The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1876-11-11
The Fatal Wager.

"a cold dieary night, Herr Stu
dents, " said the host of the Double Ea-
Gle, as he threw double faggot of
wood upon the fire, around which
were seated a knot of studpHts silently
smoking their meprschaums, while upon
table near at hand stool a number of
empty bottles and drinking cups, hear
ing evidence OF the recent good cheer.
The night was far advanced it was st.
Mark Pve--and they had been DISGUISE
inI the numerous superStitiOns current
among the peaSautry respecting this hal
lowed time. There was a pause in the
conversation, and each sat seemingly alb
sOrbpd in his own thoughts, which, to
Judge from the grave aspect Of their
cUuntenances, were serious enough So
deeply were they buried in meditation,
that none needed the observation of the
landlord. II was toward the close Of
Autum, and the wind whistled shrily
as it swept past the crazy o'd inn, Civ
ing token of the approach of stern. Wis.,
aged winter.
"Well, Herman" said one OF the
students, laying aside his pipe, and NOV
ing from the fire, which now bazed
brightly--'sinc you have laughed at
all the legends and superstitons which
have been related to night and profess
not to believe in the existence of spirits,
good or bad, yet there is one concerD-
ing which ! would ask your opinion. 1t
is stated that on the eve of st. Marks
one may see the shades of those who
are to die within short time pass into
the church, by watching there at the
hour Of midnight.
"Mere stories to amuse children" " re.
piled Herman
"fet did not Burgomeister Wagram
declare that he saw, on the eve of st
Mark 3. as he was returning h1mp late
at night from GrOsheim, ShadOwy
figure, the exact part of himself, glide
into the porch as he passed it-and did
he not die few months aftprward?"
VERY true, Herr Rosamhert: but
you must recOlect thai old Wagram was
not esteemed the most temperate in
| EngIebach. And it is well known that,
Oh tho occasion alluded to, he was re.
turning from merry making, and it is
quite just to presume that his percpp-
tive faculties could not have been in a
very peefect state. 1t is probable that
he saw his own shadow, reflected by
by the moon, which | remember shOne
brightly that night; and his diSOrdpred
intellect and superstitiOus folly he'd h,m
70 Imagine II spirit AS to his death,
WnIcl occurred so shortly after it Is my
hfuh prIipt that u mad no more cOnnec-
I'"h WIN 81. Malk's eve, than-than"
L 4
puIz'ed ,"r a sIinlle than fire has
WIN "SIer'
Gran ing all you have said, still |
th'hk IL somewhat strange. Though |
90 nor profess to he superStitious, yet
,heIr Is something beautiful IN the be =
hrf mat there are spITits-thnse of our
'tirhdS and kindred who watch over
us III our sleeping hours, and hover
around nur'hg the busy scenes OF day,
euSid'bg Us from eVll-whO when the
sahd OF NE mas nearly run, assume a
visible shape aud beckon US from this
weary world TO realms OF happiness and
o''sS.
'Ai very fine, no doubt, said Her
man, smiling. II dare, say, RoSam-
orit' tnOngA you 90 not profess to be
! supeTstltIous yet are you not fearful,
as you pass the Old church to- night on
your way nome, OF seeing your shade
hoverng about the church?"
"It is well that your way lies not
! i1iGaeG," said ROsambprt, rather net
tied, "for with all your smiling, doubt
whether you dare trust yourself in its
vicinity at the hour of midnight. In,
deed, | will wager dozen of mine
hosts choicest Burgundy that you dare
not"
"Done, Rosambert, doneh Gentle,
rnen," said Herman, addressing his
brother students, "hear you this wager.
Fgad, vel! make a night of it! Now,
RoSambert, will do more on the faith
of thy Burgundy-I will enter the old
rJiser's vault, concerning which there
are so many mysterious tales; and should
meet with spirit, "I'l speak to il
though it blast me-" The tomb is in a
dilapidated state, and the entrance is
easv. The wager shall De decided this
yrry night"
"ExcelIentl exceIlent!" exclaimed
Rosamberi; land that we may know
YOU have been there, take this poniard
and stick it into the coffin"
Placing the dagger into his bosom he
| IL, e,;..l 4