The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1857-08-13
It's a regular witches sabbath!

moonlight night to stormy one like thi
We all looked to the speaker. 1t W;
one of the Spanish merchants. His rae
| was easily known by his dress and figur
breeches open at the knee, CATERS lace
with thongs of leather, red cloak pictul
esquely hanging from the shoulders, an
an air OF proud poverty painted on hi
brown face. round which hung long blac
curly hair. No one seemed inclined t
contradict this observation, made as it wa
ian grave, severe voice, until youn
man who satnext to me burst into laugh
ter, and said,
| You appear. Sir. to know the habits Q
ghosts. Have they told you that they
do not like to get wet in their feet?'
He had scarcely finished speaking
when the Spaniard cast on him a fero
lcious glance, saying,
Young man, you must not speak 81
lightly of things you know nothing about
DO you mean to pretend to persuade
me to believe in ghosts?' answered the
young man; cotemptuously.
Perhaps replied the spaniard, if fyou
had the courage to make trial.
MY neighbor bounded augrily from his
seat; but he composed himself instantly,
saying calmly,
You would have 10 pay dearly for this
impertinence if it wee not that Of fool
That of fool! cried the spaniard,
leaping to bis feet. WELL be added,
bringinghis fist down on the table, ,flinging
thereon large leather1 purse, see! here
are five thousand francs, am content to
lose, In one hour from this time, do not
show you the ghost of any of your de-
ceased friends that you may choose to
name, no matter how long he may be::dead;
and if, after having recognized him you
have the courage to permit him to lay his
lip against yours
The Spaniard had such an air as he
said this. that we all started. Ny neigh
Dor alone preserved his disdainful and
mocking smile.
You will do that. will you9, he answer
ed.
yes. and | will stake these five thou
sand francs on the event, if you will wa
ger like sum. If I fail, loose; if YOU
are vanquished win.'
The young man remained silent for a
moment. then he said, gaily,
Five thousand francs, most worthy ma
gician, is more than poor student ever
possessed. But if you will make the bet
a hundred francs, l am your man.
The Spaniard took back his purse in ST.
lence; then he said in cotemptuous tone,
'Ah! you back out, my little bragado-
cio?'
1 back out!' cried my neighbor. 'Ah
if / had the the Eve thousand francs you
would see whether I would back out or
not?'
l could not resist sudden temptation
that seized me.
Here is quarter Of the bet. cried,
putting the money on the table. i will
60 shares with You, young man.
had scarcely done this, when Eve or
SIX persons round the table attracted as
was by the singularity of the challenge,
offered to take shares; in very few mo-
nents the sum required by the spaniard
was made up. This last seemed SO sure
'f his taunt, that he gave the money of
he bet to the young student, and began
% make his preparations for the trial.
The place chose was small, isolated
pavilion in the garden, built in such a I
manner as not to admit of any jugglery.
We inspected it, assured ourselves that
here was no egress save through tight
y closed window and tightly closed door
It which last we all remained after we had
sy9 the young man in the pavilion
Meantime we had placed upon the table
III necessary writing materials, and car
led away all the lights. We were intense
y interested in the whole affair, and
maintained q profound silence: while the
Spaniard WHO remained in our midst. sung
" rather chanted in sweet and sad
'oice. the following words.
"The sepulcher opens wide,
The cofin-falls away;
Behold by the black grave'sside
The phantom, grim and grayl"
After the first couplet, he lifted bis
7oice solelmnly and said,
You have asked to see your fried Fran
lis Vialat, who was drowned three years
'go! what do see?'
'Isee answered the young student from
within the pavilion apale. white light that
ises inside the window, but it has no form
md 10 nothing but vague cloud
We renamed in state of stupefac-
ion.
Are you afraid?' cried the powerful
'oice Of the Spaniard.
L am not afraid, answered the student
n voice not less assured.
N