The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-08-22


robe which completely hid his face, he b
came the chief Of . gang Of equally despera1
men, who waged war upon the King and e
priests by intsrcepting the conveys Of tax
and sscking all the converts and churches !
the neighborhood. No tax gatherer or go,
eminent official could appear in this sparsel
settled region without falling into the hand
of the Black Robber Although often closel
pursued, and even twice captured BY the force
sent against him, he always managed to et
| cape, and it soon became an article OF fait
| that he bore charmed life and was in leagu
with the Evil One.
A price was set upon his head, and as b.
had killed many of the Kings soldiers, an
was suspected of having collected immens
treasures, and of hiding them in this old cha
teau, it was occupied by strong body o
cavalry, q part OF whom remained inside
whilst the others kept a strict watch owe
every avenue of escape therefrom. Thi
lasted several months, during which no t1ac,
of the Black Robber, or of his companions
could be found, although every night one
the soldiers on duty was killed by some I'm
known hand
"Once, however one of the sentinels thu
struck happened not to be MORALLY wounded
and he declared that his assailant was the
Black Robber in person, whom he distinctly
recognized.
sThe general panic that resulted from this
compelled the evacuation of the castle by the
troops, and as no one was bold enough to
live within twenty miles of the dreaded build
ing, nothing more was heard of the Chevaller
Maudhui de Valsoigne, who, doubtless,
glided peacefully out Of this life, after enjoy
ing his ill-gotten wealth without further
molestation.
"This, my friends, is the legend. The
treasure has never been found. and the castle,
as YOU well know, has not been inhabited for
many generations, although my father and
grandfather have both refused to part with it,
perhaps under the belief that there Is vslu-
able treasure hidden somewhere, which might
come to light at some future period. l, for
one, do not believe in all these stories, and
have come to the conclusion of repairing this
venerable pile and of making it fit for the &C.
cupation OF its owner. Now let us explore il.
Calling for torches, de Maudhui and his
guests now went over every part of the
crumbling pile, including even the crypts
and dungeons, but without meeting with any
other apparition but that of myriads of bats
and owls. Whatever secret might be hidden
within the castle, no trace of it could be found
by its present visitors, who finally returned
in great glee to their respective homes.
In accordance with the announcement of
Iaudhui, the castle, or at least one of its
wings, was thoroughly repaired and refur-
nished, and on the 18TH OF December, imme.
diately after the benediction of the church
had been pronounced over their union, the
newly married pair entered the carriage
which was to take them to their new home.
Night had come, and q snow-storm was
raging when Maudhui and his bride were
lshered by the old keeper into the apartments
prepared for their reception. There was
weird and even funereal in the
.spect OF the old castle on that tempestu-
'us night, and the wind moaned sadly through
is long, empty balls and corridors. which
hey passed before they entered the red
apestried nuptial chamber. Marie's spirits,
however, seemed to rise in direct contrast
% the surrounding circumstances, and when
Ter husband left her alone in the chamber to
% and give some orders, and warned her not
o be afraid Of the ghost, as he would be back
she only answered with merry
augh.
Maudhui's absence lasted some minutes
onger than he expected, as he took the
rouble TO fasten, himself every door and
window. When he got back to the room, he
ound the lamp burning upon the table, the
ire in the hearth brightly burning and
very article of furniture in its place, but the
DOM was empty-his bride was no longer
here =
Maudhuis first idea was that his bride |
ad concealed herself in some recess Of the |
asst room, for the purpose Of enjoying his |
smporary establishment He looked behind |
1e curtains and furniture, and explored |
very nook and corner, but all in vain. Then |
Q called her, but no voice answered his Be-
cl, o1arpond ho in
me "For heavens sake, dear Marie, show
ourself to me ~ but gust of wind which
.me down the chimney and scattered the
she's about, was the only answer.
Then he thought of searching the house,
ut all the doors had been shut by him. Be-
,ming feverish with fear, he screamed aloud,
Marie Marie" but the echo of his own
,ice was the only sound that came back
trough the empty halls. Frantic with dread,
woke up the old keeper, and for two hours
,pt him tramping through the building.
fter this long and fruitless search, the old
an suggested to him that the only way in
hich the lady could have left the house was
rough the window. in which case her foot
arks would be found upon the snow.
Gathering renewed hope from this idea,
ey surveyed the snow-covered garden, but
It trace of anything could be found.
depend upon it, them" said the old
ldier, MADAME has not left the chateau.
IT us resume our search" The castle was
plored from cellar to garrett, and it was
DAD daylight when they made up their
inds to send for the police, who were
ually unsuccessful This event made
eat sensation, not only in that neigibor-
cd, but even in Paris, from which several
the most expert government detectives !
re semitic Castle Valsoigne Tley arrested J
gang of eipsies who happened to be lurking ,,
the adjoining forest, explored every bush,
icket and ravine, dragged he torrents and :
.eams for many miles, but the mystery still !
NAMED as unfathomatie as ever
might we'll be expected, the evil reputa-
n of the castle was vastly increased by this 9
l event. The Eiack Robber was no longer o
,ked upon as $ ghost, but as devouring
oul or vampire. As to Jacques Maudhui,
fell into profound melancholy, withdrew t
ogether from the world and devoted him L
f to religious and ascetic practices Once =
Dry year, on the anniversary of that fatal 4
h Of d ecember, he came to the Castle of
lsoigne and spent the night in prayer in t
room where he had last seen his unfortu- u
te bride. q
the old keeper had died, and ten years b