Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-04-22

sed, that it could not be concealed from
the inmates and servants of the castle that
something terribly alarming had happened
to him during the night.
Under these circumstances, it became
Imperative that something should be done
to bring the matter to a crisis, for the pres
ent state was unbearable-the castle was
hardly tenantable, and quite unsaleable.-
But what should be donel
In this dilemma, the kind and gentle
Marchloness, with rare devotion and brave
ry, proposed that, on the next night, they
should together make third attempt to
penetrate the mystery, and clear the castle
OF the disparaging aspersions, at any cost to
her own nerves and feelings 1t was re-
solved to keep their intention secret from
! all sSvc oue oia ana truety attendant, until
it wDs accomplished With palpitaaing
hearts, but minds firmly bent on their pur-
pose, the pair ascended the stairs to the
dreaded apartment and not little rejoced
were they TO find the faithful domestic
awaiting them, with the large house dog,
which he had unclaimed and brought from
the yard 10 be their companion dnring the
dreary and anxious watch
Having thoroughly examined the rooms
and searched all corners, they stationed
the dog in the centre of the more spacious
apartment, which was well lighted up, and
then threw themselves on the couch with
out undressing The Marquis was wei
armed with pistols and his hunting sword
and kept candles burning on table close
at hand.
Thus prepared, they awaited the solemn
hour of midnight; when, true to the time
the unaccountable noise was heard. Ter
riby clear and appalling to the strained
senses did that ominons rustling sound fal
on their ears, Distinctly were steps heard
the tapping of crutcbes, the falls. the sighs
the groans, and could be detected in tn
well-llumined, empty void and, to Civ
Overwhelming force to the invisible pres
ence, the dog, which at first had advance
towards the corner where the bed of stra'
appeared to be, turned about, howled pite
ousIy, and receded backwards across tn
room towards the stove, precisely as thong
person of whom it was in great terrC
was making slow progress towards the col
ner behind the stove.
Horrihed beyond measure, the Marchiot
ess rushed out Of the room, uttering tt
most piercing shreks; and the dog, equa
ly frightened, followed her. The Marqu
on the instant of the first sound, drew b
sword and called out aloud: Who
there 2 but, receiving no answer, he tr
, verSed the room in all directions cuttr
, the air furiously with the keen blade as
flew ackwards and forwards.
The whole household was soon asset
. bled, and the utmost confusion preyailt
1 around the lnsensible Marchioness, wi
!. had tainted az the foot of the stairs
. CH TevlVlpSg, her first inquire was for b,
r husband, whom she had left up stairs. Sc
= vents hurried up to call him, but the do
\ was locked and the room within was d
/ covered to be in flames, Tired of his lif
:. he must have purposely set fire to the WOO
= ell panels in several places.
In vain were all efforts to rescue the Sc
:, inundated man, His cacined bones we
= all that could be obtained, and they we
y found in the identical corner whence
y had driven the beggar-woman.
). The Marchioness removed to a conven
: the castle remains untenanted to this da
i having never been repaired or rebuilt al
y, whenever the mouIdering ruins are motto,
: by a traveller, this story is related by 4
= peasantry, of the Beggar wOman Of AriOlO
. and many are the surmises as to who 81
might have been.
i, There is no doubt in their minds of Il
i i truth of the circumstances here narrated
\ and the moral they draw from the suppos
4 supernatural visitation is, that the ghost {
:. peared to punish the hard-heartedness
i the Marquis, and be a warning to others