Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1837-1839, 1838-08-25
MISCELLANEOUS SELECTIONS.
From the New Yorker.
III T. TAI WAC GER.

Knot oil students, silently smoking their meers
chaums, while upon n table near at hand stood {
number of empty bottles and drinking-cups, bear
ing evidence of their recent good cheer. Tn.
night was tar adyancea-it was ST. Marks eve
and they had been discussing the numerous su
persfltions current among the peasantry respect
ing this bailowed time. There n pause il
the conversation, end each sat seemingly absorb
ed III bis own thoughts, which, to Judge from tho
grave aspect of their countenances, were serou:
enough. So deeply were they buried in med,a
tor, that none needed the observation Of the land
lord. 1t was toward the close Of Autumn, and
the wind whistled shri.ly 1t swept past the era
zy old inn, giving token of the approach of stern
visaged Winter.
swell, Herman said one Of the students, lay.
| ing aside his pipe, and moving little from the
fire, which now blazed brigh,Iy-'ssnce YOU hay e
laughed at all the legends and supersttions which
have been related tonight, and profess no, 10 be-
lieve IN the existence of spirits good or bad, yet
there IS one concerning which | would ask YOU:
opinion 1t is said that the eve Of ST. Marks
one may see the shades of those who are to die
within short time pass into the church, by watch
ing there at the hour of midnight"
s.More stories to amusc Children" replied Her
man.
"Yet did no: Burgomester Wagram declare
that he saw, on the OF St. Marks, as he was
returning home late at night from Groshelm, Il
SuduOWy uSufe, the exact counterpart Ol 0lulSclI,
glide into the porch Of the church he passed
it-and did he not die few months afterward?''
''Very true, Herr, Rosambert; but you must re-
collect that old Wagram was not esteemed the
most temperate in Englebach. And it is well
known that, on the occasion alluded to, he
returning from merry making, and ii is but just
to presume that his perceptive faculties could
have been in very perfect state. 1t is probable
he saw but his own shadow, reflected by the moon,
VII / ohors hopo krUt. t1y hat niuhf. md
his disordered intellect and superstitous folly led
him to imagine it spirit. As to his death, which
occurred shortly after. it is my firm belief that
1t had no moro cohnectior with ST. Marks eve,
than-than-" puzzled for a smiIe-"than ire
has with water"
ssGran,ing all you have said, still l think it
strange. Though | do not profess to
in the belief that there are spirits-thosc of our
frienos and kindred-who watch over us ia our
sleeping hours, and hover around during the busy
scenes Of day. guarding us from eviI-who, when
the sand OF life has nearly run, assume visible
shape, and beckon from this weary world to
realms OF happiness and bliss"
"All very fine, no doubt,r said Herman. srnil-
ing 81 dare say, Rosambert, though you do not
profess to be superstitious yet you not fearful
as you pass the old church to night your way
home, of seeing your shade lowering about the
church,"
sit is we'll that your way lies not thi.her,' said
Rosambert, rather nettled, 'fo: with all your smil-
ing, l doubt whether you dare trust yourself in
its vicinity at the hour of midnight. Indeed, l
will wager dozen Of mine hosts choicest Bur-
gundy that you dare not"
''Done, Rosambert, done! Gentlemen" said
Herman, addressing his brother students, shear /
you this wager. Egad, we'll make a night o: it. !
Now, Rosambert, will do more on the faith Of
thy Burgundy-I will enter the old miser 8 vault, |
fher 50 nv
tales; and should l meet with spirit, .l'Il speak !
10 il though it blast me- The tomb is in dilap-
dated state, and the entrance is easy. The wa
ger shall be decided this very night"
Excellent! excellent" exclaimed Rosambert;
land that we may know you have been there,
AXE this poniard, and stick it into a coffn.'
Placing the dagger into his bosom, he gaily
urned to his friend, and said with smile, ''Now
am ready-be sure you have the Burgundy I'M
;orked on my return!"
He left the inn, and as he wendell his way
Trough the village, now buried in repose. the So
emn silence which regned around dissipated his
.aiety, and his thoughts TOOK more serious turn.
uIgcd in unseemly levity SO serious a subject;
nd then the many terror-nspirng tales respect
ng the old miser, to whose tomb he was now
ourneying, came rushing upon his mind-caus-
ny him almost to repent his foolish hardihood:
ut to return without attaining his object, would
ccasion tho rldcule OF his friends, and he dread
d being stigmatized a vain boaster and cow
I'd. He therefore pushed quickly on, and in
hort time reached the old church, which stood a
he extremity of the village. He cambered over
be low paling which surrounded the venerable s
uilding, and stood in the background Of ife,'
$ Richter denominates the graveyard. Allwas 6
lent save the wind, which sighed mournfuliy d
trough the linden trees, scattering the sered /
saves far and wide. The night was dark, the I
Ky over.pread with murky clouds, which sped ,
,pidIy along like giantspirts Of the air, reveal
y here and there a twinkling star. feeling G
awe came over him as he stealthily glided n
ing the tomb-stones; and as he neared the miser's
urialplace, the hour Of midnight toled loudly {
ON the turret clock, breaking through the solemn
illness like the knelllof death. He started At I
,e sound, aod almost quaked with fear. But as \
,e last stroke died away, he summoned his fall I
ring resolution, and drawing forth the dagger,
,shed down the steps of the vault, and with a
inclusive shudder, struck it into damp and '
ouldy coffin, which returned sound as if the q
leleton within it had fallen asunder, and the o
ines ratified against the coffin sides. Terrified i
I'd agitated, Herman attempted to rush from the '
,ult, but he was held fast by some invisible a. /,