Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1895-08-15
A SHATTERED HARP.


vet In the glamor of their honeymoon. No
considerations of convenience, no passing
inclination had united them. Love, ar
dent and proved by years of patient wait
ing, was the seal of their union. They had
known each other as little children, and
their hopes and plans had grown together,
but Sellner's uncertain position forced
them to postpone for long time the full
h:.ment of his hopes. At last he received
his appointment and on the following
Sunday he led his bride into their new
home. When the long summer days of
congratulations Were ended, how gladly
they spent the beautiful evenings together,
with no third person to claim and share in
their Joy Plans for coming days filled the
hours They were both of them fine mu-
sicians, and Sellners flute and Josephe's
harp made sweet music during the en-
chanted evenings, which sped all too
quickly. The deep harmony of their in
struments was an suspicious omen for
their future.
One evening after they had played long
together Josephe complained of violent
headache. 1t had begun in the morning,
-
pleasure had wrought seriously upon her
delicate nerves. Sellner sent at once for
physician, who assured them that she
would recover in the morning. But after
an extremely restless night, during which
she ,aved necessarily, the doctor found
poor Josephe with the symptoms of nerv-
Gus fever. He devoted himself zealously to
the case, but Josephe grew worse daily.
oil 40 ho hath
day the physician lost hope, and Josephe
herself felt that she could not live much
longer. She awaited the end with gentle
resignation.
Dear Edward" she said to her hus-
band with deep sorrow leave this beau
tiful earth, where l have found thee and
highest blessedness; but, though l may
not linger longer in thine arms, Josephes
love shall be round about thee until we
meet again above"
She sank back and fell asleep. 1t was
in the evening Mt the ninth hour.
Sellner's sorrow was unspeakable. He
struggled long with life. His grief de-
stroyed his health, and when after many
weeks he arose from his sickbed he was
without vestige Of his former youthful
vigor. Deep melancholy fastened upon
him. He had left Josephes room as 1t
was before her death, and every evening
he made pilgrimage to this sanctuary of
his love- Hither on clear moonlight
night he came and stood as in the time of
his happiness, leaning upon her window.
Into the sweet tones of the flute he
breathed his yearnings toward her who
had gone Suddenly from a neighboring
tower the Waterman cried the ninth hour,
AS if struck by u light spirit hand, the
harp answered to his flute. Overcome
with awe, Sellner ceased playing on the
flute. The strains of the harp also ceased.
With deep emotion he now began Josephes
favorite song and the strings sent forth
strong, loud notes in accompaniment to
his melody. He sank to the floor, with
shudder of joy, and stretched out his arms
to embrace the beloved shadow. He felt
himself breathed upon rs by the warmth
of spring, and pale, shimmering light
shone round him.
II know thee, blessed shadow of my
sainted Josephe!' he cried. "Thou didst
promise in love to be round about mel
Thou dost keep thy word! l feel thy
BREATH thy kisses upon my lipsi Thy
glory shines upon mel
Again he took the flute, and the harp
again sounded FORTH but moro and more
gently until its whisperings were lost in
one long final chord.
Sellner cast himself upon his couch. In
all his heated dreams ne heard the wills
perings of the harp. He awoke late, wea-
ried from the emotion of the night. He
felt the touch of n supernatural hand upon
his life, and within him there was q
strange voice. 1t prophesied the speedy
victory of the soul over tho body.
With unutterable longing he waited for
the evening. At twilight he betook him
self to Josephe's room. Playing upon the
flute he lulled himself into still dreams
until the ninth hour. Hardly had the last
clock stroke ceased before the harp again
sent forth its strains to meet and blend
with the flute tunes in perfect accord.
Again the pale, shimmering light shone
round him. Again he cried out to his
loved ono: "Josephe, Josephe! Take me
with theeW Ag,'n the harp strains took
leave of him in i. de whisperings.
Sellner tottereu back to his room. His
looks terrified his faithful servant, who
FASTENED, in spite of his masters prohibi-
tions, to the physician who was also a life
long friend of Sellner. The physician
found him in fever With the very symp
toms that had appeared in Frau Sellner's
malady. The fever increased during the
night. He raved ever Of Josephe and the
harp.
In the morning he was quieter; the
struggle was over. He felt assured of
speedy release. He revealed to the ply
stefan the occurrences of both evenings,
and no arguments Of cold reason could
dissuade him from his belief As evening
came on he grew weaker and asked at last
to DO taken into Josephe's room. They
did his bidding. He looked about him at
each beloved object with tears Of JOY and
spoke with certainty Of the ninth hour as
his last upon earth. The fatal moment
drew near. He said farewell to all who
were gathered around him and asked to be
left alone with the physician.
Nine hollow strokes groaned forth from
the castle tower and Sellner's face shone
with heavenly light.
"Josephep' he cried with ineffable Joy,
rs If Gods hand had touched him. 10
sephe, greet me once more ere go, that
may know thou art near and may over
come death by thy love!'
Then the harp strings vibrated in splen-
did, triumphal strains, like paans.
az come / Comet he cried and sinking