The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1856-10-01
The Seven Lost Brides.


:. The Seven Lost Brides.
IN the upper part of New Orleans, not
from the Mississippi river, stands an old hous
$ well known in that part of the city, as sstl
haunted house." 1t is said that no tenant cs
be induced to remain long in it; but all, di
turbed by supernatural signs and sounds, spec,
lily seek another dwelling. These nocturn
disturbances are sufficiently e1plained-to SON
at least by the following legend:
Long time ago. before New Orleans W;
great city, and when the quarter now know
by the name of Lafayette was occupied partl
by cane fields and partly by marshes, the ol
house-old even then-stoed, as now. not fa
from the bank Of the river. and unsurrounde
by blocks and squares of substantial buildings
as to-day, was the centre Of a plantation, an
was haunted only by sunny faces and merr
voices Its owner was an old gentleman,
wldower, who had seven daughters-all beau
tful, intelligent and amiable
When the Oldest daughter was of an AGE t.
marry, she was wooed and won by youns
planter of the neighborhood, and for once th,,
course OF true love seemed to run smooth. All
parties were agreed as to the suitability of tn,
match. and when the wedding night arrived
willing guests flocked from allquarters to de
honor TO the occasion. The old house was bril-
lantly Illuminated, and the sounds of music and
of dancing echoed through its chambers. Ir
short, every thing went merrilv onward, and
gay Louisiana never saw gayer assemblaee
But all this merriment was doomed tn meet
strange and sudden e1d. Scarcely had the
nuptial benediction beer pronounced, when il
was observed that the BRIDE was missing. The
evening passed on, and she did not return
Wonder was followed byanxiety Search was
made, first through the buse and grounds, and
finally through the neiglborbood; but all with
out success H"."
All that night, and fordays and weeks after.
the search was continuedwith all the s]eepless
energy and vigilance which love could prompt;
but all IN vain, not the slightest trace was even
found of the missing brioe.
Had she, in some sudden alteration of mind,
wandered into the boundess swamps, and per-
lshed miserably Of hunger and exposure? Or
Which, lad df9af eadsdtdf dtdfaf4 544 end unbosomed grief
turbid waters Of the Mississippi? Or had size, shies
perchance, met and lovsd some person so far
beneath her station as ts render an open union
hopeless, and they had fled together to distant
lands?
Such were some of tie conjectures of the gos-
sips concerning her fate, while others told drea-
ry stories of the dreadful and desperate deeds
of the pirates of the gulf, or, late atnight with
terrified glances cast over their shoulders to-
wards the door, whispering ghastly tales of the
demon huntsman, whose horn was often heard
among the woods and marshes, and the baying
OF whose dogs, mingled With the rustling of the
wind among the autumn leaves as it tstruck upon
hisearin the dreary hoursofnight caused many
a pous Arcadian to hastily cross himself and
utter an Ave Marie and petition for protec-
ton against the devil and his angels. Itwould
be tedious to tell--as tohear, save in the brief
est manner--how, one after another five more
OF the seven daughters disappeared in the same
wayy-each on her wedding nght-till but one
was lett--the youngest, the most beautiful, the
best beloved OF all. A strange infatuation seem
ed to chain all who We're concerned; and while,
when each was lost, the same scene of frantic
search, of wild grief and desparing aeques-
cence, was enacted. none ever dreamed of ma
king the awtully mysterious fate which seemed
20 hang over the family, an objection to the mar
Rage of the young girls. And that it came to
pass that the last daughter became betro,hed,
as the rest had been, to one we'll worthy of her,
md in due time another large company assem-
oled to grace the nuptials.
But on this occasion there was but little of
nerrlment The guests clustered in groups of
wos and tbrees, and in whispers spoke of the |
ost sisters
All seemed 10 feel as though they were sha-
lowed by The wings Of some dark and terrible
Misfortune lowering over the doomed house
No one was found bold enough to utter Jest,
u to speak agay or thoughtless word.
In the peartime, all possible care was, taken
o guard the bnde from the fate of her sisters
A chosen body of friends watched constantly
'ver her. and never permitted herto be absent
rom their sight -
Thus were matters situated when the hour
appointed for the naptial ceremony arrived.
But the final vows were scarcely spoken,
When the sound IF distant horn was heard,
md a thrill of horror struck to each heart It
approached nearer and nearer, till at last the
leavy tramp OF nan, accompanied by the pat
ering sound Of the feet of hurrying dogs, was
'eard upon the veianda. All eyes were fixed
pon the closed door. It opened with a crash,
nd gigantic huntman, clad all in green, and
urrounded by pack of huge and painting
ounds. stood upon the threshold. Fixed to {
heir places, the spectators stared with CLASSY I
yes upon the terrible visitor, and awaited, in {
peechless terror, hisfurther movements Fix {
'g his flashing eyes upon the bride with i'm
eral air, he raised his right. hand towards
er With tottering steps she advanced, and l
ank talntlng in his arms. One blast upon his {
'lghty horn, one yell from his ferocious pack, {
nd the green huntsman sprang from the house, {
caring with him the inanimate form of the 7
oomed bride. Fainter and fainter grew the f
'unds of the horn and the dogs, till they fa- {
ed quite away in the distance; and then, and
OF till then, did the beholders of this strange c
,ene recover from the spell which had deprv-
them of the power of moving or speaking. $
All those who were present at this superna- a
'ral abduction have long since mingled their t
she's with their parent earth, but the old house G
i'll stands, witness to thetruth of the legend; r
Id on stormy nights the demon huntsman's r
orn and the baying .of his dogs, raising above G
e roaring of the tempest, may be heard sound ?
g along the Metairie ridge, and through the b