Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-03-21
CONRAD AND JULIA.
LEGEND OF HARTZ FOREST.

In the western department cs-on the
south side of the tremendous forest Of Har,z lir-
ed Conrad. SUDDEN, o! the University Of Got
tineen. Like all frail morlals, he had been cap
tivaled by the lovely Julia, daughter of an an
Gent family who could e~.'"' f""rsvs" T"a' ter
ings in their armorial bearings, and had a score
or two Of poor relations, whose company was
only desirable when they rrcted TO the old
Count, anecdotes Of his ancestors. The Count
was man of e,udilion in his own magnificent
opinion, yet fool in the opinion OF all those
who eat at his table. The Countess was a wo-
man, and weighed 20 stone; and Julia, their on
" child, was second Venus, and only ~
Her person was perfectly beautiful; her COM
plexion inclined to the brunette; but the warm
and youthful bloom Of an Hebe; was diffused
over her lovely countenance: her dark raven
hair was parted in front like the hair Of Ma
donna, and fell in hyacinlhine ringlets over her
shoulders; and though somewhat inclning TO
the enbonpoint, she nevertheless had all that lux.
uriant elegance Of shape the poet characterizes,
as being "Fine BY degrees, and beautifully less.
At times, certain air Of tenderness would beam
from her fine, dark and expressive eyes, which
could not fail 10 attract the attention OF the OBJ
server, and excited in the bosom something a
kin 10 love. Whoever approached her, seem
ed to inhale the soft contag;on; bu, then she
would Immediately destroy the illusion, by the
gaie,y and sprghilness Of her conversation
She seemed as il born for brief existence, to
love and be beloved.
For Conrad, who was as fair as natures fair
est mould, to behold such excellence without d
doring it, would be deemed apathy in the ex-
treme, and contrary TO his warm and melaDhy-
steal ideas He loved--and though death had
inevitably been the consequence, from some par,
Of the family, with fourteen quarters, yet this
very danger served only to heigh,en the fond
ballucination. He was now compelled to re-
turn to the University; bu, before his departure
he was reol,ed 10 make disclosure of his pas
sion to Julia, let what would be the conse-
auence, and he did so. 1t was but the act OF a
moment, for they loved secretly and unknown;
and hearts that beat alone for each other, need
ed liule ceremony in the disclosure Of a passion,
ardent from its concealment, and pure from the
Young and spo,iess souls that famed il into ex.
istence. The confession was registered, and a
kiss was the pledge of their faith.
Conrad, before his departure, waited in the
Harlz Forest, TO lake last farewell Of Julia,
with all the turbulent and eager feelings Of an
anxious lover. He had no, been there many
minutes, when he perceived a figure approach
him. Imagining it was Julia, an exclamation
OF JOY escaped him; but what was his horror to
perceive shrivelied, hideous and palid coun-
tenance, half concealed by the cloak j, wore
"Who art thou" excisimed Conrad, attempt.
ing to draw his sword, but his hand remains
powerless the hilt Of The unshes ,hed blade.
"Thy friend" was tue brief and hollow reply.
For what purpose?" " Seek not to wed Julia. -
|" Wherefore" "Wed her, and thou wilt learn
-forsake her and be har:y--she is be,ro,hed"
" Hal" exclaimed Conrad overcome by conflict
ing passions, What mean you by that" He
turned round, but the phantom had vanished
(" Am awake?" he cried "Sure beheld a
form this moment" The castle clock struck
twelve; its resoundins din reverberated in aw-
full echoes upon the mournfu midnight breeze,