Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-05-01
VOL. XHT..No. GIL

COS and, giving Inn couple OF dollars to
relieve his immediate wants sent him hons
to his wife and family.
Being thus deprived of his most natural
ally on this occasion, Adolf pin summoned
an old and confidential servant, of whose
secrecy he could have no doubt. To his
question of "Do you fear the dcad?" Hans
stoutly replied, "They are not half SO
dangerous as the living"
Indeed !" said the Burgomaster. "Do
you think, then, that you have courage
enough to 60 into the church at night Z"
"ln the way of my duty, yes" replied
tlans, "not otherwise. 1t is not right TO
trilc with holy matters"
"Do you believe in ghosts, Hans I"
continued Adolph eyes, Mr.. Burgo-
MASTER"
"Do you fear them 2" mo Mr.. Bur-
gomaster. l hold by God, and he holds
up me and God is the strongest"
evil you 90 with me to the cathedral,
Hans ! | have had strange dream to
night: it seemed to me as if my deceased
wife cullcd to me from the stceplewindow."
81 see how it isl answered Hans: "the
sexton has been with you, and put this
whim into your head, Mr.. Burgomaster.
These gravc-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-" eff 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 Ian
tern, and followed his master without far
Their 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 Threshold he
stopped, and flung the light of his lantern
upon the gilded rods over the door, to
which it is 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 tone has only to count those
slaves, and one learns Immediately how
long the gracious elector has governed us
simple men," Not a monument would
he pass without FIRST stopping to examine
by tie lan,ernlight, and requesting the
Burgomastcr to explain its inscription,
although he had spent his three and-slxty
years in Cologne, and, during that period
had been in the habit Of frequenting it al
most daily.
| Adolph, who well knew that no repro
sensations would avail him, submitted pa
ticntly to the humors Of his old servant,
contenting himself with answering his
questions as briefly as possible and in
this way they a, last got to the high altar.
Here Hans made a sudden stop, and was
not to be brought any farther.
"Quick!' exclaimed the Burgomas,er,
who was beginning to lose his patience
for his heart tlvobbcd with expectation.
"Heavcn and all good angels defend
us!" murmured Hans throughhis chatter
ing teeth, while he in vain felt for his
rosary, which yet hung as usual at has
girdlc.
"What is the matter now?" cried
Adolph.
"Do you see who sits there ?" replied
Hans.
"Whcre?" exclaimed his master ;-"l
see nothing; hold up the lantern"
Heaven shiedus !" cried the old man
"thcre sits our deceased lady, on the altar
ina long white veil, and drinks out of the
, sacramental cup"
With a trembling hand he held up the
lantern in the direction to which he poin
ted. 1t was, indeed, as he had said
There she sat, with the palcness of dealt
, upon her face-hcr white garments wa
wing heavily mtho light wind, that rushe,
| through the aisles of the church-an
S holding the silver goblet to her lips wit
0 long, bony arms, wasted by protacte'
0 illness. Even Adolph's courage began t.
V wavcr.-"Adclaide," he cried, 81 coniur
n you in the name of the blessed Trinity
c answer mc-is it thy living self, or bu
= thy shadow =
;, "Ah !" replied faint voice, syo
y buried me alive, and, but for this wine
had persisted from exhaustion. Com
up to me, dear Adolph: l am no shadoy
but | shall soon be with shadows, unIes
receive your speedy succour."
>. $50 not near her !" said Hans "it
;, the Evil One, that has assumed the bcs
- sod shape ofmy lady to destroy you.
d "Away, old man! !" exclaimed Adolph
r bursting from the feeble grasp of his ser
: want, und rushing up the steps ofthe alta,
). 1t was indeed Adelaide that he held j
:. his eager cmbrace-the warm and Twin
Il Adelaide who had been buried for dea,
Is in her long trance, and had only escape
from tho rrayo nv tho cacr;IooiouS n,