Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1862-06-05
The Marvellous Tow er.
BY WASHINGTON IRVING.

cllG built towers OF lOieQO, Wneu hlbS looe
rick issued out of the gate of the city, 4 th
head of numerous train of courtiers ad cav
alters, and crossed the bridge that croses TIT
deep and rocky bed of the Tagus. Ihe shin
ing cavalca1e wound up the road tat lead
among the mountains, and soon canyln sign
of the necromantic tower
King Roderck and bis courtsrs arrived
wondering aud amazed, at the fOSof the rock
Here was narrow arched waNcut thfougt
the living stone, the entrance pthe tower
It was closed by massive ira gate, covered
with rusty locks of divers workmanship, and II
the fashion of different cenarles, which haC
been affixed by the predecessors OF Don Rod
erck On either side of tie portal stood the
two ancient guardians of tie tcwer, laden with
the keys appertaining to.he locks.
The King alighted, md approaching the
portals, ordered the guardians to unlock the
gate The hoary hea9d men drew back with
terror. ALAS p criIthey, what is it your
majesty requires of u. Would you have the
/ mschiefs of this tower unbound, and let loose
! TO shake the earth o its foundations y
The venerable 1rchbishop Urbno likewise
implored him MOTTO disturb mystery which
had been held sa;red from generation, within
the memory of nan and which even Caesar
himself, when sovereign of Spain, had uot ven
tured to evade. The youthful cavaliers, how
ever, were eager to plrsue the adventure, and
! encouraged him in bs rash curiosity.
Come what MAJ" exclaimed Don Roder
! ick, " am resolve to penetrate the mystery
of this tower" = saying. be again command
ed the guardiansfo unlock the portal The
ancient men obeed with fear and trembling
| bot their hand jShook with age, and when they
| applied the ket, the locks were SO rusted by
time, or of sSh strange vorkmauship that
they resistedEhe feeble efforts whereupon
the Young cFaliers pressed forward and lent
their aid btill the locks were so Numerous
and di7icuI, that with all their eagerness and
strength, ! great part of the day was exhaust
ed before he whole Of them could be mastered
The y.iencc of the king was now exhausted,
and be- 5dvanced to apply his band scarcely
! howew, did be touch the iron gate, when it
swungslowIy open, utte:iag as it were, dis
nal Foan, as it turned reluctantly upon its
hina5 A cold, damp wind issued forth ac-
coa)aned by tempeStous sound. The hearts
/ cRhe ancient guardians quaked within them,
/ al their knees Smote together bat several c!
ne youthful cavaliers rushed in, eager to graf
Ify their curiosity, or to signalize themselves
in their redoubtable enterprise. They had
scarcely advanced a few PAGES, however
when they recoiled, overcome by the balefu
air, or by some fearful vision. Upon this, the
king ordered that fires should be kinded tC
d>peI the darkness, and to correct the noXiou;
aad long Imprisoned air he then led the way
ieto the interior but though stogt Of heart
lie advanced with awe and hesitation.
Alter proceeding a short distance, he enter
ed hall, or antechamber, on the opposite side
of which was a door; and before it, on pedes
tai, stood a gigantic figure, of the color o.
bronze, and OF terrible aspect. 1t held O
huge mace, which it whirled necessarily. giving
sach cruel and resounding blows upon tie earth
as to prevent all further entrance
The king paused at the sight of this cppali
ing figure for whether it wes living, or &
statute of magic aritGce, be could not tell Or
its breast wes scroll, whereon was inscribed
in large letters, " de ny duty" After little
while Roderick plucked up heart, ard address
ed it with great soemnity Whatever thot
be-" said he, know that came not to violate
this sanctuary. bat to inquire into the myste
ries it contains | conjure thee, therefore, tc
let me pass in safety"
Upcn this the figure paused with npliftet
mace, aud the king and his train passed unmo
Tested throug h the door.
They now entered vast chamber, of rart
and sumptuous architecture, difficult to be de
scrbed The walls were encruSted with the
most precious gems, so Joined together as tC
form one smooth aud perfect surface The lofty
dome appeared to be self-supported, and wa
studded with gems, luStrouS as the stars Of tht
Ornament. There were no windows, or other
openings to admit the day, yet q radient ligh
was spread throughout the place, which seemed
to shine from the walls, and to render every
object distinctly visible.
In the centre of the hall stood table O
alabaster, of the rarest workmanship, on which
ives inscribed in Greek characters, that Her
cules, Alcides the Theban Greek, had founded
this tower, in the year of the world three thou
sand and six Upon the table stnod COLDER
casket, richly set round with precious stones
and closed with lock of mother of pearl; ant
on the lid were inscribed the following words
"In this Golfer is contained the mystery O
the tower. The hand of none but king cal
open it {; Tut let him beware for marvelon
events will be revealed to him which are t
take place before his death"
King Roderick boldly seized upon the cask
ct The venerable archbishop laid his hanl
upon his erm, and made last remonstrance
=" "Forbear, my son = said be. "desist Will,
there is vet tine. Look not into the mysteri
Gus DEGREES of Providence. God has bidder
them in mercy from our sight, and it is iDjuri
INTO rend the veil by which they are cor
I'D"
b;s what have ! 70 dread frcr, knowledge
he King. re ?" replied Roderick, with an all
RastiIe if chi,esumption, g if good be destined
"Oh ylg anticipation if evil,
the four ter, and smote1.it." So saying, hs
10 obtain dealing otow 1nas
the gar against the wall, his Shipg but
with sngaish. The terribl6hf con