Crawfordsville Record, Volume 4, Number 43, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, 2 April 1836 — Page 1

Jp (U M.XP SO "lirerty akd ua-ion now And forever, one and inseparable Volume IV. Number 43. CRA WFORDSVILLE, INDIANA, APRIL2, 183G Whole Number 199.

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MIBCBLL A2T30 TJC. THE MISTERIOUS VISITOR. .A lesson to all those incredulous people who disbelive in ghostly visitations. "I have a thousand spirits in one breast, To answer twenty thousand such as you.-' Shakespeare. Madam Deshouliers, the celebrated French poetess, was at one time on a visit at the Chalteau of the Count and Countess dc Lunnevillo. Upon her arrival she was requested to make Iter choice of all the bedrooms in the mansion, one only excepted, which no one was permitted to enter, as a report had been circulated that it was a haunted apartment, and, from the strange noises that had been frequently heard in it, it was generally believed to be the case by the inhabitants of the chateau. Madam Dcshouliers was nos sooner made acquainted with this circumstance than, to the surprise and terror of her friends, slm declared her intention of occupying this dreaded room, in preference to any other. The Count looking a"ghast as she disclosed this determi- . nation, and in a tremulous voice entreated her not to be so rash, since, however, brave curiosity might at present make her, it was probable that she would pay too dearly for its gratification. The countess observing that all her husband said failed of intimidating the high spirited Madam Deshouliers. now added her persuasions to divert her friend from the enterprise from which the bravest man might shrink appa'ild. All the arguments that could be urged were insufficient to shake the determined purpose of the adventurer. Her courage was superior to these representations of the dangers to which she was going to expose herself, because she was convinced that they must owe their coloring to superstition acting upon weak minds; she entertained no faith in the fleshy arm of a departed spirit, and irom an immaterial one her life was safe. Her noble host and hostess pleaded, pitied, blamed, but at length yielded to her wish of taking possession of the haunted chamber. Madam jDeshoulicrs found it grand and spacious the windows dark from the thickness of the walls; the chimnies antique and of cavernous depth. As soon as Madam was undressed, die stepped into bed, ordered a large candle to be placed in a bracket which stood in a stand near it, and enjoining her femme de-chambre to shut the door securely, dismissed her. Having provided herself with a book, according to custom, she calmly read her usual time, and then sunk to repose. She was soon roused by a noise at the door; it opened and the sound ol footsteps succeeded. Madam Deshouliers immediately decided that this must be the supposed ghost; and therefore addressed it with the assurance that if it hoped to frighten her from Tier purpose of detecting the impostor which had excited such foolish alarm throughout the castle, it would find itself disappointed in the attempt, for she was resolutely bent upon penetrating and exposing it at all hazards. No answer was returned; the threat was reiterated; hut all to no purpose. At length the intruder came in contact with a

large screen, which it overturned so near the bed, that, getting entangled in the curtains which played loosely on the rings, they returned a sound so sharp that one under the influence of fear would have taken it for the shrill scream of an unquiet spirit; but Madam was perfectly undismayed, as she afterwards declared. On the contrary she continued to interrotate the nocturnal visiter, whom she suspected to be one of the domestics; but it still maintained an unbroken silence, though could be less quiet than its movements, for now it ran against the stand on which stood the heavy candle and candlestick, which fell with a thundering noise. At length tired of all these exertions, it came and rested itself at the foot of the bed. Madam Deshouliers, still retaining her self-possession, immediately exclaimed, "Ah, now, I shall ascertain what thou art:" at the same time she extended both her hands towards the place against which s'.e fell that the intruder was resting. They came in contact with two ears, soft as velvet, which she firmly grasped, determined to retain her hold until the morning should lend its light to discover to whom or to whaf they belonged. Day at length released her from the awkward and painful position in which she remained for many hours, and discovered her prisoner to be Gros Blanc, a large dog belonging to the

chateau, and as worthy, it faith and ! honesty deserve the title, as many of itsinhabitants, Far from resentin": the bondage in which Madam Deshouliers had so long kept him, he licked her hands, while she enjoyed d hearty laugh at this ludicrous end of an adventure, for the encounter which she had braced every nerve. In the meantime the Count and Countess, wholly given up to their fears, had found it impossible to close their eyes during the night. The trial to which their friend had exposed herself grew more terrible to their imagination the more they dwelt upon it, till they at length persuaded themselves that death would be the inevitable consequence. With these forebodings they proceeded as soon as it was light to the CI apartment of -Madam Deshouliers; scarcely had they courage to enter it, or to speak when they had done so. j From this state of petrifaction they were relieved by their friend withdrawing her curtains and paying them the compliment of the morning with a triumphant look. She then related all that had passed, with an impressive solemnity; and having roused intense curiosity to know the catastrophe, she said, "Monsieur you shall no longer continue inan illusion, which long indulgence fias endeared to you. There pointing to (Gros Blanc) is the nocturnal visiter whom you have so long taken for the ghost of your mother for such the Count had concluded it to be, from his mother having been the last person who died at the chateau. I will now,' continued the heroic lady, "com plete my task, and emancipate your I mind from the shackles of superstition, by proving to you that alJ which has so long disturbed the peace of your family has arisen from natural causes." Madam arose, and made her friends examine the lock of the door, the wood of which was so decayed as to render the locking of it useless, against a very moderate degree of strength. This facility of entrance had been evidently the cause of Gros Blanc, who liked not sleeping out ofdoors, making choice of this room. The rest is easily accounted for. The Gros Blanc smelt and wished to possess himself of the candle, in attempting which he committed all the blunders, and caused all the noises which had disturbed the silence ol the night; and he

would have taken possession of the bed also, if he had not given the laHv an opportunity of seizing his ears. Thus are the most simple events magnified into omens of fearful and supernatural agency, while the conduct of Madam Deshouliers afford one example among many others, of the superiority which presence of mind and courage possess over superstition and credulity.

A snapper up of considerabl c trifles. 07" A Job. A Eoxbury wag, who was known to be in no business, was enquiring for an active lad, saying he was in great want of a man of quick parts, and preferred one from New Hampshire or Vermont, as he would be most likely to attend to the business required. His solicitude excited the curiosity of a lady who said to him. 'Sir I wonder what employment you would find for such a man as you are seeking for?1 'I want him, said he, ito tend a lightning rod, and none but a sprightly lad will answer the purpose. 0OAn Important Trial. A suit has lately been determined in New York by a verdict of $156,275, in favor of the plaintiff, R. L. 2c D. N. Lord, by which the corporation of that city are made liable for the damage done to individuals by blowing up stores to arrest a fire. Other suits depending upon the same principle are pending, and as one decision determines the whole, it is probable that the present case will be carried to the supreme court, and from thence to the Tribunal of the last resort, the Court of Appeals. 07(jreat Official Longevity. James Trimble, who died at Ilarrisburgh on the 25th ult., in consequence of a tall on the pavement, at the age of G2, had been in the office of secretary of state of Pennsylvania, 61 years. Both houses of the legislature adjourned to attend his funeral. OThe Poor. It is stated -in a recent publication assuming to be based on well ascertained facts, tha' of one hundred and seventy-eight million inhabitants in Europe, seventeen millions nine hundred thousand are beggars who subsist at the expense of the community, without contributing; to its resources. 0OAlarming effects of snow. It is stated in the Poughkeepsie Eagle, that the snow drifts arc so deep in Orange and Dutches counties, as almost to obliterate the track of the roads, and to render it impassable for the post masters to know in what direction to send the mails. We would advise a small pocket compass to be provided for them and their drivers. (fcj-A town buried ix sxow. :The buildings in the town of Brattleboro, Vermont, were, in sonic instances, so completely enveloped in snow, after the great snow storm, that the light, was excluded, and many overslept themselves, unconscious that day had arrived. OrA Bad Memory. A village pedagogue in despair with a stupid boy, pointed to the letter A; and asked him if he knew it. "Yes, sir." "Well what is it?"' "I know him very well by sight, but rot me if I can remember his name." OrThc U. S. District Attorney in New York, a few days ago seized the Brig St. Nicholas, on the eve 'of sailing from that port, upon suspicion of her being a Slaver. Strong testimony was given before Judge Bctts, on the examination of the captain, tending to confirm the suspicions of her illegal and despical character. The investigation was not finished at our last dates. Cin. Whig. OC?Generous Conduct. The banks in Charleston S. C. have each subscribed $5,000 to sustain the country against the Indians in Florida. South Carolina, traduced and abused as she and her great men have been, will always be found foremost in sustaining the interests, the honor and the safety of the country. Orlt is said that the Hon. Stephen C. Stevens has resigned the office of Judge 01 the Supreme Court of this State, and that he will be succeeded by the Hon. M. C. Egglcston. Reports say Judge Blackford will accept a professorship in the State College at Bloomington. Grccnsburgh Repository. 07-It is said that the appointment of Hon. Jesse L. Holman to the office of District Judge, by the Presdent, has been rejected by the Senate of the United States. lb. (Kentucky. A convention of the friends of Van Buren and Johnson, met at Frankfort on the 22nd ult. and after form ing an Electoral Ticket, nominated Matthew Flourney, Esq. of Fayette, for Governor, and Elijah Ilise, Esq. of Logan, for Lieutenant Governor. OAttempt to Murder. A man residing in Alleghany Town Pa., made an attempt to shoot his wife a few days since; fortunately he missed his mark, and shot a -Chicken! He has been taken into custody and now awaits his trial.

07-Grog Shops On the New York canal there are 1,530 grog shops; being

one for every Q rods, of the whole length j of the Erie canal. (prA young mechanic at Woburn Mass. has invented a Machine to Peg Boots by water. It is soon to be put in operation. What next? 07The quantity of land still owned by the U. S. within the boundaries of the present States and Territories exceeds 330,000,000 acres those west of Missouri and Arkansas amount to 750,000,000 acres more, of which about 70 or 00,000000 have been asigned to Indians or otherwise appropriated. One fourth of the whole may, however, be considered waste land, and one half, of inferior quality. OpJudge Israel B. Grant, of Galway, Missouri, was inhumanly murdered within half a mile of his house being shockingly mangled and stabbed six or seven times, his throat cut to the bone of the neck, and his body bruised apparently with a club. Though he was a kind master his murder is attributed to one of his negroes. Oy-The trunk in the Methodist church at Norfolk Va., containing the general funds for various charitable purposes, was robbed of $600 a few weeks ago. OtIIon. Daniel Webster. It is rumored, that this gentleman will shortly decline to be considered a candidate for the Presidency. Xcw Yorker. OtArtificial Eyes. A few weeks ago we had an opportunity of examining an artificial eye, which matched and moved so well with its fellow, that for several minutes we were unable to decide which was the true one, and which the 'counterfeit presentment.' The gentleman who had thus had his face so well mended, had been without the use of his eye for ten years. The operation of inserting the artificial pupil, which was performed by Dr. Waldo of this city, was attended with very little pain; and the new one opened and shut with the natutal one, and moved with it in all directions, doing every thing indeed, that a 'good natured and lawful eye should do, but seeing. This fault, however, was winked at by the other, which did not evince the smallest objection to see for both. A more harmonious pair, constituted of such various materials, never moved in bonds together; and 1 r. Waldo is entitled to much credit, we think, for the perfection to which lie has brought this branch of medical science, araonji us. Cin. Mirror. Dcntk of Maj. Jack Downing. We regret to learn from the correspondent of the New York Commercial Advertiser that this distinguished individual is no more. He is said to have fallen a victim to his labors on the French question. and most specially to the preparation of the special message, where his master hand is so visible. The President is inconsolate for his loss, and will probably make it, when his grief subsides the special communication to both Houses' of Congress. He has ordered his axe and slate to be deposited among the archives of the war and treasury departments. Rumor says the gallant major perished in an attempt to pacify the old hero in one of his wrathful moods. When the intelligence reachcd the White House that the Legislature of Pennsylvania was about to rechartcr the Bank, the Gen. fell into a pesky passion, and the madder he grew until at length he could contain himself no longer. Whereupon he started to his feet, brought down a thundering whack on the table, and commenced demolishing the windows and looking glasses with his hickory stick. The major endeavored to interfere but in the attempt he received a blow which brought him to the floor. He refused all sustenance afterwards and expired in a few days of mortification and chagrin. BEAUTIFUL INCIDENT. At the meeting of citizens in the Methodist church in Green street, held last evening for the purpose of taking measures to re-build the noble structure known as 'The Methodist Book Concern,' very interesting and instructive addresses were delivered by the Rev. Dr. Bangs, and the Rev. Mr. Waugh. In the course of the remarks of Dr. Bangs, he related the following remarkable incident. Among the burning fragments of books and printed sheets which were whirled aloft upon the wings of the flame, and borne onward upon those of the wind, was a page of the bible containing theLXI V chapter of Isaiah. It was picked up on the morning of the conflagration, about twelve miles distant, on Long Island, and before the catastrophe was known which had carried it thith er. It was indeed a winged messenger of truth, in a double sense, for the fact is no less striding than authentic, that every word of the page was so marred as to be illegible, save the 11th verse, which reads in the words following t "Our holy and beautiful house, where our fathers praised thee, is burned up with fire: and our pleasant things all laid waste!" Commercial Adv, Cfc5Land speculation has broken out fresh again at Erie, Pa. The prices of lots being 150 per cent over last year.

On the 15 of March next, the Texian Congress will meet at Washington, situate at about 40 miles from San Fillipe do Austin, when they will form a complete

government, and commence Legislation themselves. They have now entered into an arrangement here, by which funds have been raised that would keep their credit good and should another campaign be opened, things will go on more advantageously than heretofore. Judiring from the number of the troops alreadvln the' companies that arc incessantly on tlie ryafch, sooner or later Texas must be free. Col. Crocket, with 300 men has gone into the interior to hunt Buffalo, during the cessation of hostilities. Lou. Adv. A BRITISH MINISTER. The National Intelligencer of the 7th inst says. "From Annapolis wo learn that II. B. M. Brig, Wanderer, Capt. Del bo, arrived at that port on Thursday last, and on Friday landed Mr. Fox, who succeeds Sir 11. C. Vaughan,as Minister Plenipotentiary and Fnvoy Extraordinary from Great Briain to the United Stales. Mr. Fox was received with the usual hospitality of the capitol of Maryland, and has accepted of a Public Ball given to him and the ollicers of the British Government Vessel. He will probably reach this City to-morrow or the next day," The Globe of the 5th Mareh.says. "The King of France has appointed a Minister to supply the place of 31. Serurier. As the French Government withdrew their Minister under a false impression in regard to the President's feelings and intentions, the early appointment ofa successor to M . Serurier evinces a just sense of what is proper on the part of tlyit great and powerful nation in restoring amicable relations between it s and the United States. This advance of the French Governmeufj will we have no doubt, be promptly and cordially met by the American Executive, and every trace of the late disscntion will soon bo obliterated, excent as a matter ol history." Wrticlimait. Finn. On Tuesday evening, March 8th about eleven oVloek, a fire broke out in Covington Ky., , opposite Cincinnati, which did considerable damage. It originated' in the boarding rooms of Mrs. Ballous, These rooms, with the, ware house below, a grocery, tailor shop, and carpenter shop, were destroyed. Very little saved, and nothing insured. The buildings were owned by Mr. McLure, of Newport, Ky. Cin. Gaz. The Mississippi Legislature ad journed on the !26th ult., having been in session 55 days. About two hundred acts were passed: among which were an act to increase the salaries of public officers an act to establish a penitentiary an act to extend the jurisdiction and laws over the Chickasaw territory and to fay otfthe same into 12 new counties and acts incorporating certain Rail Road Companies, and establishing certain Banks. The Banking capital chartered during the session, amounts to about nineteen millions of dollars.-!. Jour. The reader will perceive, by a glance at the foreign items of news in to-day's paper, that the Castle of Barcelona was lately attacked, broken into, and about a hundred Carlist prisoners, confined in it, put to death by a mob in a most barbarous way. Horrible as these scenes of ruffianism are, the New York American says 'they are not so much dwelt upon by the press in Europe as the Lynch law proceedings m the United States. Let this be borne in mind. The people of the United States have the eyes of the world upon them. May they set an example of virtue justice, and moderation in all their relations internal and external, is the wish of one, whose heart is as true any of them.