Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-08-20
THE SEVEN LOST BRIDES.
A LEGEND OF NEW ORLEANS.


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, as ssthe
haunted house, 1t is said that no tenant can
be induced to remain long in it but all, dis
turbed by supernatural sights and sounds, spec
dily seek another dwelling. These nocturnal
disturbances are sufficiently explained, to some
at least-by the following legend.
ssLong time ago." long before New Orleans
was great city, and when the quarter now
known Lafayette was occupied partly by
canefields and partly by marshes, the old
house-old, even then-stood, as now, not far
from the bank of the river, and unsurrounded
by blocks and squares of substantial buildings,
as to-day, was the centre of plantation. and
was haunted only by sunny faces and merry
voices. Its owner was an old gentleman, a
widower, who had seven treasures in seven
daughters-aI beautiful, intelligent and ami
able.
When the eldest daughter was of an age to
marry, she was woed and won by young plan
ter of the neighborhood, and for once the
course of true love seemed to run smooth =
Ali parties were agreed us to the suitability of
the match, and when the wedding night arri-
we'd willing guests focked from all quarters to
do honor to the occasion. The old house was
brilliantly illuminated, and music and dancing
echoed through its chambers. In short, eve
rything went mcrrily onward and gay. Louis
lana never saw gayer assemblage.
But all this merriment was doomed to met
O strange and sudden end.
Scarcely had the nuptial benediction been
pronounced, when it was observed the bride
was missing. The evening passed on, and she
did not return. Wonder was followed by anx-
iety. Search was made, first through the
house and grounds, and finally through the
neighborhood /; but all without success.
All that night, and for days and weeks alter,
the search was continued with the sleepless
energy and vigilance which love could prompt;
but all in vain: not the slightest trace was cv-
CT found of the missing bride.
Had she, in some sudden alteration of mind,
wandered into the boundless swamps, and per-
ished miserabIy of hunger and exposure Or
had she some fearful and unbosomed grief,
which had caused her to cast herself into the
turbid waters of the Mississippi ? Or had she,
perchance, met and loved some person so far
beneath her in station to render an open u
nion hopeless, and they had fed together to
distant landsl
Such were some of the conjectures of the
gossips concerning her fate while others told
dreary stories of dreadful and desperate deeds
of the pirates Of the Gulf, or, late at nights,
with terrible glances cast over their shopld-
ers towards the door, whispered ghastly tales
of the doings of the demon huntsman, whose
horn was often heard among the woods and
marshes, and the baying of whose dogs, ming
led with the rustling of the wind among the
leaves as it struck upon his ear in the dreary
hours of night caused many pious Acadian
70 hastily cross himself and utter .AUe Maria
and petition for protection against the devil
and his angels.
1t would be tedious to tell-as to hear, save
I'm the briefest manner-how, one after anoth'
er. five more of the seven daughters disappear
ed in the same way-each on their wedding
nipht-till but one was left-the youngest
the most beautiful, the best loved OF all. A
strange infatuation seemed to enchain all who
were concerned and while, when each wa:
lost. the same scene of frantic search, of wilo
grief, and despairing acquiescence, was enac
ted. none ever dreamed of making the myste
rious fate which seemed TO hang over the fam
fly, an objection to the marriage OF the young
airIs. And thus it came to pass that the las
daughter became betrothed, as the rest nae
been. to one we'll worthy of her; ana IN Gu'
time another large company were assembled
to grace the nuptials.
But ON this occasion there was but little mer
riment. The guests clustered together Il
twos and threes, and in whispers spoke oil III
lost sisters. All seemed to feel as thoug
they were shadowed by the wings oil som
dark and terrible misfortune lowering owe
the doomed house. No one was found Dol
enough to utter jest. or to speak gay
thoughtlcss word.
In the meantime: all possible care was ID