Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1878-03-13
Madame Rhodelie's Ghost story.

"My servant man, Pierrot," said the
old lady. twas hired 10 me with little
villa that | occupied during year that
| spent in Italy. It was mOuldy old
place enough, and he was a quaint old
man. who looked as battered and wealth
er-stained as the statues that hid among
but liked the seclusion of the spot,
and liked Pierrot, too. He was an
Italian, but his mother was Swiss, and
he was more faithful than Italian SER
wants are generally. He had pecUli-
arly charming way of waiting, and saw
TO the comfort of all the guests, at any
of the tiny parties gave, in the most
wonderful manner. Above all, he had
a soft step and never slammed the door.
| considered him n treasure.
''If had time could tell you thou
sand stories about Pierrot; but what
you want is to hear about my ghost, so
we will come at once to the day when l
had invited twelve friends to spend the
evening at the villa, and when PierrOt
came to me in the morning and asked
permission to go to Naples to receive a
sum Of money, which one, who had bor-
rowed of him, was to pay him that day.
Madame he said, only for few
hours;' but | listened to the request
with horror.
".Pierrot,' ] said, Il cannot bear to
refuse you, but what should do were
you to be detained; it is long way to
Naples, and you know of my party to-
night
81 shall never forget, Madame he
replied. II shall return in time pre-
pare the salad and have all as it should
be-
"'Oh, hope so, Pierrot,' said.
"'On my honor, Madame, said Pier
rot. 'on my faith, whatever happens
will be here in time
$50 let him go. 1 knew he would
return if it were possible. My only
doubt was the possibility.
''The day passed on. l took my mid
day lunch and siesta, and even when
had had my dinner felt no anxiety about
Pierrot's return. But as il grew dusk,
and still the figure of the old man did
not enter at the gate, my heart sank
within me.
Twenty times, at least, did I send to
the kitchen TO inquire. Twenty times
l received the reply, Not yet, Madame
At last, the truth became manifest. My
guests were arriving, and Pierrot was
not there. My party would be a fail
ure, with the only being who could
make salad, or properly attend to the
rooms, absent from the house. / gave
directions As best | could to my other
servants. and turned my attention to
the duties OF the hostess. However, l
was in despair; so fancy my joy, when,
having postponed the act to the last
moment, l rang the bell for refresh
ments, to see the door open and PierrOt
enter as usual, dressed in his old livery
and bearing his great tray. He looked
tired and pale. Evidently he had made
SAt1L tiOilS W Ot lAllC. bA1
never did he wait more elegantly. His
light feet made no sound upon the car
pet, and he scarcely seemed to need
words TO understand ones wishes.
was delighted. | smiled upon Pierrot.
but he was too well bred TO smile back
again.
I'VE had great deal of music that
night and were quite late. As midnight
approached | called for more wine.
Pierrot entered almost before 1 had
summoned him. He was paler still,
and moved more slowly-certainly he
was i'll; but he gave every guest his
glass with his old time grace and then
stood quietly behind me awaiting fur
ther orders. But quiet as he was every
eye was turned upon him, even the mu-
sieian of the moment looked at him as
he tuned his guitar. And suddenly,
my little cuckoo clock began TO strike
the hour of twelve. As its notes sound
ed, Pierrot shot from behind nv chair
and went with noiseless steps toward
the door. As the twelfth stroke died
away he was gone and the door had not
opened.
"'He passed through it, cried one.
'''He sank into the flOor,' cried an
other.
"'Bah, we have all taken too much
wine said third.
Gas for me, l sat trembling in my
chair as the sound of 4 horses feet was
heard without, and rider, who had
galloped furiOusly up to the villa, dis
mounted and struck some heavy blows
with his whip upon the door.
81 fastened forward. There stood
one of the armed Italian police.
"'Madame Rhodelle:' he said.
II bow ell.
81 bring bad news, said he. Il shall,
/ fear, greatly agitate you, Madame.
You had sevant, one Pierrot?'
Il hare one, said, thinking of Pier
rot's strange departure from our pres
ence.
" Pardon, said the the man, You
A"A OiS I'M, Ahci hiH lAc Is HON uO
more. To-day, in Naples, he collected
sum of money, rather large for man
OF his position TO possess. lie left the
city and went upon his homeward way.
He did not go far; a rascal followed
him; one who knew of the money At
dusk he crept up behind him, stabbed
him in the back, ami took his purse
"'Poor Pierrot,' l cried, Il know
now why he was so pale. He must be
suffering
"'No, Madame said the man. sHe
suffers no more. Since the hour of sun
set he has been lying dead in the hospi-
tai. Before he died he cried out sud-
denly: '.Tell Madame / shall keep my
promise Perhaps Madame under
standss'
Il did. At least, / have always
Il