The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1850-06-29
"a, ILL.,, SATURDAY, JUNE 80, 1850.

gazed about him with astonishment The walls
OF the magnificent hall in which he stood were of
white marble, paneled with black; the first deco
rated with the most costly pictures and the last
throwing into broader relief the most exquisite
productions Of the scuptors chise; the floor was
oyerlaid with rich Persian carpets, and the domed
roof was studded with silver stars Bewildered
by so unexpected display Of splendor he moved
slowly, but when he reached the threshold of the
first apartment he began to believe himself the
sport OF dream. Velvet hangings, with their
rlch crimson folds held back by bands and iriuges
OF gold; sofas and diyans embroidered with flow.
ers SO ylvidly as to appear strown but newly from
the choicest partefres of Eden; mirrors which
supported the ceiling and reflected the feet; yes.
sells Of gold and silver inlaid with Jewels toys
from foreign lands, alike without names or uses,
but all either graceful or gorgeous, a bright fire
of cedar and sandal wood blazing upon a hearth
Of red Egyptian marble, beside which was placed
table Of marqueterie, covered with froit and
wine, and goblets of Bohemian glass; and chair
OF nad ivory and ebony, with cushions Of satin
damask as white rs the breast of the aigrct heron
such was the spectacle which presented itself
IN one Of the suburbs Of his capital, to the aston
ishcd and benighted Emperor.
In his lirst surprise, the imperial visitor had not
reinarked the disappearance Of bis host; but ere
long hG discovered that he was alone, and throw
ing himself upon the snowy chair, decidedly lit
tie suited to bear SO dripping a burden) he stretch
cd his aching legs closer to the genial and perfu
med heat OF the vast chimney: and pouring into
one of the Bohemian goblets, which resembled q
large ruby veined with gold, a stream of amber
coorcd tokayer, bright and rich as though it had
been just crushed from the prcscious grape that
yields 1t, he emptied it at n drauglt
When he again raised his head to look around
HIM, hc found Lis host at his side; nor did the
costly garments with which lie was now laden
and which he respectfully assi,teG his royal gucs,
to adjust, astoni,h the monarch less than all the
other wonders by which he was surrounded.
HIS acknowledgements for this welltimed at
tention were brief but sincere; and when be had
possession OF Il second chair, which was wheeled
forward for his accommodation, he prepared to in
qnlre into the mysteries about him.
Your imperial majesty must be exhausted,
said the firm but sweet voice of his entertainer
as he was about to speak; permit me 10 offer tC
you few drops of Il precious elixir which viii a
once restore your strength and taking from tic
table curiously-tw-ted phial, covered all owe
with strange mystical characters he dropped int,
tall-stalked Venice glass small quantity Of 1T
contents, which he himself swallowed; and then
rinsing the glass with okayer, which he flung in
TO the blaze Of the fire, whence il streamed UP
ward like apyramid of liquid topaz, he once NOR
let iall similar quantity into the goblet, and rev
erently bending his knee, presented it to the Em
pcror upon small salyer of chased gold.
'By ~. Stephen, our patron my good friend
smiled Joseph H., as he returned the glass, YOU
elixir Is as agreeable as your welcome. Like thi
man in the Ihousand-and. One Nights, feel incli
ned to pinch myself in order to ascertain Whether
be really awake. Who are you, and what i:
the meaning Of al this
Your imperial majesty shall ere long know all,
was the reply; but since may never again hay,
The honor to receive you beneath my humble roof
would crave permission to present TO you on,
who Is very dear TO me; and who, although sh,
may be for the moment unconscious Of so high
privilege, will nevertheless cherish the memory O
1t, TO the end of her life
And She is commenced the Emperor
Here your majesty and the young man drew
toward hm thick rope of gold, which, when for
chilly pulled swung back hanging drapery tha
veiled the upper eud of the ROOM and revealed
the space beyond it,
As the heavy cuytaiu rolled aside, Joseph | |
forgot his imperial dignity, and started from hi
seat. lie saw before him miniature forest will
trailing plants linking the trees together, and gar
Z
oms, while birds of bright plunage were flittn
from bough to bough or plumng themselves up
on the branches. But that which more especial,
nvited the attention Of the Emperor, was the fig
urc OF young girl apparently buried in pro
found sleep, and lying with one hand beneath he
head, and the other graspng garland of wilt
flowers upon green bank. over canopicd by
tulip-troe. Nothing could be more hultlcssl,
beautiful than both her form and face e; her Ion.
and glossy hair, of that rich purple black which
takes a golden g,eam in the light. was confined
round her brow by circlet of halfblown lotu,
blossoms, and then fell over her throat and shoul
dors in wonderful proiusion The long lashes o
her closed eyes rested upon q check MS fair MS Pa
ran marble, and rs white; while her parted lip
were of the richest tint that ever nestled in th,
bosom of n sea.shcN
Once more exclaimed the Emperor, rs he sanl
back in his chair, when lis entertainer havin.
relaxed his hold of the golden rope, the dark cur
tain again shut out this fairy vision; 'oucc more
who are youl DO not fear to conGdo in me-
Have not shown that | have trust in yourself
Tell me all, at once You could not do SO at
more favorable moment. ] am your guest, an,
will not repay your hospitality by harshncss-
Speak.
Again the young man bent his knee
~ nav ''l'H III N'ul HllltiH Npiu'
And you are right Who are you
i am the grand nephew of Faust
How, cried the Emperor, once more starting
from his seat, and gazing down upon him, half il
anger and half in anlazemcnt, you are Gotliel
Faust and you dare to own this 10 mef
fearlcssy sire said the young man, firmly
for you will not falsity your pledge.
'Gotlieb Faustr repeated Joseph H., unable {,
conquer his surprise. Can you be Gotlieb Faust
the initiated, the Roscrucian the atheist, the sor
cerorf Are you aware that have toOn a thous
and times solicited to arrest you, and to put yol
upon your trialf
i am not ignorant Of the fact
That have been entreatcd to take your head
Il know both wherefore aud by whom
You know this, and yet you venture to deliver
yourself thus into my mndsf
why should hesitate asked the young man
with proud smile; yourimpcrial majesty is no
to be dupcd by the'idlc and empty superstition
of the ignorant You have never put faith ii
these vulgar Elncies.'
No, assuredly,' said the Emperor, with dignity
and yet .thc OutCry is loud against you, Yol
live in regal splendor; you dispense annually
fortune in charity
For which men call me m atheist interposeC
Gotlleb, with another of his beaming smiles
You are known TO possess extraordinary tai
en's, which you disdNin 30 use pursued Josepl
H., withou, needing the Interruption; and marvel
| lNa al. l.,.,l. ,,,tl Il.