Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1837-07-22
schroff, +, The Magician.

One of the most extraordinary beings in Lelpsic,
some years ago, the Baron Schropier or Scrofer
amysIerous man, who was SAID TO have supernat-
ura knowledge OF the fortunes and destnes OF ndi-
vduals and who made immense sums by practising
upon the credulty Of the Ignorant, among whom ma
ny of the first families in Lepsc was included. BY
his solemn manner and pompous promises, he sue
eeeded IN attracting numbers 10 his house. where ne
contrlved to show them 10 make them believe that
he show d them (Which anoHntcd TO the same thlng)
the shadows OF The d. parted, after various in9htiul
preparations which mus, have Supplied the crcdulous
people and made them eady 10 believe any thing
So successful was this magician, that he became I'M
meusey rich; large parcels were frequently sent to
the Baron Schroeder, end several bankers received
orders 10 pay him large sums. Lovers OF both sexes
WHOM, death had berea of the object Of their love-
were constant vslles at Barons, eager 10 test his
gic power and behold death the features of those
whose image was indebly impressed upon their
hearts, and whose uutiMely death they mourned.
His eloqIencc most sadsctlve, and the solemnIty
OF his demeanor inspired confidence and awe After
dscoursing with his vislicrs, and leading Their lmagl
nations To belief in the supernatural, he would say
Now come and see! He then led the way to his
magic chamber where, after long and terrible in
canlaon in perfect darkness the shadows OF the low
ed ones wsuld to float in the distance and ohr
sights exhibited in accordance with the wishes
of the Baron's visters.
AT the period " hen the Baron enjoyed his greatest
celebrity beautiful girl OF Lepsc, who was betroth
ed to young student, Adolphe Kloss, suddenly died;
her death was a sad bereavement. Adolphe was an
with Annette enjoying then the highest happiness of
humanity picture the bliss of the righteous, aft The
trammes OF earth shoald be shakea off, and they
should dwell together in eternal brightness. In the
very madness of Affection they exchanged promises
that the one who died frs, should if consciousness
of the past remained, and the power existed return
and acqualnt ne other with the glory and subllmty
of eternity. Annette died, and Adolphe prayed for
the return OF her spirit with the dngs OF futurty.-
But the spirit came not. Days weeks, months pass
ed on, and the young enthusiast remained without
the object Of his unhaowed wishes. He had heard
of Schrofier, and he visited him. The magician smi-
led when the youth told him his story. BE patient,
he said you shall see Annette.
VIII n exclaimed Adolphe impatently; this
nghtP
Adophe followed the magician into another apart
ment' There were numerous other persons regnling
themselves with wine The magician besought the
enthusiast to be seated, aud invited him 10 drink
Adophe accepted The ofer but the unpleasant taste
sf the wine caused him 10 put down his glass, and
fuse the invitation OF Schrofsr TO put il to his lips
again. Not SO, however the rest III the company,for
they did not rise from the table until the bottle
empted Of its contents. The magician then passed
through the drapcry at the end OF the room and at
ter some moments, called the company one py one,
into he inner chamber. IL was some Time before "
came the turn Of Adophe because he was Tue last
conner. But at length the rest departed, and
Adolphe heard his own narn7 called from within
He passed into the mag,clans chamber, and found
himself in iots darkness lie could see no one, bat
heard the magcias voice utter1ng strange words IN
dull sepulchra tons, and accompanied by murmur
ike that of distant voleos occasionally broken by
noise like thnnder
mn his mind to meet something terrible than hu
man sights or sounds, and with his arms folded upon
his breast he awaited calmly the result. The mag
clan now approached the youth and after eying nm
closely drew CT clio round HIM, and strictly enJolncd
him not to move. Suddcnly light sprung up nj a
distance and Adolphc perceived Il came from SINAI
altar before which Schroeder uncovered his breasts
threw himself upon his knees. He held IN his hand
gltierng swordan he prayed 50 udly ana iervent'
w. that the stern heart Of AdolPhe felt awed, and he
oazrd mon the magician with breathless wonder
ment Fire flashed from the eyes of the suppican,
and his breast was powerfully ngitaied. Tie prayer
beng ended, he called upon the name OF Annette,
Adolphe breathod violently. Spirit cried the en-
chan,er who Invest in immaerial world, invisible to
the eye Of mortals listen TO the voice Of him thou
hast left mourning behind, and who desires 10 gaze
once more upon the living beautes-to hear again the
silver notes Of thy voice. Leave for a short time the
new dwelling place and present thyseii before nim
Then addressing Adolphc, he said, Now call An,
neuc' The student, in iremulous voice, murmured
the loved ones name. Annette, responded The ma
o,c.an IL calls and thou wilt come Imnediate-
" Adophe felt in every nerve sensation similar 10
an electric shock. noise was heard similar to the
rolling Of thunder and from the altar proceededa per-
fumed smoke which denscly filed the apartment =
The lIoht upon the altar deadened, and clear dim
blue gh, appeared, IN The midst OF which Stood ie
male figure, yelled. Adolphe stood wrapt and mo-
tonless. The female figure gently uplIghted the veal
She spoke but the lses ~ the chamber prevented
the words from being ntellgibleto the lover. Schro
fer pale IA DEATH hourshes the sword over his head
Adophe who could scarcely see the features OF the ie
male AT the distance Of which he stood, resolved 10
step out Of the circle which Schroeder had marked
around him, and approached II; but the magician per-
ceyinq his intention, rushed towards him, holding the
swords point his breast, and crying with terrible
voice You die If you move another step Pause, or
YOU are dead manv Adolphe was terrified by the
frantic tone and manner Of the cnchanter and he step
ned hack into the circle. The figure vanishing.
hJopbe who was but half satisfied, rather not
tisied nj all determined at all risk to prove whether
the figure was really the spirit Of Annette and II so,
Of conyersng with il. He suddenly rushed upon the
magician, snatchcd from his hand the glnering
sword and lard him PROSTATE. loud scream issued
from the female figure and Adolphe, advancing to-
wards H. seized in his grasp thing more substantial
than any spiri,-a living woman OF n,sh ann eloou
His cries brought ASSISTANCE with ilgh,s, 8hen 'he
rogu. ~ of SchrofTer was discovered. ny means Q
machinery, and three or four confcderaies IN n'
room beneath, he was enabled 70 carry on ms ina
nous trade
Disguised at the infamy, and ashamed OF havInf
himself become the dupe of the impoefer, Adopnt
FASTENED from the scene and orebore publishing II &c
the world for fear Of being himself ridculed The fe~
prsons whom Adolphes cries had brought were 81
lenced for while by the money and threats Of the
magician and he was thus enabled TO carry on his
Trade for some time longer. Atleneth howeves, the
secre, became generally known and the custom de-
Avfv UnAk ~ - ma