The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1878-11-27
A MIDNIGHT MYSTERY.

There was wild storm on the Baltic
The raging pillows lashed the shore,
thunder crashed amid the vivid flashes
of lightning, and the rain fell at times
in torrents but the quiet villagers of
Biornborg we're securely sleeping in
tn sir beds, for it was eleven o'clock at
night, and they were not wont to wander
fr Im their homes after darkness fell
Il ,on their habitations.
They were a hardy, simple race Of
pc Iple, having very little knowledge OF
the outside world. The men were most
ly fishermen aud the women spinners OF
fax. -1.a..'
1 have said the good villagers we're
Sc surely sleeping in their beds, but
m lst at least except the village priest,
who sat in his solitary room reading a
large book beside his we'll lamp,
aud occasionally pausing and raising his
head as a blast more fierce than the
rest shook his little house to the very
TO lndation.
At the period of which we write, the
village of Bioln5org numbered scarcely
three hundred souls, and the church
where the priest Officiated stood at the
extreme end of the settlement, and
wit lin hundred feet of the wave wash
ed shore.
AS the venerable old man closed the
book he fell into a deep meditation.
His lamp began to burn dimly and the
solemn silence of his chamber was only
broken by the noise of the rushing sea
and the bowling of the gale. The hands
of the clock that stood in an angle of
the room had Just met at twelve, and
the priest was in the act OF seeking his
couch, when there came loud knocking
at the door.
"Some of my people are i'll, l fear, 1"
murmured the good man as he unbarred
the door.
When he had done so, two masked
men covered by long cloaks, pushed
their way hastily into the apartment,
one of them abruptly informing him
that he must accompany them immedi-
ately to the church, as he was required
to celebrate a marriage.
Here exclaimed the man, hinging
purse upon the table, "this will COM
pensate you for the trouble we are
about to give you.
AS quickly as the priest could collect
his thoughts he mildly demonstrated,
explaining that he was not permitted to
perform such a solemn rite without
those preparatory formalities which the
law required.
"Cease that nonsense" cried the man,
drawing pistol and putting the muzzle
against the old mans head. "Do our
bidding without murmur, for unless you
obey, 1 swear that will shoot you"
The poor priest trembled and turned
pale. ''I shall be ready in moment, "
he replied, and caught up his hat and
stick.
"Oome along" exclaimed the men as
they stepped forth, followed by the un-
willing clergyman.
The rain had ceased falling and big
rift in the clouds occasionally showed a
CLEAN of the moon.
81 thought the gale would abate
men to his fellow.
A simple humph was the only re-
sponse.
"We must be off before daylight, "
he continued, "but we shall have q
terrible sea for the boats. Hear how
the surf beats on the shore"
Humph I" came again from his
companions lips, and then they relapsed
into silence.
AS they emerged from behind one OF
the sand hills which surrounded the
village, the priest started with surprise
to behold his church Illuminated. He
gazed at the men as they strobe by his
side, and they appeared like specters tc
his heated imagination. Matters seemed
TO him like dream. A few moments
more and they we're at the church por
tails.
"Stand 4" commanded one of tn,