The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1850-08-10

U
being reclining on the couch, was she mortal -
sswas he mortal or was he dreamingl His eve
fell on Mesmer and instantly his face became pale
and he iecollectcd the last moments Of conscious
ness in the studio! The "magician" as men in
those days, termed him, smiled kindly upon him,
and approached him with hand extended Fred
erick graspcd it with strange warmth Of feeling,
and felt his heart he could not conceive where
fore, felt kindly aflcctioned toward him. But
where was hei He put the question to him.
an the presence Of her for whose service come
for you. How you came here you shall learn
hereafter. Now you have delicate task. Pre-
pare your clay and tools and take your station by
this ady's couch
He complied overwhelmed with wonder and
curiosity, and still questioning whether lie was
awake. He had never beheld such earthly beau.
ty as hers before him. ns gaze rested upon one
Of her arms which, par@ barred TO the elbow
displayed a contour so f5ultless, that he could
have worshipped il. The hand, too, was so d
vine. The pearly hue Of the surface, the azure
tinted veins, like those in delicate marble, the Ia
pering elegance OF the fingers, never had he
dreamed Of such perfection. lie was enrapturcd
as an artist, and quite in love as a man.
The lady smiled with melancholy expression
az she witnessed his admiration; and Mesmcr
said, TO his surprise,
"Sir, you are brought here thus secretly to
mould hand like that, us perfect aud faultless
in every respect"
"lmpossibe !" he exclaimed
at is rare workmanship, but thou hast genius
to do IT," said Mcsmer quietly -"Signor, unrobe
your right arm"
She obeyed and to the sculptor's horror and
surprise, be beheld freshly healed stump the
fellow to the hand he had worsppped, was gone
Instantly the story Of Count di Naloni flashed
upon his mind, and he started back with an intense
feeling. He Immediately felt Mesmer's eye upon
him. and recollecting that it might be dangerous
10 betray his suspicious lie remained standing
gazing upon the mutllated member with strange
aud hardly suppressed emotion
1T is r painful loss" said the magician. "Kneel
beside her, sir artist, and mould and Fl. accurately
TO that arm hand the match to the othr in every
part. Ask ME no Questions-nake no objections.
Obey"
Fredrick knelt and for few moments was
silently engaged in shaping the pink.tnted clay
he had brought into n rough scmb!anCe Of hu
man hand. He then bent over the other and for
some time studied its inimitable proportions. Al
| length he commenced hls task.
/ Aiesmer bent over him and watched bis pro
ceedings in silence, while the lady conversed and
smiled and completely bewildered him with the
| power Of her charms.
| At the expiration Of two hours the work was
completed y hand ofclav accurately fitting the
wrist whence the other had been coven was made,
and, save in life, was the counterpart. of the 9th
er
Thou hnst done they work WE'LL" said Mesmer
az he took it up and examined the hand Now
| thou shalt witness NINE"
! First tell me who thou art = asked me Ger.
man youth"
II will answer thee for thau mayest be my
| disciple. ] am the YEsNEE -
| Il know the power and w That means | nm
| here" said de Rvther, with animation after re-
covering from hi- surprise, 81 have read thy mys
terous books, aud heard Of thv miracles. Initiate
me into the mysterious Of tlly dark philosophy
! wonderful man, and will serve tic With all my
! soul !"
Take thy first lesson Behold !"
| The female extended her mutla.ed arm, and nc
/ firmly bound with silk the clay to the flesh Then
while she instictvely shuddered, he fixed upon
her his burning gaze In e moment her eye,
| closed and her head sank upon her bosom. Then
| Mesmore knelt before her, and bowing his heat
upon her hand Of clay, claspcd it between his ant
thus remained several minutes The sculptor
stood looking on with wonder and fear.
4hAItHEtll tl!c l4AENIah iNsc siii h.N'tsrIN
her.
rs It animate. ladyT
Yes was the low answcr which seemed e
come from her chest for her lips moved rot.
lIeremoyei the silk, and the horrifcd Frederick
| fell upon bis knees and crossed HIMSELF The
hand he had moulded OF clay had become living
member, kindred in sympathy and lovliness with
the other Mesmer turned and looked upon lin
with triumphant power He now waved lis hand
to awake her, but TO- new horror was to paralyzC
both, The face Of the mCsmerizpd had begun
slowly TO charge INTO clay before their eyes
| The glorious beauty of her countenanre became
! dark and earthly, and the eyes were cxtnguished
/ in eternal night The neck and arms became rap
idly converted to earth and in few minutes there
reclinrd ON the couch bcf,re them statue o
clay, like Ewes before the breath of life had been
communicated save the hand which the sculptor
had made, which remained adhesive to the dead
clay warm, throbbng, living flesh
| When satisfied that what he behold was real
| Mc-mcr uttered cry ofhorrOr and fled Fred.
erick stood parlyzcd with fear aud fascinated bv
the hand from which he could not turn his Caze
At length overcome bv terror as he tsheld the
! finger lift in warning, he sunk upon the ground
insen,iblc when the writer awokc and found hC
had been dreaming upon volume on NIesmer
ism, over which, while reading 1t late atnight he
had fallen asleep