The Burlington weekly hawk-eye., 1862-12-27
BURLINGTON WEEKLY HAwK.EYE.y


dinner table and which has valuable moral, for
it shows how many aghost story and unearthly
apparition may be explained away into nat
tural occurrence:
"In 1920, Mons. de Perthuys, anaval officer
who died in Paris last year and whose name is
now before the courts Of justice in consequence
of suit brought upon the Interpretation of his
will say in 1920 Mems. de Perthyus came up
to Paris from distant provincial town. There
were no railways, and consequently no un-
distinguishable throng of travellers in those
days. Dilligences still crept over the roads
with their half dozen passengers, whom they
soon jostled into intimacy in the course Of the
first fifteen or twenty ruts over which the
cumbrous vehicles jolted. In the coupe with
Mons de Perthuys was young man Of
his age. They soon became intimate. Mons.
de Perthuys found that his companion was on
his way to Melun to marry charming and
wealthy young lady, whom he had never seen,
but whom their parents had long destined to
unite in mstrimony. Those sort of marriges
were formerly quite common in France. They
are rarer now but still exist. He was going
to see bis betrothcd, to cultivate her acauain-
taace, in order that each might Judge whether
the others character offered every desirable
security for happiness During the several
days the young men were together, Mons, de
Perthyus came into possession of every par
ticular concerning his travelling companion.
Soon after they reached Melun the young man
was taken dangerously i'll. He expired in the
course Of tho night; his last request was to beg
Mons. de Perthuys to 60 to the lady's faulty
and acquaiut them with the circumstances of
his departure. Early next moring Mons. de
Perthuys took possession of ell the young mans
papers and set out for the mansion in the neigh
borhood, which he was to plunge into the deep
est distress. He was extremely embarrassed.
His embarrassment was greatly increased by
the reception he met. As soon ss he appeared
at the gate on the roadside-which was great
distance from the house-every body ran out to
meet him; they we're sure that he was the afi-
anced lover of the houses heiress. He was
not allowed time to open his lips; each MEM
Der Of the family pressed him in their arms;
and these embraces exchanged, the father car
ried him into the drawing room and made ten
thousand inquiries. Mons. de Perthyds' en-
barrassment soon became an inexl usable levity.
He was amused by this comedy of errors, and
be determined to play out his part. Break.
fast passed away and dinner, which was kept
or one in the country.) After dinner the faith
serious matters. He opened conversation by
asking if he had had no papers for bim. Mons.
Perthyus replied by giving him the packet of
papers he had taken from his deceased's com.
compion's trunk. There were found to be sat-
isfactory. You must stay here to night, said
the father Indeed sir, cannot why not?'
Because l have an appointment at sunset
this evening, which / must keep What is
there so imperative. We all look upon you as
our guest for some days to come l Am very
sorry cannot stay. But died last night at
tie inn, at Melun, and am to be buried this
evening at sundown. 1t is time for me to be off.
Farewell, sir; farewell!' So saying, off Mons.
de Perthyus ran as fast as he could 60, leaving
his host perfectly confounded. But in few mo.
ments the latter, thinking it was q joke on the
part of his future son-in-law, returned to the
house aud told it to the ladies, who laughed
heartily at the oddness Of the expedient to
which the young man had resorted to escape
from the grave conversation npon business of
his host They we're, however. rather startled at
hearing. at sundown, the village church bell
| toll for funeral. The father went out to see
| who was dead. He was told that gentleman
had died at the inn. He went to to the inn, and
there found that the young gentleman who was
| af6anced to his daughter had died thenight be-
fore; and wsstben to be buried. When the old
gentleman heard this, and saw ihe funeral pre-.
parations, he fell on the floor in swoon.-
Mons de Perthuys instantly left for Paris, and
that worthy family remained until thesr last
days convinced that they had seen and talked
with spirit. a
A SCARED REBEL One day this week Fed
eral soldier, recently discharged from the service