Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-05-17

. Against this stone The un]ucky sexton SUM
bled, ipst as the turret-clock struck twelve, and
Immediately he fill to the earth III death'lHc
swoon. The cold, however, soon orohght hin
10 himself, s, recovering his senses ne again
fed, winged by terror, and fully convinced mat
he had no hope Of escaping The vengeance oil
the dead. except by the confession oil his crime,
and gaining the forgiveness of her family. With
this view he hurried across the markrt-piace 10
The burgomaster's house, where hehad to knock
long before he could attract any notice he
whole household lay in a profound s'tep, with
the exception oil the unhappy Adolph, VINO was
now sitting alone on the same SOFA Wherc H
had so often set with his Adelaide. Her picture
hung on the wall opposite to him, though II
might rather be SAID 20 feed his griet than to
afford him any consolation. And yet, as most
would do under such circumstances he dwe't
upon il the more in'enily even from the pain II
gave him, and it was not till the sexton had
| knocked repeatedly that he awoke from his
melanc holy dreams Reused a: last, he opened
the window, and inquired who il was that dis
turbed him at such an unreasonable hour! ut
is only |, Mr.. Burgomaser," was HE answer.
"And who are you?" again asked Adolph.-
"Boit, the sexton of ST. Peers, Mr.. Burg"mas-
ter; have thing Of the utmost Importance TO
discover 10 YOU" Naturally associatin5 the J.
dra of Adelaide with the sexton OF The church
where she was buried, Adolph was immediate
! ly anxious 10 know something more OF The mat
ter, s. taking u2a wax light, he FASTENED down
stairs, and himself opened The door TO Bot.
"\Nhat have you 10 say to me!" he excldim-
ed. mot here, MIR. Burgomastsr," replied the
anxious sexton; mo, here; we may be overheard.
Adulph, though wondering at this attectlon
ofmystcry, molioned HIM in * closed the door;
when Bolt, throwing hims,l al his teet comics
scd all that had happened Tie anger ofAdoph
Was mixed VITA compassion al the strange
recital; nor could he refuse TO Bolt the absolu-
ton which the poor fellow deemed 50 essential
to his future security from the vengeance. OF the
deed. AT the same time he cautioned him 10
maintain profound silence on the subject to-
ward. every orr else, as otherwise the sacrle &c
might be attended with serious consequences
it not being likely thai the eclesias'ics, 70
whom the judgement OF such matter belonged,
would view hia fault with equal nduigence.-
He even resolved to 60 himself 10 the church
with Bolt, tina: he might investigate the affair
more thoroughly. But to this proposition the
sex on gave prompt and POSITIVE denial. u
would rather" he exclamrd,"l would rather
be dragged to the soatfo!d than again disturb
the repose of the dead" his declarations, so
ill-timed, confounded Adolph. On tie one hand
he felt al underlined curiosity to look more mars
nowly into this mysterious business; on the o.
Their he couldao, help feeling compassion Tor ler
SEXTON wko, it was.rvIdeuI, mas labouring under
the influence of deluslon which he was utter
" unable 10 subdnr. The poor fellow tren-
Mod IA, over. as IT shaken by an ague fit
and painted The situation Of hi, wife and his
pressing poverty with such pale face and such
despair in his eyes, thai he might himself have
passed for church yard spectre. The burgo-
master again admonished him to oe silent for
fear Of The consequences. and, giving him a
couple of dollars 20 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 aud
confidential servant, Of whose secresy he could
have no doubt. 10 his question Of DO you
fear the dead?" Hans stoutly replied "they are
not half SO dangerous as the living
Indeed" said the Bu-gomaster. "Do you
think, then, that you have courage enough to
go into the church at nighl?" "In the way of
my duty, yes" replied Hans; "nut o:her~ isc.
l, is no, right TO rifle with holy matters"
"Do you believe in ghosts, Hans" continued
Adulph. eyes, Mr. Burgomasler."
"Do you fear ,hem?" "No, Mr. Burgomas-
4. ter. l hold by God, and he holds me up; and
God is the strongest"
"W:il you SO with me 10 the Cathedral, Fl ans?
| have had strange dream 10 igh,: it seemed
to me as if my deceased wife called to me from
the s,eeple>wndow" 81 see how it Isl AN"
swered Hans; she sexton has been with you,
aud put this whm into your head, Mr. Burgo-
master. These grave-diggers arc always see.
ing CHESTS"
"Ppt light in,o your laniern," said Adolph
avoiding direc, reply to this observation of
the old man 'Bc silent aud follow me-" elf
you bid me-" said Hans, 81 must OF course o.
hey; for you are my magistrate as well as my
master"
Herewith he lit the candle in the lantern, S
! followed his mater without further opposition
Adolph hurried in'o the church with hasty
steps; hut The old man, who went before to show
the wy delayed him with his reflections, so
that their progres, was bat slow. Even al the
threshold he a;opl, and fang the light Ut his
lantern upon the giit,d RAIDS over Inc door, to
watch it is the custom to add flesh one every
year, tina, The people may know how long the
feigning elector mas f!,ed.
"rhal is All exceilen, custom" said Hans: