The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1869-03-04
SelsGte0 Mlislei!nnp.
THE ALCHEMIST.
Ely ABBY SAGE.

AT one end of laige room, so Old and
dusty that it looked as if ages had passed
since the pOndersus brown rafjers in the
ceiling were first fixed in their places a
huge fire rOared with hollow sound in
brick furnace Over this furnace sat
deep brazen cauldron, filed with boiling
liquor, which looked like molten gold, on
whose surface aud brim danced blush,
lambent flames An old man, with stream
ing white hairs, bent over the cauldron.
His figure was crooked and deformed with
age and continued stopping, and his hair
and long. silyery beard were dry and
crisp. as if they were singed in the fierce
heat in which he worked. This old man
was Peter Althausen, who was working
night and day, aud had been working
night and day for fifty years, to find the
Elixir Of Life,-that wonderful liquor
keep the boiy always vigorous and
fresh.
On this G4y tie old Alchemist was
wondrously happy. Never had the fire in
the furnace roared SO deeply. Never had
the mixture in the cauldron borne such
bright, changeful bubbles on its surface.
Peter watched it with the fierce glow
from the fire reflected in his eyes. At
length he cried,
There is only one thing wanting
now. The Elixir is nearly perfect. 1t
needs only a portion of life blood from
young veines"
As he said this he looked wistfully at his
barred arms, but the sight of the fiaccid
flesh and wasted veins made him shake
his head despOndingly. After moments
pause, he went to q staircase which as
cended from one corner of the room, and
~ y = l.
laine MadelaiEeI" !"
4 light foot was heard upon the stairs in
answer TO his call, and Peter Althausen's
youngest daughter. the only remaining
child of his old age, came slowly down into
the laboratory.
"Didst call me, ta;her?" she asked
softly.
All Peter Althauscns family wore the
traces of subdued grief on their faces.
They had waited so long for the liquid
which was TO give them immortal youth
that their youth and prime had wasted in
the slow fever of anxious expectancy.
Their voices were low and mournful, they
stepped slowly and irresolutely, as if all
the freshness and buoyancy oflife were de-
ierred for them, and they were waiting in
patient quiet till il came.
Madelane paused and repeated, "Didst
thou cali me, father:"
"Ay, my child" said the old man, look
ing up from his task of stirring the mix
ture in the cauldron; the potent liquor
ia aearly completed. 1t lacks only little
lfs blood from younger and fresher veins
than mine. Hast courage TO bare thine
am TO me? Think, child, the Elixir that
is 70 make us all immortal"
The young girl smiled a little-a sort OF
l.. II g. r., xr-a1
to live always, father? l feel sometimes
tired-so tired Perhaps We might some
times be gtad TO die"
saNonsense, child !" said he, impatiently
Il am fourscoTe and five years, and L am
most eager to live. To the young death il
far of they do not fear il. But decide
quickly. See the liquor foams higher
and higher"
THE girl barred her white, thin arm, ant
Peter pierced vein with sharp lancet
The blood trickled in tiny stream into {
silver bowl which he held close 10 th'
wound. When it was half full he bount
her arm I'D hurriedly, and did not motto
fhet she had tainted in the chair where 81
Rad se2.ed herself
The MIXTURE In the furnace en-
grossed al his senses. II was grow
fog more znt more brilliant, and the glow
ing D1IDlS< fyS< --g al 1LN hSHci
til they oye:eoyge3 Il. ca9icron's brin
and were ceyo9tes ~ ne leapspg fame
beneath. Peer efap sc s49"iy, ofcp afte
drop, the contef u II tss sons1n iAs D)i
Ing mass.
Then, from o8l tae Iavr15.s. &C 81
circlfng II, a yapof beEao " 5ss yspl
which grew larger sns oeDseIs III
length il touched the eeiliHz Ee ratas
colored cloud. The cloud begsE gfadsSsJ
to change ia form and shage itssif. tii
while the old man looked. the cloudy asss
put on the eemblance Of a gigantic huns
form. Though IL was like the figure 81
MAJ. il was still the color Of fire. III
streaming hair and beard were like iiel
ing tongues Of flame. The eyes vel
glowing Goals, and the robe which e"eI
about this wondrous image from the hea'
and throat, and shoulders, 70 the cauldron
brim WhereOn its feet were set, iell
quiyering folds like steets Cf glitternl
yellow fame
Peter covered before the presence bt
did not speak. The spirit did not wa
for him, bat spoke In deep, nuttarlr