Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1881-01-14

ing beautiful moonlight night to night so

and saw that 1t was one of the Spanish mer-
chants You have often seen them, my
children, with their Logging and short
breeches open at the knee and showing their
naked, hairy legs. You know what min
gled air of pride and misery they have with
their capabilities attached to their feet by
narrow bands of leather, their red cloak,
which they wore so gracefully, their brown
faces, Drowned with black hair and their
large gold earrings. He who had spoken
had more than any you have seen, that saw
age bearing which is characteristic of them
all. None of us had thought of replying to
this observation, made in grave and severe
voice, when my neighbor, young,man with
a frank and open manner, burst out laugh
ing as he said
at appears that this gentlemen knows the
habits of ghosts, and they have told him
that they do not like to get wet or dirty"
He had not finished his sentence when
the Spaniard threw on him a terrible look,
as he said
young man, do not speak so lightly of
things you know nothing about"
"Do you think you can make me believe
there are ghosts ?" replied my neighbor, dis
dainfully.
"Perhaps," replied the Spaniard, "if you
had the courage to look at them"
The young man jumped up, red with an
ger, but Gained himself, and sat down again
quietly, saying;
You would have paid dearly for that re-
mark if itwere not that of fool"
That of fool" cried the Spaniard, jump
ing up in his turn. "Wel, them" added he,
slapping his fist on the table and throwing
down II big leathern purse. "Here are thirty
quadruples about $216) which offer to lose
if within an hour do not make you see,
you who are so positive, the face of one of
your friends that you will name, let him be
dead for ten years, and If, after having rec
ognized him, you dare to permit his mouth
TO attach a kiss to yours
The Spaniard had an air SO terrible in
saying these words that we all started My
neighbor alone preserved r.s ...ughing, mock
ing manner, and replied:
"You will do this, your"
YES" replied the Spaniard "and | will
lose thirty quadruples if ! do not do it, on
condition that you will lose an equal amount
if l keep my promise and you acknowl-
edge it,"
The young man was silent moment,
then he said gayly:
Thirty quadruples My worthy sorcerer,
that is more than student Of Toulouse ever
possessed; but if you will keep your word
for the five quadruples which arc here, | am
your man."
The Spaniard silently took his purse again,
and said scornfully
"Ah, you back out, my little gentleman"
81 back out - cried the young man. "Ah,
if had the thirty quadruples you would see
if backed out"
"lIere are four" cried |, (which | add to
your stake
had no sooner made this proposition than
five or six persons, attracted like myself by
the singularty of this challenge, offered to
take part in it, and in less than no time the
Spaniards amount was covered. This man
seemed so sure of his work that he confided
the stake to the young student, and we got
ready for the demonstration.
To that end we selected small pavilion,
perfectly isolated, in the garden, 50 that there
could be no deception. We searched it
infinitely we assured ourselves there was
no other openings than window securely
fastened and door which was closed in
the same manner, at which we all stood after
we had left the young man alone in the
pavilion. We had placed writing materials
on the table and took away all the lights
We were eagerly interested in the issue of
this scene, and were all keeping profound
silence, when the Spaniard, who had re-
manned among us, commenced to sing in
sweet and sad voice song which may be
rendered as follows:
Noiselessly cracking, the coffin has broken
in the halfopened tomb.
And the white phantom's black foot is rest
ing on the grass, cold and green.
After this first verse he raised his voice
solemnly and said
"You have asked 10 see your friend Fran
co.'s Niolot, who was drowned three years
ago in crossing the Pensagnoles Ferry
What do you seeY'
81 SCI" replied the young man, "a pale
light which has risen near the window, but
it has no form and is only an indstnct
mist"
We all stood stupefied.
care you afraid 2" said the Spaniard in "a
strong voice
81 am not afraid" replied the student in q
voice no less confident,
We scarcely breathed. The Spaniard was
silent for a moment, then he stamped on the
ground with his foot three different times,
and began all at once 10 sing again, but in a
higher and more sombre voice:
"And the white phantom, whose face has
been withered by the surge Of the waves,
wipes with his shroud the water from his
garments and hair"
The song finished, the Spaniard turns
again towards the door, and, giving 10 his
voice an accent more and more solemn, he
said:
you, who wished TO pry into the mystic
res Of the tomb, what do you seer"
We listened with anxiety. The student
replied in a calm voice, but like man who
is describing thing as II happens
81 see this yapor which grows larger and
takes the form Of phantom; this phantom
has the head covered with veil It re.
mains in the same place where IL arose"
"Are you afraid ?" asked the spanlard in
an insulting voice.
The proud and brave voice Of the young
man replied, ~ am not afraid"
We dared not look at each other, 80 great
was our surprise, 20 occupied were we in
following the singular movements Of the
Spanlard, who began 10 raise his arms above
his head, while invoking three times a name
horrible 10 pronounce, after which he chanted
Al. AZ ~ l.