The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-10-25
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being then only Colonel OF regiment OF
the line, Peliss:er, now Marshal Of France,
Commander Chief and Grand Gordon,
was one day waited upon by the doctor Of
the regiment to consult with him what had
best be done to stop the moral epidemic
which was then raging among the men,
and which was leading them by scores to
the hospital, and thence to the grave, with
out any perceptible disease.
&C. have found out the cause" said the
doctor, (" from young conscript who died
this morning; you must find the remedy.
1t seems that these foolish boys have been
suffering their imaginatiOns to be tempered
with by fellow from Brittany who pre-
tends to sorcery, and who for q few sous
will show them their home, and call up be-
fore them the forms of the dead or absent
among those they love best on earth. The
feelings of the soldiers cannot stand this;
nostalgia and marasm are killing them.
You must put a>stop to this, Colonel, or
you will lose them oil
Pelissier, in alarm sat the idea of the
effect, but without the least dread OF the
cause, Immediately sent for the culprit-a
sober, grave and serious young man, from
the Iandes of Brittany, named G0etquen,
who had formerly been q shepherd OF the
| Landes and had marched as rembt0cant to
his brother, who had fallen to the c0nscrip~
ton, and had been unwilling to leave his
aged mother, of whom he was the favorite
sOn. The Colonel was resolved to be stern
with the culprit.
"What is this hear Z" said he. "What
are these lies thou art propagating IN the
regimentf"
"Of what am accused, mo" Colonel ~
said Coetquen, respectfully. "Have !
failed in my duty with the regiment
have once omitted to fulfil my service or
disobeyed an orderf"
replied Pelissier, somewhat embarrassed,
but of q graver crime in short, tbs said
thou art q sOrcerer.
81 ami" replied Coetquen calmly.
"Pshaw seek not to impose upon me
tits said thou hast made foolish lads believe
III ghosts and spirits"
"They have seen them," answered Coet-
quen, still unmoved. 81 have but one
motive for thus displaying the power in
herited from my fathers-that of buying a
rembiacant, and returning to my beloved
Landes. The money obtain from comrades
is boarded for this purpose"
The Colonel scratched his head in per-
plexity.
Well, then, if that is the case, here is
a bargain; show me the spirit wish to
have called up, and thou shalt have this
piece of gold; but if thou should fail in
the attempt, by all the powers of darkness,
SO surely will blow thy brains out"
The Colonel suited the action to the
word by drawing the pistol from. his belt
with one hand, while he pulled forth with
the other the piece of gold. Coetquen
gazed wistfully at the latter, and said, with
great cheerfulness:
The bargain is struck, mon Colonel ];
to- night, at the entrance of the little wood
at the bottom of your garden, at midnight !;
fear not, will be there"
"Once MORE" said Pelissier, ownin G
| now, without shame, that he was beginning
| to feel rather excited, remember, it is
time to retreat. l have no wish to see
| ~s-sk k1~ak l~0.yn
have been deluded, the influence will be
withdrawn, and you shall have the gold
piece all the same"
"Never," exclaimed the sorcerer, fol the
first time reused into emotion "you have
defied me, mon Colonel, and must take the
consequences"
Midnight arrived; the Colonel was true
awaiting him. Once more did he give the
latter an opportunity of Withdrawing from
the bargain, and once more was he refused.
The soldier stripped off his jacket and
stood in his shirt-sleeves; he placed his
sword and belt, his shake and jacket, to-
drew a circle with forked stick, and
placed himself i'll the midst. Presently he
was like one inspired, and the light of the
lantern which the Colonel had brought fell
upon his distorted countenance, which
seemed more like that of demon than a
human being. Suddenly, in the very midst
of this violent emotion, he turned to Pelis-
sier.
q Colonel, one thing I forgot to mention ;
have you no sacred object about you ~
None in the world" replied Pelissier
" dost thou take me for Jesuit 2"
/ " But your watch. Sometimes a mother
or sister manages to slide n token or medal
amongst the seals and breloques-some ring
or other tritie which they have got blessed
by the cure. 1t is most dangerous. Fol-
mercy's sake, think !"
The man was evidently serious-and Pei
issier, to humor him, took off his watch
and put 1t down at u distance. The incan.
T tation then began-all was silence for 9
few moments, except for the heavy breath
ing of the man. Not a single word was
uttered-not q single movement was made
but suddenly a terrific shrek, sound mo-