Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1881-01-14
3 gleasant sturg.
THE SAINT GABELLE INN.

You would have been very fortunate, my
children, if you had known my Uncle Bayle,
because he alone knew more stories than
you have ever read My uncle did not live
in our little city of Mirepeix; he did not
lodge in our large house with red window
shutters, which was the family residence.
He was an advocate, and lived at Folk, and
almost every Saturday we would see him
coming on his horse, and our joyous cries
hailed him at distance. The servant, my
old Jeanette, came Immediately to salute
our Uncle Bayle, who carefully informed
himself as to the supper. Then, after hav-
ing added or changed something in the bill
of fare, he seated himself in large chair of
carved wood, which he dragged up to the
fire, and without delay we all began to cry,
"a story a story On this evening the
cry was less boisterous, because we had
formed little conspiracy, and no one dared
to speak first Finally, my pretty cousin
Dorothee, the most laxative little girl of the
house, and now the grave Superior ola con
vent of the Sisters Of Charity, ventured to
cry "a ghost story and we replied alto
gether "Yes, ghost storyp
My uncle lrowned and looked towards
Jeanette, who was very much confused and
wished to appear absorbed in peppering her
chicken pot-pie, and she really peppered it
so well that we were not able to eat it, 1t
was she in fact, who had read us repeatedly
the story of the Spectre Leg and the Open
Eye, and who had urged us TO make this de-
mand.
"Those are only fools or rogues who be-
lieye, or pretend to believe, in ghosts" said
my uncle in severe tone We all waited
in silence, so much authority was there in
his words, but moment OF reflection seemed
TO calm him. We saw him smile, as if to
himself, and he added, in tone full of
sweetness: "You want ghost story, my
children? All right; | will relate one to
you which happened to me, so that it can
not be doubted"
We gathered around him, closer than usual ;
the lamp hung by chain attached TO the
mantlepiece, and there our uncle told his
story:
One autumn evening, it must have been
forty years ago, because was scarcely
twenty years old at the time, was return
ing from Toulouse. / had made good
journey, because | had already passed Au-
TOR o., L. haI o..
pass the night, but | was very anxious to
reach Swerdun, which you know, is nine
miles farther, and | resumed my journey.
| had arrived almost in front ofthe B0bonne
monastery, beyond the beautiful woods of
Lecourien, where Father Vanul Whose
Latin works you will have 10 translate
some day. composed his "Prcadium 2esti.
cum" when sudden and frightful storm,
like those that come down from our noun
tains, unexpectedly broke forth, In less
than no time the night became black and
travelling impossible. would certainly
have asked shelter at the monastry, but the
moment | took that resolution my horse
frightened at the flashes of tightening and
noise of thunder, darted into little by-path
and carried me with him in spite Of all my
efforts TO the contrary. Notwithstanding
his rapidity soon recognized that he had
taken the road 10 ST. Gabelle, and that he
was leading me there all right. Some day
this summer we will visit st. Gabele where
the church is built on the top of hill, com.
handing a view Of the entire city, the foot Of
which is higher than the roofs Of the highest
houses. will take you 10 see the choir
balcony, bultentirely of oak, with beautiful
carving and we willnsk NJ. Lanigue 10 play
for us on the organ, which Is perhaps the
best in all France. In the meantime my
horse galloped on until he stopped of his
own accord us he had started, and ! per
ceived that was at the door Of an inn.
entered. The company was numerous,
mixed crowd Of Spanish merchants and
young sportsmcn Of the vicinity, oyertalSen
like myselfby the storm. After drying our
selves at the fire, composed Of a dozen vine
branches which had boon thrown ia the
fireplace, supper was announced, and we
all set down 10 the table. AT first the con
versation turned on the lrightful weather.
One had been thrown from his horse; an
other had been detained an hour in getting
himself and cart out Of pool Of mud. FL
nally some one exclaimed: ats an infer
nal night, just the time for meeting Of
witches" This remark, which was very
simple, gave place 10 a singular observation,
made In tone still moro singular;
"Sorcerors and ghosts prefer for theirmeot