The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-08-22
A MODERN GHOST STORY.
BY ERNEST BILLAUDEL.

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On fine November morning in 1920, ga
party issued from one of those historical dwell
inos which surround the Cathedral of Amienf
and crowded themselves as they best could i
ahree or four hacks hired for the occasion
There were young men and young girls
blooming matrons and their portly and staid
looking husbands, all bent on the same 81
rand, and apparently in the best disposition
10 enjoy themselves.
The object Of this gathering was visit t
ahe Castle of Valsoigne, nine miles distant
castle about which many ugly stories wer'
current and in which, at any rate, no ont
had lived for many years past II belonged
TO Jacques Maudhui de Valsoigne, whose we'd
ding with Marie Vauthier, one of the wealth
lest heiresses of Amiens, was about to take
place.
Although the wooing Of Jacques had been
undistinguished by any romantic incidents, 1t
vas nevertheless love-match on both sides,
and as the wedding was to take place early in
December, this visit to the castle of Marie s
afianced lover had brought together their
nearest relatives and friends who were all
anxious to explore the mysterious chateau
about whose legends they had heard SO much.
Right merrily they all departed. The sky
was cloudless, save distant fringe Of mist
that fingered along the banks of the Somme
rs it went on its way to the ocean. Leaving
10 the right the villages that dot the river,
they entered upon a somewhat rugged and
PERCEPTIONS road in rocky and Withholding
mountain gorge, where the sombre foliage of
alpine trees and ferns took the place of
the variegated vegetation of the smiling and
Aowery valley they had just left After many
windings Of the road, the old, dilapidated,
noss- grown mansion built in the days of
Louis XIII appeared to them, its two wings
sheltered by ancient walnut trees and looking
rs if they were only preserved from tum-
bling into pieces by the great black rock
against which they stood. All its doors and
windows were closed.
The only thing that moved as it was swung
BY the west wind was the rusty iron weather
cock that stood on the baronial tower. Even
3he grass that crept up to the porch and in
vaded the crevices of the stone had muddy,
yellow color, and the tall iron poles over the
moss-grown well, from which the pulleys had
long since fallen, looked like the arms OF
skeleton whose body was buried under para
sitical plants. The garden and the paved
yard were deserted and the garden door stood
wide open by the small house of the keeper,
whence issued thin column of smoke, indi-
eating that there was at least one human be-
ing living about the gaunt and deserted build |
ing.
A deep, uncomfortable feeling of awe sud- |
denly took possession of the gay throng, and |
their bOisterous mirh at once came to q |
stop.
Anything but pleasant house to live in" |
Said one Of the young ladies.
:" no longer wonder at what they have |
said about it, whispered another.
"Maudhui is thousand times right not to |
pitch his tent in such place, remarked one |
- He would not dare to do So" replied
Uome one.
"Why SOP"
"Don't you know the story? In that case
ought not to tell it, as it might give offense
10 our host"
"Are you not joking? Is there any stain
N the family name?" inquired the aunt of
he future lady of the castle.
81 don't mean that. was only abiding
10 an ugly legend relating to one of Maud
hui's ancestors, the very one who built this
castle. The Maudhuis, as you know, are a
very ancient family, and, of course, all the
members were not saints. Whatever may be
he truth about the one speak of, certain it
8 that since 1850 the castle has not been
and that even our friend jacques,
Who is no be lever in apparitions, would
carcely venture, l think, to adopt it as his
utuYe home"
"But what sort of legend was t?"
"Let Jacques tell you if he likes"
"But can't you give US an idea of what it !
vY'
"Well," said the first speaker, sinking his '
'oice to whisper, "the legend is that this
daudhui of 1850 was highwayman and I
murderer and that this was his favorite
etreat-but not word more-Jacques Maud t
lui might overhear what we are saying"
Just at that moment the carriage had
topped before the main entrance, fronting s
ark and far-spreading forest of frs and |
arches, which gave still more dleary and G
voebegone appearancet to the deserted castle. /
An old soldier, who had charge of the +
uilding. at once came to meet his employer, e
tho asked him if his orders had been carried E
ut.
"Yes, Mr.. Maudhui; the breakfast is ready Q
, the dining hall; but if your father was '
ere, / feel certain he would not follow you a
ito it. i
A cloud passed over de Maudhuis face, but t
fter pause he said: my father was a be- S
ever in some old stories. Of which l heard r
hen l was a child. They speak of phan-
You ever seen any about here? t
i. Never, MIR. Maudhui; but they say 81
10 evil genius of your family" Il
eyes, they say that one Of my ancestors g
as no better than bandit, and shall tell
on all know about him after breakfast; but a
the meanwhile, my dear Marie, as you are to 81
. henceforth the good angel of my house. let e
all go together and visit this haunted castle i
hence your sweet presence cannot fail to Y
rive all evil disposed ghosts" Il
Taking the lead, Maudhui and his guests n
once assembled the main staircase, and en-
red the baronial hall, from which several al
ght birds flew out with great noise. The Of
,ors of the banqueting room were then b
,ened, and the sight of bountifully-laden N
BILE, covered with the choicest viands and u,