The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1842-09-03

]; TO the wealthy. who obtain for the purpose
J. what we call "a special license.' Begging
pardon ior the digression, l resume my
8 story.
3 The young student, utterly astonishet
continued
: But how came you acquainted with al
| lhis!'
; Il know nothing of tit is the
! knowledge OF spirit. Are you now con
| vnceGP
'Of what'-of the existence ofa su.
Pernalural power accorded 10 certain indi.
vlduAls! No, | can never believe in sol
Gerry, but am totally unable to explain
what | have Just SEEM
you arc very incredulous, replied the
glpsey with considerable scerbly, as she
riveled her dark eyes gIoomly upon the
student take care, young man, obs,inacy
is an evil ounsellor-nolhing is done in
'hIs world, either OF good or evil, by stiff.
necked slubborness, heaven and hell alike
love submission
i Will never submit 10 that against which
my reason revOlis
Lets try again; gaze once more through
the aperture The young man obeyed un.
hesllallngy, stopped over the centre of the
table, and started back.
Look at it a.tenlively,' exclaimed the
gipsey.
"A fearful trepibation had seized upon
HIM and he trempled in every limb; but
he still continued gazing through the aper.
ture, whilst his features became painfully
distorted; proluse perspiralion ,rickled
IRON his forehead, and he appeared ready
10 swoon,
We'll, what have you seen this tme!
1T is al! over; they are married, and
misery is irremediable.'
Nov that you no longer remain doubt.
ful of my power, follow, at least, the advice
Your power!' scornfully exclaimed the
young man, goaded by his despar;.
your power is all farce--the whole affair
is despesDs piessss ss ssaa a6 ssSSpzH 's chance
which has made me accurately guess that
which most interests you in The world,you,
whom have never seen before, and whose
name has not even been pronounced in
my hearing! How happens it that show
you here, that which occupies your thoughts |
and takes place fifty miles dislan, from us?
Do you not perceive that have made use
of your soul by way of a guide, and that |
can acl upon spirit, as the uninitia,ed upon
the body?
Il see nought of the kind: if you have
nothing further 10 snow me, suffer me 10 |
retire and collect myself for am not in
the humor at this moment to become
convert TO witchcraft, or have its existence
proved 10 me-
so much the worse for you.' replied the
gpsey; you shall, however. be enlightened |
lhereupon, in spite Of your creduli!y y-lhat
| am resolved
Il defy you 10 shake my conviction
retoried the young man. True, l cannot
explain TO myself that which have seen;
but does chance ever explain ITSELF
Il will prove 10 you, too surely, ere we
part continued the Pythoness, 'that can
at will nvert ,he natural order of things.
The expression of her countenance as
she said this, became sinister and forbid
ding in the extreme; every feature was con.
tracied, she foamed at the mouth, and her
lips trembled in silence. She approached
the 'able; seized the dagger, and traced
lew signs WIN us point along Inc surface
of the water with which the goblet was
filled.
Il have only this means of persuading
you remaining, she continued, with an air
Of increased gloom; but l ought to warn
you of the serious nature of the proof: it is
a terrible one. One may no. sport with i'm
punity with supernatural power.-this proof
is. indeed, terrible one, repeat, and the
of The woman became horri-
bly, convulsed, her voice sepulchral in its
tones, and her eyes flashed wildly. This
proof consists in firmly striking with the
dagger's point the water contained in the
goblet which stands on the table; can you
strike the blow without finching? Are
you bold enough to do lhis!'
what is to hinder my doing il! Il will
not be the first or the last time of my strik-
ing with STEEL
You will repent Of this jest for the
of your life; strike, then. and
confess the power o.
The young man struck, piercing shrek
from mans voice rang in his ears--,he
student answered with groan. | felt flesh
al the bottom of the goblet, he exclaimed
with horror, as he flung the dagger from