The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1868-11-07
A Night In The Grave.

1t was near the close of chilly day in
November, 1884, that | arrived at st Jean
de Luz, en- route for the Chateau de Caput,
about twenty milee distant, where | was to
be employed as a teacher in the household
of the Count de A., French nObleman
Of much influence and wealth. Having Sc
cured lodgings at a second rate hotel, (tor |
was Il young man of limited means,) ! re
paired to the apal tment assigned to me, and
threw myself upon a dusty couchette with
an expectation of receiving rest before pur
suing my journey The hope was partly re
allied, when / was suddenly awakened by
heavy and continued Knocking at my door
] sullenly muttered come in, but remem
bering, to have turned 5he key, ! arose to
open the door A form stood before me Of
gigantic proportions, his garments anOnym
Gus both as to color and texture. inquired
his desire when, interrupting me, he asked
If was the man who wanted to 90 to the
Chateau de Caput | responded in the at
hrmatiVe He then offered to bear me thith
er for a small sum, if it was necessary for
Inc to reach my destination that night as
nented to his proposition, more through
dread Of bidding him begone than the bene
fit to be accrued
1t was not long before an old, diminutive
carriage was announced, with the identical
incOgnito as it's driver. hastily prepared
the happy recipient of any quiet since my
arrival at the above named village Previ
ouslv, had asked the stranger if he was
acquainted with the route to be taken, to
which he made no specific reply; but when
about to enter the cab made similar in
quiry, in answer to which he contemptuous
ly flung out yes yes; get In. obcyed,
however, with reluctance, for | knew not
whittier was going, nor what might be the
L. G.H mi
were soon dispelled, for, suffering from such
physical lassitude, sank into peaceful
slumbcr.
/ shortly awoke much refreshed. and saw
that the moon in her full beauty haG gained
rmid.heaven. From this knew that the drive
must have been long and slow. l looked ON
the other side and saw no trace of a human
habitation. Every thing appeared desolate,
though the mild light of the moon shOne
upon the earth. / greatly feared this man
acting as my guide, and dreaded to accOst
him in any manner and believed at one
time that | would offer him the small con
tents of my purse but thought possibly tha'
] might be wrong in thus cOnjecturing
doubts and fears, and that | should not viii
lingly place myself IN his power At length,
projecting my head out Of the window, saw
in the distance what appeared to be the
white walls Of park Of shruhbery. he
signs of a dwelling. Presently the cat
stopned, and saw a gate opening into the
walls of the inclosure. Coming to the doOE
he said:
You must alight here"
"Herei" exclaimed, " in this place 2
Do as commanded he said
- shall do nothing of the kind, / re
piled. You agreed to take me to the Cha
teau de Caput, and l shall not alight untl
you have performed the agreement"
This folly is absurd he answered
listen to what / say. We are many miles
from st Jean de Luz, and from any habita
ton. None but deathess spirits can answer
your shrieks This is the door of cemete
nv, and unless you alight instantly and de
liver to me your purse, | will add a ifeles
body to these sacred precincts
This cold bloOded determination curdle'
my whole frame. For moment my tongu
Glove to the roof of my mouth. l was as
tOnished to find in a man of such trightiu
mien, words which would have well express
ed the noblcst purpose. Not hope pre-
Bented itself ! was at the mercy of a muI
deTer, and there remained nothing hut
submit | prayed and sued his mercy, at
offered half my worldly all if he would bu
, spare my life and take me back. But n
terms of reconciliation would suffice Sci
reproach then rushed over my mind an
mingled with my fears.
Why was l so blind-so foolish as to a
company the mau2 Why did / euffer "a
want of courage to prevent me from decliI
ing his offer instead of committing myself I
this suEpicious-luoking man
20 heaven, Icried within myself bel
mel"