The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1880-01-09


ties, and tried to pray. .Vain effort The
church is one of the smallest in Cologne.
What it must have appeared in comparison
with the old mans drawing may well be
imagined. In the evening he again found
| himself, how he knew not, upon the borders
| of the Rhine. The same stiffness, the same
solitude reigned there as upon the preced-
| ing night. Mechanically he reached the
Frank gate. There he perceived the old
man, apparently drawing upon the wall.
| Every stroke was of fire. Although the
| burning lines crossed and interlaced each
other in thousand different ways, yet, in
the midst of this apparent confusion, forms
OF spindrals, steeples, and gothic fret.work
might be distinctly traced, which, however,
disappeared after sparkling an instant, al.
though at times these brilliant lines seemed
to combine and form perfect plan The
artist now hoped he was about to behold the
wonderoas cathedral but suddenly the whole
became so confused that his bewildered eve
entirely lost sight of the object.
well will you have my plan p said the
old man to the artist.
The latter sighed deeply.
will you have it? Speak = reiterated
the demon, and as he uttered these words he
drew the image of portal in luminou,
tracery on the wall, and then as suddenly
effaced it,
4 will do all you ask " wildly answered
the artist,
morrow, then, at midnight replied
the other, and they then separated.
Next day the architect arose full of lif
and joy. He had forgotten everything, say,
that invisible cathedral which he had Sc
long sought. He then approached the win
dow. The weather was beautiful. The
Rhine, illuminated by the rays of the glori
Gus sun, formed sparkling crescent. Tn,
city of Cologne, stretching along its bank
seemed to descend in a gentle slope from the
hill to the shore, and from the shore into tn,
golden wave, which bathed the foot of tn,
ramparts.
Let's see,' mutered the artist to himsel
where shall my cathedral stand p and h,
looked around for suitable place.
While thus occupied with proud and hap
py speculations, he saw his old nurse qui
the house. She was clothed in black
Where are you going to, nurse?' exclam
ed he. What means that mourning
dress -
i am going to the Holy Apostles Churcl
to hear mass for the deliverance of sou
from purgatory,' answered she.
a mass of deliverance ? calculated thu
artist Then, closing the window and throw
ing himself upon the bed he burst into tears
"A mass of deliverancep repeated he. Alas
no masses or prayers can avail me. | an
cursed-lost forever-lost through my ambi
tious perverseness.'
1t was in this state that his nurse founC
him when she returned from church. Sh,
asked what grieved him, but as he made NJ
answer, she entreated him so earnestly tina
he was no longer able to resist, and com
municated to her his engagement The ole
woman was thunderstruck with this.rectal.
What sell your soul to the demon 1
it possible p calculated the worthy woman
crossing herself. Have you forgotten tn,
promises made at your baptism, and all tn
prayers which | formerly taught you? Go
60 directly, in Gods name, and confess.
The artist sobbed bitterly. But at on
| mi ba i'm Of ha l.
dral sparkled before his eyes and fascinate,
his senses then again the idea of eterna
damnation arose so wildly and forcibly t.
his distracted thoughts, that he trembe,
like a leaf. The nurse being at a loss wha
to do,resolved to consult her confessor. Hav
ing told him the whole affair, the priest be
gan to consider.
What " said the holy man, a fter pause
"a cathedral that would make Cologne tn
marvel of all Germany and France?'
But, Father interposed the ol
dame.
"A cathedral to which pilgrims would re
sort from all parts of the world, continue
he, speaking to himself Then, after havin
well reflected and meditated he exclaimed
Here, my good woman, here is a relic of Ii
1000 virgins. Give it to your master |,
him take it with him to the place of NEE
ing. He must endeavor to obtain the pla
of this wondrous church from the devil b.
fore he signs the agreement. As soon as /
gets it into his hands let him show this rel
and trust in God for the rest
1t was 80 when the artist Quilted h
dwelling, leaving his nurse on her knees il
deed, he himself had been praying the grea
er part of the evening Having concealC
the relic, which was to serve as his protectiC
under his cloak, he proceeded TO the appoiu
ed place, where he found the demon, wi
had lad aside his disguise and appeared
all his hideousness.
Don't be alarmed said he to the arch
tect, who trembed from head to foot 'fe
nothing, and approach ? The archite
; obeyed upon which the devil excaime
Here is the plan of your cathedral, al
here is the contract which you must sign ?
t The artist felt that this was the nome
r upon which depended his salvation, Breat
5 ing mental prayer to God for success,
seized the marvellous plan with one han
I held up the holy relic with the other, al
? exclaimed, In the name of the Father, al
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost
virtue of the holy relic, command the
f. Satan, to begone Begone, say and
repeated the signs of the cross.