Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1893-04-21
A DARK SECRET.

=
ago there was an English monk teach
ing in the University OF Oxford, whose
name was Roger Bacon. Friar Bacon,
as he was usually called, was a man
of marvellous learning for that rude,
unlettered age, and was famed for II
all over Europe He had studied at
all the famous schools OF the time and
had stored his mind with all manner
OF knowledge. He was a great exper-
imenter in the sciences, especially in
chemistry. He used to spend several
hours each day in one of the secret
cells of the convent engaged in these
experiments, his studies often extend
ing into the late hours Of the night.
During one of these midnight vigils
he discovered that sulphur, charcoal
and saltpetre, mixed together in GER
tain manner, formed new and
strange compound indeed so mystic
riouS and terrible did this new mix
ture seem that the monk himself was
almost afraid Of it, and therefore did
not make known his discovery.
Among the pupils that came to Ok
ford to learn some OF the wisdom OF
which Friar Bacon had such goodly
store, was u youth whose name Was
Hubert Dreux. Eager in his desire
for knowledge, and prompt to obey
his teachers, Hubert soon grew to be
a favorite with all. Roger Bacon be-
came particularly interested in the
young scholar and sought to instill
into his mind the principles of that
sound education that the youth so
much craved. He often asked his
helpin the laboratory-the large room
where the students were instructed in
chemistry the lad became singu-
larly skilled in the science and longed
for the time TO come when he would
be allowed to make experiments uu
aided
But the great teacher nSver permit
ted him or any one else to enter his
private cell. Often as Hubert sat
studying or making compoundsin in this
larger room he would be startled by
sounds like distant thunder coming
from his masters apartment. Some
times bright light would accompany
the noise, shining through the chinks
of the door for an instant, and then
an unpleasant OdOr would fill the
room almost to sufTocation.
The boys curiosity was intensely
excited by these mysterious sights and
sounds, and he endeavored by various
means to ascertain their origin. But
whenever he knocked or sought TO
enter the apartment the monk stern
ly bade him attend to his own affairs
and never interrupt him again. The
door was always locked and if Hubert
ever ventured to ask any questions
about the noise, he was silenced by
the learned mans gruif words and an
cry frowns.
Thus the months glided away and
still he vaiDly sought to learn the Sc
cret.
Friar Bacon often went without the
walls of the college to attend the calls
Of the sick and the enfeebled, for with
his other learning he was a famed
leech and chirurgeon. One chill No
vember day, when the trees were bare
and the river ran cold and drear, a
messenger from an adjoining town
came to the college, requesting the
attendance of the monk upon Sir Wal
ter de Langley, wealthy baronet,
who was lying dangerously I'll. RJg
er Bacon never sighted the calls Of
those that needed him and deliver
ing necessary orders TO Hubert, and
bidding him TO use care about the
fires aud lock the doors when he was
done, he started on his errand Of mer
cy.
Hubert Dreux finished his tasks a
an early hour that evening, and was
bounding up the open stairway TO his
room, when an evil thought entered
his mind
''Friar Bacon is absent and it will
be long before he returns. What bet
ter opportunity shall have in which
to learn what keeps him so much in
that close, damp cell =
The thought was father to the ac-
ton. lie gazed anxiously around no
one was watching him. The other
students had retired to their apart
ments: everything was silent about
the hall.
With a quick step and a fast beat
ing heart he FASTENED back and soon
had reached the forbidden roou. But
there he met with keen jisappoint-
ment. The key was not there, and
without it he could not enter. Still
he fingered, trying 70 obtain glimpse
thro 1gh the key-hole. He knelt and
pressed his cheek against the heavy
door. 1t opened at the pressure for
the monk in his haste had locked
without closing it. and the eager
youth stood where, for months, ne
had longed 10 be.
But " hat better was he then ! Vain
ly he sought for anything new or
strange. No mysterious engine or
chemical preparation was visible.
With sad look on his Young face