The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1900-04-10
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would see il backed out"
"Here are four" cried l, which ! add
to your stake!
! had no sooner made this proposition
than five Or six persons. attracted like
myself by the singularity of this chal.
lenge, offered to take part in it, and in
less than no time the Spaniards amount
was covered This man seemed SO sure
Of his work that he confided the stake
to the young student, and we got ready
for the demonstration.
To that end we selected small pavil-
Ion, perfectly isolated, in the garden, 80
that there could be no deception. We
searched it minutely. We assured our.
selves that there were no other openings
than window, securely fastened, and
a door, which was closed in the same
manner and at which we all stood after
we had left the young man alone in the
pavilion. We had placed writing ma
terials on the table and took away all
the lights. We were eagerly interested
in the issue Of the scene and were all
keeping profound silence, when the Spau-
lard who had rempined among us. COM
menced to sing in sweet and sad voice
a song, which may be rendered as fol-
lows:
"Noselessly cracking, the coffin has broken in the
half opened tomb.
And the white phantom's black foot is resting on
the grass cold and green"
At the first verse he raised his voice
solemny and said:
"You have asked to see your. friend
Francois Violot. who was drowned three
years ago in crossing the Pensagnoles
ferry. What do you see?"
II see." replied the young man. "a
pale light which has risen near the win
dow. but it has no form and is only an in
distinct mist"
"Are you afraid" said the Spaniard
in strong voice.
IL am not afraid" replied the student
in voice no less confident.
We scarcely breathed. The Spaniard
was silent for moment: then he began
all at once to sing again, but in higher
md more somber voice:
"And the white phantom. whose face has been
withered by the surge OF the waves,
Wipes with ht' shroid the water from his gar
mcnts and hair
The song finished, the Spaniard turned
again toward the door and in an accent
more and more solemn he said:
"You who wished to ply into the mys-
terics Of the tomb. what do you sect"
We listened with anxiety. The student
replied in calm voice. but like man
who is describing thing as It happens:
II see this vapor. which grows larger
and larger aud takes the form OF
phantom: this phantom has the head
covered with vcil.'
"Are you afraidT' asked the Spaniard
In an insulting voice.
The voice OF the young man replied, Il
an, not afraid"
We dared not look at each other, 80
great was our surprise. so occupied were
we In following the singular movements
ne thu Sn,p;,rd who b,yon to ro;Sa hia
arms above his head while invoking
three times name horrible to pronounce.
after which he chanted the third verse of
his Internal song. but in n 7oice singular.
" triumphant:
".n1 ~. nh.n,on s.,, IN ,o,,.,n, ~. tom, q,
order that he nav recognize me
will 20 toward nv friend, proud. smiling and
beautiful, as in my youth"
The Standard finished his verse and re.
ncotrd his nupy,inn.
"WhDt do Sppy
~ See" replied the student, "the phan-
tom advance, 1t raises its veil, 1t is
Francois Violot, He approaches the ia
HE. he writes: he has written: it is his
signature"
"Are Won ofraidY' cried the Sponiard
furiouslv
Thcre WAC n moment nj silence and
tho student renIiod with more strength
tho, assuro,co 81 am rotw
Immodiataly No If seizcd with n fit Of
modnoss ,hn Snan;.rL ,ung with a
stronge howl th;s Iost horrible verse:
".na H., rh,n.on, ,.;d ~ ~. r,ol;no man.
Come. then. that may touch you.
puf vour hand In INV hand press your heart to
my heart. your mouth to my mouth"
"What do you see?" cried the Span
lard in voice of thunder.
ut comes! 1t approaches! 1t pursues
me! II extends Its arms! 1t will seize
me! Help! Help"
"Are you afraid? cried the Spaniard.
with ferocious joy.
A piercing cry, then smothered groan,
was the only answer to this question.
"Help that imprudent young man."
said the Spanard to us in a cruel voice.
II have, think, won the wager, but it Is
enough for the to have given him les
son. Let him keep the money and be
more prudent in the future"
He went away rapidly after these
words. We opened the door and found
the student in horrible commissions. The
paper signed with the name Of Francois
Violot was on the table. Scarcely had
the student recovered when he demanded