The Lambertville press., 1860-03-07
SlEF(istellanp.
The Haunted Chamber.


one was permitted to enter, as a report
had been circulated that it was haun-
ted apartment, and, from the strange
noises that had been frequently heard
at night in it, it was generally believed
to be the case by the inhabitants of
the chateau. Madame Deshoulieres
was no sooner made acquainted with
this circumstance than, to the surprise
and terror of her friends, she declared
her intention of occupying this dread
ful room in preference to any other
The Count looked aghast as she de-
clared this determination, and in a
tremulous voice entreated her not to
be so rash since however brave curi-
osity might at present make her, it
was probable that she would pay too
dear for its qualification.
The Countess, observing that all
her husband said failed Of intimidating
the high spirited Madame Deshoulieres,
now added her persuasions to divert
her friend from the enterprise, from
which the bravest man might shrink
appalled, All the arguments that
could be urged were insufficient to shake
the determined purpose Of the adven-
turer. Her courage was superior to
these representations on the dangers
to which she was going toexpose her.
self, because she was convinced that
they must owe their coloring to su
perstition, acting upon weak minds !;
she entertained no faith in the fe by
arm of departed spirit, and an i'm
material one her life was safe.
Her noble host and hostess pleaded,
pitied, blamed but at length yielded
to her wish of taking possession of the
haunted chamber. Madame Deschou-
liers found it grand and spacious-the
windows dark from the thickness of
the walls-the chimney antique, and
ofcavernous depth. AS soon as madame
was undressed, she stepped into bed j,
ordered large candle to be placed
in the bracket which stood in a stand
near it, and enjoining her femme-de-
chamber to shut the door securely, dis
missed her. Having provided her.
self with book according to custom
she calmly read her usual time, and
then sunk to repose.
She was soon reused by knock at
the door; it opened, and the sound of
footsteps succeeded Madame Des-
houlieres Immediately decided that
this mnst be the supposed ghost, and
therefore addressed it with the assur-
ance that, if it hoped to frighten her
from her purpose Of detecting the
imposture which had excited such
foolish alarm throughout the castle,
it would find itself disappointed in the
attempt +; for she was resolutely bent
upon penetrating ard exposing tat
all hazards. No answer was returned
The threat was reiterated, but all to
no purpose. At length the Intruder
came in contact with large screen
which it overturned so near the bed.
that, getting entanglpd in the curtains
which PLAYED loosely on the rings,
they returned sound so sharp that
she, under the influence of fear, would
have taken it for the shrill scream Of
an unquiet spirit but madame was
perfectly undismayed. as she after
wards declared. On the contrary. she
continued to interrogate the noctural
visitor, whom she suspected to be one
of the domestics: but it isstill main
tanned an unbroken silence, though
nothing could be less quiet in it's move
ments; for now it ran against the
stand on which stood the candle and
candlestick. which fell with a thun.
dering noise. At length, tired with
all these exertions, it came snd rested
itself at the foot Of the bed. Madame
Deshoulieres, retaining her self-posses-
ision, exclaimed
"Ah ! now | shall ascertain what
thou art !" at the same time she ex-
tended both her hands towards the
place against which she felt the in.
truder was resting. They came in
contact with two cars, soft as velvet,
which she firmly grasped, determined
10 retaln her hold until the pIorning
should lend its light to discover tc
whom or to what they belonged
Day at length released her from the
awkward position in which she re-
mained for many hours, and discover
ed her prisoner to be Gros Blanc, a
large dog belonging to the chateau,
and as worthy, if faith and honor de-
serve the title, as any Of the Inhabitants.
Far from resenting the bondage in
which Madame Deshoulieres lad SC
long kept him, he licked her hands,
while she enjoyed . hearty laugh at
this ludicrous end Of an adventure,
for the encounter of which she had
braced every nerve.
In the meantime the connt and
countess, wholly given up to- theil
iears, had found it impossible to close