Bellevue gazette. [volume] (Bellevue City, N.T. [i.e. Neb.]) 1856-1858, 1856-12-11
MISCELLANEOUS.
THE MAGIC MIRROR.
by 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 Agrppa heard
slight tap at his door, and saw stranger
enter the room where he sat studying.
Although the strangers figure was
good, and his countenancn gentle and Dig
nied, there was something undeGnaby
mysterious about him, that inspired de-
gree Of fear and repulsiun. 1t would
have been difficult to guess his years, as
the attributes Of youth were strangely
blended in his whole person with the char.
acteristics of age, Thus, though not
lnncy. his form appeared bowed down by
the weight of years; his thick and abun-
daDt locks were almost white, and his
touching aud mclodious voice was weak
and uuavering. He wore the Florenllne
costume. though he carried pilgrims
staff, and his waist VAS girl by broad
sill, 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 10
Aorippa. "The fame of your science
being spread over the world, aud having
reached my ears, / would not leave this
fair city without having seen you.
you are welcome, sir, sah Agrppa
"but am afraid your curiosity will be dis
appointed for YOU will only find in me n
man who, far from spending his life IN
acquiring honors and riches, as all wlse
people do. has only wasted long years II
painful study, and in the endeavor to sur
prise some of natures secrets and tC
| lift the veil concealing the occult SCI
ences"
"How can YOU talk of long years" in
terrupted the stranger, with melanchol!
, smile, "when you have scarcely witnessed
eighty springs, and when the tomb Is al
ready stretching forth its friendly arms Z
invite YOU to eternal rest ln my child
hoods days, ! used To wish 10 resembl
! the sun in ITS everlasting, glorious career
bu, now. would rather sleep n'the tom
than emulate him. This evening he st
} behind the mountains but not to rest
No. 10 continue his career, to light IN
g same race of human beings. Ever tn
same! There is no grave for mn! an
the dew-drops that moislen The cart
T. night and morning are bat the tears /
she'd over his unhappy fate
', A passionate admirer Of the beauties
y nature, and a profound observer OF h
various phenomena, Agrippa had oilI
, induced in similar thoughts; yet q
III strangers impressions and turn OF lnl'
were so different from his, that he f
unable for a while to return hnn any
sWer.
Presently the stranger resumed:
have been told wonders Of a mirror fas
n ioned by your marvellous art, and that u
ne mirror can recall the visage Of dead
70 aisput prrsun, whose fraitT-s one ini.
~ wish to gaze upon. Alas! there Is !
= thing on earth that can charm my sig
The tomb has swallowed up al! the
he iects of my affection. and time has robl
of me of everything that once made ex
IN ence happy. OF the many tears shed
: this world, not one is shed for me
- the source of tears seem dried up in
heart. Yet | would fdin see those
n. lie ewes. and that spotless brow on wi
ling the Almighty hand had Impressed his
ish, blest seal The sight Of her image VIZ
be more welcome to my heart than all
,,ea- universe has 10 offer except grave.