Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-05-03


myself before the village inn.
l entered. The guests were numerous,
among whom | observed several Spanish
merchants, and some hunters, who like my
self had been overtaken 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 a full hour in extricating
his horse and wagon from mud hole.
at is horrible weather." said a third
Just the time for ghosts and witches"
Although this was but a natural remark,
it gave rise to a lively conversation.
"Sorcerers and spirits choose a clear,
moonlight night to hold their orgies, in pref
erence to such a one as this"
We turned to look at the author of this
observation, and saw it was one of the Span
ish merchants.
" 1t would seem that the gentleman was
familiar with the custom of ghosts" ex-
claimed young man by my side, aud that
they have told him that they like neither to
get muddy nor wet"
Young man." said the Spaniard, cast
ing terrible glance at the last speaker,
"speak not SO lightly on subject with
which you are but little acquainted"
Would you like to make me believe in
ghosts % returned the young man disdain-
fully.
Perhaps" replied the Spaniard, 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,
You should pay dear for that remark,
were it not uttered by mailman"
A mailman !" echoed the other, arising
in his turn. Listen !" he added, striking
the table with his fist, and throwing down a
heavy leather purse. " Here are thirty
quadruples, which 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 allow him to imprint kiss up
on your lips"
Y on will do that 20 said the young man
with sCornful smile.
Yes" replied the Spaniard, con CON
ditlon that you lose the same amount if
succeed"
"Thirty quadruples, my worthy conjuror, .
said the young man, gally, after moments
silence, " is more than a student of Tou.
louise ever possessed; but if you will reduce
the stake to five, am your man"
The Spaniard took up his purse and said
"Ah, you refuse, monsieur :"
81 refuse :" echoed the other. eff ] on.
ly had the thirty qnadrupes, you would see.'
Here are four" said |, which adj
to your stake"
Several others followed my example, and
soon the sum was made up. We chose, fol
the trial, a small pavilion in the garden, st
entirely isolated that the locality offered nc
chance for fraud. We made ourselves sure
that there were but two outlets, viz: win
dow, which was carefully closed, and door
on the outside of which we were stationed
Upon the tables had been placed material
for writing, and the lights had been carried
away The young man was shut up alon
in the pavilion, the Spaniard remaining will
us outside the door.
breathless silence prevailed for mo
ment, when the Spaniard began to chant
in soft melancholy voice, stanza whic
may be translated thus
I" And the coffin sbroken with crash:
i And the grave is opening
Aud the pale phantom's dark foot Is placed
Upon the verdant moss"
After this first stanza, the Spaniard raise
his voice and said, solemny, "you hav
asked to see your friend Francois Vala
who was drowned in the sea three years age
What do you behold p
"a whitsh light rising near the window,
D. replied the young student " but it is onl
shapeless, wavering mist"
Are you afraid :" asked the stern voc
of the Spaniard
And the young man answered, 81 am M
afraid"
We were stupefed, breathless with su
pense. The conjuror was silent for M
ment. Then stamping thrice with his fo
upon the ground, he chauted in louder al
more solemn voice than before:
Aud the white phautom whose eaiutes pale
Have heCn dscolorei by the waves,
Presses the water from his clothes aud hair
With his winding sheet"
The chant ended. The Spaniard turnt
again towards the door, and cried in Il
Id same solemn tone:
You, who would seek to dive into Il
mysteries Of the grave-what do you see
We listened anXiously, while the stude
replied in a calm voice, and like one vi
describes an incident as it is taking place
"The mist spreads itself and takes shA
like phantom. The head is covered wi
long veil. 1t moves not from the spot
which it rose"
- care you afraid 7" asked the SpaniarC
And the young man answered, :" | am /
afraid"
= Supplied, we kept our eyes fixed up
the conluror in silent awe as he proceed
to chant the third solemn slanza:
ia " Then says thu phantom, rising from the grave,
ar Tint he may recognize me,
- will 90 toward my friend, smiling, and fair
a As IN the days of my youth"
ur The Spaniard finished, and asked INN
l diately the same terrible question;
re, "What do you see %
"The figure advances" replied the S
IN, dent. cit lifts its veil 1t is Francois
he lat He approaches the table. lie is WI
ing his signature"
airs " Are you afraidl'
lad No." replied the young man, 81