The Memphis union appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1862-1862, 1862-07-06
---.L.s $50. MN.
49, THE DcCHEss eof IS


residence Of the Comte de Brienne, and his /
brother, the Cardinal dc Isemenie, Archbishop
q toulouse was the rendezvous of all sorts of i
pleasures and amusenents The EMPEROR was
not then admitted into il, though lie was Af- |
forwards, and treated with particular kindness;
and we learned many things that passed from |
saeh OF MS Comrades whose family connexions |
caused them 10 DO admitted At The chateau |
during the vacation.
, young man belonging to Madame de |
Briennes society was of so disapreeable a |
temper that nothing could live in rood har.
mony with him. Among other pretensions, |
ne declared heuever knew what il was to be
lrigntened. One day the discussion on this
SUBJECT grew warm. Four persons Of the
company offered TO lay him q wager that he
could be frightened before the end Of six
months. he accepted the bet; the conditions
were liked; he was 10 pay one hundred louis
II ne lost, and one hundred louis were to be
paid him by the assailants, if be came off vic.
torious in the contest.
AT nrst things went on we'll enough. No
rose as the temper Of this man wss, il was net
always proof against the waggeries Of his
friends. The first month passed awsy, and he
had not once yielded to fear 1t had been
agreed that the affair should not be continued
anywhere but at Brienne.
One day the four friends being met said to
one another tnat II WAS sort OF disgrace not
to have yet succeeded. 0Re Of them proposed
'a.plan which was adopted and put into execn-
ton the very same night 8tt
l have already observed that there was at
Briene, during the building Of the new cha
teau, some remains Of q pavilion OF ancient
construction, whore ths rats ate one Of the
Able Morrellets shoes; in this pavilion beds
we're made up for the young visitors, when
there was more company at the chateau than
could 20 accommodated there. Just at the
time am speaking Of this happened to be the
case, and the young man, whose courage was
under trial, as well rs several of his frends was
sleeping there
The weather had been stormy all day, and
when they retired to bed the air had that
heaNIness which is quite oppressive, and makes
"Heres night for an appAritionF said the
young rattlebrains TO their friend
Let 1t come If it likes" replied he; ait
shall be welcome
So saying he bowed 10 them with sn ironieal
air, and retired to his own apartment
The air, as have said was sultry, the at
mosPhere oppressive. The young man threw
himself into an armchair, the worm eaten
legs OF Which were scarcely capable Of support
ing hIm, and there be had strange visions.
dis thoughts soon became confused, and he
sank into an unquiet dozc. His servant awoke
him from this kind Of topper he went to led
almost III, and oyerpowered by completely
nervous impression, which could not be na.
tural even admitting the effect of the temper.
The chamber in which he slept was at a dis
lance from the whole occupied part of the pa.
vilion, which of itself was quite lonely enough.
II was very large, gloomy apartment. A
bed-stead with twisted pillars, and curtains
trimmed with Hungarian point was the most
conspicuous piece of furniture that it contained.
lie looked at il long time before be got into
bed.
= tombr'
The drowsiness occasioned BIZ tho over
whelmiDg heat coon changed into a profound
sleep. He was buried in his fret nap, when
he was suddenly reused by a plaintiye sound.
The noise was close to him. He was lying
upon his ear. He rose in his sitting, and II
seemed rs if he was continuing an interrupted
dream. The four part curtains were
surned up over the bed AGAINST each
OF them leant figure lite suit nf
armor, but mOtionless sii> . without any
appearance of life.
He gazed on them at irst with surprise, aud
presently with sort Of agitation.
what do Sru Hant with mel said he, ~
know yopi you arc here to frighten me, but /
give you notico that | am not afraid. You
know our agreement 50 leave me, and aban-
don your attempt
As he thus spoke be lay down again and
closed has eyes, but the figures continued mo
tlonless and silent. They retained the same
attitude, while the thunder rolled awfully over
the crazy pavilion, and msde it shake to its
foundation.
Annoyed at this obstinaey he again raised
himself in the bed, and addressed one of the
figures. What do you want with me?n said
he. II have already told you that you don Z
brighten me. You know our conditions ad-
here to them, and keep your word as l keep
NINE"
Still there was the same silence In this
nnovelessness there was something awful, that
began TO operate on the mind of the young
man. q" Begone" he cried to them, big drops
OF perspiration trickled down his brow, and his
teeth chartered. "Begonep he repeated, be
gone I an, .f7ightenedP
The moment this confession had escaped his
lips, he sank back in his bed, faint and gasping
for breath. The figures remained motionless
and silent as ever.
Gentlemen" cried the young man, beside
himself, q know not if you have made COM
pact with the demons. believe fo=
/ recognize you under your visoss
and yet l know not who
you are. Leave me you haze
frightened ms {. whss would you have
more7
The same silence prevailed
From the commencement of this pleasantly
the young man, fearing that il might be car
ried farther than he could bear, had always
Kept about him pair of pistols loaded, and
ready for firing. He laid them on the night
table beside his bed, and that same night he
had examined the primingi everything was in
proper order-he took up one of them.
"Gentlemen," said he, in voice tremulous
with emotion, 81 call God To witness that
( whatever accident may ensue Is the fault OF him
on whom il shall light s8Ft
He cooked his pistol, and fred at one of the
four figures. None of them stirred The un.
fortunate man around whom they we're planted
ceased to distinguish any object, to hear any
sound. His hand trem5led-he made last
appeal.