Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-08-22


 ants of the ouarter-E Enticing Its Vic tims With sIusic-Dcath of the Gigantic Spider.
 For many years it is undeniably stat ed that in the fourteenth arrondisse- ment of Paris-called the tomb of Issoir "a number of persons living in that quarter had mysteriously and periodic ally disappeared. The most careful re- searches, the most minute inquiries, tho most skillful agents of the police had failed to discover the least trace of them. Every year successively some inhab- itants of this quarter would suddenly disappear, leaving their friends over whelmed with grief and anxiety. It is also stated that these strange, incxph- cable facts always occurred in the early spring-from the goth to the last of March-and without regard to age or sex.
 First q notary disappeared. It was thought he had used his clients funds and fled to parts unknown. Then an old woman, returning late ono night from market, was the next victim. then n h. borer going home from work. Tho last ' makor out late delivering her goods. From that time she had as completely disappeared as if the earth had opened and swallowed her up. Strange to say. no children had been among the vic tims
 This peculiar fact was accounted for in this way. These mysterious disap- pearances always occurred latc at night. when the children werC at home asleep.
 As the time was drawing near for ono of these periodical mysteries the chief of police became very anxious and in stitutcd q strict surveillance, cnnfidinG the matter to n number of the most skill full of his assistants. hoping tho com binCd efforts of SO many jealous agents would surely be crowned with success. You will now see tho result. One night-this fact can be verified by applying to the office of the prefec- ture-a policeman about 2 o'clock in the morning heard a distant musical song. | which seemed tn come from the bowels of the earth. He listened and fancicd the sounds came from an opening in the center of the street. at the foot of an enormous rock called the tomb of r. soir. or tho Giants cave.
 It may bc interesting to state that this rock derived its name from legend that great giant had been buried there | many years before the Christian era. and this rock had been placed there tC | mark the tomb.
 Surprised at this strange discovery for the opening had never been noticed bcfore-thc policeman waited, listening to this peculiar song, when he suddenly saw young man approaching. Ht knew from his costume that he was ; countryman lately arrived in tho city, This young man also seemed to heal the subterrancan sounds, first walking slowly with n peculiar wavcring step as if in cadence with this musical chant then faster and faster as he drew neal tho fatal rock, until he ran with sucl velocity that i'll spite of the warning cries of tho policeman he was swallow ed up in this mysterious opening With out taking a moment to consider thu policeman rccklcssly followed, first fir ing his revolver and giving ono or two vigorous blasts on his whistle.
 At this signal several of his comradC: quickly arrived. The musical chanting had ceased. but they could hear in tn, dark, cavornnus depths tho muflloC sounds of desperate struggle.
 By the aid of ropes and ladders they succeeded in entering this mysterious chasm Tho light of their lamps reveal ed n sickoning sight.
 The countryman was lying on hi back writhing i'll the grasp of an un known monster, whose horrible aspCC froEe the agents of police with terror.
 It was as large as a full grown ter rier, covered with wartlike protubcr ances and bristling with coarse brown ish hair. Eight jointcd legs, terminated by formidable claws, wcrc buried in th' body of the unfortunate victim. Tn, face had already disappeared. Nothing could be seen but the top of the head and the monster was now engaged il tearing and sucking the blood from hi, throat.
 As soon as they recovered from thci, horror and surprise a dozen balls strucl the body of this sanguinary beast. | He raised up on his legs, n greenish bloody liquid flowing from his wounds and, with a frightful cry, expired.
 The first policeman, who had giveI the alarm, was lying unconscious ill on, | COrneT OI tIle CdNCTu, WHtEe ne Hdtl lulI en, q distance of 30 feet
 It was with great difficulty they sue ceeded in removing the two bodies ant the unknown monster from the cavern The poor countryman was dead, but tn policeman was soon restored to life.
 The agents immediately sent for tn commissioner of police, who summoneC naturalist in great haste.
 The first established the identity O the victim; the second declared tn creature lying before him was n giganti spider. The species had been considere' extinct for centuries-evcr since tn days before the deluge. It was calle' "Arachne gigans" and was said to hav the power of enticing its victims by peculiar musical song. None had beel seen or heard of for ages, but it is nov believed some of these sanguinar. beasts still exist in the deepest gal leries of the catacomhs.
 The dead body of the spider was con veyed to the Museum of Natural His l tory, where it was carefully prepare' and stuffed and is now on exhibition - Once e Week.
 | Twins
 Johnnie (seeing his twin cousin fu I the first time)-Isn't it funny, mamma