The weekly Butte record., 1863-04-25
A French Ghost Story.

8 The castle of Ardiviers, near Breteul, was
reported TO be haunted by evil spirits. Dread
full noises were heard and flames were seen by
night to issue from various apertures The
farmer who was intrused with the care of the
house in the absence OF its owner, the present
d'Ardivilliers. could alone live there. The
spirit seemed to respect him; but any person
who ventured to take up nights lodging in
the castle was sure to bear the marks of his
audacity. Superstition is catching. By,and-by
the peasants in the neghborhood began to see
strange sights. Sometimes dozen of ghosts
would appear in the air above the castle, dane
ing around. At another time a nrmber of
presidents and counselors appeared IL The ad-
jacent meadow. There they sat in Judgment
on gentleman of the country who had been
beheaded for some crime hundred years be-
fore. In short many had seen, and all had
heard of the wonders of the castle of Ardivil-
liers.
This affair had continued four or five years,
to the great loss of the president, who had
been obliged to let the estate to the farmer at
very low rate. At length, suspecting some
artihce, he resolved to visit and inspect the
caste. Taking with him two gentlemen, his
friends they determined to pass the night in
the same apartment, and if any noise or appa-
rltion disturbed them, to discharge their pis-
tolls at either ghost or sound. As spirits know
all things, they were probably aware of these
preparations, and not one appeared; but in
the chamber just above dreadful rattliug of
chains was heard, and the wife aud sister of
the farmer ran to assist their lord. They threw
themselves on their knees, begging that he
would net visit that terrible room.
My lord" they said, "what can human
force effect against the people of the other
world?' NJ. de Fecanour attempted the same
enterprise years ago, and he returned with
disl,cafed arm VI. de Urselles tried, too he
was overwhelmed with bundles of hay, and
Was i'll for a long time alter In short, so
many attempts were mentioned that the presi-
dents friends advised him to abandon the de-
sign. But they determined TO encounter the
danger themselves.
Proceeding up stairs to an extensive room,
each having a candle in one hand and pistol
in the other they found it full of thick smoke,
which increased more and more from some
flames that were visible. Soon after the ghost
or spirit family appeared in the middle he
seemed quite black. aud was amusing himself
by cutting capers; ; but another eruption of
flame aud smoke hid him from their view. He
had horns and Il long tail. and was in truth a
dreadful object. One of the gentlemen found
his courage rather fail.
This is certainly supernatural, said he
q let us retire
The other, endowed with more boldness. as
serted that the smoke was that of gunpowder,
which is no supernatural composition and
if this same spirit. added he, knew his ua-
ture aud trade he would have extinguished
our candles
With these remarks he jumps amidst the
smoke and flames. and pursues the specter.
He soon discharged his pistol at his back, and
hit him exactly in the middle but was him
self seized with fear, when the spirit. far from
falling, turned round and dashed upon him
Soon recovering himself he resolved to grasp
the ghost. 10 discover If ii were erial and iul-
passibie- Mr.. Specter, disordered by this new
maneuyer, rushed 10 tower and descended
small staircase. The gentleman ran after. and
never losing sight Of him, passed several courts
ard gardens, still turning as the spirit winded,
till at length they entered an open barn. Here
the pursuer, certain as he thought OF his prey,
shut the door but when be turned round.
what was his amazemeni to see the specter to-
tally disappear. In great confusion he called
to the servants Tor more lights On examining
the spot of the spirits disappearance, he found
trapdoor. upon raising which several mat
trasSes appeared, to break the fall Of the head
long adventurer. Descending. he found the
ruHsUay Spirit-the farmer himself, His dress.
of a complete bulls hide had secured him from
the pistol shot, and the horns and tail were
not diabobc, but mere natural appeudages Of
the original The rogue confessed all his tricks.
and was pardoned on paying the arrears for
five years, at the old rent of the land.
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