The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1880-01-09
Select Story.
THE ARCHITECTS COMPACT.


The Archbishop Conrad de Hochsteden,
wishing to erect cathedral which should
exceed all others in Germany and France
both in beauty and design directed the most
celebrated draughtsman of Cologne to pre-
pare plan. The name of this architect re
mains unknown. Let this, however, be at
tributed to what was the common lot of al
most all architects who covered Europe with
monuments in the middle ages the reason
was very different, as will be seen presently
1t was in l24S that Conrad de Hochsteden
issued this order, and in 1899, $50 years af-
terward, the cathedral was still unfinished
The architect to whom the archbishop he'd
applied was saunering one day along the
Rhine, meditating upon his plan. Absorb
ed in thought, he reached the Frank gate,
where at this day may be seen several mutt
lated statues. Here he seated himself He
had a small stick in his hand with which he
drew sketches upon the sand, then effaced
them, and then began nt, ers. He continu-
ed in This manner until the setting sun re-
Elected its last rays upon the bosom of the
Rhine. "Ah p'cried the artist, chow beauti-
ful cathedral would look its towers soar
ing toward heaven, and catching the depart.
ing sunbeams, while the Rhine and town
would bo involved in darkness All this
would be lovely !" And he confined draw
ing in the sand, perfectly satisfied with him
self.
Not far from him was also seated an old
ments with great attention. Indeed, when
the artist, thinking he had attained what he
sought, exclaimed aloud, Yes, that's it,
Yes murmured the old man, that's it, in
deed but it is the Cathedral of Strasburg'
He was right. The artist thought himself
inspired but his production was mere eff
fort of memory. This plan was therefore
efiaced, and he commenced another. Every
time that he was satisfied and had drawn a
plan in accordance with his ideas the old
man cbucked and muttered Metz,
Amiens,' or some other city famous for its
cathedral. ON my word, MASTER, said the
artist, tired OF his jeers, you seem to UNDER
| stand well how to blame the works of 9TH
ers; | should like to see what you can do
The old man said nothing, but continued his
criticism until, losing patience, the artist
exclaimed, Come, come, try your hand =
And he held out the stick to him.
The old man looked at him in peculiar
manner. Then taking the stick, he traced
few lines in the sand but in such master.
| ly way, that the other called out immediate
ly. 'Oh It's plain you are an architect. Do
you belong to Cologne T?
No., rejoined the old man, dryly, and he
returned the stick to the artist.
why do you not proceed 2 demanded the
latter. Il entreat you to finish your de.
sign.
'No, you would copy it, and reap all the
honor replied the other.
Lister, old gentleman continued the
architect. we are alone. And in fact
the shore at this moment was deserted, fol
the night was becoming darker and darker
'Pll give you ten golden crowns if you will
complete the sketch now before me-
Ten golden crowns to me" roared out the
old man. And so saying, he pulled from
under his cloak an enormous purse. which
he threw into the air. By the noise it wa.
evidently full of gold. The artist started
back some PAGES then returning, full of ag
itation and gloom, he caught hold of the ole
mans arm, and drawing a dagger at the
same time, cried out, Finish it, or thor
diest T.
| Violence against me All ah tha
will not serve you, either said the strange
with smile of derision. Then, seizing hi
adversary, he hurled him to the ground say
ing well, well, now you know that neithe
| gold nor violence can affect me you MAJ
have the plan which skeched before you
and the honor along with it if you choose
How 50 p exclaimed the PROSTATE ar
tist