Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1828-05-27

seq all that mad happened. ne anger OF Adolph
was mixed with compassion at the strange recital
nor could he refuse toBot the dissolution which the
poor fellow deemed essential to his future secur-
ity from the vengeance of the dead At the same
time he cautioned him to maintain profound ST.
lence on. the subject towards every one else,
otherwise the sacrilege might be attended with SER
ious consequences-it not being likely that the &c
eleslastics, to whom the judgement of such matters
belonged would view his fault with equal indulgence.
He even resolved to go himself to the church with
Built, that he might investigate the affair more
thoroughly. But to this proposition the sexton gave
a prompt and positive denial--"l would rather,
he exclaimed, - would rather be dragged to the
scafold than again disturb the repose of the dead
This declaration, so ill-timed, COMPOUNDED Adolph.-
On the one hand, he felt underlined curiosity to
look narrowly into this mysterious business
on the other he could not help feeling compassion
for the sexton, who, it was evident, was labourng
Under the influence of deusion which he was ut
tery unable to subdue. The poor fellow trembIed
al! over, as if shaken by agle fit and painted the
situation OF his wife and his pressing poverty with
such pale face and such despair in his eyes, that
he might himself have passed for church-yard
spectre. The Burgomaster again admonshed him
to be silent for fear of the consequences and giving
him couple of dollars TO relieve his immediate
wants, sent him home to his wife and family.
Being thus deprived of his most natural ally on
| this occasion, Adolph summoned an old and conf
dental servant, of whose secrecy he could have
doubt To his question "Do you fear the dead i''
Hans stoutly replied, '.rhey not half DANCE
rous as the living.''
"Indeed!' said the Burgomaster, 3" Do you think.
then, that you have courage enough to go into the
church at night ~ sin the way of my duty, yes"
replied Hans; s'not otherwise,-It is not right to
tri1e with holy matters.''
i ..Do you believe in ghosts, Hans ," continued
Adolph, Eyes Mr.. Burgomaster.'
i ''Do you fear thema' '.No, Mr.. Bursomaster
hold by God, and he holds me up and God is the
strongest"
will you 60 with me to the cathedral, Hansf
have had strange dream tonight it seemed to
me as if my deceased wife called me from the ste
ple-window." II see how it is" answered Hans
.the sexton has been with you, and put this whim
into your head, MIR. Burgomaster These grave
diggers are always seeing ghosts"
"Put light into your antern,' said Adolph,
avoiding direct reply to this observation of the old
man,
, "Be silent and follow me.'' sIfyou bid me, ssIf
you bid me-, said Hans, Il must of course, obey.
for you are my magistrate as we'll as my master.''
Herewith he lit the candle in the lantern and fol-
q lowed his master without further opposition.
: Adoph hurried into the church with hasty steps
but the old man, who went before to show the way,
delayed him with his reflections, that their pro-
gress but slow. Even at the threshold he stopt,
Il and flung the light of his lantern upon the gilded
rods over the door, to which is the custom to add
fresh one every year, that people may know how
!; long the regning elector has lived.
d ''That an excellent CUSTOM" said Hans stone
has only to count those slaves, and learns mme-
diately how long the gracious elector has governed
, us simple men,
= excellent 20 replied Adolph ssbut 20 on,
N Hans, however, had too long been INDUCED in his
odd hayward habits, to quicken his pace this adj
= montion. Not monument would he pass without
IN hvrf lar I,ohx
requesting the burgomaster to explain its nscrip-
ton. In short, he behaved like traveller who was
taking the opportunity of seeing the curosities in the
cathedral although he had spent his three & sixty
&c years in Cologne and, during that period, had been
70 in the habit of frequenting it almost daily.
.s Adoiph, who we'll knew that no representations
would avail him, submitted patiently to the humours
= of his old servant contentng himself with answer
:, ing his questions as briefly possible ard in this
~ way they at last got to the high altar Here Hans
- made sudden stop and was not to be brought any
Y farther.
ia s.Quck ~ exclaimed the burgomaser who was
beginning to lose his patience for his heart throb
II bed with expectation.
To ssHeaven and all good angels defend us!' muir
40 INJURED Hans through his chattering teeth, while hi
re in vain felt for his rosary, which yet hung usua
,as at his grdle.
ne "What is the matter no P" cried Adolph.
at "Do you see tho sits there ?" replied Hans.
1T "Where ?" exclaimed his master IL see no
ne thing! hold up the lantern.''
he ssTIeaven shield us!" cried the old man Their
II. sits our deceased lady the alter, in long whit
IT. veil. and drinking out of theIsacramenta cupn'
or With trembling hand he held up the lantern il
ing the direction to which he pointed 1t was indee,
CHI as he had said There she sat with the paIeness
Ely death upon her face--her white garments wavin
md heavily in the night wind. that rushes through tn
md asles of the church, e. holding the silver goblet
her lips, with long bony arms, wasted by protracte
ed. illness. Even Adoph's courage began to waver-
an "Adelade," he cried, 81 conure you in the nam
er- Of the blessed Trinity to answer meis it thy Twin
self, or but thy shadow 20