Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-02-11


grateful hands are clasped, and these contrite
fearful eyes seem gazing up yonder, whence a
lone mercy and pardon can be obtained Ore
could almost become poet in gazing so
splendid a work of art. But ah l never had
the happy talent of an improyisatore. In
place, therefore, of poetizing, will tell You
something that happened yesterday. Our lit
tie friend Giulio Balzetti took me round the
Magdalene Church ,and whilst We were wander
ing about, pointed out spot to me, and bid
me stand quite still there, telling me that there
might be overheard what was said at another
spot at some distance in the church. Aud he
was right. At that other spot stood the con-
fessional No. 6. hardly placed myself on the
marble flag indicated to me than / heard
charming voice-God knows who it was speak
ing-but she was confessing the sorrows of her
heart and her little sins to the holy father
She had a husband, she said, whom she loved
yes, she loved him, and lie loved her, and
left her much at liberty in shsrt, she gave
the husband credit for all sorts OF, good quail
ties, but, unfortunately, she had fallen in love
with another man She did not mention his
name. l should like to have heard it. He
must be one of our handsome young cavaliers
about the town. And this other loved her too
she could not help it poor thing-and SO she
found room for him in her heart well for
her husband. The other one was so hand
some, so pleasing, so fascinating Well
s.. if her husband did not know what
was going on he could not be vexed, and it
would do him no harm. SO she had promised
t, JY,ait 4 hal love lr no
hear This is what the French danes call
sSpGsser ses, coprices.' At last she begged the
good priest to give her an absolution before
hand. And he did so he gave her the abso-
Luton What do you think Of this, my love -
said the Marquis, as lie rose from the couch
where all was now still as death. "Well,'' he
continued in a jocular tone, '.our worthy
priests are almost too complaisant and indul-
gent-at least most of them. Our old Father
Gregorie, however, would have taken you to
task after a different fashion, if you -
He broke off abruptly, while he quietly laid
the pillow in its own place and deliberately
| turned down the embroidered coverlet. 1t was
the architect Giulio Bazetti whom the Mar
quis beheld he had ceased to breathe.
s.Havo you been to confession lately, my
Laura - asked the Marquis.
There was answer.
ssIs it long since you have been to confess
sion !'' he asked, in louder and sternef
voice.
sNo," replied the young woman in the low
est possible tone.
'.Appropos," said the Marquis, as he cover
ed the frightfully distorted and blue face ofthe
corpse with the coverlet, s'shall we go to the
grand festival at the church to day. The pro-
cession begins at exactly twelve. l shall or
der the carriage-we really must not miss it,"
He returned to the dressing room. The
Marchioness was sitting in large cushioned
ounging chair, the dark tresses of her hair
hanging negliglently down, her lips and
checks as pale as death, and her hands resting
listlessly on her lap.
ssWhat is the matter, my dear child 20 asked
the Marquis, inwardly triumphing at her dis
tress, but with fair and friendly word Upon his
| lips. ssYou have risen too early, my little
Laura; and you also fatgued yourself in try
ing to dress without assistance. Where is Pi-
| petta | shall ring for her now." He pulled
the bell ropc-approaching his wife-slightly
| kissed her brow-and then left her apartments.
At mid doy, when all the bells of the churches
were pealing, the Marquis splendid state car
riage, with four horses adorned with gided
trappings, stood before the gate of his palace,
and crowd of richly dressed pages, footmen
and grooms, were in waiting there. Present
| ly the Marquis appeared in his brilliant court
costume, with glittering stars on his breast,
his hat in one hand, whilst with the other he
led his young and beautiful, but deadly pale
wife. With the utmost attention he handed
her down the marble steps, and while her coun-
tenance looked as cold and stony as that Of a
statue, his eyes flashed with fire unusual to
them. The servants hurried forwards, the car
riage door was opened, the noble pair entered
lit, and it drove off towards the town. In the
crowded streets the foot passengers turned
round to gaze at it, and exclaimed to each 9TH
or, .There go happy couple''
The architect had disappeared. No one sus-
pected that on the day of the grand festival he
lay dead-a blue and terrible looking corpse
amidst boots and shoes. at the bottom of a
noble young DANES wardrobe; or that, the fol-
lowing night, without shroud or coffin, his
body was secretly transported by the lady,s
faithful servants to a neighboring mountain,
and there thrown into deep cave. But the
| lady paid large sum TO the convent OF tue
| Magdalenes for the sake of his soul's repose.
The monk Gr.gorie-thc accomm odatlng
and rayorite confessor OF the fashionable world
was also soon after missing. But he was
| not dead-he fingered for some years in sub
terranean prison belonging to monastery of
] uIr,asas N