The Penn's Grove record., 1883-12-15
TIE CASTLE.

Al C4A $500
troops were Oh their homeward march,
the little town of D., on the Rhine,
was 30 over-crowded with soldiers that
not a stable or even a shed was to be had
to shelter the horses of the constantly
incoming regiments.
Late in the afternoon of the 18th OF
August of the year mentioned, a COM
pany of dragons reached the town,
The weather was very fine, and not be-
ing able to procure better accommoda-
ton for his men, the commander, Herr
Won S., gave orders to pitch the tents
and corral the horses In an open space
neal the town for the night. The rays
of the fast sinking sun shone brightly
in Che windows OF the castle that stood
on a nelghboring hill, causing htful
CLEANS of light u dart between the
trees that almost hid the ancient build
ing. The commander did not see the
castle until after the camp had been
pitched then, turning to a Outstanding
burgher as he caught sight of the CLINT
ing rays. he asked $40 whom belongs
that old castle, and who occupies it p
"Oh, it has stood empty far longer
than I can remember, was the answer
"What l" angrlly cried the dragon.
"Can you people deny us a single nights
lodging, and that monstrous building
without a tenant ?"
"Oh, no, Sir Com mander, but no one
dares now to go into it. Many foolishi
and adventurous travellers have in the
past gone into the castle to remain
v e night, but not n of them v
returned from it. What became o
them is a mystery no one can solve. fol
though numerous searches have been
made not a single trace of the missing
n g has ever been found-not even the
usual dead body. 1t is a mystery that
never will be solved"
"Fool1snness | f%oolishness p was the
the commanders gruff answer, as he
tapped his foot angrjly on the ground.
"We,l see if cannot drive out the
spirit that haunts the place !; or, at
least, III see whether or not it Is a
pirit."
For heavens sake p cried the sup
erstitious purgher, edo not joke, Sir
Commander /; the subject is a serious
one, as we have cause to know. We
must keep you from rash purposes.
The many awful examples of foolhardi-
ness we have had makes this our duty.
We never allow anyone to enter the
castle to salty a foolish curiosity, since
it is as much as his life is worth to do
so.D
At this answer the officer turned
away, fearing to say more lest the citi-
zens would attempt to oppose the plan
he had decided upon. Designating
the burgher entirely, he proceeded to
call his company together, and when
he had mustered them he addressed
them as follows:
"DEAR FRIENDS: You all see yon-
der friendly castle. / have been refus-
ed a nights lodging, within the doubt
less beautiful rooms for the foolish
reason that wicked spirits inhabit them,
who, when the opportunity is offered,
move travellers out of this world into
the next. In spite of their distasteful
p~roclivities I intend making my home
with them tonight. If l do not appear
at yonder open window at Z O'Clock
tomorrow morning, will you, who have
followed me through many a bloody
battle, swear not to leave M stone of
that castle upon another until you find
alive or dead, the body of your leader ?
If l cannot, / hope you will clear up
the mystery that surrounds that old
place.
When he had finished, the cheer that
followed, and the 1--WE swear 7 from
a hundred Threats, assured him that
his trust was not misplaced.
"Good. l thank you, brave COM
rades," concluded Herr~on s, Then,
bidding his soldiers good night, he
went to the hotel for his supper ; and.
being very tired, as Dol as the meal
was over he called his servant, told him
to bring su articles as would be re-
quired, and went to the castle. He
found the room with the open window
overlooking the town, chose it for his
bedroom, and, dismissing the servant,
made arrangements tor retiring Tor the
night. He laid his weapons, two load
ed pistols and an unsheathed sword, on
a table within easy reach, ON which he
placed two lighted candles that gave the
room an air of comfort. Then, closing
the door and trimming the candles, he
lay down to enjoy a long-w1shed-for
sleep.
1t may have been midnight or there
abouts when a clanking, ~chattering
noise awoke him from his slight slumber.
Starting up and looking toward the now
open door he beheld a tall, powerful
man, whose dress proclaimed him a
''rammer," with masked face, and
loaded down with rafting chains, stalk
into the Hastily cooking the
pistol he had seized, the fearless CON-
mander cried :
Shalt, or I shoot"
The hammer stopped instantly.
"Hah !" exclaimed tho soldier, "you