Baton-Rouge gazette. [volume] (Baton-Rouge, La.) 1819-1856, 1850-06-15
The Mary ellOus Tower;


Roderick issued out Of the gates Of tn
city, at the head Of Il numerous trai,
co,Tiiers and cavaliers, and crossed tn
bridge thnt crossed the deep and rocky bet
Of the Tagus. The shining calyacad,
wound up the mountains, aud soon came
in sight of the necronantic tower.
4king Roderick and his co,irtiers arri
we'd, wondering and amazed, Mt the foo
of the rock. Here was narrow arcllct
way cut through the living stone, tl,s
only entrance to tlIe tower. II was closed
by massive iron gate, covered with rust,
locks Of divers workmanship, and in the
fashion Of different centuries, which had
been affixed by the predecessors Of Dot
Roderick. On either side Of the portal
stood the two ancient guardians of tilt
tower, laden with the keys appcriaillins
to the locks.
The king aIiglted, and approaching
the portals, ordered tho guardians t.
unlock the terror. "Alns," cried they
"wb#t is II you require Of us. Would
you have the niscliefs of this towel
unbound, and let loose to shake the eartl
to its fotlndations?"
The venerable Archbishop Urbino like.
wise iulplored him not to disturb mystery
which had been held sacred from genera
ton to- generation, within the memory o
man; and which even C;nsar himself
when sovereign of Spain. had not ventnr.
ed to invade. The youthful csSvaIiers
however, were engaged to push the ad.
venture, and cefcoltrage him III his rash
curiosity.
"Come what may exclaimed Don
Roderick, IL nm resolved to penetrate
the mysteries of this tower" So saying
he ngnin commanded the guardians To
unlock the portals. The ancient men o.
bey.d will, fear and trembling, but their
hands shook with age and when they
applied the keys, the locks were SO rtsted
by time, or from such strange workman
ship, that they resisted their feeble ef-
forts, wherelrpon the young chevaliers
pressed forward and lent their sid Still
the locks were so numerous and difficult
that with all their eagerness and strength,
n great part of the day was exhausted
before the whole of them could be nlas-
tered.
The patience Of tho king was now ex-
hausted, and he advanced to apply his
hand scarcely, however, did lie touch the
iron CUTE, when it swung slowly open,
uttering as II were, dismal groan, as it
turned reluctantly upon it's hinges. A
cold damp wind issued forth, accompanied
by tempestuous sounds. TIE hearts Of
the ancient guardians quaked within them,
and their knees s,note together; but sever.
al Of the youthful cavaliers rushed in,
eager to crafty their curiosity, or to sig
naIizc themselves in their redoubled en-
terprisc. They Ind scarcely advanced a
few PAGES, however, when they recoilcd,
overcome by the balefnl mir or by some
fearful vision. Upon this, the king ordered
that fires should be kindcd to dispel the
and to correct the noxious and
long imprisoned air; he then led the way
into the interior; but, though stout Of
heart, he advanced with awe and hesita-
ton. @
After proceeding short distance, he
entered Il hall or anteohamber, OH the OPP
posite side of which was door; and be-
fore it, OH n pedestal, stood gigantic
figure Of the color of bronze, and OF a
terrible aspect. 1t hold huge mace
which it whirled necessarily, giving such
cruel and rosonnding blows upon the
earth as to prevent all further entrance.
The king paused at the sight OF this
: rrpalling figure; for whether it was living
or d statue Of magic artifiSe, he could not
tell. On its breast was scroll, where
upon was inscribed, in large letters, I
do my duty" After while, Roterick
pIucked mp courage, and addressed it with
great solemnity. Whatever thou be,
said he, "know that | come not to violate
this sanctuary, but to inquire into the
mysteries it contains; / conjure thee,
therefore, to let me pass in safety
Upon this, the figure paused with up
lifted mace, and the king and his train
passed nnmolested through the door.
They now entered a vast chamber, Of
n rare and stupendous architecture, diff
cult to be described. The wall was en-
crusted with the most precious gems, 80
joined together as to form one smooth and
perfect surface. The lofty dome appeared
to be sef-supported, and was studded
with gems, lustrons are the stars Of the
armament. There was neither wood, or
any other common or base material to be
seen through the cdifcc. There was no
windows or other opening to admit the
day, yet q radient light was spread
throughout the place, which seemed to
shine from the walls, and render every
object distincly visible.
In the centre of this hall stood a table
Of alahaster, of the rarest workmanship,
OH which YVES Inscribed In Greek charac-
ters, that Hercules AIcides, the Theben
Greek, had founded this tower in the year
,f the world, three thousand and six.
Upon the table stood a golden casket
richly set around with precious stones,
and closed with lock of mother-of-pcan :;
and on the lid was inscribed the following
words:
"In this Golfer is contained the mystery
,f the tower. The hand of none but the
king can open it, but let them beware
Tor marvellous events will be revealed to
him, which are TO take place before his
ieath.
King Roderick boldly seized the casket.
The venerable archbishop laid his hand
1pon his arm. and made the last Yemon.
STRANGE. "Forbesr my son. Look not into
.he mysterious decree Of Providence.
God has hidden them iI srercy from our
sight. and tits impious to rend the veil by
which they are concealed
"What have Ito dread from know
edge Of the futnres' replied Roderick.
with an air Of naughty presumption. "If