The daily gazette., 1875-06-10
Cathedral of Cologne.
FROM THE FRENCH OF SAINT MARC Of
RARDIN.


RARDIN.
The Archbishop of Hochstedtcn
wishing to build cathedral that
should eclipse all the churches of Ger
many and France, sought plan from
the most celebrated architect of Co.
logne. The name of this architect has
remained unknown; but do not SUD-
pose that results merely from destiny
common to all the architects who, dur
ing the middle ages, covered Europe
with gothic monuments; there was
another cause for it, as you shall see.
The Archbishop Conrad conceives his
project in 1248, and two hundred years
later laborers were yet at work on the
cathedral.
One day, then, that the architect to
whom Archbishop Conrad had applied
was walking along the banks of the
Rhine, dreaming of his plan, he ariiv-
ed, in the midst of his reverie, at the
Porte des Francs, where, even to this
day, are standing few inutilated stat
ues. Here he sat down, and with his
cane traced plans for the cathedral in
the sand, then effaced then and then
traced others. The waters of the
Rhine reflected the last rays of the sun
sinking in the west. "Ahm exclaimed
the artest, admiring the sunset, "a ca
thedral whose rising towers should re-
tain the light of day when the river
and the city had been already envel-
oped in night-ah! that would be fine!"
And he recommended his designs on
the sand.
Not far from him was seated q little
old man, who seemed to watch him at
tentively. Once, the artist imagining
ne had found the plan for which he
sought, exclaimed, Eyes, that is it'll"
and the little old man muttered in a
low tone, Eyes, that's it, tits the Ca
thedral of Strasbourg," He was right.
The artist believed himself inspired,
, while he had simply exercised his
memory. He effaced then this plan,
and began designing others. But each
time that he felt satisfied, each time
that he had formed plan which seem
ed to correspond to his idea, the little
old man murmured, with sneer, at
is Mayence," "Amiens," or the name
of some other city famous for its ca
thedral. "Zounds, MASTER" cried the
artist, tired of these taunts, "you, who
know SO we'll how to detect the faults
of others, would like to see you at
work" The old man made no reply,
contenting himself with snothers rsneer.
This vexed the artist. "Come, try 1t,
thenl and he offered the cane which
he held.
The old man regarded him with a
peculiar expression; taking the cane, he
began to. trace lines on the sand with
such an dir Of intelligence and pro
found knowledge that the artist ex-
I claimed:
Il see you understand our art! Are
you of Cologne?"
"No," dryly answered the old man
and he handed back the cane to the
artist.
"Why don't you GO ons" asked the
artist; pray finish"
"No-you would take from me my
plan of the cathedral, and enjoy all the
honor Of it,"
Listen, old man, We are alone land
indeed the bank was at this moment
deserted-the night grew darker and
darker); l will give you ten pieces OF
gold if you will finish this plan before
me"
"Ten pieces of gold for me!' and the
old man drew from under his cloak an
enormous purse, which he tossed in
the air; by the sound it was evidently
full of gold. The artist sprang back 8
few steps, returning with a gloomy and
agitated air, seized the old man by the
arm, and drawing at the same time 9
poniard:
"FInish it.. cried the artist, cor you
die!'
"What! violence against mem and
the old man, disembarassing himself OF
his adversary with surprising strength
and agility, seized him in turn, stretch
ed him on the ground, and brandishine
also o poniard, "Well," well said..he tc
the frightened artist, "now that you
know neither gold nor violence car
avail against me, this plan which
have. .sketched befo: Q you-you can OBJ
tain-you can become famous by 1t.
"How?" asked the artist.
pledge to me thy soul for.all eter
ntyr
The artist uttered loud cry, ant
made the sign of thecro The demon
Immediately disappeared.
Recovering his senses, the artis
found himslf lying on the sand; he ros
and returned to his lodgings, wher,
the old woman who served him, ant
who had been his nurse, asked hin
why he came so late. But the artis
did not listen to her. She served u
his supper, but, without eating, he re
tired to bed. His dreams were full o
of apparitions, and in these apparition
were always present to his sight tina
old man and the admirable lines Q
the plan which he had traced. Thi
cathedral which should surpass a
others-this chef d'euvre of whic
he dreamed-it existed; he had tn
plan of it! Next day he tried to d'
sign the towers, the portals, the nave
Nothing could satisfy him. The pla
of the old man, that marvellous plar
was the only thing which could con
tent him.
He went to the church of the Saints
Anotres church? At tevening he agai