THE OPELOUSAS COURIER —NOVEMBER 24, 1855
☞ A German paper relates the following curious instance of the belief of the peasantry of Hungary, Craotia [sic], Poland and Turkey in vampires, who, according to the popular superstition, descend into their graves with their eyes open, and rise at dead of night to suck the blood of their victims, leaving no trace behind except for a little spot on the neck or throat of their victim.
A young and beautiful girl, the daughter of wealthy parents, had numerous suitors, from among whom she selected one of her own station of life. The betrothal was celebrated by a grand feast, given by the bride’s father. Toward midnight the girl and her mother retired to their chamber, leaving the guests at table. All at once the two women were heard to shriek dreadfully, and the moment after, the mother, pale and haggard, tottered into the room, carrying her daughter senseless in her arms, and crying in a voice of indescribable agony, “A vampire! A vampire! My daughter is dead!” The village doctor happened to be among the guests, and believing that the girl had only fainted, administered a cordial which speedily restored her to consciousness. On being questioned, she stated that, while undressing, a pale spectre, dressed in a shroud, gliden in by the window, and rushed upon her, biting her throat. She added she recognized him as one Keysnewsky, a rejected suitor, who died a fortnight since. The doctor in
