The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-07-01

lie was accused OF having made a compact with evil
spirits. During the cold senson, when the winds
chased the hoar frost through the air, and made tho
dry branches Of the elms and the beeches crack Or
roarsd in the chimneys, they seemed to resemble
melancholy groau, the old women pretended that il
was Pierre who came TO ask for prayers and lust
asylum. They could hear his voice in the rumblng
Of the thunder storm when the snow had left the
smiling fields and the sun ripened the grain or tinged
the vine leaves on the hills.
In the heat of the summer when the light yapor
frightened in the air. they thought il was a shoot
ng star, which announced tho orments of tho soul of
Pierre.
The cry of the night bird the rustng of the leaves,
the adder darling through the thick grass, the far of
howl of the WOLF all brought terror to the heart Of the
villagers when they obliged 10 quit their homes
The men at the sound of the III omen, hastened their
steps, knit their brows and cast unquiet looks
around them rthey thought that the cold hand of
Pierre stretched over them and threatened their
innocent ones.
Pierre was every where. Prayers were addressed
TO him and wax tap ers burned in honor of him. The
terrified imognatons of the villagers made them re-
gard as one intent upon injuring them, the shade of
him who during his too short had only thought
of doing good to his@ellow creatures
At length happened after having exhausted all the
veins of the mine, and all the old parts, became me-
cessary to dig new pits in another place. The pro-
prietor upon the grounds and his arrival was the
signal for rejoicing. lie was humane and beloved by
all the miners.
For four days they had labored; the young ladies
and the gay cavaliers, who had with the pro-
prieor to assist IN the festival of the opening of the
Y,;n ~ H. IL, II L.. II
had returned TO the city; remained but the en-
gineers and those interested in the mines.
On sudden strange noise heard. 1t was
a low murmurng like that which announces the dis
tant thunder storm. 1t was n cry of voices in dis
tress. The ground trembled the bells sounded loudly
every cord was in motion. He wished to leap into
a basket to go the relief Of the wretches whose
death he thought inevitable, all had assembled, md
the terrified miners were pale and trembling. cold
drops of sweat hung upon their brows
'What is the matter? cried the proprietor as
pale, as trembling as those animated spectres.
"A man an aparition miracle Death y
Such were the exclnmations that escaped from
the mouths Of those whom fright made almost cold
and powerless.
Soon, however, the proprietor enabled to
collect together few words and formed inleigi-
bic sentence out of all these exclamations of terror.
In endeavoring to open a communication between
the new mines and old ones, the laborers had dscov-
cred place that was less difficult to work than be-
FORE The stones and the earth did not form thick
masses, and the strange substances which found
seemed TO prove, that at time long previous, an
immense cavng in Of the earth had happened at this
place. The labor not hard. With a single blow
of the pick the miners brought down large quantities
Of earth. They had advanced some distance; al at
once portion which was unsupported fell down oc
itself; gas rushed out and became flame; and what
was the surprise Of the workmen when by the bright
ness of this sudden light, they descend this
strange couch, young man, who seemed to be
asleep
His brow is calm, his cheeks fresh and rosy,
but his mouth and eyes motionless. Instead Of
approaching him instead Of endeavoring TO assist him.
for perhaps he needed assistance, the miners fled
with precipitation from this unexpected aparition.
Fear, during the short space they had to traverse
join their comrades, had already caused them to
agg crate their story.
1t was not man, it spirit which had np-
peared to them in the midst of thunder and tighten
ing; it was the spirit of the mines His form was
colossal. They had him rise up and stretch forth
his fearful arm
The proprietor listened to these tales of terror his
face became calm. He cast look around him
The miners had all left the mine and their eyes were
fixed him; all in alright seemed to await his decs
ion what course to pursue.
'sTo the mine And after having spoken in a low
voice to the engineers s. friends who surrounded him,
he rushed forward
Soon the truth was known, the bright light Of day
explained this extraordinary scene.
They brought up and placed upon the grassplot
which surrounded the entrance the pit the cold and
damp body of young man.
His clothes indicated other times and other fashions
1t was tasteful and even seemed to have been
on some festive occasion. A small box was dug out
near the body which on being opened was found to
contain jewels, gold cross, chain, medallion on
which cypher was engraved, but time had backen:
ed these tokens which love had perhaps destined for
some adored mistress
All the villagers ran to the scene, and while the |
authorities Of the village were lost in conjectures,