The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1846-04-18


mense fire. place, and which ever and anon
cast its pale an hickering light upon the
savage features OF The old man, who was
reclining in large ann chair of black"oak
and WIS wrapped in bear skins. On see-
ing the King, he was going 10 rise TO re.
ceIve him, but The Prince modoned TO keer
his seat, and shaking his hand, sat down by
his de.
Blucher, by motion Of his head, signi'
fed that he wished to be left alone with ,ht
King, and was instantly obeyed He ther
raised himself, with painful effort, il
his chair, and alter few moments silence
began:
Sire said he, Il begged you TO come 'c
KrebIowirz. knew that you would b.
presen, at the au,umnal reviews, out ever
had you been al the fat,hes, extremity oI
Europe, sooner than not TO see you ! woult
have set out, dying as am would have
one to find You, for have secret ter.
rible secret, 10 reveal TO you.
But before enrust it to you, sire, Iook
at me-examine my features, my counte
nance, the expression Of my face, The tone
Iof my voice. The clearness of my ideas
crsuade yourself that enjoy my ieasor
fully, and that am not mad; for there orr
moments when ask myself whether an
not insane, and take visions of the night lo
remembrance Of what has really happened
But no.. he added, drawing gold bIacele
rom his bosom. no, i, is all true, it is al
cal, and | can aou6s nothing Of it. So lls'
ten to me sire.
When, in 1856, the seven years war
broke out, my father, who lived at his do
main in GrOss-Renzow, cent me, with m,
brother, TO one of ourNealions, the Prin.
cess Kraswick, in the island Of Rugen.
was then IA years old. and after passing
some time at the old fortress without hear
ing from my famly-for Gross Reuzow
aud the surrounding country had become
The theatre of war; entered the service OF
Sweden, in regiment of huzzaTs. was
made prisoner al Suckow, and the prussair
government urged me TO enlist in their ger
vice For a whole year | refused and did
not regain my liberty until accepted tht
onice of cornet in the regiment of black huz
Ears | reserved for myself, however, :
Of some months, tor had received
no information whatever Of my family lor
sixteen years, ,and was very naturally anx
IOus as TO the fate of my mother and sisters
| then set out for Gross Renzow. On ny
way found all that part Of Mecklen5urg
Schwerin terribly raVaged, and as found
much difficulty in travelling with my coach
over the steep and rugged route which led
To the home of my lorefalheis, / left mS
vehicle, aud mounting horse started a.
full pace, accompanied by single servant
1t was just flty-nine years ago this very
day on The twelfth of August, and at sbou,
the same hour which yonder old pendulum
now marks-hall past eight O'clock A
terrible tempest was roaring through the
woods, the lhunder rolled, the lightning
flashed and the rain fell 10 torrents. After
wandering a long time in the loresI, at lasl
arrived at the gate Of the castle, and there
| noticed thai | was alone, and that my ser,
want had not come with me He was
doubtless unable to follow me through the
storm and darkness.
Without dlsmounnng from my horse,
alruak with the handle of my whip, agains
The gate, which was covered with bars nj
iron, and filled with large nails. No on,
answered The appeal. knocked in lh'
same manner three times, but no one repll-
ed Losing patience. then alghled
The gate opened of itself, but saw no OF,
who performed this Office for me- With
out troubling myself fhow eveT,at This sIrang,
left my horse; and having
the avenue, assembled lhe steps AM
entered the castle. All was dark and no,
a sonnd struck my ear. shuddered, !
must confess, and chill ran through me.
'What .oolishness!' exclaimed. 'lhe cas-
Vie is uninhabted. Ny family leiI it al the
same time tAst did, and doubtless has no'
returned since then. Bul no maIleE--
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