Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1872-06-20
AGHosr STORY.
From Appelton's Journal. !


Mlrable, a poor laborer on the estate
OF a family named Gay, near Mar
seilles, France, invoked the protec-
tion of the law under the following
extraordinary circumstances. =
He declares that, while lying un
der an almond tree, late one night
striving to sleep, he suddenly motto
ed man Of remarkable appearance
standing in the ful! moonlight, at the
window of a neighboring house.
Knowing the house to be unoccupied
he arose to question the intruder
when the latter disappeared. A lad
der being at hand, Mirabel mounted
to the window, and, on entering.
found no one. Struck with feeling
Of terror, he descended the ladder
with all speed, and had barely touch
ed the ground when voice at his
back accosted him: =.
"Petrusian" tho was from Petru-
sis), "thcre is large treasure close
at hand. Dig. 1t is yours.
A small stone was dropped on the
terrace, as if to mark the spot alluded
to.
For reasons not explained, the fa-
bled Mlrabel shraak from pursuing
the adventure alone, but communi-
Gated with a friend, one Bernard, q
laborer in the employ Of the farmer
ess Paret. This lady being admitted
to their confidence, the three assem-
bled the next night at the place indi-
Gated by the scepter, and, after dig
ging to a considerable depth, came
upon large parcel wrapped in many
folds of linen. Struck with the pick.
axe, it returned unmistakably the
melodious sound Of coin; but the
filthy, and as Paret suggested,
plague-stricken covering checked
their curiosity, until, having been
conveyed home and we'll soaked in
wine, the parcel was opened, and re.
vealed to their delighted gaze more
:han thousand largo gold pieces,
subse luently ascertained to be Portu.
guese.
It was remarkable, yet so it was,
that Mirabel was allowed to retain
the whole of the treasure. Perhaps
his friends felt some scruple in inter-
fereinS with the manifest intentions
of the ghost. But Mirabel was not
much the happier for it. He feared
for the safety of his wealth-he fear
ed for the safety OF his own life
Moreover, the prevailing laws re-
specting treasure trove" were pecu-
liarly explicit, and it was question:.
Bile how far the decision OF the ghost
might be held to override them.
In France, OF treasure found in the
highway, half belonged to the king,
halt to the finder. IT discovered by
magical arts, the whole to the king,
with q penalty to the finder. 1t,
when discovered, the treasure were
concealed from the proprietor of the
ground, the finder forfeited his share.
To these existing claims the phantom
had made no alluslon. In his per
plexity, honest Mirabel bethought
him OF another friend, one Auguier,
substantial tradesman OF Marsei!les.
The advice Of that gentleman was,
that the secret should be vigorously
confined to those who already knew
it, while he himself (Auguier) was
peparcd to devote himself, heart and
soul to his friends best interests, lend
him any cash he needed (so as to OBJ.
viate the necessity of changing the
foreign money!, attend him whittier.
soevcrhe went, and in fine, become
his perpetual solace, monitor, and
guard. (
To prevent the possibility Of his
motives being misinterpreted, the
worthy Auguier took occasion to ex,
hibit to his friend casket, in which
was visible much gold and silver
coin, besides jewel or two of some
value.
The friendship thus happily inau,