Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1872-05-16

y
u don't account for it at all | do
not pretend to understand it..
''YOu think then, that it was really
supernatural ~
1--WE know so little what nature com
prehends, what are its power and limits
that we can scarcely speak of anything
that happens as beyond it or above it. :"
Are you certain that this did hap
penn"
''Quite certain of that | have ns
doubt whatever
These sentences passed between two
gentlemen in the drawing room of a
country house, where a small family
party was assembled after dinner, and
in consequence of a lull in the cOnversa-
ton, occurring at the moment, they were
distinctly heard by nearly everybody
present. Curiosity was excited, and in
quiries were eagerly pressed as to the
nature or supernature of the event un-
der discussion.
"a ghost story" cried one "oh, de-
lightful we must and will hear it :"
ooh! please, no." said another; Il
should not sleep all highland yet I am
dying of curiosity"
Others seemed inclined to treat the
question rather from q rational or psy-
GEOLOGICAL point of view, and would
have started discussion upon ghosts in
general, each giving his own experience,
but these were back brought by the voice
of the hostess, crying, ''Question! ques-
tom" and the first speakers were warm
ly urged to explain what particular event
had formed the subject of their CONVEX
satian.
at was you, Mr.. Browne, who said
you could not account for it, and you
are such a matter of fact person, that
we feel dOubly anxious to hear what
wonderful occurrence could have made
you so grave and earnest"
''Thank you" said Mr.. Browne. Il
am matter-Of-fact person, [ confess ::
and was speaking of fact though |
must beg to be excused from saying any
more about it. 1t is an old story; but |
never think of it without even a feel
ing of distress and | should not like to
stir up such keen and haunting memo
ries, merely for the sake of gratifying
curiosity. | was relating to Mr. Smith
in few words, an adventure which be
fell me in Italy many years ago; giving
him the naked facts of the case, in ref
utation of theory which he had been
prOpOunding.
"Now, we don't want theories, and
we won't have naked facts, they are
hardly proper, at any time, and espec-
tally at this period of the year; with
snow upon the ground, they would be
most unreasonable but we must have
that story fully and feelingly related to
us; and we promise to give it respect
full hearing, implicit belief, and I'M
bounded sympathy. So draw round the
fire, all of you and let Mr.. Browne be-
gin"
Poor Mr.. Browne turned pale and red
and his lips quivered, his entreaties to
be excused became quite plaintive, but
his good nature, and perhaps, also, the
consciousness that he could really inter
est his hearers, led him to overcome his
Scruples; and after eXacting solemn
promise that there should be no testing
or levity in regard to what he had to
tell, he cleared his throat twice or thrice
and, in hesitating, nervous tone began
"a follows:
at was in the spring of Is. I had
been NJ Rome during the Holy Week,
and had taken place in the diligence
for Naples. There were two routes ::
WV ~ tliN way va itI litlDd, anu iIltt
other by the Via Latina, more inland
The diligence, which mate the journey
only twice week, followed these routes
alternately, so that each road was ira
verSed only once in seven days. | chose
the inland route; AMI after long days
Journey. arrived Mt Ceprana, where we
halted for the night. The next morn
ing VT started again very early; and i.
cao-nglrr Ioyr1i.-I,+
reached the NrapOltan frontier, at a
short distance from the town. There
our passports were examined and to my
great dismay, | was informed that mine
was not en- Tegle 1t was covered, in
deed, with stamps and signatures, not
one of which had been procured without
some cost and trouble; but one 'gisa' vet
was wanting. and that the all-important
one, without which none could enter the
kingdom of Naples. I was obliged,
therefore, to alight, and to send my
wretched passport back to Rome, my
wretched self being doomed to remain
under police surveillance at Ceprano,
until the diligence should bring it back
to me on that day week, at soonest.
| took up my abode at the hotel where
| had passed the previous night, and
there | presently received a visit from
the Capo eli Polizia. who told me very
civilly that must present myself, every
morning and evening, at his 6urea1 }. but
that | might have liberty to circulate in
the neighborhood during the day. l
grew so weary of this dull place, that
after had explored the immediate vi
entity of the town, began to extend my
walks to a greater distance; and as | al
ways reported myself to the police be-
fore night, ! met with no objection on
their part.
Zone day. however, when | had been
as far as Alatri, and was returning on
foot, night overlook me. l had lost my
way, and could not tell how far / might
be from my destination 1 was very
tired, and had heavy knapsack on my