St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1879-02-15
4 MIDNIGHT MYSTERY.

There was wild storm on t g Baltic
The raging pillows lashed the shore,
thunder crashed amid the vivid flashes
OF lightning, and the rain fell at times
ia torrents; but the quiet villagers of
Biornborg were securely sleeping in their
beds, tor it was eleven o'clock at night,
and they were not wont to wander from
their homes after darkness fell upon their
habitations.
They were hardy, simple race OF PEG.
pie, Eaving very little knowledge of the
outside world. The men were mostly
fishermen and the women spinners OF
fax.
/ have said the good villagers were Sc
curely sleeping in their beds, but must
st lsast except the village priest, who sat
in liz solitary room reading a large hook
beside his well>trimmed lamp, and coca
slonalIy pausing and raising his head as
g blast more farce than the rest shook
his little house to the very foundation.
At the period of which we write the
village Of Biornborg numbered scarcely
three hundred souls, and the church
where the priest oficiated stood at the
extreme end of the settlement, ard
within hundred feet of the wave washed
sh0ra.
As the venerable old man closed the
book re fell into deep meditation, His
lamp logan to burn dinlly and the solemn
silence of his chamber was only broken
by the noise Of The rushing sea and the
howlinz OF the gale. The hands of the
clock HAT stood in an angle of the room
hal ju'S met at twelve, and the priest
was in The act of eeeking his couch, when
there came a loud knocking at the door.
"Son of my people are i'll, I fear"
murmnred the good nan as he unbarred
the doe.
49, When rs had done 50, two naked
Nen covered hy long cloaks pushed
t1eir way hastily into the apartment,
one OF them abruptly informing him
that he must Immediately them immedi-
ateIy to the church, as he was required
to celebrate marriage.
Hefe!" exclaimed the man, finging
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 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 Won
obey, | swear that | will shoot you"
The poor priest trembled and turned
pale. :" shall De ready in moment
ne replied, and caught up his hat and
stick.
Come along, exclaimed the men AZ |
they stepped forth. followed by the I'M
willing clergyman.
The rain had ceased falling and > bio
rift in The ciouan occasionally showed =
CLEAN of the moon.
| thought the gale would ahste
about. midnight" remarked one of the
men to his fellow.
a simple s. zamph . was the on,u ~
sponse
we must Ne on before daylight" he
continued, ''but we shall have terrible
sea Tor The boats. Hear how, the sprf
beats Oh the Shore"
!" Hunph ~ came again from b;s eo,,
panfon's lips, and then thew relansed
into silence
As tIssy emf ged from behind one Of
Inc sand bills which surrounded the VIII
iass me priest started with surprise to
oehold his church Illuminated. He
gazed at the men as thew strobe bv his
sue, aha they appeared like the spectres
10 MS heated imagination. Matters
seemed to him like a dream. A few
moments more and they were at the
church portals.
=, otand!" commanded enc of the men.
:, me priest obeyed, and quickly found
bandage placed over his ewes,
Aake my hand" said the man.
IVY !, 1he priest oheyed, and was led
snsaly through the door. A number of
|| lo' az if disputing met his ear, but
q. INN diate0 the sounds ceased
Al became quiet $500
sihg N front Of the altar, the COY. !