The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1861-03-30

siOns, and which invariably foFebOde evil
A violent storm Of thunder and lightning
passed OvsT the place immense trees
were struck to the ground, and severa
head Of cattle we're killed in the immediate
vicinity. These events made their due
impression upon the domestics and the
neighboring villagers, and the murder Oi
the Baroness Won Wuffrel was reckOned
upon as certain. Similar Omens preceded
the deaths Of the former ladies Of the castle,
and they were always held to be infallible
premOnitiOns Of the approaching catas-
trophe.
II was never known by what means the
former ladies' had come by their death.
They were found in their beds stabbed
but by some extraordinary flaw in the
evidence, the guilt could never properly
be fastened upon their husbands, and So
they escaped, although the general belief
was that they in reality were the mur-
dcrers.
The last branch Of this noble house was
held In considerable estimation by the peO-
pie in the neighbOrhOod, both for his good
humor and his benevolence-twO traits Oi
character which none Of his predecessors
possessed. Neither was he remarkable for
that inOrdinate cupidity which cast such
Q stain upon the reputation Of the former
heirs Of Ehrcnbreitstein. There were
some, therefore, who thought that the
usual catastrophe might IN this instance
not take place, but that the young baron
and his bride might live many happy years
tOgcth,r. What were the lady's feelings
it Is impossible to say, but at al events il
10 certain that on her arrival At the castle
she looked exceedingly pale and carewOrn,
and not near 50 well ~ previous to her
marriage.
At somewhat early hour in the night
the baron and his wife retired to rest
The hours that elapsed ere morning were
passed by the household in the greatest
suspense and anxiety. The night was ex-
ccedingly tempestu0us; the sind whistlsd
through the long corridors Of the build
ing, the trees outside shook mOurnfully in
the blast, and the rain descended from the
heavens in one continuous stream.
The morning At length dawned. The
baron rose early to take bis accustomed
exercise. An hour or two afterwards one
Of the servants proceeded to the chamber
Of her mistress to assist her to dress. -
Gracious heavensi when she entered she
found her stretched upon her bed, welter-
ing IN her blood, and still warm. The do
mesticS were immediately alarmed, the
baron was summoned, but he was hOrri.
fed and distracted by the awful spectacle
he Vas called upon to witness. llC declar-
ed solemniy that his wife was in good
health aAd spirits when be left her, and
cou'd not account for her death, unless by
her own hand, f1r which no reason what.
ever could be assigned, as she appeared n
be perfectly happy. He was, however,
charged with the murder, tried and acquit
ted, the evidence, as in the case Of his pre-
dccess0fa; being insufficient to procure q
conviction. When the trial was over he
discharged his servants. shut up the cas-
tie, and disappeared, but whittier he went
It was never aScertAined.
Prom that period the castle has beer
closed, for there were no persons bold
enough 70 become its inhabitants after the
dreadful deeds which had been perpetrated
within its walls.
About this time It became evident thai
the place was subject to mysterious visit
ations, and frequently ct midnight, II was
said. four female figures we're seen in the
grounds arTayed In bridal dresses, and
these were suspected to be the spirits O
the unfortunate ladies' who had been &C
cruelty murdered. On moonlight night,
they were accustomed to dance on thu
green sward 10 front Of the castle, and th'
music on these occasions was of the mos
beautiful and captivating description.
SHch are the premises with which
have thought it necessary to commences
this narrative. It is not material to state
the precise period at which l have now ar'
rived.
A German by birth. happened about
this time to be making tour through va
riOus parts Of Germany. I did not stay
long Ia a0y particular spot, but wandered
from one place to another. % NY humol
inclined me. I reached, amongst OtheI
places, the Sillage Of LAndsdOrf, and being
directed to d" Der schwarxe Adler" l dc
sired an interview with the landlord.
Ny inquiry, being answered satisfacto.
Tily, entered, and at once ordered some
refreshments. When l had partakeT
thereof l was invited by the landlord tC
join q party in the chamber below, rs HI
Thought should be more comlOrtAbl,
there than sitting in room by myself
I ayailed myself Of his invitation, anG
found myself presently amongst some o
the farmers and country people Of tn,
ntighbOrhOod. l soon Joined in eonver
satiOn with them, and found that they
were discussing tho usual tOpics-appar
iti0ns, dreams, etc. From these they
passed to the castle Of EhFenbreitstein.
was deeply interested In the conversation
was not, however, daunted by tn,
mysterious tones In which they spoke o.
it, and determined on the following day
to visit the castle. and ascertain If ther'
were really any substantial grounds f0
the evil reputation which Il had for 81
many years possessed In certain district
in Germany. As regarded anything Of ,
supernatural character, | had been 70
bU8Uy yGatS = CVUUb AkseU bASpetCp uUu
lOnged Cor an opportunity either to con
firm me in my skepticisnI. or to make NJ
q convert to those doctrines Of which m,
friends were evidently so greatly en-
amOfed.
On the morning arose early. dresse'
myself and descended to room below
wheso I VaFtOOk q b good breakfast.
informed the landlord that was anxi0u
to SO the castle Of EhEenbssitstsiN. AD'
| told him should take leisurely stroll il
that direction aud return to an early din
DeF. s
The road was we'll known 10 me-aye
every step Of it-Ecr I had already bee'
In the neighbOVh0Od many years before
but at thAt time the castle was in goo
repair, and it was divested Of that interea
which reported supernatural visitation
will confer upon any spot As ] cas-. IN,
eyes around me, objects once hmilia
arose every moment upon my sight, an,
carried me back 10 seasMjOf past enjoy
lneNt which eoNA never OeoaP agsia.s An
no; had already fer. Outnumbered IN
years allotted 70 man. had tTaVeled
long and tr0nhleaona iOurnev hnk IN