The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-05-08

as wen as I'D l1e OtneF, dOn pretend 10 care
two straws for all the fends that ever
plagued the earth
Schwartzwald knew very we'll that the
only thing that Leopold ieared-if he fear
ed at all-was the agency of supernatural
beings; but he knew also that he would
rather die than confess so much. The sol
der had discovered this point in his COM
panioB's character, and he was resolved TO
persist in his attack upon it.
Come, he continued, you. really don't
fear the devil and ifyou would like 20 run the
chance of meeting pretty wench, take
stroll with me to the house Of the old witch,
Alice, and let us have our fortunes spelt.'
Leopold had two reasons for not reius-
| ing this invitation, which he, nevertheless,
shuddered at the thought of Accepting
He would not have had Schwartzwald fan
cy that he was really influenced by super
Stitious fears; and he knew that the hOvel
in which old Alice resided was constantly
resorted to by the young girls of Coffin
gen, who believed that she could tell them
their fortunes. Nothing, he thought, was
more probable than that he should find
some Of them on the present evening; and
| the lateness of the hour was in favor Of
this suppositi6n, because, for Alicc's sake.
as well as their own, these consultations
must be kept profoundly secret. Fathers
are in general very great enemies TO such
practices: there is no persuading them that
! lortune-tellers are not thieves and impos-
tors, and that all kinds of danger may not
ensue TO young girls who visit these illicit
prophets. A jealous constable, who, be-
~ r. .tol,
craft, had reason to deplore his only daugh
Ter having thrown herself away upon an
idle ruffian, whom old Alice had pointed
out as the girls future husband, once went
SO far as TO get a stake and tar-barrel
! ready for the sorceress; and but for Schwar-
izwad, and some of his Jagers, who res
cued her, she would have enjoyed fore
taste of that punishment to which all the
charitable people of Gotingen. who thought
about the matter, believed she was inevi-
taby destined Her house was well known
to be place of resort for inquisitive young
| girls, whose curiosity will sometimes lead
them to affront dangers, the mere mention
Of which, under less powerful excitement,
would frighten them into fits.
Come, said the captain, again, will
you go and have peep in the old hag's
magic mirror'
Have with you, then, willingly cried
Leopold; and, quitting the tavern, they
sailed forth into The street.
1t was now twelve O'Clock. The night
was totally dark; not star was visible
through the thick black clouds which pail
ell the heavens. The wind blew in fierce
gusts; and, as it rushed through the ample
sky, shrill sounds, which seemed horrible
and unnatural, were mingled with its fitluI
blasts. The old houses shook, the signs
creaked in the wind, chimneys were heard
to fall into the silent streets, window-shut-
tiers tapped, and watch-dogs howled. The
hoarse cry Of the sentinels placed in differ
ent parts of the city, were the only human
voices to he heard; and these, as they min
ged at certain intervals with the other
noises of the night, seemed like the shouts
of rowing demons. Nothing could be more
gloomy, nor oppressive TO the spirits, than
this weather; and Leopold, more than once,
wished that he had never began the adven
ture.
We shall be sure to find company at
the old crones, said Schwartzwald: 'the
girls will be afraid to return home while
the WIND blows thus
"A man need have some inducement TO
go out on such night replied Leopold;
'Imean something beyond that old woman's
| juggling. look for some pretty wenches;
and, if find them, they shall pay for it,
won't take all this trouble for nothing;
nay, if should ever find some of those
fiends, which, as folks say, visit the old sor
ceress, provided they come in the shape OF
young and pretty women, will boldly
make love to them Leopold said this
merely for the sake of saying something,
and for keeping up the character of dare
devil, which he had got. He knew Schw-
artzwad was man, who, il he gained the
slightest advantage over hImin the way of
ridcule, would not fail to bring upon him
the quizzing Of all their companions.
We'll said, Orlando Innamoratop replied
the soldier; even such a cold wind as this
| see, cannot cool hot young blood; buf'
here we are at the gate He gave the
word, which, as an officer of the guard, he
was AGO tainted with: and being moreover.
well known, he and his companion were
permitted to pass.
They quilted the town, and struck into
path divergiug away from the road, which
led them on TO barren heath A quarter
of an hours rough walking brought them
TO low howell, the lights in which thew
had seen some time before they reached il.
A loud sound Of laughter, mingled with
screams, was heard. but ceased as the SOL
der and the student approached. The
lights, too, was extingushed; and, by the
time the visitors were at the door, all was
dark and silent.
"This Is odd,' said Leopold: st seems
we are just too late. the revealing is finish
ed
we shall make them begin again re-
Piled Schwartzwald: after coming so far,