The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-10-01

steamer at Erlachen in the morning.
s'Bat, objected the landlord, "there i:
no conveyance.
'.Yes, there is, l replied; "a good, ser
viceable pair of legs. 1 haven't footed it
over three parts of Europe to be frighten,
ed by score of miles over a good road.
''But," he persisted, "this is ST. John
Eve"
Il wish the reverend gentleman joy ol
it. 1t is likely to be a particularly nasty
bit of property, by the looks Of the sky.
Don't jest, he replied, earnestly, 'es-
pecially if you insist upon pursuing your
Journey. The road has bad reputation
More than one traveller, as brave as you
has repented the hour he set foot upon II
to the day of their death.
Il suppose you mean that it is fire.
quented by light-fngered gentry, | an
swered. However, | have nothing to
fear, since have nothing to lose.
1T is said TO be haunted, he said
especially on St. Johns Eve, by the
spectres Of a gang Of marauders who were
hanged upon the scene Of their crimes
more than fifty years ago. You may still
see the rusted chains hanging from the
traes. Their bodies decayed into nothing
long ago. For years these villains bad
infested the road, robbing and numbering
defenceless travellers. The laws in those
DAYS were not strictly executed. So long
as no one of note safercd at their hands,
they were uumolested; but growing bold
With immunity from justice, the scoundrels
committed an enormity which speedily
broueht them literally 70 the cad Of their
rope,
4 noUlcman Of the neighbOrhOod was
about to marry beautiful girl Of a wealthy
and distinguished family. The wedding
was to take place on 81. Johns Eve. IL
vas a stormy night-just as this promises
to be. Preparations had been made at the
counts castle, the guests had assembled,
the tables were spread, aud the bishop was
waiting to unite the noble pair. Nothing
was wanting but the presence Of the bride,
who lived a, some distance, and who was
to arrive in the family coach Bet she
did not come. Hour after hour passed;
the guests grew uneasy. the expeciant
bridegroom distracted At length. IN.
able to bear the suspense any longer, the
count saddled bis horse, and with a party
Of friends set cut 10 search for the absent
girl. They found her within a mile Of the
castle. The postilIion aud her father aud
sister were found with their brains knock
ed cut. aud shewas discovered lying IN the
wet robe, stripped of her wedding jewels,
with a dagger wound 10 her breast, dead.
@What the count fcis, 20 one ever
knew, for he never spoke Of t. Bu. all
night loos be aud his companions secured
the woods, and al daylight she SIX marau.
ders were swinging in ehaiss beside the
spcs where their victims had suffered l.
Is said that on 81. Johas Eve the phAn-
toms Of the robbers zud the wedding party
rehearse those dreadful scenes. Il may be
true. What DO | know Bat ust ior
millions would | travel that road to nisht.
a pretty story, replied, and doubt
less absolutely true. II l encounter aGy
Of the Interesting Personagos connected
With it / shall treat them with doe respect
for youf SAKE,
- saying, shook the worthy nlan :
hand aud left him wagging his head da'
bioasly over my temerify.
The road was good, the air eool and
braciug, aud for the hrsi hour proceeded
at swinging pace. At this point 1he
storm which had been threatening all The
evening burst upon me The rain poured
down ia sheets, drenehing me TO The skin
and converting the rad into a muddy tor
reut, The wind TuaTed through the leaf
les branches Of the trees with = weird,
shouting sound Ear from pleasant 10 hear.
TIE darkness grew 10 intense that
had great difficulty 10 keeping the track
and more than ooee hoaadered into the
wet ditch beside the road kept up ny
spirits, however, aud plOdded steadily on
ward
Near midnight arrived at a p0iui
where the road divided into two branches
which led Of at right angles to each other
paused 10 dismsy, for bad not the least
notion which | ought to take.
While / was debating the question in a
very uncomfortable frame Of mind, heard
the sound of heavy footsteps in the road
behind me, Delighted at the opportunity
Of inquiriug the way out Of my dilemma
| waited al the side Of the road for the
approach Of the travellers,
They came on at quick pace, and as
they neared me | could see that there
were six Of .hem, all men dressed in the
German foresters costume, 4 traditional
attire which the peasantry are fond Of
assuming on occasions Of holiday festiVity
They appeared to be armed; indeed,
was certain that | saw CLEAN Of deer
knife in the belt Of the one nearest me
What struck me at first as somewhat odd
was the perfect silence with which they
walked, They uttered no exclamation
nor exchanged word, but tramPed on like
mutes.
As / had hitherto found Germany /;
perfectly safe region | had no reason tt
doubt the good character Of these men, il
spite of their mysterious movements.
hailed ehem and inquired which road
ought to take in order to reach Erlaehen
To my indignation and astonishment the
paid no attention whatever to my words
/ but marched steadily onward, as if | ha,
not spoken. | repeated my request in
louder tone, with the same result.
/ was now thoroughly angry, and wen
up to the nearest one with the intention
Of shouting in his ear, when perfectl
unaceountable sensation kept me dumb
1t was not fear, nor any explieable feeling
but a species of terrible inward shrinking
as if my heart were contracting.
At this instant / noticed another start
1 ling phenomenon. | was near enough t
see the faces of the men. They gleame
as white as chalk in the obscurity-per
feetly blank and colorless as the faces @
the dead l could see the dark circles c
the eyes, though the pupils we're invisible
The effect was altogether ghastly an
eorpse-like.
| refrained from attemptingto to hold an
further communication with them, an
waited in considerable mental confusio
until their footsteps died away in the di.
tance.
| presently shook off my unpleasar
sensation, and concluding that the me
had probably taken the main road towar
Erlachen, followed after them. | ha