Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1882-07-20
HESPANISH SORCEROR

| l NE DF FANlOH OONOERUR.
From the French of Frederic Louie.
-1"They are only fools or rogues who
believe, or pretend to believe, in ghosts, y
said nay uncle, in severe tone. We all
waited in silence, so much authority was
there in his words; but a moment of re-
Election seemed to calm him. We saw
him smile, as if to himself, and he add
ed in a tone full of sweetness: "You
want ghost story, my childrenl Very
we'll, will relate one to you which
happened to me, so that 1t cannot be
doubted"
We gathered around him closer than
usual; the lamp hung by chain attach
ed to the mantelpiece, and there our un-
Gle told his story.
One autumn evening-it must have
been forty years ago, because 1 was
scarcely 20 years old at the time-I was
returning from Toulouse. 1 had made
a good journey, because 1 had already
passed Anterive, where some friends
had urged me to pass the night, but 1
was very anxious to reach Swerdun
which, you know, is nine miles further.
and resumed my journey. 1 had ar
rived almost in front of the Bolbonue
monastery, beyond the beautiful woods
Of 7 aoouriop mbop q. onddap ord Rr;cbf
full storm, like those that come down
from the mountains, unexpectedly broke
forth. In less than no time the night
became black and travelling impossible.
1 would certainly have asked shelter at
the monastery, but the moment 1 took
that resolution my horse, frightened at
the flashes of lightning and noise of
thunder, darted into little by-path and
carried me with him, in spite of all my
efforts to the contrary. Notwithstand-
ing his rapidity. soon recognized that
he had taken the road to Saint Gabriel
and that he was leading me there all
right; and he ga,loped on until he stop
ped of his own accord, as he had started,
and l perceived that was at the door
of an inD.. entered. The guests were
numerous-a mixed crowd of Spanish
merchants and young sportsmen of the
vicinity, overtaken, like myself, by the
storm. After drying ourselves at the
fire-compOsed OF dozen vine-branch-
es which had been thrown into the fire.
place-supper was announced, and We
all sat down to a table. At first the
conversation turned on the friehtful
weather. One had been thrown from
his horse; another had been detained an
hour getting himself and cart out of
pool of mud. Finally some one ex-
claimed: at is an internal night, just
the time for a meeting of witches"
This remark, which was very simple,
gave place to singular observation
made in tone still more singular.
"Sorcerers and ghosts prefer for their
meeting beautiful moonlight night to
a night 80 unpleasant as this"
We all gazed at the man who said this,
and saw that it was one of the Spanish
merchants. You have often seen them,
my children. with their leggings and
short breeches, open at the knee and
showing their naked, hairy legs. You
know what mingled air of pride and
misery they have, with their red cloaks,
which they wear 30 gracefully, their
brown faces, framed with black hair,
and their large gold ear rings. He
who had spoken had more than any
you have seen, that savage beaing which
is characteristic Of them all. None of
us had thought of replying to this obser-
walton, made in a grave and severe
voice, when my neighbor, a young man
with frank and open manner, burst
out laughing as he said:
at appears that the gentleman knows
the habits of ghosts, and that they have
told him that they do not like to get wet
or dirty"
He had not finished the 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 that you can make me
believe there are ghosts?" replied my
neighbor, disdainfully.
Perhaps" replied the Spaniard, "if
you had the courage to look at them"
The young man jumped up. red with
anger, but calmed himself aud sat down
again quietly, saying:
"You would have paid dearly for that
remark If il were not that OF fool"
"That of foolp cried the Spaniaird,
jumping up in his turn. "Well, then"
added he, slapping his fist on the table,
and throwing down abig leathern purse,
here are thirty quadruples [about two
hundred and sixteen dollars 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 recognized him, you
dare to permit his mouth to touch yours"
The Spaniard had an air so terrible in
saying these words that we all started.
My neighbor alone preserved his laugh
ing, mocking manner. and replied:
"You will do this, will you?
EYES," replied the Spaniard, "and l
will lose thirty quadruples if l do net
do 1t on condition that you will lose an
equal amount if keep my promise and