New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1892-05-25

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NESSN bringing common sense
XXI to bear upon the subject,
MEdA 1T seems so vague and
mEg3 impossible that almost
--AHSAe refuse to admit the exis-
3SS tence of that which I my.
self bekeld a few brief months ago; and
yet when turn my gaze towards the
picture on which [ have of late ex-
pended all my skill, am convinced it
was no dream, but a strange reality
1t is the picture OF a lady, beautiful
beyond description, with dark brown
hair and liquid eyes that gaze upon
the beholder with a look in which is
Swallowed forth an unutterable sor-
row. No! it was no dream; let me
once again recall the circumstances in
which beheld the original OF this ex-
quisite vision
In the course OF my late Continental
tour undertaken partly for pleasure
and PARTLY to assist me in my artistic
studies) found myself, one stormy
evening, upon a hillside in the pro-
vince of Old CASTLE. It may seem
strange that should be in such po-
sitien. The reason was, briefly, as
follows. Some few hours before 1 had
been directed to a certain village,
where intended to pass the night,
but had either been wrongly inform
ed or had not properly understood
my informant, for | had hopelessly
lost my way.
The scene, viewed through the gath
ering twilight and driving rain, had a
very sombre aspect. Below the emf
nence on which I stood stretched a.
narrow valley, the hills that bounded
which We're thinly clothed with cork
trees, whose branches waved in the
fierce wind. eagerly gazed for any
sign OF human habitation and was de-
lighted to observe on the summit of a
small hill not far from where Istood a
! large mansion.
Irapidly made my way towards it,
but as | approached could see no
lights or other signs Of life, and from
the dilapidated condition a nearer in
spection showed it to be in 1 reluct-
ly came to the conclusion that it was
deserted. However, it would at least
afford me shelter from the rain and /
was then in such,case as to be thankful
forsmall mercies. | accordingly quick
ened my pace, and in another moment
was standing before the habitation.
1t was q very old structure, with
quaint gable ends and time-stained
walls on which the ivy chung. Over
the massive ironclad door there was
curious stone figure representing a
crouching dragon with distended
mouth, as if about to leap from it's
perch and rend victim. Taken al
together, | thought as / stood before
the great doorway and gazed upon
this work of art that it WAS not the
most cheerful place OF shelter for O.
Wanderer in a foreign land to come
across, "'twixt the gloamin' and the
mink, " when he had lost his way and
was exposed to q violent storm. But
necessity knows no law" l APP
preached and beat upon the door.
AS the knocking caused only O.
strange, hollow sound, [ concluded
that there was no person within.
therefore considered myself perfectly
Justified in forcing an entrance, and,
to accomplish that end, pushed
against the door. Somewhat to my
surprise it yielded slowly, and, not
without little hesitation,,I entered.
When my eyes became accustomed to
the darkness, / discovered that I
stood in a large hall at the other end
of which arose flight of gloomy-look-
ing stairs A door opened out of the
left side of this hall, through which I
passed and found myself in a large
room. The floor was covered with a.
thicklayer ofdust, and the few articles
of furniture tho room contained were
plentifully sprinkled with it, One or
two antique and rickety chairs were
scattered in various positions; in the
centre of the apartment venerable
hung with mouldy tapestry. / was I'M
able to make these observations by
the tast-deepening twilight which en-
tered through large window at one
end Of the apartment.
As' the storm showed no signs Of
abating, determined to remain, at
least for a short, time; and, drawing a
chair into the embrasure of the win
dow, brushed the dust from the seat
and carefully sat down. It creaked
under my weight, but fortunately did
outbreak. | then selected a cigarette
from my case and, having lit it, pre-
pared to make myself as comfortable
:as possible. had sat thus some lit
tie time when [ heard that which
caused metto start in astonishment,
not 'unmixed with dread, for there
cameto my ears, midst the signing Of
the storm, the sound OF sweet sad
music. It,came, as nearly as could
distinguish, from one of the upper
apartments of the mansion. Filled
with mingled feelings OF curiosity and
awe (for the circumstances were, it
will Geadily,be admitted, awe-inspir-
ingl, demerged from the room and
stood once more in the entrance hall.
Ihe music sounded nearer. and I