Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1876-12-09

and his glory seemed 10 De as nrm as
the foundations of his building. But
he remained unmoved by favors, and
became only the more gloomy in the
midst of all the rejoicings which re-
sounded in his honor. He grew visi-
bly, paler from his secret sorrow, and
as the time approached with giant
strides when the conservation was to
take place, tormenting anguish left
him neither rest nor peace.
The citizens shook their heads
mistrustfully, and pointed with ex-
pressive gestures toward their fore
heads, when they saw the builder
fastening through the streets like a
restless spirit. Singular and mystic
rious reports arose; at first, insignif.
cant and in Jest, then, gathering i'm
portance as they passed from mouth
to mouth, were believed to be true;
and all fled from tho gloomy man,
who avoided intercourse, and seemed
to be best pleased when left entirely
to himself.
These reports even reached the
Archbishop, and, as he had been for
a long time much troubled about the
unsettled state of the master, he took
it upon himself to question him and
admonish him to repentance, it he
was oppressed by crime.
In accordance with this determine
ton, he summoned the builder into
his presence, and spoke earnestly to
him about his sonl. The kinds words
of the prelate touched the heart OF
the deeply tortured man, and with
many tears, he communicated to the
listening priest the terrible secret
which had become too heavy for him
to bear. When he had ended, the
Archbishop knelt down and prayed,
the master knelt also, but could not
pray, nothing but an agonized sob
burst from his breast, and sounded
like an articulate laughter on his
lips.
;" You have sinned grievously, mas
to, ;" said the Archbishop, rising from
his knees, not only in regard to the
salvation of your own soul, but OF
that of another. Go home and try
to pray. / will pray, also, that God
may grant you mercy and me kuowl-
edge how this terrible evil may be
averted."
Pale and trembling, the builder
wont alowly hSuar, aud tried tU foiiUw
the Archbishop's advice. But it
seemed as if heaven was closed against
him, and the power of hell turned his
pious words into words of ssorn. He
threw the Holy Book, which he had
tried to read. with a wild shrek into
the corner, beat his breast and fore
head, and finally sank insensible upon
the floor.
We can imagine the CONSERVATION
of the citizens of Cologne, when they
heard that the first one who entered
the church would be lost forever.
With horror they fed from the house
of the builder, and even avoided
mentioning his name, as If that would
bring them into an unpleasant con-
tact with the evil ono.
The part of the cathedral which
was finished and ready for construc-
ton, and even the ground upon which
the rest WAS to be built, was deserted
and desolste. In the alebouses, the
principal topic of conversation was
the desecrated building, while the
Archbishop meditated how the terri
ble shadow which rested on the work
could be blotted out.
Just about this time notorious
thief awaited her doom in the Arch
bishops prison. No sooner did she
hear of the dilemma in which the
prelate and the citizens were placed,
than she offered to be the first to en-
ter the church. The conditions upon
which she would do 90, however,
were that she was to be granted lib
erty in case she succeeded in cheating
the devil. The Archbishop was in
formed Of the offer Of this notorious
" wicked, though beautiful and crafty
woman, and, after consulting earnest
~ with his ecclesiastical brethren,
granted her permission.
On the day Of conservation the
whole clergy assembled, together
with nobility and the citizens, men.
women and children, to zee the
strange spectacle. After the bolster
Gus multitude had waited long time,
the doom of the town hall suddenly
opened, and six stout servants, who
exchanged knowing glances with
each other, came out carrying COW
cred box. Bells commenced to ring,
and the multitude, who heard that
the devils victim was in the box,
crowded and pushed as far away
from it as possible. The procession
finally commenced to move. The
box was at the head then came monks
with the holy water, then ministrant
boys with censers, .hen the chapter of
the cathedral, the deacons, and finally
the Archbishops carrying the Host,
surrounded by the mobiles, and the
representatives. Of the guilds, them
came the armed militia, followed ny
the vast multitude.
The builder was entirely forgotten
After the procession reached the
cathedral. the Archbishop preached
aloud . prayer for the dead. the Choir
istsrs Joining in the last strophe. Al
ter the prayer two ssrvants OF the
municipality, timidly. - tar - pos
.