The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1842-09-03
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY II. WEBB.



sciences, and the power wheiewiih certai
individuals are ent owed Of disposing at wi
OF the powers of nature. The curious, bu
. still incredulous student. perfectly confded
, in his own judgment, did not hesitate 4
, enter into The conversation with view 4
retu,e vicioriously, in his own opinion, tn
arguments of his adversares. He contend
ed that belief in the marvellous power
whose possession was boasted of by certail
| Individuals, was remnant of the supersti
ton peculiar to the dark ages; urging that
formerly the science of physics was mys
terry, but that now, increase of knowledge
having exploded the mystery, the light O
science had forever dispeled the shadowec
spells of sorcery. In fine, he dstourset
upon the subject as logically and practically y
as our worthy doctor here would have done;
IT not quite so learnedly,a. leas, 10 the same
effect.
The discussion was prolonged, and end.
ed as such discussions generally are, by
leaving each party more firmly strengthened
in his own way of thinking.
'Fhe storm had finished, and the men
after finishing THEN several polalions, hav-
ing one BY one disappeared, the student
was about TO retrace his steps towards the
university, through night Of pilchy dark
ness, when The woman, now his only com
Pan'on, approached at his request 10 receive
payment for The glass of spirits lie had
drunk.
You interest me much said she; you
are young. eloquent. and above all firm in
your own opinion upor the fallacy of occult
science; but what would you say, were |
this very night 10 convince YOU of your
errorH
Il should say why, nothing; for
whatever you might be enabled to show
me,lha. only would give credence to which
should be enabled to comprehend, there's,
might be the mere effect OF illusion, of a
prestige which should decidedly attribute
10 your skill without you are able to make
me concede that there exist individuals ca
pabe of derangng The immulable order of
lhings.'
'lhe woman fixed a penetrating look
upon him, and her counlenance assumed
ior moment terrific, but no. menacing
expression
Are you courageous man!'
why that question:
Have you stoIt herrl!'
AS every man Of honor has,
Braver than The common order of
men!'
'Well, then! follow me- ~but, no, you
will not dare
i dare-;f you will give me your
pledged word as glpsey. for such per-
ceive you are, not In any way 10 enlrap
me-
i will give you my pledged word, as a
gipsey, not 10 bring you into contact with
aught save the powers Of nature
'Ihe student, whose curiosity was now
raised TO the highest pitch, and whose
armour propre, like that of most young
men, by being dared, becoming somewhat
piquec, promised 10 follow the gipsey and
submit himself 10 whatever proof she might
require.
'rhrowing cloak over her shoulders,
she slept forth a few PAGES, saying, Follow
me then;' but, halling on the Threshold of
the door, added
Drink another glass;
Not another drop | do not need it,
mo matter, you require, and will be the
better for one moIe glass
Thus pressed, the student empiied the
glass presented to him, and they then TO-
gelher Quilted the hut
'rhey walked at rapid pace through
the bye lanes in the direction of the uni
versi1y, guided by the distant flashes OF
lightning which at intervals wildly ilumi.
mated their path; and On approaching Cam
bridge, crossed the high road which skirts
The rear OF the river side colleges, then fol-
lowed for some moments the line of hedge
bounding the walks of Glare Hall & Kings
College, until the woman stopped before
the large iron entrance gate of the latter
A blaze Of lightning discovered the woman
in the aci of applying key, attached 10
bunch al her waist, TO The lock, and in an
instant afterwards they stood within the
walls of Kings College. The gipsey
crossed the cycloid bridge, took the direc.
tion of The chapel, passed through the side
gate leading TO Clare Hall, and again stop
ped before The ancient ivy colored gateway |
of the nov uninhabiled and ruinous old
count of Kings College. An owl, scared
by the creaking of the rusty hinges of the
pos,ern by which they gained the deserted
area, slrewn here and there with heaps of
ctr aud ruhhigh eoraaohaA S1y |