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

Inns puSocar vi every nursery IN ChrlStcn-
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 mic
lures which used to make our blood curdle
would lead us to think.
On an eminence which overlooks the little
village of Champtocc, 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 rcveIs.
The superstitious peasantry avoid the neigh
borhood from fear, and when the storm wbis-
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
new feeling hnt 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 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 was enough to subdue the most
rebellious urchin into submissions 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 inipunity with which one in high rank
niub
gainst humanity. De Retz 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 a
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
er Of magic. Having heard of a famous Ital-
ian alchymist who had performed some great
miracles by this art, he sent for 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-
sures 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
nonsensical aud harmless experiments, were
also some Of a cruel and abominable charac
ter. He induced his infatuated employee tC
believe there existed in the blood of infants
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 tiny veins
would be transferred to his own.
The bloody baron did not shrink for one mo
ment from the commission of the horrid crime
which this prescription rendered necessary
Tender infants were secretly stolen or forcibi!
torn from their parents, and kept in the dun
geons of the castle till their blood was re
quired. II is believed that not less than on
hundred humble mothers were thus deprived
of their youngest born. This fend in huma
shape hired magician but not murderer
That Office he reserved for himself, nor did nj
savage nature shrink from the horrid WORK
imposed With his own hand did he pierc
the hearts of his affrighted little victims unit
there was blood sufficient to cover his emacia
ted tody. This is one instance of the cruelt
OF De Retz we think very likely his wiye