Scary Stories
Napoleon and Spectre - Charlotte Bronte
Listen Ad Free https://www.solgoodmedia.com - Listen to hundreds of audiobooks, thousands of short stories, and ambient sounds all ad free!
- Duration:
- 12m
- Broadcast on:
- 12 Jul 2024
- Audio Format:
- mp3
When it comes to renting out your property, the uncertainty of finding reliable tenants can feel like a real guessing game, responsible renter or perpetual party animal. Enter renters warehouse. The pros who turn the uncertainty of finding great tenants into peace of mind. Renters warehouse offers top-notch leasing and tenant placement services, ensuring you get trustworthy renters without the hassles and headaches. With no upfront fees, renters warehouse works for you, not the other way around, from marketing and showing your property, to screening tenants and preparing the lease, their team of experts handles it all so you can sit back and watch the rent roll in. Renters warehouse even warranties their tenants for up to 18 months, at no extra cost. And if you need ongoing management, they've got you covered too, all for a flat monthly fee. Visit renterswearhouse.com to request a free rental price analysis. That's renterswearhouse.com or call 303-974-9444 to speak to a rent-to-state advisor today. It is Ryan here and I have a question for you. What do you do when you win? Like are you a fist-pumper, a woohoo, a hand clap or a high-fiver? If you want to hone in on those winning moves, check out Chumba Casino. Choose from hundreds of social casino-style games for your chance to redeem serious cash prizes. There are new game releases weekly plus free daily bonuses. So don't wait. Start having the most fun ever at Chumba Casino.com. Sponsored by Chumba Casino, no purchase necessary, V.G.W. Group. Voidware prohibited by law, 18-plus terms and conditions apply. Napoleon and the Spectre, by Charlotte Brontë. Well, as I was saying, the emperor got into bed. Chivalier says he to his valet, "Let down those window curtains and shut the casement before you leave the room." Chivalier did as he was told, and then, taking up his candlestick, departed. In a few minutes the emperor felt his pillow becoming rather hard, and he got up to shake it. As he did so, a slight rustling noise was heard near the bed-head. His majesty listened, but all was silent as he lay down again. Scarcely had he settled into a peaceful attitude of repose, when he was disturbed by a sensation of thirst. Lifting himself on his elbow, he took a glass of lemonade from a small stand which was placed beside him. He refreshed himself with a deep breath. As he returned the goblet to its station, a deep-grown burst from a kind of closet in one corner of the apartment. "Who's there?" cried the emperor, seizing his pistols. "Speak, or I'll blow your brains out." This threat produced no other effect than a short, sharp laugh, and a dead silence followed. The emperor started from his couch, and hastily throwing on a robe de chambere, which hung over the back of a chair, stepped courageously to the haunted closet. As he opened the door something rustled. He sprang forward, sword in hand. No soul or even substance appeared, and the rustling, as it was evident, proceeded from the falling of a cloak which had been suspended by a peg from the door. Half ashamed of himself, he returned to bed. Just as he was about once more to close his eyes, the light of the three wax-tapers which burned in a silver branch over the mantelpiece, was suddenly darkened. He looked up. A black, opaque shadow obscured it. Sweating with terror, the emperor put out his hand to seize the bell-rope, but some invisible being snatched it rudely from his grasp, and at the same instant the ominous shade vanished. "Poo!" exclaimed Napoleon. "It was but an ocular delusion." "It was it," whispered a hollow voice in deep, mysterious tones, close to his ear. "Was it a delusion, emperor of France?" "No! All thou hast seen and heard, is sad for a warning reality." "Rise, lifter of the eagle standard." "Awaken, slayer of the lily scepter." "Follow me, Napoleon, and thou shalt see more." As the voice ceased, a form dawned on his astonished sight. It was that of a tall, thin man, dressed in a blue sarot edged with gold lace. It wore a black cravat very high around its neck, and confined by two little sticks placed behind each ear. The countenance was livid, the tongue protruded from between the teeth, and the eyes all glazed at bloodshot, started with frightful prominence from their sockets. "Monde, do," exclaimed the emperor, "what do I see? Spector, whence cometh thou?" The apparition spoke not, but glided forward, beckoning Napoleon, with uplifted finger, to follow. Controlled by a mysterious influence, which deprived him of the capacity of either thinking or acting for himself, he obeyed in silence. The solid wall of the apartment fell open as they approached, and when both had passed through it closed behind them with a noise like thunder. They would now have been in total darkness had it not been for a dim light which shone round the ghost and revealed the damp walls of a long, vaulted passage. Down this they proceeded with mute rapidity. Air along a cool, refreshing breeze, which rushed wailing up the vault, and caused the emperor to wrap his loose night-dress closer around, announced their approach to the open air. This they soon reached, and Napoleon found himself in one of the principal streets of Paris. For the spirit, he said, shivering in the cold dyed air, permit me to return and put on some additional clothing. I will be with you again presently." "Forward," replied his companions, sternly. He felt compelled in spite of the rising indignation which almost choked him to obey. On they went through the deserted streets until they arrived at a lofty house, built on the banks of the sin. Here the specter stopped. The gates rolled back to receive them, and they entered a large marble hall which was partly concealed by a drawn curtain across. Through the half-transparent folds of which a bright light might be seen burning with dazzling luster. A row of fine female figures, richly attired, stood before this scream. They wore on their heads garlands of the most beautiful flowers. But their faces were concealed by ghastly masks representing death's heads. "What is all this memory?" cried the emperor, making an effort to shake off the mental shackles by which he was so unwillingly restrained. "Where am I, and why have I been brought here?" "Silence," said the guide, lolling out still further his black and bloody tongue. "Silence, if thou wouldest escape instant death!" The emperor would have replied. His natural courage overcoming the temporary awe to which he had at first been subjected. But just then a strain of wild, supernatural music swelled behind the huge curtain which wave to infrow, and belied slowly out as if agitated by some internal commotion or battle of waving winds. At the same moment an overpowering mixture of sense of mortal corruption blended with the richest eastern odors stole through the haunted hall. A murmur of many voices was now heard at a distance, and something grasped his arm eagerly from behind. He turned hastily around. His eyes met the well-known countenance of Marie-Louis. "What, are you in this infernal place too?" said he. "What has brought you here?" "Will your majesty permit me to ask the same question of yourself?" said the emperor, smiling. He made no reply. Astonishment prevented him. So curtain now intervened between him and the light. It had been removed, as if by magic, an splendid chandelier appeared suspended over his head. Throngs of ladies, richly dressed, but without deaths had masks, stood round, and a due proportion of gay cavaliers was mingled with them. Music was still sounding, but it was seen to produce from a band of mortal musicians stationed in an orchestra near at hand. The air was yet revelant with incense, but it was incense unblended with stench. "Mom, do!" cried the emperor. "How is all this come about? Where in the world is Pichae?" "Pichae," replied the emperor, "what does your majesty mean? Had you not better leave the apartment, and retire to rest?" "Leave the apartment. Why? Where am I?" In my private drawing-room surrounded by a few particular persons of the court whom I had invited this evening to a ball. You entered a few minutes since, in your night-dress, with your eyes fixed and wide open. I suppose, from the astonishment, you now testify that you were walking in your sleep. The emperor immediately fell into a fit of catalepsy, in which he continued during the whole of the night, and the greater part of the next day. The End of "Napoleon and the Specter" by Charlotte Brontae. Well, it sounds like the tenants hit your rental property sure know how to throw a great party. You just wish they wouldn't throw so many parties, on Tuesdays, until 4 a.m. And if they could pay the rent on time, that would be nice too. Being a landlord can be stressful, but it doesn't have to be. Let renters warehouse handle the hard part of property management for you, like finding quality tenants you can trust. Renters' warehouse manages thousands of single-family homes, and specializes in locating reliable tenants at the right price for your property, usually in a matter of days. And if your tenant defaults for any reason, they'll replace them for free up to 18 months under their tenant warranty program. From rent collection to maintenance coordination, their best-in-class property management professionals do it all, all for one flat monthly fee. Get a free rental price analysis at renterswarehouse.com to find out how much your home can rent for. That's renterswarehouse.com or call 303-974-9444 to speak to a rent estate advisor today. Hey guys, it is Ryan. I'm not sure if you know this about me, but I'm a bit of a fun fanatic when I can, right? I like to work, but I like fun too. And now I can tell you about my favorite place to have fun. Chumba Casino. They have hundreds of social casino-style games to choose from, with new games released each week. You can play for free, and each day brings a new chance to collect daily bonuses. So join me in the fun. Sign up now at chumbaughassino.com. Sponsored by Chumba Casino, no purchase necessary. VGW Group. Voidware prohibited by law. 18-plus terms and conditions apply.