The Mountain Laurel
The Journal of Mountain Life

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from the
Heart of the Blue Ridge


In this issue - Traditional Ghost Stories From The Blue Ridge

By Susan M. Thigpen © 1990

Issue: June, 1990

Dear Readers,

There seems to be two different kinds of scary. First there is the type of scary that is real, when bad things happen. We'll try to forget about this one. Then, there is the type of scary that you enjoy, a thrilling kind of scary. Carnival rides fall into this category, as well as ghost stories.

Why do people love ghost stories? Who knows what there is in human nature that enjoys a shiver up the spine, but we do.

This issue contains tales of strange unexplained things, tales of ghosts, tales that were told as true, but never quite proven. You are to be the judge for yourself as to how believable they are, but all of them are entertaining. This issue paying honor to Father's Day, also contains some rugged stories about men.

Now, all you have to do is sit back and read. Perhaps you would like to wait until late at night to set the mood. Gather your black cat up in your lap, listen to the wind howl as the night noises begin - an owl hoots, a dog barks, boards creek in the house as it settles and cools. A summer thunderstorm really sets a mood too.

Or, read all the ghost stories before a camping trip to tell around the campfire and presto, like magic, another generation is about to be entertained in an age old tradition of story tellers of the Blue Ridge.