Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1867-09-18
A Chest Legend.

Sir Tristram Beresford, who died on the 18th Of
June l70l presents but little more for notice him
self than that be was one of the ancestors Of the
well-known British family Of that name; but
through his wife we are introduced TO one OF the
most strange ghost stories that have been recorded
with strong appearance of authenticity. This lady
was educated with John, second Earl of Tyrone, and
when Young they both disbelieved the doctrine OF
future state In order to have the fact established
in the mind of the survivor, they agreed that if
possible the one that died 6rst should return 10 in
form the other. On the l4th Of October, 1893, the
earl died, and two or three days afterwards Lady
Beresford was observed by he- husband TO appear
at breakfast very pallid and Careworn in appear
ance and with black ribbon tied round her wrist.
He INQUIRED the cauHe of this, but she declined 10
give any explanations, merely inquiring anxiously
for the mall snd saying she expected to hear of the
death Of the earl.
Sir Trstraul made light of her fears, and urged
the impossibility of her knowing anything OF the
kind beforehand. She replied that nevertheless she
WAS satisfied that the earl had died on the Tuesday
previous at o'clock. A letter was shortly after
wards received, announcing this as fact; and, on
Sir Trstrams expressing surprise at the eXtraordl-
nary occurrence, Lady Beresford informed him that
she had learned in the same manner that she would
before long present him with a SON. This, too, was
verified Continuing TO wear the black ribbon round
her wrist her husband died without being informed
of the reason She married again, still keeping the
secret and on her forty-seventh birthday which she
thought her foTty-eighth, Clergyman came 70 con-
erstnlate her on the error in that respect which he
hsd discovered whereupon she declared that II that
was hsr forty-seventh birthday, she had but few
hours to i've and forthwith proceeded TO settle her
affairs 10 female FREUD she then related the fol-
lowing story:
During the night preceding the incident at break,
fast above referred 60 she woke suddenly and found
/ the Earl of Tyrone standiRg by her bedside, She
screamed and endeavored, BUS in vain, to wake her
husband On her asking the Earl why he was there,
he replied that he had died the previous Tuesday
that he had come 10 her Of the existence OF
another world, and 10 tell her she would bear son
70 Sir Tristan, would marry second time, and
/ have other children, and would die in the forty
seventh year Of her age. Doubling the actuslity Of
what passed she asked him for proof that it was not
A dream on illusion. He moved his hand and the
curtains raised by magic but this did not satisfy
her; he penciled his name in her pocket-oook still
she doubted. Then, asking her 70 put out her hand
be laid his finger, as cold as ice, upon her wrist
which was immediately impressed with black
mark beneath which the flesh seemed shrunk sfter
/ which be vanished.
She removed the ribbon, showed the mark snd
presently expired in the arms OF Der friend The
ribbon and the pocket-book with the earls name IN
It were both said to be IN existence At the beginning
oil the present century.
Is % be observed that ghost stories IN which the
S SlsoSSleranon and shriveling Of the skin OF the
nStsu from tho touch Of spirits are not rare Mel
Sncntnoh' Richard Baxter DR. Henry Moore, Mrs.
Srsnl ana others relate them The circumstance
OF eoncealing the mark, Lady beresford Il said
TO haze done appears TO be pecalisr 10 her case