The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-10-30
MISCELLANEOUS.
From the Nc,o Yorker.
THE FATAL w A G E II.

GTdCt-LTuNSLNteH
"a cold dreary night this, Students" said the
host of the Double Eagle, as ne threw faggot OF
wood upon the fire, around which were seated
a knot ofsludents silently smoking their meer-
scbaums while on a table near at hand stood a
number ofempty bottles and drinking cups bear
ing the evidence OF their recent good cheer. The
night was far advanced-it was st Marks eve
and they had been discussing the numerous sn-
perstitions current among the peasantry respec-
ting this haIlowed time. There pause in
the conversation, and each sat seemingly absorb
ed in his own Thoughts, which to judge from
the grave aspect of their countenances, were Sc
rious enough.-So deeply were they buried in
meditation that none needed the observation Of
the landlord 1T was towards the close Of Au-
tumn, and the wind whisted shry as il swep,
past the crazy old inn, giving token of the ap-
proach OF stern vsaged Winter.
"Well, Hermann said one of the students, lay
ing aside his pipe, and moving little from the
fire, which now blaZed high and bright-"snce
you have laughed Mt the legends and superstions
which have been related, and profess not to he
lieve in the existence of spirits good or bad, we,
there is one concerning which would ask your
opinion. 1t is said that on the eve of ST. Marks
one may see the shades of those who IRE to die
within short slime pass into the church, by
watching there at the hour of midnight
"Mere stories to amuse children" replied Her
man.
"Yet did not Burgomeister Wagram declare
that he saw on the eve Of St. Marks as he was
returning home late at night from Grosheim, n
shadowy figure, the exact counterpart OF himself,
glide into the porch Of the church as he was
passing it--and did he not die a few months af-
terwards?'
r. every true, said Herman; but you must recol-
= lect that old Wagram was not Esteemed the most
temperate man in EngIebnch And it is well
known that on the occasion alluded TO, he was
returning from merry making, and il is but just
tnnRh
not have been in very perceptive state. 1t is
probable he saw but his own shadow reflected
by the moon, which I remember shone brightly
that night; and his disordered intellect and his
supersttious folly led him to imagine it spirit.
As to his death, which occurred so shortly after,
it is my firm belief TINT il had no more connec-
ton with St. Marks eve than-'puzzled for a
sfnile-"than fire has with water
"Granting all you have said, still think it
somewhat strange. Though do not profess to
be supersIitious, yet there is something beautiful
IN the belief, that there ale sprits-those of our
friends and kindred-who watch over us in our
sleeping hours and hover around us during the
busy scenes of day, guarding us from evil-who.
when the sand of life has nearly run, assume
visible shape, and beacon us from this weary
world to realm Of happiness and bliss"
SAN very fine, no doubt said Herman, smii-
ing. 81 dare say, Rosambert, though you ITO not
profess to be superstious, yet are you not fearful
as you pass the old church to night on yoir way
home, of seeing your shade towering about the
church,
SIT is well your way lies not thither,' said Ro-
sambert, rather net,led for with all your smiling
vicinity at the hour of midnight. Indeed will
wager dozen ofmine hosts choisest Burgundy
that you dare not
"Done Rosambert, done! Gentlemen said
Herman, addressing his fellow students, "here
you this wager. Egad, we'll make night of it!
N a IL r. r
NOW Rosa"berf, l WIZ do more on the faith OF
thy Burgundy-l will enter the old msers vault
concerning which there are many MYSTERIOUS
tnes; and should meet spirit, 'I'll speak to it
slough it blast me- 'Fhe tomb is 10 dlapda
2ed state and the enterance is ensy. The wager
shall he decided this very night"
"Exceenl! excellent exclaimed Rosamberr;
'tand that we may known that you have been
there, take this poniard and stick it into COT
fn.''
Placing the dagger in his bosom, he gaily tnr
ned 10 his friends, and said with a smile, snow
am ready-be sure you have the Burgundy un-
corked on my return.
He wended his way through the village now
buried in reposc, the solemn silence which reign
cd around dssipated his gaety, and his thoughts
took more serious turn. He felt if he had
acted wrong in having INDUCED in unseemly lev
ity on SO serious subject; and then the many
terror-inspirng tales respecting the old miser, to
whose tomb he was now journeyng came rush
ing upon his Misunderstanding him almost to re-
pent his foolish hardihood but to return with
out attaining his object would occasion the rid
icule OF his friends, and he dreaded being stig-
matised as n vain boaster and coward. He 1
therefore pushed quickly oil, and in short time
reached the old church, which stood at the ex-
treme OF thevillage. He cla,nbered over the low
paling which surrounded the venerable building,
and stood in the back ground of life,' as Richer
l,enominates the grave yard. All was silent save
the wind, which sighed mournlully through the
linden trees, scattering the scared leaves far and
wide. The night was dark, the sky overspread
with murky clouds, which sped rapidly along
like giant spirits of the air, revealing here and
there twinkling star. feeling ofawe came
over him as he steathily glided along the tomb
stones; andas he nearned the miser's burial place.
the hour of midnight tolled loudly. from the tur-
ret clock, breaking through the solemn. stiffness
like the knell of death. He started at the sound,
and almost quaked with fear. But as the las.