Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-08-17
SECRETS OF THE CONFESSIONAL;
OR, THE LAW OF ACOUSTICS.

! Or, THE LAW OF ACOUSTICS.
The preparations had been made for a
grand festival in the Church of the
Magadalen, at Girgenti, and according
to the usage on such occasions, the whole
interior was covered with flowers and
tapestry. The workmen had quilted
the sacred edifce in body at midday,
and throughout reigned solemn and Pc
culiar stiffness, which in the temples Of
the Catholic faith, is felt to exercise an
influence the most edifying and sublime.
Two gentlemen paced to and fro in
the long aisle which skirts the north side
of the building. They were conyersing
in subdued tones, and seemed to regard
the cool shady church as being well
adapted for the purpose of public
promenade. One of them who might
be of the age of about fifty, was of ro-
bust frame, tall, and strongly built, with
a countenance thoughtful and somewhat
stern, but in which no single passion
seemed to have left a. trace. The other
of slender figure, and in the first bloom
of manhood, whose handsome features
were characterized by an expression the
most intellectual and refined. turned his
dark and almost feminine eyes with an
earnest glance in every direction, as if
he had something of especial Inherent to
communicate. 1t was the architect who
designed and superintended the decora-
ton for the fete of the ensuing day
He had but recently completed his
studies at Rome. His name 4Giulio
Balzetti.
On sudden the younger man stood
still. Marquis, he said, in that conf
dental tone which is used in addressing
a person with whom one is in habits of
daily intercourse, al viii impart to you
half in jest--a secret which, 1 be-
lieve is known to no human being except
myself. You have, perhaps, heard of
the strange tricks which are sometimes
played upon builders by the law of ma
ture which regulates the transmission
of sounds and which modern science
has denominated 'Accoustics, played
upon us, indeed, when we have the least
reason to expect or deserve Them
Though an everyday occurrence, by the
mereist accident, l was lately made ac-
qrtainted with the singular fact that from
this spot, on the very flag of white mar
bic on which we are now standing, the
slightest whisper at the other extremity
of the aisle-I mean in the last confes-
sional boxes which you see-is distinct
ly audible; though a person standing on
any part of the intervening ground
how near soeyer to the place whence
the sounds proceeded-would not be
able to catch single word. Remain
where you are for few moments, while
l proceed to the confessional which 1
have indicated, and you will indeed be
wonder struck by the extraordinary
freak of nature"
The architect fastened away; but he
had not proceeded many PAGES, when
the Marquis heard asignifcant whisper
the purport OF which sufficed in an in
slant to agitate his whole frame with the
most fearful emotions He stood trans
fixed to the ground, as though he had
been touched by wand of enchant-
ment-his features pale and rigid as
marble, while the extreme attentiveness
portrayed in his ordinary tranquil visage
betokened that some tidings of awful
import were falling upon his ears. He
moved not limb-he scarcely breathed
he was like one standing on the brink
of a precipice, in all the horror of an
impending fall into the abyss-and his
rolling eyeballs and visible throbbing
heart were the only signs of existence.
Balzetti was now seen returning
''The experiment cannot be tried at
present." he said, with a smile before
he had rejoined his friend. "The con-
fessional is at this time occupied, and as
far as 1 could observe, by lady closely
veiled. But gracious heavens, Marquis,
what has come over you on sudden?"
The Marquis pressed one finger upon
his lips, in the manner usual with Ital-
ians, and continued in the same immova-
bic position. AT the end of a few min
utes, he drew deep sigh-the statue
then became instinct with life, and
stepped forth from the magic circle.
''It is nothing, my dear Giulio," he
said in his familiar. tone. "Above all
things, do not imagine that am super
stitious; but to speak candidly, the sur
prising and mysterious nature of your
communication has affected me in way
l cannot explain. Let us be gone-I
shall soon recover myself in the open
air." As he spoke he took the arm of
Balzetti familiarly accompanied him be-
yond the city gate to the public walk,
when, after few turns, the two gentle
men separated.
"We shall see you tomorrow, after
the ceremony, at the villa," said the
nebleman, ''Farewell!''
At an early hour the following morn
ing the Marquis opened the door of the
ante-chamber of his wife's apartment.
At the same moment the famine de
chdns5re, her looks betraying the utmost
astonishment and alarm, entered the
room by the door on the opposite side.
"Has your lady rung the bell?b asked
the Marquis.
Not yet, your excellency," answered
the girl, curtseying and blushing deeply.