The Oxford intelligencer. (Oxford, Miss.) 1860-18??, 1861-01-09

tious terror. However, he went out with .
steady step !, the chamberlain and physician
followed him, each carrying a lighted can
de- ,id y ;a5 aniaor- qssfi .ssie'>
The porter who had charge Of the keys
was already in bed. Baumgarten went to
call him, and ordered him, in the kings
name, to open Immediately the doors Of the
State rIall. The mans surprise was great
at the unexpected order; he dressed in haste
and joined the king with his bunch Of keys
lie opened first the door of a gallery, which
served as m antechamber, or private en-
trance, to the hall of assembly. ua ea
The king entered; but what was his as
tonishment to behold the walls completely
hung with black.
".who gave orders to have this hall
drapcd in this manner r. asked he angrily.
"Sire, no ono that know Of" replied the
porter, much disturbed; "ani the last time
| had the gallery swept ont, the oak panel
ling was as it always has been. Certainly,
those hangings could not come from your
majesty's furniture room" 7a 1f
The king, walking with quick step, had
already passed over two thirds of the gallery.
The count and the porter followed him close.
The physician, Baumgarten, was little be-
hind, devided between the fear of remaining
alone, and that of risking the consequences Of
an adventure which was assuming verv
strange appearance. ilaeiarf a .yI
nt" Go no farther, sire Y exclaimed the por-
ter. "On my soul, there is sorcery within.
At this hour, and since the death Of the
queen, your gracious lady, they say that she
walks in this gallery. God keep us from
harm"
"Stop, sire ~ cried the count, on his side.
" Do you not hear the noise coming from the
state hall Who knows to what dangers
your majesty is exposing yourself"
"Sire," said Baumgsrten, whose candle q
gust Of wind had just extinguished, "lct me,
at least, go after score of your halberdiers." !"
"Come in," said the king, in a firm voice,
stopping before the door Of the great hail.
"and you, porter, open the door quickly"
He struck it with his foot, and the noise
repeated by the echo of the arches, sounded
along the gallery like the report Of cannon.
The porter trembled so that the key struck
against the lock, without his being able to
make it enter the keyhole.
"An old soldier tremblingr' said Charles,
Struggling his shoulders. "Come, count,
open this door for u.s."
"Sire," replied the count, recoiling few
steps, 81 if your majesty orders me to march
up to the mouth of Danish or German bat
terry, will obey without hesitation !; but you
wish me to brave the powers of hell"
The king snatched the key from the por-
ter's hands," r..i q: .t'aF % IH'1T-
"'" see" said he contcmptuously, "that /
must manage this alore." H' 20 ''''' .
And before those around could prevent
him, he had opened the heavy oak door and
entered the great hall, pronouncing these
words, with the aid of GodT' b.
Fl The three acolytes, urged on by curiosity
stronger than their fear, and, perhaps,
ashamed to abandon their king, entered with
him. ' . ni 'f' rae ~"
The great hall was illuminated by an in
finite number of torches. A black drapery
had replaced the ancient figured tapestry.
Along the walls appeared, in regular order,
as usual, German, Danish, and Russian flags,
the trophies of the soldiers Of Gustavus
Adolphus. In the midst were to be seen
some Swedish banners, covered with funer-
cal Grape.
Animmense assembly covered the benches.
The four orders of estates* we're seated,
each in its own tier. All were dressed in
black, and this multitude of human faces,
very bright against the dark background, so
dazzled the sight, that Of the four witnesses
of this extraordinary scene, no one could dis
cover in that crowd single well-known
figure. So an actor, face to face with large
audience, sees only confused mass when
his eyes cannot distinguish anybody.
On the elevated throne, from which the
king was accustomed to address the assemb-
ly, they beheld bleeding corpse, clad in the
insignia Of royalty, At its right stood a.
child, with crown on its head, and holding
a sceptre in its hand; at the left an aged
mao, or, rather, another phantom, was lean
ing against the throne. He was clothed in
the state mantle which the ancient admins
traitors of Sweden wore, before Vasa formed
it into Kingdom. In front Of the throne
several persons Of grave and solemn de-
meanor, snd who appeared to be judges
were seated before table, on which were
seen several large folio volumns and some
parchments. Between the throne and the
assembly benches, there was . block of
wood, covered with black Grape, and near BY
lay an are. f-r g 'rr3 iai -.+'i 7fri
No one in this supernatural assembly
showed any sign Of perceiving the presence |
Of Charles and tho three persons that accom- |
,.-;ad him IN THAR entarinC thev heard |