The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-09-07

the one piece beneath his pillow, His
sleep was restless and disturbed and
early the next morning, unrefreshed, but
determined, and not daring to question
himself, he arose, took the gold piece, and
FASTENED away to the adjoini ng town.
The tailor, who knew Hans well, look
ed surprised, when Hans offered the piece
of gold, but he believed him when he said
it was money long owed to him; and fit
ting him with a handsome coat with bright
buttons, handsomer even than farmer
Trenck's.
The morrow was Sunday, and the voice
of the Shadow whispered of triumph in
the new coat, but, despite all he could
say, dark pail seemed thrown over all
things, and the fearful shadow on the
grass increased fearfully- while ever and
anon the silver voice of the Shadowless
murmured, "Hans, art thou doing well?"
until at last, in an agony, he reached his
home, and, not daring to look at his new
coat, threw himself on his bench, and the
dark shadow lay crouched at his feet.
Thus the day wore on uuheeded by
Hans, when neighbor suddenly stopped
at his door and cried:
''Hast heard the news, Hans The
miller was robbed the night before last
when coming from market; he was
knocked down and his wallet taken from
him before his two men came up; the
robbers fled +; he has posted reward for
the thief. 1t is great loss of certain
ty, nlnety>one heavy gold pieces for
tune for a poor man, Hans.
Hans sat motionless, and the neighbor
supposing him busy, passed on. Hour
after hour wore away, and Hans sat gaz-
ing on the wall, when the voice of the
Shadow reused him. Come, Hans, be
man. it said confidently, sit is all or
nothing now; no one will ever suspect
you of having the money. If the robber
is caught so much the better. / suppose
he flung the wallet aside for fear of de-
lection, meaning to return for it again
The miller is rich, and by and by when
you open shop for yourself, you will
marry his daughter, and thus you see all
will be returned to him four~fold. Come,
cheer up I'll show you some of the things
that will be. Io,k up"
Hans looked up and on the white wash-
ed wall beheld what seemed to be three
places like big picture frames, in the first
of which, seen by the lurid glare the shad-
ow cast upon it. was group of figures.
Hans looked earnestly saw himself in
the handsome new coat-on his arm the
miller's pretty daughter, who smiled on
him, while the old father looked on pleas
ed, and farmer Trenck walked sullenly
alone. Hans heart beat high, and look
ed at the second, he saw a church and
bridal party. The groom and bride were
himself and the miller's daughter. How
his heart stood still with ecstacy, still he
looked at the third, and there in lofty
room, with carvings and costly furniture,
he beheld matron surrounded by blooms
lug children it was the miller's daughter
and seated at table at the other side Of
the room, appeared the figure of himself,
dressed in the robes of a justice. and ap-
peared writing. Hans shuddered. The
scene recalled the present too vividiy, and
the shadow hastened to throw dazzling
| light over it to hide it from view, when
| suddenly the voice of the Sbadowless spoke
this time loud and distinctly.
! SLOOk once more, t1aHS.
And Hans did look, and now the hor-
rid glare was gone, and seen in the sIlvery
| light of the star Of the Shadowless, he be
held himself pale, haggard and fearful.
with the miller's daughter on his arm
while before him went the fearful Shadow,
larger and more fearful than ever. He
trembled At the second picture, the
bridal party was here, but black pail
covered everything, and the fearful shad
ow filled the church with its presence.
At the third he saw himself and all the
group about him completely wrapped il
its fearful gloom, and the face of the mill
| ler's daughter wan and faded, and himsel
seen in that silvery light of truth he scarce
ly recognized, so changed, and terrible
had his faco become. Hans covered hi:
face.
you have now seen the visions of the
false by tho light of the true,' said the
Shadowless. Look once more and be-
hold the truth ITSELF
And Hans looked once more and behelc
the former visions swept away, and iher
saw the Judgment hall, and himself the
| prisoner accused of hieh~way robbery.
and sentence about to be pronounced upon
him. Hans bowed his head in agony and
cried:
sOh! star-crowned spirit guide Inc and
keep me from temptation,' and at that
word the dark form vanished the shadow
was gone from before him, and IN its
place was the soft clear shimmerlng light
from the silvery wings of the Shadowless
Hans looked up, it was early dawn
but the sunlight seemed brighter to him,
and halo to rest upon the hills. lie
arose, and, prompted by the bright form
that no longer rested upon his shoulder
but nestled in his bosom, he took the ne"
coat from its hiding place, and unlocking
his chest, took out the bag of gold, he
shuddered when he touched 1t, and looked
about him involuntarily, fearing to meet
the Shadow but the silver voice said cheer
| NOT hing Hang while | an