The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-25


She had heard the story, with dates and
names OF persons. These she had forgot
ten. and had never been able TO supply
them.
She declared, however, that she was
positively assured that all the details had
been verified by the French publicauthor-
tiles where the events related had oc-
Cured, and that the records still existed
somewhere, IL the place could only be
found.
During the first French revolution two
Frcnchmen Of high birth, Count A. and
viscount b., were dispatched by the Roy
alist party on mission 10 England.
During their journey on horseback to a
northern port OF France, where vessel
awaited them, they were on one occasion
benighted in the middle OF wide heath.
Riding slowly forward, they perceived
light from what turned out 10 be large
and solitary chateau. After some knock
ing, steps were heard slowly coming In the
yard within and at last the door was eau.
tiously unlocked A porter, or caretakcr,
pcerod through the narrow opening and
asked the reason OF the knocking.
eve have lost our way and are tired
and hungry. We require shelter and food
Tor ourselves and our horses"
"lmpossiblel' was the churlish reply,
and the door was about 10 be closed when
pne OF the travellers intercepted IL with his
loot, and producing pistol said:
"We are quite ready 10 pay for ourlodg-
Ing and supper, but we cannot 90 further
tonight"
The caretaker paused for q moment as
though rejecting and nj last lac said:
81 viii give you shelter for the night,
and food for yourselves and your beasts on
one condition, viz; that you give me your
word OF honor a. gentlemen, which ] am
sure you are that nothing will induce you
~ leave the room give you, and that TO-
morrow NJ daybrcak YOU 90 ON your Jour.
ncy without asking any questions"
The promise was given, the door was
opened, and the horses taken 10 the sta.
bles which were within the court. The
porter then led the two travellers up a
splendid staircase and through a long cor
ridor hung with tapestry. at length turn.
ing into large empty room furnished rs a
drswing-room, and evidently belonging 10
Me dwelling Of wealthy noble.
Near the door was large fireplace, In
which fire soon blazcd. Candles were
lighted, and the travellers saw two large
and luxurious beds, with rich hanging.
one nearer 10 the entrance than the other.
A table was placed near the fine. and be-
lorelong a substantial supper was brought,
the utensils supplied or the meal, and All
The belongings Of the house showing CON.
yidemble luxury.
After eating their supper the two trav.
rler went "a r.st The elder took the
bed nearest the door, leaving the other, At
some feet Oh, 90 his companion. loes
bad been placed ON the Gre sufficient Tor
he night, the door Was locked. anu the
gayiarcr gladly bciook themselves 10
slecp.
About an honr after going 10 sleep the
,lder suddenly woke starring in his bed.
lie could not account for ihi- sudien
aaking. The room was strongly lighted
~ .hc fir. iterc was no nOisc, and Count !
A. was about 20 Law himself once again on |
me pillow, when a remarkable sight met /
aim A man Of striking appearance. with |
. gray beard, but dn.sscd in q blouse.
Ealkci slowly toward the bed. When be
bad approached within a few feet he
pcckoned three times 10 the count a.
though wanting him TO follow.
The count gazc,l at him without moving.
when the hgun, bowling courieously.
turned round and walked slowly away.
stopping from time 90 time and looking
back, repeating bis reckoning gesture with
an imploring gaze till he reached the door.
when he disappeared. Naturally startled
Al this unusual Appearance, Count A. rose
nom his bed and walked 10 the door 10 see |
Il Il had been iampcrcd with. but Il was |
still locked. Very weary, he turned In his |
bed once more and icll asleep. About an
hcuT later he again started In the same
sudden manner Again he saw the same
figure, this time nearer the bed. Again |
did u bcckon him 10 follow, and, moving |
Toward the door, turned with great eager. |
mess, and still oiioner than before, 10 ~.
peat the same motion with his hand. The
hand was that Of gentleman, small and
white, and with a ring on one Of the lin.
ger.
Frightened at this extraordinary appar.
lion, Count A. this time woke his oompan.
lon and narrated What had passed. 'Non.
sonse replied the latter "you ate too
much supper and hayc been awakenclby
nightmare. ! am really too tired TO talk
ibout II.
The nervous carncsncS with which the
,ldcr traveller repeated the story, however
impressed the younger, until he proposed
hat the curinins Of the counts bed should
y tied 10 the bodclothcs Of his, ~ that In
he case Of third visit lac could b. awak.
med without noise. Aiicrsccurcly fasicn.
ng the curtains Of one bed 20 the cover.
ngs Of the other, each returned to his own
ouch.
A third time the count was awakened IN
he same startling manner. The figure
Hood Gloss 10 his bed, and the face OF the
risitor looked down ON that Of tho awak.
med sleeper. The features Of the appari.
Jon wcrc plainlymarkcd. They exhibited
frcat pain and sadness. The connt
paspcd the hangingsl The apparitlon
acid up his hand. The count icrkcd nj
ais curtains; but they fell back without
resistance, for the knot had become united.
Once again the hgnw rctrcaied sorrowfully.
nrncd but seldom 10 bcckon, ~ though
he attempt had been given up In despair.
~ waA now near daybrak. The count
woke his companion, and they sat M 10.
tcthcr until morning. "
shortly after dawn the carctaker NJ.
soniing 10 previous agreement. Knocked m
hc door, which the count unlocked with.
put difficulty, and the morning meal WINS
brought In. The carctakcr looked curl.
ensly at the two visitors, a. though In.
,lined 10 ask questions. 1Ie, however. ala
not carry out this intention.
The travellers, mindful OF their promise
made no remark. The horses well er,omod
and refreshed, were ready for their ionf.
hey, and the two companions left the
chateau, the carciakcr refusing 90 accept
my payment or graiulty. The two men
rode away, reached their port OF EMBARK.
hon, and arrived safely In England.
Not many year, later the older M th,