San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1889-03-07
DOLPH HEYLGER.
Bv WASHINGTON IRVING


(ooSTmuxD FROM LAST WEEK.
As he said these words he reached out
his hand to extinguish the candle, when
he was suddenly struck with astonish-
ment and dismay, for he thought he
beheld the phantom OF the haunted
house staring on him from dusky part
Of the chamber. A second look reassurod
him, as he perceived that what he had
taken for the specter was, In fact,
nothing but q Flemish portrait that hung
In shadowy corner just behind q clothes
press. It was, however, the precise
representation Of his nightly visitor-the
same cloak and belted jerkin, the same
grizzled beard and fixed eye tho same
broad, slouched hat, with feather hang
ing over one sido. Dolph now called to
mind the resemblance he had frequently
remarked between his host and the old
man of the haunted house; and was fully
convinced that they were In some way
connected, and that some especial destiny
had governed his voyage. He lay gaz-
ing on the portrait with almost as much
awe as he had gazed on the ghostly
original, until the shril house clock
warned him of tho lateness Of the hour.
He put out the light, but remained for a
long time turning over these curious
circumstances and condolences in his
mind, until he fell asleep. His dreams
partook Of the nature Of his waking
thoughts. He fancied that he still lay
gazing on the picture, until, by degrees,
It became animated; that the figure de-
scended from the wall and walked out
Of the roomj that he followed 1t and
found himself by the well, to which the
old man pointed, smiled on him, and
disappeared.
In the morning when Dolph walked he
found his host standing by his bedside,
who gave him q hearty mornings salu-
tation and asked him how he had slept.
Dolph answered cheerily, but took occa-
sion to inquire about the: portrait that
hung against the wall. "Ah," said Heer
Antony, "that's portrait Of old Killian
Wander Spiegel, once burgomaster Of
Amsterdam, who, on some popular
troubles, abandoned Holland and came
over to the province during the govern
ment Of Peter Stuyvesant. He was my
ancestor by the mothers side, and an
old miserly curmudgeon he was. hen
the English took possession Of New Ann
sterdam In 1904 he retired into the
country. He fell into a melancholy,
apprehending that his wealth would be
taken from him and that he would come
to beggary. He turned all his property
into cash, and used to hide 1t away. He
was for O year or two concealed In
various places, fancying himself sought
after by the English, to strip him Of his
wealth; and finally was found dead in
his bed one morning, without any one
being able to discover where he had con-
cealed the greater part of his money"
When his host had left the room,
Dolph remained for some time lost In
thought. His whole mind was occupied
by what he had heard. Wander Spiegel
was his mothers family name; and he
recollected to have heard her speak of
this very Hllian Wander Spiegel as one
of her ancestors. He had beard her say,
too, that her father was Killian's right
full heir, only that the old man died
without leaving anything to be inherited.
It now appeared that Heer Antony was
likewise q descendant, and perhaps an
heir also, of this poor rich man; and that
thus the Heyligers and the Wander Hey
dens were remotely connected. "What,"
thought he, "if, after oil, this is tho in
terpretation Of my dream, that this is the
way am to make my fortune by this
voyage to Albany, and that am to find
the old mans hidden wealth in the bot
tom Of that we'll? But what an odd,
roundabout mode Of communicating the
matterl Why the plague could not the
old goblin have told me about the well Mt
once, without sending me all the way to
Albany to hear story that was to send
me oil the way back again"
These thoughts passed through his
mind while he was dressing. He de-
scended the stairs, full Of perplexity,
when the bright face OF Marie Wander
Heyden suddenly beamed in smiles upon
him, and seemed to give him a clew to
the whole mystery. "After ALL" thought
he, "the old goblin ism the right. Il
am to get his wealth, he means that
shall marry his pretty descendant, thus
both branches Of the family viii be again
united,' and the property go ON In the
proper channel"
No sooner did this idea enter his head
than 1t carried conviction with It. He
was now all impatience to hurry back
and secure the treasure, which, he did
not doubt, lay at the bottom of the well,
and which he feared every moment
might be discovered by some other per
son. "Who knows" thought he, "but
this night walking old fellow Of the
haunted house may be In the habit Of
haunting every visitor, and may give o
hint to some shrewder fellow than my
self, who will take shorter cut TO the
well than by the WY Of AlbanyT he
wished a thousand times that the bab-
bling old ghost was laid In the Red Sea,
and his rambling portrait with him. He
was I'm q perfect fever to depart Two
or three days elapsed before any oppor-
tunity presented for returning down the
river. They were ages TO Dolph, not
withstanding that he was basking In the
smiles of the pretty Marie, and daily get
ting more nnd more enamored-
At length the very sloop from which
he had been knocked overheard prepared
10 make sail. Dolph made an awkward
apology to his host for his sudden do
parture. Antony Wander Heyden was
sorely nstonishcd He had concerted
half a dozen excursions into the wilder
ness, and bis Indians were actually pre-
pairing for a grand expedition 10 one Of
the lakes. He took Dolpb aside, and ex-
erted his eloqucnce 10 get him 10 abandon
all thoughts Of business, and to remain
with him-but In vain; and he at length
gave up the attempt, Observing that
Il was a thousand pities 30 fine a young
man should throw himself away" Heer
Antony, however, gave him q hearty
shake by tho hand Bt parting. with q
favorfte forling piece, and an Invitation
TO come to his bOuse Whenever be re-
Visited Albany. The pretty Little Marie
said nothing: bot g. be gave her q fare
vel kiss, her dimpled cheek TUNED pale
end a tear stood m her eye. Dolph sprang
lightly on bard q the vess1l
They boosted sal; the wind Uas fair.
th.ey soon lost sight q Albany and its
srpen hiIls aud ernboueTed islznds Tbey
Tere waited eayiy Jas4 the KAstskil
roouutafns. vsose fairy heights we're
b-irf5f and cioudlass Tfev psssei Iros-