Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-07-16
BLUE BEARD,

This bugbear of every nursery in Christen-
dom was no fabulous monster yelled in human
form. He actually lived, moved, and had
being in the fifteenth century; not, however,
as long-robed, turbaned Oriental, as the pic
lures which used to make our blood curdle
would lead us to think
On an eminence which overlooks the little
village of Champtoce, near the Loire, stands
the imposing ruin of an old feudal CASTLE Its
grey walls, bare and broken, rear themselves
against the glorious sky and amid the tumb-
ling turrets, the bat and the owl beat their
wings and shrek in their midnight revels
The superstitious peasantry avoid the neigh
borhood from fear, and when the storm whis-
ties and the wind means, they imagine the
sounds to be walls from the injured dead of
the old ruin. The dread of the place is not a
new feeling, but has existed among succeed
ing generations of peasantry since the reign
of Charles the Seventh. 1t was at that time
the dwelling of Giles de Retz, a feudal baron.
who, as he was then, and still is called the
"Barbe Bleu,'' was, no doubt, the original of
our time honored, or rather feared Blue Beard.
His deeds of blood, which were but the every
day incidents of his life, made him the terror
of the surrounding region. The bare mention
of his name enough to subdue the most
rebellious urchin into submission; and even
the parents believed the winds which reached
them by passing over his domain, were sui
phur tainted.
Well does the history of this man reveal the
dark superstition of the fifteenth century, and
also the impunity with which one in high rank
might commit the most revolving crimes a.
gainst humanity De Rctz had once been in
possession of immense estates and untold
wealth. But by the most debasing excesses
he not only squandered his fortune, but also
ruined his constitution, SO that, while yet
young man, he bore the appearance of decrep-
itude and old age. He could not, however,
consent to pay the penalty of his sin by be-
coming old before his time. In the blindness
of his superstition, he conceived the hope of
reclaiming both health and wealth by the pow
of magic. Having heard of famous Ital-
ian alchymist who had performed some great
miracles by this art, he sent fer him to the
castle.
The cunning magician at once read his man
and encouraged his hopes he was, therefore,
employed at high price to undertake the
work, and invited to make the lofty castle his
home. The first act was the winning back of
health and vigor, without which all other trea-
surcs are of little avail. Nnmberless were the
arts he tried, and mysterious the preparations
he made. The dark dungeons and secret sub
terranean passages beneath the castle were the
scens of this work. Here the terrified pea
santry imagined that the Italian made a COM
pact with the Prince of Darkness, and sold the
duped De Retz to him in compensation for his
aid In restoring his health. Among many
nonsenscal and harmless experiments, were
also some of a cruel and abomnable charac-
Ter. lie induced his infatuated employee to
oeiieve there existed in the blood of infants a
charm for restoring youth and vigor He as
sured him that by bathing daily in the blood
OF these innocents, the pure young life which
had so lately coursed through their tipy veins
would be transferred to his own.
The bloody baron did not shrink for an. mo-
ment from the commission of the horrid crime
which this prescription rendered necessary
Tender infants were secretly stolen or forc;b,v
torn from their parents, and kept in the dun
geons of the castle till their blood was re-
qclfed. 1t is believed that not less than one
hundred humble mothers were thus deprived
cf tner youngest born. This fend in human
shape hired magician but not murderer
mat ofhce he reserved for himself, nor did his
savage nature shrink from the horrid work i,
imposed. With his own hand did he pierce
the hearts of his affrighted little victims until
there was blood sufficient to cover his emacia.
ted tody. This is one instance of the cruelty
OF De Retz. We think very likely his wives