Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-12-11


on until he stopped Of his own accord
Us he had started, and ! perceived that
was Mt the door Of IN inn. / entered.
The company was numerous, mixed
crowd of Spanish merchants aud young
sportsmcn Of the vicinity, overtaken
like myself by the storm.
| After drying ourselves at the fire, COIN.
posed of % dozen vino branches which
had been thrown In the fireplace, sup
per was onnounced, aud we sat down TO
the table. At first the conversation
turned on the frightful weather. One
had boon thrown from his horse another
had been detained al hour In getting
himself and cart out of q pool Of mud.
Finally some one exclaimed:
cts an internal night, just the time
for meeting of Witches"
| This remark, which was very simple,
gave place to u singular observation,
made In tone still more singular:
''sorccrcrs and ghosts prefer for their
meeting beautiful moonlight night,
rather than n night 50 unpleasant as
this" 1850 at- - ~ Is"
We all pazed ut the man who said
this and saw that Il was one Of the
Spanish merchants. Yon have often
seen them, my children, with their ley.
ging aud short breeches open ct the
knee and showing their naked hairy
legs. You know what mingled mir of
pride and misery they have with their
espadrillcs attached to their feet by
narrow bands of leather, their red cloak,
which they wear 80 gracefully, their
brown faccs Drowned with black hair,
and their large gold earrings. He who
had spoken had, more than any you
have seen, that savage bearing which is
characteristic Of them all. None of us
had thought of replying to this obser-
walton, made in grave and severe
voice, when my neighbor, o young man
with frank and open manner, burst
ont laughing us he said;
ut appears thatthis gentleman knows
the habits Of ghosts, and that they have
told him that they do not like to get wet
or dirty aali
He had not finished his sentence when
the Spaniara threw on him u terrible
look, rs he said: HF t4t g.G.
Young man, do not speak 40 lightly
of things you know nothing about
"Do you think you can make me be-
lievo there are ghosts ~ replied my neigh
Dor, disdainflly.
Perhaps" replied the Spanard, 'if
you had the courage to look at them.
The young man jumped up, red with
anger, but Gained himself, and sat down
again quietly, saying:
'You would have paid dearly for that
remark If it were not that of fool.'
"rhat Of n fool,' cried the spaniard,
Jumping mp in his turn. "Well then,'
added he, sapping his fist on the table
and throwing down big leathernpurse
"Here are thirty quadruples (aI,out $2l6)
which offer to lose if within IN hour
do not make you see, you who are so
positive, the face of one of your friends
that you will name, lot him he dead for
ten years, and if, after having recognized
him, you dare to permit his mouth to at
tach a kiss to yours"
The Spanard had an air so terrible in
saying these words that we all started.
My neighbor alone preserved his laugh
ing, knocking Manner and replied:
''You will do this, You"
eyes" replied the spaniard, "and |
will lose thirty qnadruples if | do not,
on condition that you will lose nm equal
amount if keep my promise and you
acknowledge It,"
The young man was silent moment,
then he said gaily:
'Thirty quadruples. My worthy sor-
cerer, that is more than student of
Toulouse ever possessed; but if you will
keep your word for the five quadruples
which are here, ! am your man."
The Spaniard silently took his purse
again, and said scornfully:
"Ah, you back ont, my little gentle
man I"
81 back outw cried the young man.
"Ah, if ! had the thirty quadruples you
would see if backed out"
"Here are FOUR cried |, (which add
to your stake"
| had no sooner made this proposition
than five or six persons, attracted like
myself by the singularity of the chal-
lenge, offered to take part in it, and in
less than no time the Spaniard'samount
was covered. This man seemed 50 sure
of his work that he contided the stake