The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-04-03
THE WIZARD OF ST. GABELLE.

| ''you wish to hear ghost story very well, you
shall have your wish. will relate an incident of
which myself was witness, and which is, there
| fore, strictly true"
We drew still closer TO the old gentleman, and
listened with the greatest interest al he related the
| following adventure
| One evening in autumn, full forty years ago,
was returning from Toulouse / had travelled far
| that day, having already passed Aufereve, where
| some friends of mine would have had me spend the
| night but was resolved to push on to Saverdum,
which, you know, is three leagues distant on the
road | had arrived in front OF the monastery OF
Boulbrenne, when suddenly there burst forth ter
| rible Storm In moment the night became dark
| and the road impossible. should have asked shell
| ter in the convent, but my horse, frightened at
sudden clap of thunder, dashed into narrow path
| way to the left, and bore me away in spite OF all
could do Notwithstanding the speed at which he
went, soon perceived that we were on the direct
road to st. Gabelle. And when, at last, my horse
slackened his pace, which he did of his own good
will, l found myself before the village inn.
Ientered. The guests were numerous, among
| whom observed several Spanish merchants, and
some hunters, who like myself, had been overlaken
| by the Storm We dried our clothes by the fire !;
| after which, supper was announced, and we sat
| down to the table. --.-.-.
| The conversation first turned upon the stormy
weather and the badness of the roads, One said
| he had been thrown from his horse another had
been full hour in extricating his horse and wagon
| from mud hole
| SIT is horrible weather. said third. "Just the
| time for ghosts and witches"
| Although this was but natural remark, 1t gave
| rise to a lively conversation.
/ "Sorcerers and spirits choose clear, moonlight
night to hold their orgies, in preference to such
| one as this" 5000, .-t.
We turned to look at the author of this observa-
| ton and saw it was one of the Spanish merchants.
| sit would seem that the gentleman was familiar
with the custom of ghosts exclaimed young man
by my side, " and that they have told him that they
| like neither to get muddy nor wet 7ls. d.
Young man, said the Spanard, casting a ter
rbe glance at the last speaker "speak not so lightly
on subject with which you are little acquainted.
''Would you like to make me believe in ghosts %
| returned the young man dlsdalnfully.
Perhaps replied the spanardl, " if you have
| sufficient courage TO look on them"
Flushed with anger, the young man sprang to his
feet. In moment, however, he Gained himself
| and sat down again, saying
&c You should pay dear for that remark, were it
not uttered by mailman"
"A mailman w echoed the other, arising in his
turn. Listen 20 he added, striking the table with
his fist, and throwing down heavy leather purse:
" Here are thirty quadruples, which l am willing
to lose if, within an hour do not call up before
| your face the figure of any deceased person you
shall name, even though he has been dead ten
years; and if, after recognizing him, you dare to
| alow him to imprint kiss upon your lips
"You will do that 2" said the young man with a
scornful smile.
eyes," replied the Spaniard, son condition that
| you lose the same amount if | succeed"
/ "Thirty quadruples, my worthy conjurer," said
the young man, gaily, after moments silence, lis
more than student of Toulouse ever possessed
but If you will reduce the stake to five, am your
| man."
The .spaniard took up his purse and said, All,
| YOU refuse, monsieur!"
81 refuse :" echoed the other eff only had
the thirty quadruples, you would see."
8" Here are FOUR said !, (which l add to your
stake.''
Several others followed my example, and soon
the sum was made up We chose, for the trial, a
small pavilion in the garden, entirely isolated
that the locality offered no chance for fraud We
made ourselves sure that there were but two out
lets, viz I: window, which was carefully closed,
and door, on the outside of which we were sta
toned. Upon the tables had been placed materials
for writing, and the lights had been carried away.
The young man was shut up alone In the pavilion,
the Spaniard remaining with us outside the door.
| A breathless silence prevailed for moment,
when the Spaniard began to chant, in soft, mean-
choly voice, stanza which may be translated thus
And the coffin is broken with crash
Ana An sbs the sa S.1ys foot placed
Upon the verdant moss"
After this first stanza, the Spaniard raised his
| voice and said, solelmly, "you have asked to see
your friend Francois Vialat, who was drowned in
the sea three years ago. What do you behold :"
" A whitsh light arising near the window re
|
J less, waverng mist. y
!" Are YOU afraid :" asked the stern voice Of the
Spaniard.
! And the Young man answered, II am not afraid.
We were Supplied, breathless with suspense
| The conjuror was silent for moment Their
stamping thrice with his foot upon the ground
he chanted in a louder md more solemn voice than
before:
| Have been disc0ored by the waves,
Pesse; the water from his clothes and hair
The'chant ended. The Spaniard turned again
5 towards the door, and cried in the same solemn
r tone:
, "You, who would seek to dive into the myste
ries of the grave-what do you see!"
We listened anxiousy, while the student replet
in calm voice, and like one who describes an in
cdent it is taking place:
8 The mist spreads itself, and takes shape like
, phantom. The head is covered with long veil
1t moves not from the spot on which it rose.'
"Are you afraid 20 asked the Spaniard.
D And the young man answered 81 am not afraid.
| Supplied, we kept our eyes fixed upon the con
Y juror in silent awe as he proceeded to chant tn
, | third solemn stanZa:
Then says the phantom. rising from the grave.
viii 90 toward my friend Smiling erect and fair.
As in the days of my youth"
. The Spaniard finished, and asked immediatel
8 the same terrible question:
{ "What do you see ~ .
. "The figure advances replied the student
,, 1T lifts its veil. 1t is Francois Vialat! He ar
proaches the table He is writing his signature.
q Are you afraid - -4.l
. "No" replied the young man, :" am not afraid.
y Immediately the Spaniard commenced singing
or rather bowling, this last and horrible stanza:
| -" Then says the phantom to the jeerng youth,
Come, let me touch thee now;
Place Thy hand hand thy heart against my hear
= Thy lips upon my own. ~ .t 9e5s-
!, "What do You see! +" cried the Spaniard, in
! | voice of thunder. r,-- -. .-,--
q ''He comes-he pursues me-he stretches outslli
!, arms-he will seze me- Oh, help, help!"
"Are you afraid !" cried the conjuror, with saw
age joy.
A piercing cry, and then stifed sob, were tn
J only answer to this terrible question.
~ think l have won" said the Spanard, BIZ
terly; "but am satisfied with having taught hir
> a lesson Let him keep the money and be NOR
wise in future"
). So saying, he walked rapidly away. Fixed wit
), horror we re6pened the door, and found the youn
3, student seized with fearful commissions The pa