The native American., 1838-02-24

Il household lay In profound sleep, with the ex-
Iception of the unhappy Adolph, who was now
sitting alone on the same sofa where he had SO
often sat with his Adelaide. Her picture hung
on the wall opposite to him, though il might ra-
ther be said to feed his grief than to afford him
any consolation. And yet, as most would do un-
der such circumstances, he dwelt upon it the
more intently even from the pain il gave him, and
it was not till the sexton had knocked repeatedly
that he awoke from his melancholy dreams.
Reused at last, he opened the window, and inuui-
red who it was that disturbed him at such an m
seasonable hour?
| 1T is only I, Mr.. Burgomaster,' was the an
swer.
| And who are your again asked Adolph.
| Bolt, the sexton of st. Peters, Mr.. Burgo-
master; | have thing of the utmost importance
to discover to YOU
| Naturally associating the idea of Adelaide with
the sexton of the church where she was buried,
Adolph was Immediately anxious to know some
thing more of the matter, and taking up wax
light, he fastened down stairs, and himself OPEN
ed the door to admit Bolt.
what have you to say to me?' he exclaimed.
Not here, MIR. Burgomaster,' replied the anx-
ious sexton--snot here; we may be overheard
! Adolph, though wondering at this afectation of
mystery, motioned him in, and closed the door;
when Bolt throwing himself at his feet, confessed
all that had happened. The anger of Adolph
was mixed with compassion as he listened to the
strange recital could he refuse to Bolt the alb
solution which the poor fellow deemed so essen
tial to his future security from the vengeance of
the Dead AT the same time, he cautioned him to
maintain a profound silence on the subject to-
wards every one else, as otherwise the sacrilege
might be attended with serious consequences
not being likely that the ecclesastics, to whom
the Judgment of such matters belonged would
view his fault with equal indulgence. He even
resolved to go himself to the church with Bolt
that he might investigate the affair more thorough
tly. But to this proposition the sexton gave a
prompt and positive denial
4 would rather he excaimed-I would rather
be dragged to the scaIold than again disturb the
repose of the Dead
This declaration, so ill-timed, confounded
Adolph. On the one hand he felt an underlined
curiosity to look more narrowly into this myste-
rious business; on the other, he could not help
feeling compassion for the sexton, who, it was
evident, was laboring under the influence of de-
lusion which he was utterly unable to subdue
The poor fellow trembled 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 church-yard spectre
The Burgomaster again admonished him to be s-
lent 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 old and
confidential servant, of whose secrecy he could
have no doubt To his question of-sDo you
fear the dead?'-Hans stoutly replied, They are
not half SO dangerous as the living
sIndeed?' said the Burgomaster. DO you, then,
think that you have courage enough to 90 into
the church at night!'
In the way of my duty, yes replied Hans
mot otherwise. 1t is not right to trfe with holy
matters
DO you believe in ghosts, Hans! continued
Adolph.
Yes, Mr. Burgomaster.'
DO you fear them!'
mo, Mr.. Burgomaster. hold by God, and
He holds up me; and God is the strongest
'Will you go with me to the cathedral, Hans?
have had strange dream tonight; it seemed to
me as il my deceased wife called to me from the
steeple-window.'
4 see how it is answered Hans; sthe sexton
has been with you, and put this whm into your
head, Mr.. Burgomaster These grave-diggers
are always seeing ghosts
Put light into your lantern,' said Adolph,
avoiding direct reply to this observation of the
old man. BE silent, and follow me-
IF you bid me- said Hans, 4 must of course
obey; for you are my magistrate as well as my
MASTER
Herewith he lit the candle in the lantern, and
followed his mastef without farther opposition.
Adolph hurried into the church with hasty steps,
but the old man, who went before him to show
the way, delayed him with his reflections, SO that
their progress was but slow. Even at the thre-
shold he stopped, and flung the light of his Ian
tern 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 reigning
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 replied Adoph: 'but go on
| Hans, however, had too long been indulged in
his odd, wayward 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
a traveller, who was taking the opportunity of
seeing the curiosities of the cathedral, although
he had spent his three and-sxty years in Cologne,
a.. - L,Jb 10 L 4. e