The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1897-03-13
STRANGEST OF TOMBs.
Erected by a Roumanian Professor
Over the Body of His Daughter.

~NNy
Bucharest has perhaps the stran-
gest tomb ever erected in q civilized
land. It stands over the embalmed
body of Julia Hasden, young au-
thoress who died six years ago. Her
father, Prof. Haden, of the universe
ty of Bucharest, believes he is able
to communicate with his lost child.
He sits every day for hours by the
side of her coffin, and occasionally
surprises his fellow-scientists by
gravely quoting some remark that
she has made to him.
The tomb is constructed, so it is
claimed, in accordance with plans
outlined to the father by the daugh-
ter after her death. 1t is in the
Greek cemetery. The structure is
of marble. Over the entrance and
under the name Julia Hasden" is
a niche filled with her well-worn
school books. AS one enters he is
greeted by strains of unearthly mel.
ody. At the entrance huge slab OF
black marble bears an inscription
which may be translated as follows
Let those who seek not knowledge
pass by this grave, but those who
fain would learn the secret of life
in death descend"
The vault is paved with black and
white marble. Its walls are Of the
purest white marble, with inscrip-
tons in letters of gold. These,
according to Prof. Hasden, are re-
marks culled from the converse
tions he has had with his daughter
since her death. Here and there are
quaint little triangular stools. Close
to the stairway stand two hand
somely decorated mirrors, which
formerly adorned Julia Hasden's
boudoir. At the further end of the
vault, behind white marble balus-
trade, is an exquisitely carved sar.
cophagus containing the body OF
the young girl. The coffin is so ar
ranged that by drawing back slide
the broken-hearted parents may still
gaze on the face of their child. Two
colored lamps burn continually at
either end of the sarcophagus.
In the center of the balustrade
stands a beautiful bust of the young
Roumanian woman. 1t represents
her as handsome, clever-looking
girl, attired in modern evening
dress. A white veil is drawn over
it to preserve it from dust, and at
the waist nestle a few faded roses,
Leld in place by long satin ribbons
that float to the ground. They are
the flowers and ribbons which Julia
Hasden wore at her last ball.
On the walls hang photographs
of her at various ages. One small
water color sketch, entitled "Son
Dernier Jour Terreste" Her last
day on earth }. represents her toss
ing on her deathbed, with feverish
cheeks and sunken eyes.
On table to the right lies large
album, few books and a block Of
black marble, on which some lines
Of music are engraved in gold; the
title tells you they form "a melody"
composed by Julia Hasden after
her death, and, listening to its mys
ferrous tones. one could almost be-
lieve it an echo from spiritland.
The mechanism which produces
the weird music above mentioned is
apparently concealed in the table.
Visitors are permitted to inscribe
their names in the great album, and
its pages are full of touching ex-
pressions of sympathy in every
language.
There is nothing grewsome in this
remarkable tomb; the fresh air
streams in through the open doors,
carrying with it the perfume Of
flowers and the merry song of the
birds without.
Here it is that Prof. Hasden passes
almost all his spare time; it is no
strange thing to see him taking bis
coffee here Of morning and smok-
ing his cigarette beside his child's
coffin. His wife comes in the after
noon and remains until late in the
evening.
"She's seldom alone" the old
porter at the gate will tell you he
speaks of Julia Hssden as though
she were alive). Poor folks, it's
comfort to them, and it don't harm
US. Peoples given up remarking on
it long ago" 1t is generally believed
in Bucharest that Prof. Hasden's
mind is deranged on spiritualism.
On all other matters it is as strong
as evers.-New York Tribune.
Testimony Was Perjured.