Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1828-09-02


vengeance of the dead. At the same time
he cautioned him to maintain profound
silence on the subject towards every one
else, as otherwise the sacrilege might be
attended with serious conseguences-it
not being likely that the ecclesiasticks, to
whom the judgment of such matters be-
longed, would view his fault with equal
indulgence. He even resolved to go him.
self to the church with Bolt, that he might
investigate the affair more thoroughly.
But to this proposition the sexton gave a
prompt and positive denial. ct would
rather" he exclaimed, +" would rather be
dragged to the scaffold than again disturb
the repose of the dead" This declaration,
SO ill-timed, COMPOUNDED Adolph. On the
one hand, he felt an underlined curiosity
to look more narrowly into this mysterious
business; on the other he could not help
feeling compassion for the sexton, who, it
was evident, was labouring under the in
fuence of a delusion which he was utterly
unable to subdue. The poor fellow trem-
bled all over, as if shaken by an ague 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 a church-yard
spectre. The burgomaster again admon-
lshed him to be silent for fear of the con-
sequences, and, giving him a 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 confidential servant, of whose
secrecy he could have no doubt. To his
question of "Do you fear the dead 2"
Hans stoutly replied, "Thcy are not half
so dangerous as the living"
Indeed !" said the burgomaster. "Do
you think, then, that you have courage
enough to go into the church at night Z"
In the way of my duty, yes" replied
Hans I" not otherwise. 1t is not right to
tri1e with holy matters"
Do you believe in ghosts, Hans 2"
continued Adolph. i" Yes, Mr.. Burgomas-
ter"
edo you fear them :" emo, Mr.. Bur-
gomaster. I hold by God, and he holds
me up and God is the strongest"
Will you go with me to the cathedral,
Hans ! have had strange dream to-
night it seemed to me as if my deceased
wife called tome from the steeple-window."
Ell see how it isl answered Hans: the
sexton has been with you, and put this
whim into your head, Mr.. Burgomaster-
These grave-diggers are always seeing
ghosts" ~
Adolph, avoiding direct reply to this OBJ
servation of the old man. Be silent and
follow me-" :" if you bid me-" said Hans,
81 must Of course, obey; for you are my
magistrate as well as my master"
Herewith he lit the candle in the lam
tern, and followed his master without fur
Their opposition.
Adolph hurried into the church with
hasty steps; but the old man, who went
before to show the way, delayed him with
his reflections, so that their progress was
but slow. Even at the threshold he stopt,
and flung the light of his lantern upon the
gilded rods over the door, to which it is
the custom to add fresh one every year,
that people may know how long the reign
ing elector has lived.
That is an excellent CUSTOM" said
Hans zone has only to count those
slaves, and one learns Immediately how
long the gracious elector has governed us
simple men,"
+" Excellent p replied Adolph +" but 60
on"
Hans, however, had too long been in
dulged in his odd hayward habits, to
quicken his pace at this admonition. Not
monument would he pass without first
stopping to examine it by the lantern light,
and requesting the burgomaster to explain
its inscription. In short, he behaved like
traveller who was taking the opportuni-
ty of seeing the curiosities in the cathedral,
although he had spent his three-and-sixty
years in Colonge, and, during that period,
had been in the habit Of frequenting it al
most daily.
Adolph, who well knew that no repre-
sensations would avail him, submitted pa
tiently to the humours of his old servant,
contenting himself with answering his
questions as briefly as possible; and in
this way they at last got to the high altar.
Here Hans made sudden stop, and was
not to be brought any farther.
"Quick p exclaimed the burgomaster,
who was beginning to lose his patience !;
for his heart throbbed with expectation.
Heaven and all good angels defend
us p murmured Hans through his chat
tering teeth, while he in vain felt for his
rosary, which yet hung as usual at his CIR
die.
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