Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1912-07-26

GOODNOW, PEARSON e. HUNT .:~

man of his day has been lain in the
ground like a beggar"
Yes and this lying old rascal has
made game of u.s. cried several, turn
ing fiercely on the poor guardian. En-
ragged at finding nothing, the band vent
ed their brutal rage on the weak old
man. Oaths and abuse were mingled
with violent blows. and they finally
forced his head with such violence
against the tomb that he fell insensi-
BILE to the ground
Bury him with the beggarly corpse in
there!' cried one. pointing to the tomb
so much for joking with soldiers"
The brutal proposal met with the appro-
val of several, though one or two ear
nestly protested against it; and the half
lifeless old man was thrown into the
vault, the doors closed. and with a yell
of savage laughter, the party went their
way.
The old man soon recovered, to find
himself buried alive and in the in
tensest agony he sat grooming and await
ing his last hour Shame and anger in
creased the speed of the robber band.
They FASTENED from the empty church,
swung themselves on their horses, and
rode, whooping away. Only one, their
youthful leader, experienced any qualms
and often reproached himself for not
having ascertained whether the old man
was really dead ere he was consigned
to the tomb. He long reflected on the
possibility of freeing the captive. and
perplexed himself with a thousand vain
plans. Suddenly an accident came to
his aid, and suggested the means of
relief. Far in the distance a moving
cloud Of dust attracted their attention.
1t drew nearer, and he soon distin-
guished in its midst division of their
own corps. In few seconds they were
together.
'Whither?" and Whence" and How
goes it?" were the questions and greet
ings exchanged. after the short military
salute.
I'VE have" said the captain, "just
been visiting the dead Wallenstein, and
were about to carry the treasure that
men talk so much about away from the
tomb. What need the dead for money?
Well, just as we were at the good work,
some one raised a cry that the enemy
were at hand in greater force than we
so that run was the word. But it's
hard to think Of leaving 1t. We can't
turn back, for this Is our second day
out. But go we and get it. and don't
forget our share therein. You'll easily
find it-yon white church, in the middle
tomb, and a stone over the treasure"
With these words he waved a parting
salute, and with a lightened heart COM
manded his little party to march on
ward.
With staring eyes and wide opened
mouth the riders" as such troops of
marauding soldiers were in those days
termed, listened to his speech, and
answered by galloping onward like the
wind. treasure was not to be found
every day in times like those, when, as
the proverb said the very dog was not
certain that he owned his tail. They
approached the cloister, and carefully
looked around for the enemy. But
naught could they behold. save a few
clouds in the far blue distance. and
the distant dust-clou which covered
their departing friends They were
speedily in the abbey, and as the thirst
for gold is far keener than that for
wine, they lost no time. as their pre-
decessors had done, in uselessly search
ing the cellars. The open church doors,
with the iron bars lying around. testi-
fled to the recent presence of their
friends, The spot was soon found,
willing hands laid to the work. In
few minutes the heavy stone yielded to
their efforts But as the stone was taken
away, and the doors of the tomb opened
an awful sight appeared. They beheld an
old man, pale as death. and dabbled
with blood, rise from the floor. and ap-
proach them with trembling steps.
1T is the ghost OF Wellenstein!" cried
one in terror and the cry of ''Wallen-
STEMS ghostl" was repeated by every
voice. Struck with fear they rushed