Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-07-24
a LEGEND OF NEW ORLEANS.

In the upper part OF New Orleans. not far
from the Mississippi River, stands an old
house, well known, in that part Of the city
rs ..the haunted house. 1t is said that no
tenant can be induced to remain long, in is;
but all, disturbed bv supernatural d:ghts ant
sounds, speedily seek another dwelling
These nocturnal disturbances are sufficient
ly explained--to some, ut least-by the
following legend.
"Long time ago." long before New Or
leans was greut city. and when the quarter
now kno pn BY the name of Lafayette was
occupied party by cane6elds and patty by
marshes, the old house-od, even then
stood, as now not far from the bank of the riv-
er and unsurrounded by blocks and squares o!
substantial buildings, as to-day, was the GEN.
tire of plantation, and was haunted only by
sunny faces and merry voices. Its owner
was an old gentlemen, widower, who had
seven treasures in seven daughters--all
beautiful, intelligent, and amiable.
When the eldest daughi er was of an age to
be merry, she was wyo . g. won BY youn
planter OF the neighborhood, and Tor once
the course of true love seemed to run
smcoh. All parties were agreed as to the
suitability of the match, and when the we'd
ding night arrived, willing guests fioeked
from all quarters to do honor to the occa-
sion. The old house was brilliantly illumi-
mated, and the sounds of music and of dan
eing echoed through its chambers. In short,
everything went merrily onward, and gsy
Louisians never saw a gayer assembiage.
But all this merriment was doomed to
meet a strange anc sudden esd.
Scarcely had The nuPtisl benediction been
pronounced, when it was observed that the
bride wa missing. The evening PASSED on
and she did not return. Wonder was fol
lowed by anxiety. Search was made, frs
through The ouse and grounds, and finall,
through the neigbborhood; but all withou,
success.
All ;ha; night, and for days and week.
after, the search was continued with all tn,
sleepless energy and vigilance which love
could prompt; but all IN vain: not the slight.
est rae was ever found of the uissinn
bride.
Had she, in some sudden alteration O
mini, wandered into the boundess swamps
and prrished miseraby of hunger and ex.
posurei Or had she some fearful and un
bosomed grief, which had caused her to cas-
herself into the iu:bld waters OF the Mis,is
sippi! Or had she, perchance, met an,
loved some person 80 lar beneath her in sta
tion as to render an open union hopeless
and they had fed tcgeiher to distant land.
Suchwere some ol the conjectures OF lh,
gossips concerning her fate; while other
told dreary stories of the dreadful and des
perste deeds of The pirates of the Gulf OF
late at nights. with terrified g anccs cas-
over their shoulders towards the door, whis
Pered ghastly tales of the doings of the d.
mon hun'sman, whose horn was often hear
among the woods and marches. and the bay
ing Of whose dogs, mingled with the rus,
ling of the wind among the leaves, as
struck upon his ear in the dreary hours c
night, Laused many pious Acauian TO has
tiIy cross himself and utter an Ave Mari
and petition for protection against the dew
and his angels.
1t would be tedious to tell--as to hea
save in the briefest manner-how, one afie
another, FIVE more of the seven dauph,e,
disappeared in the same way--esch on the
wedding night--tll but one was left-th
youngest.the most beautiful, the best be.o,
ed Of all. A strange infatuation seemed
enchain all who were concerned; and Will
when each was lost, the same scene OF frar
tic search, OF wild grief, and of despairin
acquiescence, was enacted, none ever dream
ed Of making the mysterious fate whic
seemed to hang over the family, an objectic
to the marriage of the young girls. Al
thus it came to pass that the last daught
became betro'hed, rs the rest had be n,
one well worthy of her; and in due tin
another large company assembled to era,
the nu2tials.
But On this occasion there was but lit,