Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1882-11-08
A Church Mystery,


Of chihuahua, the capital OF tho state o
that name,
l leisurely strolled across the plaz
the day after my arrival, making m.
way around to tho parochial abode, oI
tho piazz, OF which l saw q yenenbl,
priest promenading, breyiAry In hand
Az / approached him, doiiing my hat
he saluled mo In Spanish, OF which, un
fortunately, ! did not at that time speol
word,
"You do not talk United slatcsS"
yentured.
"Nol mol" he saidj whcroupon
presented him with lettor TO Padr'
Ambrosio, lie looked at the super
scription, aud volubly cxclaiming II
Spanish, motioned mo to seat,
In q few moments he returned with
brother priest, who came forward
grasping me by the hand, and address
Ing me IN excellent English.
II was Padre Ambrosio Martinez
Aftor this greeting, he said something
IN Spanish to his companion, who ehool
me warmly by the hand. Then Padr'
Ambrosio asked me to his room, IN in
vitation which l gladly accepted.
glanced at my host, He was consider
ably past tho primo Of life. but yer,
genial and benevolent looking. ] mar
veled at his knowledge OF Eaglish, ant
asked him concerning II,
"OhW he replied with smile, ".
lived several years in New York, and go
pretty thoroughly acquainted with II. l
enables me to read many excellen
books printed in that language, as vel
as to talk with English'speakipg per
sons who visit Chihuahua, One can
know too much, you see."
complimented him upon his indus
trious pursuit OF knowledge, and re
marked, "ln so ancient place as this
there must be many IN entertaining
legend to DO told,'
Instantly q pallor overspread hi!
countenance, and for q moment
thought he was about to faint. HI
quickly recovered himself, however, ant
said, but not without some effort, "Per
haps you would like to hear Q legend
and il your nerves are strong, will re
late 10 you remarkable one."
As l gladly signifed my assent, HI
left the room for refreshments, ant
returned with liberal supply of eat
ables as excellent as ! ever tasted,
After eating together he began:
"When 1 first came here, more thai
thirty years ago, there was portion o
this ediHce which was never used. Th,
building antedates the cathedral, ant
was originally occupied as q residenc,
by IN ancient and wealthy Spanish
family. This portion Of the house wa
said to be haunted, and no one coult
be induced to enter it. Now, die
not believe in ghosts, and I resolved
to penetrate the mystery, had al
old and trusted servant, Placido Del
gado, who had often jested on tht
subject Of supernatural visitations, ant
who gladly promised to bear me oom
pany in my undertaking, But it wa
with the greatest difficulty that I gain
ed my superior's consent to make al
attempt to discover what was wrong
After much persuasion, however, ht
gave me the keys Of the haunted
rooms.
"I fastened to my servant. 'Plaoido,
/ said, you remembe. in Spain how
disappointed we were OF not finding {
ghost in that old castle, which wa'
said to be haunted by headless ap
parition2 Well, here, it is said, w
have portion of house, which II
haunted. J. mean 10 sleep in one o
the rooms tonight. From what I heal
there is no doubt that something will
allow itself to he seen or heard
something, perhaps, exceedingly hor
rible. Do you think, if I take yor
with me, that I may rely on your pres
ence Of mind, whatever may happen ?
20 sir, pray trust me ! answered
Placido, grinning with delight.
"'Very we'll; here are the keys. Gt
now; select for me chamber, and since
the rooms have long been uninhabited
make up q good fire, and see that there
are candles as we'll rs fuel. Take plenty
of blankets with you; also my revolver
and dagger and your own weapon and
if we are not match for dozen ghosts
We SHALL be very sorry pair.'
81 was engaged during the rest OF the
day Oh business go urgent thnt had moi
leisure to think much on the nocturnal
adventure to which I had plighted my
honor. dined alone at late hour, and
while dining read, as is my habit. The
volume / selected was one OF Prescott,
histories. thought to myself | would
take the book with me; there was &C
much OF heal.hf,lnoss in its style, ani
practical life in the subjects treated
that it would serve as an antidoto against
the infin nces OF supe,stitious fancy.
"Accorlingly, about halfpast nine, ]
put the books in my pocket, and went
lcisurely to ti3 haanted rooms. / tooi
with me lavorite dog, an exceedingly
sharp, bold, and vigiIant hull terrier, d
dog fond OF prowling about strange
gho2tiy corners and pa isaSes at night in
search OF rats, a dog OF doga for 9
ghost.
at was sumuar night, but chilly,
aud the sky somewhat gloomy and over
cast. Yet there WAS q moon-faint and
sickly, but a moon; aud if the cloud:
permitted, after midnight it would bt
brighter.
II reached the entrance Of the rooms
knocked, and Placido opened with {
cheerful smile.
"'All right, sir, and very comfortable.
"Oh! said I, rather disappointed
have you not heard or seen anything
remarkable 2
"'Well, I must own I heard some
thing queer
"What? whatr
"The sound Of feet pattering behind
me and once or twice small whisper,
close at my ears, nothing more
"'You are not at all frightenedY
al not q bit Of it, and tho mans