Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1835-10-08
sHISCELLANY.
STORY OF ANOTHER WORLD AND
THIS

THIS
In solitary corner Of the Black
Forest, there lived an old man and
his wife, in an old smoky hut. which
though apparently the oldest Of huts,
seemed less so nevertheless than its de-
crepit tenants. Age had bent their
bodies, till it seemed their sole employ
ment was to look for some hole or Gre
vice in the earth where they might hide
their shaking bones in rest. And yet,
such was IN .ir dread of dissolution,
that, in spite Of the numberless infrmi-
ties incident on old age, and of the pee
rishness so often attendant upon both,
their daily and fervent prayers were
for continuance Of that miserable ex-
istence. The old man, formerly wood
cutter, now bereft of the strength ncccs-
sary TO wicld an axe for his subsistence,
derived his living from little patch Of
ground on which his hand could still
cultivate few roots. At night, in his
ember-lighted cogitatIons. he often re-
called to his doating mind the tradi-
tionary tales in which he used 10 delight
IN his youth; those tales where talismans,
invulnerable knights, and enchanted
palaces played each an important and
essential part. But his favorite hobby
was the longing hope Of attaining the
art of restoring youth, to body decay
ed and worn down by age. lie had
often tried charms and repeated for
mulR designed to conjure a spirit that
might shew him the way TO the Fon-
fot, II L.. I,,N
One evening, as the storm ragged over
the forest and the blasts Of the wind
bent the creaking tops Of the old trees
over his slab clad roof, his eyes were
attracted by drop of rain which had
penetrated through the chimney into
the hut and fell on the heated hearth
The liquid dubbed awhile, and pre-
scntly was converted into a whitish
vaPor, which, instead Of ascending
with the current occasioned by the
IRE, played about undissolved in the
AR before the old mans face. assuming
various fantastic forms in its undula-
IONS. BY degrees, the mist took a
shape resembling that Of a man, and
presently II had his hues and expres-
SION, while IT still Aoated in the lremu-
lous AIR. AT last, the vapor, or rather
the figure, rested upon the tip Of the old
wornan's cap, whose head. after long
nodding to and fro without prop, had
finally taken a quiet station upon her
breast.
The figure, or tho spirit. for thus il
secmed) first agitated It's limbs in yari-
Gus attitudes. somewhat as the new
born butterfly is seen 10 move and shake
its azure wings IN the sun before IL
taxes It flight into the nower.studded
hcids: then he paused and beckoned 10
The breathless old man.
have heard thy invocations. he
sad. and know thy longing after the
art Of restoring youth % a decayed boz
dy bat although it be not in my ppw
rr to grant thee such a wish. vet I can
perhaps satisfy thy desire in another
"ay. ] Will transport thee 10 a world
where minutes are like ares in this.
AMI where, without icngibcning thy
Gays the few hours which thou hast
vet 90 live, will be a. thee a life longer
'Aln that Of the oldest here. and NAV
prove as prosperous and delightful
f'tided thou wilt not attempt 10 look
''c < on the minutes spent IN this world
a1d thus reflect on the relative brevity
q ages there.
oh pray then. said tho old man,
carry me there instantly, and let me
ny at least for { can return, I imagine,
when tired Of the change?