Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1870-05-19

as smiling and impenetrable as marble
statue.
"I, too, have been fortunate" he said,
after a moments pause. "Have you
seen the new church lately built at the
east end of the Haring vliet ?"
replied that / observed it in passing,
but had not been inside. -. a..
"I have been intrusted," he said, after
a moments pause, "with the superin-
tendence of the interior decorations. My
Conversion of st. Paul is purchased for
the altar piece, and l am now engaged in
painting a series of frescoes upon the cell
ing. Will you come in some day and give
me your opinion upon them ?"
1 professed myself much flattered, and
appointed to meet him in the church on
the following morning. .--,.
He was waiting for me at the door,
when l arrived, with heavy key in his
hand. We passed in, and he turned the
key in the lock.
I" I always secure myself against intrud-
ers," he said, smiling. "People will
come into the church if leave the doors
unfastened, and 1 do not choose to carry
on my art ike a sign painter, in the pres
ence of every blOckhead who chooses to
stand and stare at me-"
1t was surprising in what disagrceable
manner this man, would show his teeth
when he smiled.
The church was a handsome building
in that italian style which initiates the
antique, and prefers magni6cence to the
dignifed sanctity of the Gothic order. A
ported the roof at each side of the nave,
gliding and decorative cornices were Law
ished in every direction!L =
The gorgeous altar-piece already occu-
pied its appointed station, and little to
the left of the rallied space, where the
communion table was to be placed, a scaf
fold was erected, that seemed from where
/ stood to almost come in contact with
the roof, and above which observed the
yet unfinished sketch of mastery con-
ception. .f...- T.
Three or four more, already completed,
were stationed at regular intervals, and
some others were merely outlined in char
coal upon their intended sites.
"Will you not come up with meP'
asked the painter, when I had expressed
my admiration sufficiently, or are you
afraid of turning giddy?" I'D.
1felt some what disinclined to impose the
trial on my nerves, but still more inclined
to accept it; but followed him from flight
to flight of the frail structure without dar-
ing to look down. a-
At last we reached the summit, and, as
/ had supposed, there was hardly room
enough for the artist to assume a sitting
posture, and he had to paint while lying
on his back.
I had no fancy to extend myself on this
lofty couch, so only lifted my head above
the level of his flooring, looked at the
fresco, and descended Immediately to the
flight below, where l ssaited till he joined
me.
"How dangerous it must be-" said I,
shuddering, "to let yourself down from
this abominable perch. 70
"I used to think so," he replied, "but
1 am now quite accustomed to it. Fancy
folding, " fancy falling from here into the
church below" 49, aa.f
"Horrible :" cried L iililIl
at wonder how high it is from the level
of the pavement, continued Van Roos
musingly; 160 feet, dare say, perhaps
200.
drew back, giddy at the thought.
"No man could survive such fall, u
said the painter, still looking over, " the
thickest skull would be dashed to atoms
down there"
"Pray, come away, said I, hastily, " my
head swims at the idea.
"Does It," said he, turning suddenly
upon me with the voice and eye of fiend.
"Does it? Foolp he cried as he seized
me around the body in his iIon grasp,
fool, to trust yourself here with me
me, whom you have wronged, whose life
you have blasted; me, whom you have
crossed in love and in fame. Down,
wretch, DOWN. I've vowed to have your
blood. and now my time has come"
1t sickens me even now to recall that
horrible struggle. At the first word 1 had
sprung back and seized q beam over my
head. He strove to tear it from me. He
teamed at the mouth the veins rose like
knots in his forehead; and still, though ]
felt my fingers strained and my wrists
cruelty lacerated, still held on with the
terrible energy of one who struggles fol-
his dear life.
1t lasted long time-at least it seemed
long to me, and tie scaffolding rocked
beneath. our feet. At length I saw his
strength failing. Suddenly loosed my
hold and threw my whole weight against
him. He staggered, he shrieked, he fell
dropped upon my face in mute horror
An age of silence seemed to elapse, and
the cold dew stood upon my brow. Pres
emily heard dull sound far below.
crawled to the edge of the scaffolding and
looked down.
A shapeless mass was lying on the mar.
BILE pavements, and all around the place
was red with blood.
think about an hour must have elapsed
before could summon courage to de
scend. When at length I reached the
level ground, turned my face from what
was SO near my feet, and tottered to the
door.
With trembling bands and misty eyes
unlocked it and rushed into the street.
1t was many months before l recovered
from the brain fever brought on by thai
terrible day. My rawlings, 1 have been
told, were fearful; and had any doubts
existed in the minds of men as to which
of us two had been the guilty one, those
rawlings were alone sufficient to establish
nv innocence. A man ina delirious fevel
is pretty sure to speak the truth.
By the time was able to leave my
chamber, Gertrude had also grown pale
and spiritless, and unlike her former self
Rotterdam was insupportable to me.
found myself hero of romance-a lion
a thing to be stared at wherever went
all of which only served to shatter my
nerves still more.
In short, change of scene and air wa:
recommended for US both; so we thought
we could not do better than marry anC
take wedding tour for the sake of oul
healths. And / assure you, reader, it die
us both a great deal of good. as -.-.
At minstrel show in New. Orleans
one Talbot performs William Tell by
shooting with pistol an apple from the
head of his wife, the ball lodging in the
board against which she stands. .-
PIERRE BoNAPARTE's head is describ
q A., Of