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scrutoire, he found the door wide open, and the inside obviously empty. Looking round, he observed his father standing on the hearth close to a great fire, in the midst of which was consuming the old black book. Elias entreated his son earnestly to withdraw: but Rudolph could not command himself; and he exclaimed "I doubt, I doubt, Sir, that this is the book which belongs to the scrutoire."

His father assented with visible confusion.

"Well, then, allow me to say, that I am greatly surprised at your treating in this way an heir-loom that for a century and more has always been transmitted to the eldest

son.

You are in the right, my son," said the father, affectionately taking him by the hand: "You are partly in the right: it is not quite defensible, I admit and I myself have had many scruples about the course I have taken. Yet still I feel myself glad upon the whole that I have destroyed this accursed book. He, that wrote it, never prospered; all traditions agree in that: why then leave to one's descendants a miserable legacy of unhallowed mysteries?

This excuse, however, did not satisfy Rudolph. He maintained that his father had made an aggression upon his rights of inheritance; and he argued the point so well, that Elias himself began to see that his son's complaint was not altogether groundless. The whole of the next day they behaved to each other-not unkindly, but yet with some coolness. At night Elias could bear this no longer; and he said, "Dear Rudolph, we have lived long together in harmony and love; let us not be gin to show an altered countenance to each other during the few days that I have yet to live."

Rudolph pressed his father's offered hand with a filial warmth; and the latter went on to say-"I purpose now to communicate to you by word of mouth the contents of the book which I have destroyed: I will do this with good faith and without re"serve-unless you yourself can be persuaded to forego your own right to such a communication."

Elias paused-flattering himself, as it seemed, that his son would fore

go his right. But in this he was mistaken: Rudolph was far too eager for the disclosure; and earnestly pressed his father to proceed.

Again Elias hesitated, and threw a glance of profound love and pity upon his son-a glance that conjured him to think better and to waive his claim: but, this being at length obviously hopeless, he spoke as follows:-" The book relates chiefly to yourself: it points to you as to the last of our race. You turn pale. Surely, Rudolph, it would have been better that you had resolved to trouble yourself no farther about it?

"No," said Rudolph, recovering his self-possession, "No: for it still remains a question whether this prophecy be true."

"It does so, it does, no doubt." "And is this all that the book says in regard to me?"

"No: it is not all: there is something more. But possibly you will only laugh when you hear it: for at this day no body believes in such strange stories. However, be that as it may, the book goes on to say plainly and positively, that the Evil One (Heaven protect us!) will make you an offer tending greatly to your worldly advantage.'

Rudolph laughed outright; and replied that, judging by the grave exterior of the book, he had looked to hear of more serious contents.

"Well, well, my son," said the old man, "I know not that I myself am disposed to place much confidence in these tales of contracts with the devil. But, true or not, we ought not to laugh at them. Enough for me that under any circumstances I am satisfied you have so much natural piety, that you would reject all worldly good fortune that could meet you upon unhallowed paths."

Here Elias would have broken off: but Rudolph said, "One thing more I wish to know: What is to be the nature of the good fortune offered to me? And did the book say whether I should accept it or not?"

"Upon the nature of the good fortune the writer has not explained himself: all that he says-is, that by a discreet use of it, it is in your power to become a very great man. Whether you will accept it- but God preserve thee, my child, from any thought so criminal-upon this ques

tion there is a profound silence. Nay, distinguished courage must carry him it seems even as if this trader in black in the

very first campaign to the rank arts had at that very point been over- of lieutenant, was as evident to his taken by death: for he had broken own mind as that he could not possioff in the very middle of a word. bly fall on the field of battle. The lord have mercy upon his soul !" The three friends were fortunate

Little as Rudolph's faith was in the enough to be placed in the same possibility of such a proposal, yet he company. But in the first battle, was uneasy at his father's communi. Werl and Theiler were stretched lifecation and visibly disturbed; so that less by Rudolph's side: Werl, by a the latter said to him—“Had it not musket ball through his heart, and been better, Rudolph, that you had Theiler by a cannon shot which took left the mystery to be buried with me off his head. in the grave ?"

Soon after this event Rudolph hima Rudolph said “No:" but his rest- self returned home: but how? Not, less eye, and his agitated air, too evi- as he had fondly anticipated, in the dently approved the accuracy of his brilliant decorations of a distinguishfather's solicitude.

ed officer ; but as a prisoner in close The deep impression upon Ru- custody : in a transport of youthful dolph's mind from this conversation anger he had been guilty, in company

-the last he was ever to hold with with two others, of insubordination his father was rendered still deeper and mutiny. by the solemn event which followed. The court-martial sentenced them About the middle of that same night to death. The judges, however, he was awakened suddenly by a sum- - were so favourably impressed by their mons to his father's bed-side: his fa- good conduct whilst under confinether was dying, and earnestly asking ment, that they would certainly have for him.

recommended them unconditionally “ My son!” he exclaimed with an to the royal mercy, if it had not been expression of the bitterest anguish; deemed necessary to make an examstretched out both his arms in suppli- ple. However, the sentence was so cation towards him; and in the an- far mitigated, that only one of the guish of the effort he expired. three was to be shot. And which

The levity of youthful spirits soon was heThat point was reserved dispersed the gloom which at first in suspense until the day of execuhung over Rudolph's mind. Surround- tion, when it was to be decided by ed by jovial companions at the uni- the cast of the dice. versity which he now visited, he As the fatal day drew near, a temfound no room left in his bosom for pest of passionate grief assailed the sorrow or care: and his heaviest af- three prisoners. One of them was fliction was the refusal of his guar- agitated by the tears of his father ; dian at times to comply with his too the second by the sad situation of a frequent importunities for money. sickly wife and two children. The

After a residence of one year at the third, Rudolph, in case the lot fell university, some youthful irregulari- upon him, would be summoned to ties in which Rudolph was concerned part not only with his life, but also subjected him, jointly with three with a young and blooming bride, others, to expulsion. Just at that that lay nearer to his heart than anya time, the Seven Years' War happened thing else in the world. “ Ah!" to break out : two of the party, named said he on the evening before the day Theiler and Werl, entered the mili- of final decision, “ Xh! if but this tary service together with Rudolph: once I could secure a lucky throw of the last, very much against the will the dice!” And scarce was the wish of a young woman to whom he was uttered, when his comrade Werl, engaged. Charlotte herself, however, whom he had seen fall by his side in became reconciled to this arrange the field of battle, stepped into his cell. ment, when she saw that her objecti- “ So, brother Schroll, I suppose ons availed nothing against Rudolph's you didn't much expect to see me?" resolution, and heard her lover de- “ No, indeed, did I not,” exscribe in the most flattering colours claimed Rudolph in consternation : his own return to her arms in the for in fact, on the next day after the uniform of an officer: for that his battle, he had seeu with his own eye

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this very Werl committed to the grave.

"Aye, aye, it's strange enough, I allow but there are not many such surgeons as he is that belongs to our regiment: he had me dug up, and brought me round again, I'll assure you. One would think the man was a conjurer. Indeed there are many things he can do which I defy any man to explain; and to say the truth, I'm convinced he can execute impossibilities."

"Well, so let him, for aught that I care: all his art will scarcely do me any good."

"Who knows, brother? who knows? The man is in this town at this very time; and for old friendship's sake I've just spoken to him about you: and he has promised me a lucky throw of the dice that shall deliver you from all danger."

"Ah!" said the dejected Rudolph, "but even this would be of little ser.vice to me."

"Why, how so?" asked the other. "How so? Why, because even if there were such dice (a matter I very much dispute)-yet I could never allow myself to turn aside, by black arts, any bad luck designed for myself upon the heads of either of my comrades."

"Now this, I suppose, is what you call being noble? But excuse me if I think that in such cases one's first duty is to oneself."

"Aye, but just consider; one of my comrades has an old father to maintain, the other a sick wife with two children."

"Schroll, Schroll, if your young bride were to hear you, I fancy she wouldn't think herself much flattered. Does poor Charlotte deserve that you should not bestow a thought on her and her fate? A dear young creature, that places her whole happiness in you, has nearer claims (I think) upon your consideration than an old dotard with one foot in the grave, or a wife and two children that are nothing at all to you. Ah! what a deal of good might you do in the course of a long life with your Charlotte!- -So then, you really are determined to reject the course which I point out to you? Take care, Schroll! If you disdain my offer, and the lot should chance to fall upon you,―take care lest the thought

of a young bride whom you have betrayed, take care, I say, lest this thought should add to the bitterness of death when you come to kneel down on the sand-hill. However, I've given you advice sufficient: and have discharged my conscience. Look to it yourself: and farewell!"

"Stay, brother, a word or two;" said Rudolph, who was powerfully impressed by the last speech, and the picture of domestic happiness held up before him, which he had ofter dallied with in thought both when alone and in company with Charlotte;

stay a moment. Undoubtedly, I do not deny that I wish for life, if I could receive it a gift from heaven: and that is not impossible. Only I would not willingly have the guilt upon my conscience of being the cause of misery to another. However, if the man you speak of can tell, I should be glad that you would ask him upon which of us three the lot of death will fall. Or-stay; don't ask him," said Rudolph, sighing deeply.

"I have already asked him," was the answer.

"Ah! have you so? And it is after his reply that you come to me with this counsel ?"

The foretaste of death overspread the blooming face of Rudolph with a livid paleness: thick drops of sweat gathered upon his forehead; and the other exclaimed with a sneer-" I'm going: you take too much time for consideration. May be you will see and recognize me at the place of execution: and, if so, I shall have the dice with me; and it will not be too late even then to give me a sign: but take notice I can't promise to attend."

He

Rudolph raised his forehead from the palm of his hand, in which he had buried it during the last moments of his perturbation, and would have spoken something in reply: but his counsellor was already gone. felt glad and yet at the same time sorry. The more he considered the man and his appearance, so much the less seemed his resemblance to his friend whom he had left buried on the field of battle. This friend had been the very soul of affectionate cordiality-a temper that was altogether wanting to his present counsellor. No! the scornful and insulting

tone with which he treated the un. The worthy clergyman, who pose happy prisoner, and the unkind man- sessed their entire confidence, found ner with which he had left him, con- them loudly giving utterance to this vinced Schroll that he and Werl must heroic determination. Shaking his be two different persons. Just at head, he pointed their attention to this moment a thought struck him, those who had claims upon them like a blast of lightning, of the black whilst living, and for whom it was hook that had perished in the fire and their duty to wish to live as long as its ominous contents. A lucky cast possible. “ Place your trust in God!" of the dice! Aye; that then was the said he: “resign yourselves to him! shape in which the tempter had pre- He it is that will bring about the sented himself; and heartily glad he decision through your hands; and felt that he had not availed himself of think not of ascribing that power to his suggestions.

yourselves, or to his lifeless instruBut this temper of mind was spee- ments--the dice. He, without whose dily changed by his young bride, who permission no sparrow falls to the hurried in, soon after, sobbing, and ground, and who has numbered every flung her arms about his neck. He hair upon your head-He it is that told her of the proposal which had knows best what is good for you ; been made to him; and she was and he only.” shocked that he had not immediately The prisoners assented by squeezaccepted it.

ing his hand, embraced each other, With a bleeding heart, Rudolph and received the sacrament in the best objected that so charming and lovely disposition of mind. After this cerea creature could not miss of a happy mony they breakfasted together, in fate, even if he should be forced to as resigned, nay, almost in as joyquit her. But she protested vehe- ous a mood as if the gloomy and mently that he or nobody should enjoy bloody morning which lay before her love.

them were ushering in some gladThe clergyman, who visited the some festival. prisoner immediately after her de- When, however, the procession parture,

restored some composure to was marshalled from the outer gate, his mind, which had been altogether and their beloved friends were adbanished by the presence of his bride. mitted to utter their last farewells, “ Blessed are they who die in the then again the sternness of their Lord !” said the grey-haired divine; courage sank beneath the burthen of and with so much earnestness and their melancholy fate. “ Rudolph!' devotion, that this single speech had whispered amongst the rest his dethe happiest effect upon the prison- spairing bride, "Rudolph! why did er's mind.

you reject the help that was offered On the morning after this night of to you?” He adjured her not to agitation—the morning of the fatal add to the bitterness of parting; and day-the three criminals saw each she in turn adjured him, a little beother for the first time since their fore the word of command was given arrest. Community of fate, and long to march—which robbed her of all separation from each other, contri- consciousness

to make a sign to the buted to draw still closer the bond stranger who had volunteered his of friendship that had been first knit offer of deliverance, provided he on the field of battle. Each of the should anywhere observe him in the three testified a lively abhorrence for crowd. the wretched necessity of throwing The streets and the windows were death to some one of his comrades, lined with spectators. Vainly did by any cast of the dice which should each of the criminals seek, by acbring life to himself. Dear as their companying the clergyman in his several friends were to all, yet at prayers, to shelter himself from the this moment the brotherly league, thought, that all return, perhaps, was which had been tried and proved in cut off from him. The large house the furnace of battle, was triumphant of his bride's father reminded Schroll over all opposing considerations. of a happiness that was now lost to Each would have preferred death him for ever, if any faith were to be himself, rather than escape it at the put in the words of his yesterday expense of his comrade.

monitor ; and a very remark

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faintness caine over him. The clergy. strange accident, he looked round man, who was acquainted with the again. A sudden shock, and a sudcircumstances of his case, and, there den joy, fled through his countenance. fore, guessed the occasion of his sud- Not far from him, in the dress of a pedden agitation, laid hold of his arm— lar, stands Theiler without a wound and said, with a powerful voice, that the comrade whose head had been he who trusted in God would as carried off on the field of battle by a suredly see all his righteous hopes cannon-ball. Rudolph made an unaccomplished in this world, if it der sign to him with his eye. For were God's pleasure; but, if not, in clear as it now was to his minda better.

with whom he was dealing, yet, the These were words of comfort: but dreadful trial of the moment overtheir effect lasted only for a few mo- powered his better resolutions. ments. Outside the city gate his The military commission were in eyes were met by the sand-hill al- some confusion. No provision having ready thrown up-a spectacle which been thought of against so strange an renewed his earthly hopes and fears, accident, there was no second die at He threw a hurried glance about hand. They were just on the point of him: but no where could he see his despatching a messenger to fetch one, last night's visitor.

when the pedlar presented himself with Every moment the decision came the offer of supplying the loss. The nearer and nearer. It has begun. new die is examined by the auditor, One of the three has already shaken and delivered to the unfortunate Ruthe box: the die is cast: he has dolph. He throws: the die is lying thrown a six. This throw was now on the drum; and again it is a six ! registered amidst the solemn silence The amazement is universal: noof the crowd. The by-standers re- thing is decided : the throws must garded himn with silent congratula- be repeated. They are: and Wetions in their eyes. For this man and ber, the husband of the sick wife Rudolph were the two special ob- the father of the two half-naked jects of the general compassion; this children, flings the lowest throw. man, as the husband and father; Ru- Immediately the officer's voice was dolph, as the youngest and hand- heard wheeling his men into their somest, and because some report had position: on the part of Weber there gone abroad of his superior education was as little delay. The overwhelmand attainments.

ing injury to his wife and children Rudolph was youngest in a double inflicted by his own act, was too sense--youngest in years, and younge mighty to contemplate. He shook est in the service: for both reasons hands rapidly with his two comrades; he was to throw last. It may be stept nimbly into his place; kneeled supposed, therefore, how much all down; the word of command was present trembled for the poor de- heard Lower your musquets;" linquent, when the second of his instantly he dropt the fatal handcomrades likewise flung a six. kerchief with the gesture of one who

Prostrated in spirit, Rudolph stared prays for some incalculable blessing: at the unpropitious die. Then a se- and in the twinkling of an eye, sixcond time he threw a hurried glance teen bullets had lightened the heart around him—and that so full of de- of the poor mutineer from its whole spair, that from horrid sympathy a immeasurable freight of anguish. violent shuddering ran through the All the congratulations, with which by-standers. Here is no deliver- they were welcomed on their return er," thought Rudolph, “none to see into the city, fell powerless on Rume, or to hear me! And if there dolph's ear! Scarcely could even were, it is now too late: for no Charlotte's caresses affect with any change of the die is any longer pos- pleasure the man who believed himsible.” So saying he seized the fatal self to have sacrificed his comrade, die ; convulsively his hand clutches through collusion with a fiend. it; and before the throw is made The importunities of Charlotte prehe feels that the die is broken in vailed over all objections which the two.

pride of her aged father suggested During the universal thrill of against a son-in-law who had been astonishinent which succeeded to this capitally convicted. The marriage

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