The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1900-04-10
AN ODD WAGER.
How = SpaniaYd Bet That He Could
Call Up Q Ghost and Got
the Stakes.
ey Frederick Louie.

II 1.
Observation-Disclosures
| You would have been very fortunate,
my children. IL you had known my Uncle
Bayle, because he alone knew more sto-
ries than you have ever read. My uncle
did not live In our little city Of Mirepeix
He lived at Folk, and almost every Sat
urday we would see him coming on his
horse, and our joyous cries huiled him at
a distance. The servant, my old jean
nettc. came Immediately TO salute our
Uncle Bayle, who carefully informed
himself as to the supper. Then. after
having added or changed something In
the bill of fare. he seated himself In 4
large chair Of carved wood. which we
dragged up to the fire, and without delay
we all began to cry. "A story, story"
On this evening the cry was less bolster
Gus, because we had formed little con-
spiracy. and no one dared speak first.
Finally thy pretty cousin Dorothee. the
most laxative little girl of the house and
now the grave superior Of a convent Of
the Sisters of Charity. ventured to cry,
"A ghost story" and we replied oil to.
gether. ayes. ghost story"
My uncle frowned and looked toward
Jeanette. who was very much confused
and wished to appear absorbed in pep
pering her chicken potpie. 1t was she,
in fact. who had urged US to make this
| demand.
"There are only fools or rogues who be-
Iieve or pretend to believe In ghosts"
said my uncle In severe tone. We MI
waited In silence. SO much authority was
| there In his words. but moment Of re-
Election seemed to calm him. We saw
him smile, as il to himself. and he added
| in tone full OF sweetness: "You want a
ghost story. my children? Very well. l
| will relate one to you which happened to
me. go that it cannot be doubted"
We gathered around him closer than
usual. The lamp hung by chain at
tachcd to the mantelpiece, and there our
uncle told his story.
One autumn evening-it must have
been 40 years ego. because l was scarce
! ly 70 years old at the timc-l was re-
turning from Toulouse. l had arrived
almost In front Of the Bolbonne monas-
terry. beyond the beautiful woods of Le-
courier. when sudden and frightful
| storm like those that come down from
our mountains broke forth. 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. Notwith-
standing his rnpidity. | soon recognized
that he had taken the road to st. Ca
belle and that he was leading me there
all right. and he galloped on until he
stopped of his own accord, as he had
started. and | perceived that was at
the door of an inn. 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 by
the FIRE, composed of a dozen vine
branches which had been thrown In the
fireplace, supper was announced. and we
all sat down to the table. At first the
conversation turned on the frightful
weather. One had been thrown from his
hour In getting himself and cart out of
pool Of mud. Finally some one exclaim-
ed. at is an Internal night. just the time
for meeting Of Witches" This remark,
which was very simple, gave place to
singular observance, made in tone still
more singular:
"Sorcerers and ghosts prefer for their
meeting beautiful moonlight night to
night so unpleasant as this"
We all gazed at the man who said this
and saw that 1t was one Of the Spanish
merchants. You have often seen them,
my children, with their leggings and
short brooches open at the knee and
showing their naked, hairy legs. You
know what a mingled air of pride and
misery they have. He who had spoken
had, more than any you have seen. that
savage bearing which is characteristic Of
them ALL None Of us had thought of re-
plying, when my neighbor, a young man
with a frank and open manner, burst
out laughing as he said:
ut appears that this 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 his sentence when
the Spaninrd threw ON him terrible look
as he said:
young man. do not speak so lightly Of
things you know nothing about"
do you think you can make me be-
lieve there are ghostsy" replied my neigh.
Dor disdainfully.
"Perhaps," replied the Spaniard, III
you had the courage to look at them"
The young man jumped up. red with
anger. but Gained himself and sat down
again quietly, saying:
"You would have paid dearly for that
remark II it were not that Of fool"
"That of q fool! cried the Spaniard,
jumping up in his turn. well. then"
added he. slapping his fist on the table
and throwing down big leather purse,
there are 30 quadruples labout $21O
which offer to lose II within nm hour
do not make you see. you who are so pos
tive. the face Of one Of your friends that
you will name, let him be dead for ten
years, and IL after having recognized him
you dare to permit his mouth to kiss
yours"
The Spanlard had an air SO terrible In
saying these words the. We all started
My neighbor alone preserved bis laugh
Ing, mocking manner and repied:
"You will do this--youY
eyes," replied the Spaniard, land I will
lose 80 quadruples II l do not do 1t, on
condition that you will lose an equal
amount il keep my promise and you ac-
knowledge It,"
The young man was silent q moment;
then he said gayly:
Thirty Quadruples! My worthy sor-
cerer, that 10 more than q student Of
Toulouse ever possessed, but II you will
keep your word for the Quadruples