Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-09-14
The Brothers.

Not far from Geneva there stands
a fine old chateau, long in the occupa-
ton Of a stranger, moro8e, misanthro-
pic man, who mixed in no SOCIETY
though, at the same time, he appeared
to derive little pleasure from the ex-
quisite gardens and other amenities
with which, with most lavish hand
his beautifully situated mansion had
been surrounded. 1t was at length
offered for sale, and much, to the sur
prise Of those who knew its value,
pasSed-at Il very moderate price
into the hands of a jeweler, we'll known
to many, an Englishman tourist resi-
dent in Geneva.
Delighted at his bargain, Monsieur
G. lost no time in making every az
rangement for adapting the chateau
to the taste of some "milord Anglas, -
who was certain to covet so lonely a
spot for his summer residence.
He was right in his anticipation
A gentleman, with his wife and two
daughters, soon established themselves
at Belle D., taking the place not for
the summer only, but for the year.
A few weeks elapsed, and they had
begun to feel themselves at home in
their pleasant dwelling, when one
evening, Mr.. NJ, while reading aloud
to his family, encountered a difficult
phrase, which it was necessary to
elucldate by means of the dictionary,
and the younger sister, Emily, hasten
ed to the library to procure that
work.
She was gone rather longer than
was expected, ard, when she did re-
turn, looked so pale and agitated that
her mother anXiousIy inquired the
cause.
"WelI," was the reply. a have q
sort OF adventure; but my ghost (for
| have certainly seen one) was by no
means terrible, and | don't know why
should feel so Hurried. 1t was a
very handsome young mani
Pressed for details, the young lady
related that she had seen nothing in
her way to the library, but that on her
return, just as she was decending the
first steps Of the stair, she heard a
noise behind her, and looking around,
observed young and handsome man
in a naval uniform. He looked sadly
at her for some seconds, during which
she never removed her eyes from his
face, pointed with MS finger to the
side Of the corridor, and vanished, as
it were, into the wall.
This story was received, as the ma
jority Of such are destined to be, witt
some incredulity. Nevertheless, SC
much impressed was Mr.. NJ. with what
he had heard, that when their daugh
ters had retired. he and his wife dis
cussed the matter, and come to the
resolution that Mr.. NJ. should visi
the "hannted" corridor about the same
hour, and see if any similar appear
f ance would be vouchsafcd to him.
Accordingly on the following eve
ming, hemountcd the guard, ,and walked
to and fro for a considerable tim,
, without result. Tired at last Of hi
vigil, he was wheeling round to com
mence what he had resolved should b.
his last turn, when he almost ran int,
the arms of a young naval officer, pre-
cisely answering the description give
by his daughter The fingure pointe'
e to the wall, and before Mr.. NJ. hat
fully regained his selfposses8ion, dis
appeared.
Mr.. NJ s cOuntenance, on enterln
the drawing-rOOm, sufficiently denote
that his search had been successful
but he declined to say what he ha
actually seen, and requested his fam
ly for the present to restrain their cl
riosity.
early next morning he proceede
D. to Geneva, and called upon his lant
d lord.
st Il have come, sir" he said, to as
% your permission to remove a porto
of the wall in the corner of tt
chateau"
er lT And, finding the proprietor hesit
y ted, he at once related the double a
Is partition adding that, unless his prop
n sal was complied with, he must decir
to to to continue tenant of the mansion.
of The landlord shrugged his shor
ders, extended his palms, and decidiI
e3 HS within himself that this was but ne
ID example Of that English eccentrici
of of which it is equally impossible to col
he prehend and resist gave the permissiC
Cd Cd required.
!, Some masons being sent for, t
10 work at once began. As it procee
ed, Mr.. NJ. was much struck by t
= singular, manner of the MASTER -masC
who, having first discouraged the id
A. of disturbing the wall at all, thrt
&C; &C, every immaginable obstacle in t
ire ire way; and subsequently, when his m
ost had actually set at work, watched th'
wn proceedings with a fixed stare and
:n en- f ace gradually becoming deat
hat pale. An hour, however, elapsed
ent 1f fore any discoveries were made. L
at the end of that time there W
turned forth to the light the uprie
skeleton of man, which, as the W
IL, removed, fell toppling forward amo
the workers.
,la At this sight the master.mas
reeled and sunk upon the floor Ii
SwOon.
III Restoratiyes were administer
and the man was convened to Mr. \