night, I know I
shall be torn in pieces before morning; and then who will deign or dare
to ga