The Old Surveyor's Ghostly Hand, a Little Roll of Explanatory Manuscript

The incident recalled my mind in some degree, to its old there seemed to be here the groundwork of a tale. It impressed me as if the ancient surveyor, in his garb of a hundred years gone by, and wearing his immortal wig, which was buried with him, but did not perish in the grave. With his own ghastly voice he had exhorted me, on the sacred consideration of my filial duty and reverence towards him who might reasonably regard himself as my official ancestor. But i charge you, in this matter of old mistress prynne, give to your predecessor's memory the credit which will be rightfully due. Do this and the profits shall be all your own