Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1843-09-15
From Victor llugo's Excursions along
the Banks Of the Rhine.l
SlNGULAR LEGEND.
gcs and ages ago a wish was enter

tdIHcu VI AlN ia Chapelle 10 lOund 4;
church; and, the foundation being lai
and the walls raised, for six months
nothing was heard on the spot but the
sound oC adze and hammer. But the
funds Of the pious having suddenly fail
ed, the pilgrims passing through the CT
~ were appealed to by a tim basin being
placed before the church door. Scarce
~ a denier. however, vas dropped into
the vessel. What was TO be done? The
senate assembled and cousu ted. The
workmcn refused to labor, and weeds
and moss already took possession Of the
iewly laid stones, as If the, were pre-
destined TO rum! Was the design then
To be abandoned? The town senate
knew not what to answer!
One day, as they were setting in de
liberation, a mysterious stranger ,orhigh
n imposing aspect, made his appear
ance before them. "Good morrow .grn-
tlemen," quoth he. What is the sub
Ject OF debalel Is it the stoplage o (
your church which causes your anxiety 4,
You know not how TO complete i, ell
You want money for the endo wment?'-
Stranger" replied one Of the senator's.
with Indignation, "You talk too ~rlippanl-
iyi we want half a million Of gold pie
~ces" "tlere they arc" replied the
stranger, epening a window and point
lug to a heavy laden cart stationel in
the square before the town hall, to which
wereyoked ten pair OF oxen, attended,
by twenty Moors, armed 10 the teeth.
One OF the Senator'S, having accompn
MED the mysterious stranger down stairs
took one of the sacks from the cart, anu
returned 10 empty it before the senate.
when It proved 10 be really full ef geld /.
All present opened their eyes with u
mazemenj; and, turning towards the
stranger with growing respect, demand
ed n s name. 81 am the owner of Won
der gold What would you have
morer replied he. ''M6 residence is in
The Black Forest, noar the lake of Wild
see, not FAR from the ruins of 1eideu-
stadt, the city Of the pagans. possess
a gold mine and a silver mine, and du-
ring the night amuse myself with ccun
ting over heaps Of c~arbunkles. Ny
tastes are simple, but, being Of a melan
choly disposition, ! pass my days watch
ing, in the deep and transparent waters
OF the lake, the gambols Of the triionS
and the growth Of the Polygonum amphi
num-. Thus much in answer 10 your
questions, J have u~nbosomed myself a.
much as ! intend; make the most Of it!
Honder is your millien of gold pieces;
take them or let them alone"
accept them," replied the SEN
ate, "Hnd will hasten TO finish our
church."
''There is one condition 10 the bar.
GAIN" observed tho stranger. "Take
the gold and finish your church. But
demand in exchange the soul Of the
first individual who crosses its thresh
hold on the day OF dedication
"You are the devil, them" shouted
the Mortified senator's.
"And you-asses!" was the reIoinder
of SGtan.
The burgomaster Of the Senate now
began 10 quake n tremble, and made
the sign Of the cross. But Satan. who
was IN a~lOcular mood, laughed outright
at their panic as he gaily chinked his
gold; so that they took courage and be-.
gan TO negotiate.
isaiah must know what he is about"
said they, cor he would not retain his
situation as devil?"
"After all, it is a bad bargain for ms?'
retorted his Satanic Majesty in his turn
~ o will have your million or YOU
church 10 show for il; | only d wretch
ed soul! And whose, pray! The first
that comes to hand, the soul Of a chance
customer, some canting hypocri;e, prob
ably, who, in his d%issembled zeal is the
Trst to enter, and who would therefor c
under any circumstances, have fallen tC
my snare! must obswere, by the way,
gentlemen, that the plan OF your church
IS admlrablel-Who has been your ar
chitect? Tell him, with my compli,
ments, that ! perfectly approve Of hi.
groined %aisles; and tina the pointed ar
ches are in good iasle. The shaping
Ofthe doors is not altogether to my fan
cy, but it may be modified. The stair
case leading to the vaults will be a fin,
thing in its way; and it would be a chou
sand pities that what is so we'll begun
should stop short for want Of funds
What say you, gentiemeng Is il a deal
My million Of money for a single soul:
ay Or nor
50 spake the temples. "After ALL %
served the S~cnators, 1--WE may think our
selves lucky 70 e Of so easily. n,
might have taken a (sacy % haif a Dc.
zen souls Of encs, which, lea US hope, ar.
safe frem his clutches. Nay, he nigh
haze levied a Jar Of souls npon the
whole PopUiatioRl"
The hargsiR, therefore, wAs fuaiig
struck, and the mHliOa o. golS paid int,
their tTsasurL GazH vszisaed frou
tbeir vfow shrossh a. aperture, vhci
enl1tet 0e eninnnriasE Mlte Ran,e q nLa