The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1845-10-09
EVANSVILLE. INDIANA. THURSDAY. OCTOBER 9. 1915.


could recover from his bewilderment and as
sure himself that the strange scene in which
he had been forced to take part, was not all
a dream. But when he had torn the bandage
from his eyes, and saw the lighted church,
and heard again the murmer of voices, he was
convinced that his senses had not deceived
him.. Anxious, ifpossible, to learn something
that might explain the meaning of this singu-
lar, and evidently unhaIiowed procedure, he
walked round the church TO the opposite side,
and concealed himself in a hook within the
old wall. Here listening, he heard the sound
OF many voices, increasing till it swelled into
tumult. There was evidently strife and fierce
dispute. The priest thought he recognized
the harsh voice of the bridegroom, imperious-
ly commanding silence. At last a shout was
heard, then the faint cry ofafemale voice.
There was again a pause then the trampling
to and fro, with confused voices, that contin-
ued about a quarter of an hour. The lights
were e~xtinguished, and presently all came
out OF the church, and fastened together to-
wards Inc seaside.
The old priest now crept from his hiding
place, and made haste back 10 the hamlet
Here he awakened one or two of his neigh
bors, and acquainted them with the strange
event, which had filled him with SO much as
constituent and alarm. So quiet vast the or
binary life OF these simple islanders, that they
were seized with quite another sort of appre-
hension-which was that their beloved pastor
had lost his reason. 1t was with no little diff
fculty that he could prevail on them TO &C.
company him to the church.
Meanwhile the day had dawned; the sun
rose from the ocean; and as the good father
and his companions assembled the elevation
on which the church sto cd, they plainly dis
tinguished a ship under full sail, not more
than a league from the land, and sailing
northward. So novel and surprising a sight
in this lonely region was enough TO excite
amazement and suspicion, and full belief was
yielded to the narration of their pastor, when
they saw the side-door of the church broken
from IFS hinges. The stone, which had been
loosened and hastily replaced, IN the mid
die aisle was pointed out and easily removed
again by the aid of bars. 1t showed an ope-
ming into the vault, into which a dead body
had been hastily trust. 1t was wrapped in a
rich siIken mantle. With almost frantic ca
gerness to learn the truth, the priest decen-
ded, and assisted by the others, lifted the body
out Of the vault. Alas! his most fearful ap'
p~rehensions were realized! 1t was the muir
dered bside! A leaden ball had penetrated
peared from her brow. But the rigid look OF
agony, SO intense thatit had suspended even
the sense Of feeling, was gone also; a heav-
emily repose had settled on the marble coun-
tenance, and the pale lips were closed with
the smiie OF peace.
The priest and his companions were dumb
with horror at what they saw. With a com
mon impulse they knelt by the side of the
dead. After a few. moments silence, the
good old man lifted his hands, and poured
forth an came ST prayer for the soul Of the de
parted. The holy man felt it his duty imme-
dlately 10 communicate what he had seen and
heard to his spiritual superior. the Bishop of
misunderstanding, untilhe could receive
intelligence from Copenhagen, he caused his
friends to bind themselves with an oath 10
secrecy. The grave was covered. the stone
replaced, and nc one ventured to speak of
the matter. After a time, a man, apparently
of authority and rank, came TO the island from
the capital. He made most minute Inquiries
respecting the transaction; examined the spot
where the unfortunate unknown had been
entombed; and, praising the DISCRETION that
had hitherto induced silence, commanded the
s%trictest secresy in uture;-threatenipg the
%severest punishment against any one who
should dare TO mention the occurrence.
After the death Of the priest, some papers
were found among the church books, recor-
ding the facts above noticed. 1t was believed
afterwards that they had some connection
with the sudden and violent changes that took
place in the Russian Government after the
death of the Empress Catharine. But it is
not probable that the mystery will ever be
fully disclosed, till the day comes when the
secrets of all human hearts shall be reveal
led.
LIKEWISE AND ALso.-Mr. J. once object
ed to the competency of a witness alleging
that he was non-compos. The court gran
tedsleave 10 test the matter.
"Can you tell me, my friend, the difference
between hkeuise and uIsO?n