Bellevue gazette. [volume] (Bellevue City, N.T. [i.e. Neb.]) 1856-1858, 1856-12-11
MISCELLANEOUS
THE MAGIC MERROEc.
ny REGINALD VERNON.

Towards the close of evening, on a fine
autumn day, and Just As the shades of
night were beginning to enwrap the city
of Florence, Cornelius Agrippa heard n
slight tap at his door, and saw Il stranger
enter the room where he sat studying.
Although the strangers figure was
good, and his C%ountenance gentle and dig
nifed, there was something undeGnabIy
mysterious about him, that inspired a de-
gree Of fear and repulsion. 1t would
have been difficult to guess his wears, as
the attributes Of youth were strangely
blended in his whole person with the char.
acteristics of age. Thus, though not a
wrinkle furrowed his brow, and though
his black eyes were beaming with bril-
Iiancy, his form appeared bowed down by
the weight of years; his thick and alum
dant locks were almost white, and his
touching aud mclodious voice was weak
and quavering. He wore the Florentine
costume, though he carried a pilgrims
staff, and his waist vas girl hy u broad
silk sash, on which were embroidered
some Oriental words. Though his face
was pale as death, his features were of
remarkable beauty, and gave token of
deep wisdom, while expressive, at the
same time, of the most poignant mental
anguish.
"Pardon this intrusion" said he to
Agrippa. 1.-The fame of your science
being spread oyor the world, and having
reached my ears, | would moi leave this
fair city without having seen YOU
"YOu are welcome, SIR, sah Agrippa I;
"but | am afraid your curiosity will be dis
appointed, for you will only find in me a
man who, far from spending his life in
acquiring honors and riches, as all wise
people do, has only wasted long years in
painful study, and in the endeavor to SUR
prise some of natures secrets, and TO
lift the veil concealing the occult SCI
ences."
How can you talk of long years" in
~terrupted the stranger, with "A melancholy
smile, "when you have scarcely witnessed
eighty springs, and when the tomb is al
ready stretching forth its friendly arms TO
invite YOU To eternal rest ! In my child
hoods days, | used 10 wish to resemble
the sun in Its everlasting, glorious career,
but now, | would rather sleep lathe tomb
than emulate him. This evening he set
behind the mountains but not to rest
No, to continue his career, 10 light the
same race OF human beings. Ever the
same! There is no grave for him! And
the d~ew-drops that moisten the earth
night and morning are bat the tears be
shed over his unhappy fate!'
A passionate admirer Of the beauties OF
nature, and a profound observer of her
various phenomena, Agrippa had often
INDUCED in similar thoughts; yet the
strangers impressions and turn Of mind
were so different from his, that he fell
unable for a while to return hun any an.
sWer
Presently the stranger resumed: 81
have been told wonders Of a mirror fash,
toned by your marvellous art, and that Thu
mirror can recall the yisage Of a dead OIL
absent person, whose features one nigh
wish to gaze upon. Alas! there Is no
thing on earth that can charm my sight
The tomb has swallowed up adj the oh
iects of my affection, and time has robbie,
me of everything hat once made exist
ence happy. OF the many tears shed II
this world, not one is shed for me an.
the source of tears seem dried up in m
heart. Yet | would fain see those gen
tie eyes, and that spotless brow on whic
the Almighty hand had Impressed his no
blest seal. The sight of her image woul
be mere welcome 10 my heart than all III
universe has to offer except a grave