Graham's Magazine, Vol. XL, No. 5, May 1852Various
General
Graham's Magazine, Vol. XL, No. 5, May 1852
Various
Literature -- Periodicals; Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals
It happened that the places through which we had to pass in our return
to the Primroses, were noted for their connection with witches, and
other supernatural personages. Ruins of old castles, priories, convents
and churches, were to be found in every direction, each of which was
connected with many marvellous legends. In passing through a lonely
spot, “Anchor Wood,” we found it very dark. We had no light to guide us,
save a few faint rays of the moon, which glimmered between the trees. As
Bob was best acquainted with the place, I followed on his trail, Indian
fashion, each having our guns carelessly resting on our shoulders. On we
so walked without saying a word. I, thinking upon the anticipated
amusement of the party which the Primroses were to give on that evening;
and building—like all young minds do—beautiful castles in the air, and
imagining fame and fortune in the future. In the midst of these pleasing
though delusive reveries, I was startled, all of a sudden, by a
terrified exclamation from my companion.
“What is that?” cried he.
“What do you mean?” I replied.
“I mean that tall white object which is standing in front, directly in
our path.”
I looked in the direction he pointed, and to my amazement I saw what he
described. It seemed like a tall lady dressed in white, and she appeared
to be awaiting our approach.
“This is surely the White Nun Mrs. Scroggins was telling us about last
evening,” whispered Bob, with a face like a white-washed wall.
I pretended to poh! poh! the conjecture; but I must confess the attempt
was rather a failure. My courage was rapidly giving way. At last I said,
doubting whether to remain or run, “I’d rather I had not ridiculed that
legend last evening;” and with an effort to become philosophical, I
added, “that we ought in our present limited amount of knowledge to
treat these things at least with respect.”
“Oh, I wish you had then!” stammered poor Bob, whose teeth rattled
together like a negro-minstrel’s “_bones_.”
“Suppose we call out, and ask what she wants?” I suggested.
“_You_ do it.”
“No, I’d rather not.”
It was then agreed that we should call together, which was done; but no
reply was returned.
Bob now suggested that we should discharge a barrel of each of our
double-barreled guns obliquely toward the object, which was likewise
done; but it met no better success.
“There is no doubt it is a spirit, perhaps the Nun in question, who is
thus going to upbraid us for our disbelief,” whispered my friend again.
“Ah! I see her move! She is advancing—run,” I cried, flinging away my
gun, and setting the example.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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