Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-11-01
4 NIGHT IN THE GRAVE.

It was near the close a chilly day i
November, 1884, that / arrived at St
Jean de Luz, en- route for the Chateau
de g. about twenty miles distant
where was to be employed as a teacher
in the household Of the Count d f.
q French nobleman Of much iuauenet
and wealth. Having secured lodgings a
q second-rate hotel, ,ior l was a young
man Of limited means I repaired to the
apartment assigned to NE, and threw my
self or Z dusty couehette with an eK-
pectation Of receiving rest before pur-
suing NY journey. The hope was partly
realized. when I was suddenly awakened
BY heavy and continued knocking At
ny door. I suHeniy muttered '' come
IN, but remembering 10 have locked It,
1 arose to open 1t. A form stood before
ne Of gigantic proportions, his garments
auo2 vmous both IS to color and texture.
I inquired his desire, when, interrupting
ne. be asked If l was the man who
wanted 70 20 70 the Chateau de O..
l responded "a the affirmative. He then
offered 10 bear ne thither for a small
sun. If It was necessary for me to reach
ny destination that night. 1 assented
to his proposition, more through dread Of
bidding him begone than the benefit to
be accrued.
Il vas not long before an old, diminu
tive carriage was announced, with the
Z H. hazt1 U
prepared myself for departure, without
having been the happy recipient Of any
quiet since my arrival at the above
named village. Previously, I had asked
the stranger if he was acquainted with
the route TO be taken. to which he re-
turned no specific reply; but when about
to enter the cab l made a similar inquiry,
in answer to which he contemptuOusly
flung out yes; yes; within. l
obeyed, however. with reluctance, for l
knew not whittier l was going, nor what
might be the results. Sad feelings pos
sessed me, but we're soon dispelled, for,
suffering from such physical lassltude,
sank inJo q peaceful slumbeT.
I shortly awoke much refreshed, and
saw thar the moon IN her full beauty had
gained mid-heaveG. From this L knew
the drive must have been long and slow
I looked on the other side and saw DO
trace Of a human habitation. Every
thing appeared desolate, though the milo
light Of the moon sEOne upon the earth.
1 greatly feared this man acting as my
guide. and dreaded TO accOst him IN any
manner, and believed at one time that J.
would offer hin the small contents Of nv
purse. but thought possibly that | might
be wrong in thus coDjecturing doubts and
fears. and shat l should not willingly
place myself in his power At length,
projecting my head cut Of the window,
saw in the distance what appeared TO be
the white walls Of a park Of shrubbery.
[ beheld trees rising here and there, but
saw no signs Of a dwelling. Presently
the cab stopped, and saw a gate open
ing into the walled incl0sBre. Coming
10 the door, be said
+" You must alight here.
Here, 1 exclaimed, in this
place p
Do as commanded. be said
- l shall do nothing Of the kind, " |
replied. 81 You agreed to take me to the
Chateau Of c., and I shall not
alight until you have performed the agree
ment
This folly,is absurd" he answered /;
slisten to what I say. We are many
miles from st. Jean De Luz, and from
aDv habitatiOa None but deathless
spirits can answer your shrieks. This Is
the door cf a cemetery, and unless you
alight instantly and deliver TO me your
purse. will add Efeless body TO these
sacred precincts.
This cold blooded determination
curdled my whole frame. For a moment
nv tongue Glove 10 the roof Of my
mouth. I was astonisbed to ind in a
man Of such frightfui mien, words which
would have well expressed the nobIest
purpose Not hope presented Itself.
I was at the mercy Of a murderer and
there remained nothing but to submit.
I praved and sued his mercy, and offered
half my worldly all if he would but
spare my life and take me back. But no
terms Of reconciliation would suihce.
Self-reproach then rushed over my mind
and mingled with my fears.
Why vas l so blind-so foolish as to
accompany the man? Why did | s8fer
nv want Of courage to prevent me from
declining his offer instead Of committing
myself to this suspiciOus-looking man
Oh heaven" l cried within myself
" help me.
Becoming impatient at my long silence
which was the silence Of despair, he
roughly seized me by the arm, and drag
ged me from the carriage.
Not a sound was to be heard. All the
great great solitude was echoless aud
void. 1 uttered long, piercing cry as
he flung me on the frozen earth and bade
me deliver my purse. A desire to make
myself known Overcame me. l repeated
nv shrieks. which he tried to stiae by
/ placing his hand over my mouth This
/ inspired me with new strength and arose
to my feet and fed from him. The dool
sof the cemetery was open, and l rushed
in. closely pursued by nay foe.
The moon had heen disappearing be-
lind heavy heap Of what seemed snow
houds, and now She utterly deserted N,
this critical moment, for | stumbled
tery instant against mound OF tomb
bne. I traversed with preternatura
erity these babitations of the dead
But soon his heavy hand again seize'
by the shoulder, and drew me back
despair lent me strength. We close