Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ar02300
Rosenkreiiz was nearly a century old , my relative became an adept , a frater of tlie Sancfi Spiritttn . So clover was lie , so skilled in Astrology , Alchemy . and Divination , that- he became one of the Immorlales and lllmitiitali . The patriarch Rosenkrouz on his deathbed gave directions that Bartholomew Paracelsus should bc one uf
his pall bearers , and , consequently , my gratidsiro was one of thc few Fratres who knew where the great chief of the Order was buried . Yes , sii * , like Attila the Hun—that great scourge of ancient Kurope who was buried secretly , —no man knoweth wliere the mortal remains of Christian Rosenkreit / , lie . My father followed in the
footsteps of his sire and became a Rosicrucian . and I , the last of my race , am also a member of that mystic fraternity . " The stranger by this time had thrown aside his plumed hat , cloak and gauntlets . His features were concealed by a black silk visor .- His dark brown , almost black , hair , flowed naturally and profusely to his shoulders . He was slightly above the medium size ,
gracefully yet niuscularl y formed . His hands were most delicately and finely shaped , their extreme whiteness was relieved by the blue veins that showed beneath ; the lingers were long and tapering . He was attired in black , and was armed with rapier and dagger . " What seek ' st thou of me ? " abruptl y asked Paracelsus . "Dost thou wish me to consult the stars on thy behalf ? "
" No , was the reply . " I may tell thee , that 1 am sceptical of all that pertains to necromancy . We live , I grant thee , in a superstitious age . No old man or woman that practices false , yet harmless arts , such as fortune telling , charm selling , and other tricks
wherewith to dupe the credulous and illiterate , is safe from the mill-pond or the stake . A respected relative of mine , although he is a man of culture , and wise in many things , yet superstitiously believes in witchcraft aud astrology . Frankly , I do not . " " Wherefore do ye seek me ? " demanded Paracelsus .
"I will tell thee , " commenced the cavalier . "Some short time ago , I was travelling in Spain . One day in sunny Seville , I met an old Spanish gitano . According to the custom of her tribe , she asked to be allowed to read my future by my hand I answered her in her native tongue , and with a jest placed a gold-piece in her palm , expecting to hear the usual farrago of nonsense . On the contrary , she predicted terrible things , matters so dire that they still haunt
me . Having heard of th y renown from a friend , one who thoroughly has faith in th y skill , I have this night , and in disguise , sought thy dwelling to test thine art in chiromancy . If thy reading at all corresponds with that of the Spanish crone ' s , 1 shall cease to be a sceptic in matters occult . " The old man gently took the right hand of the stranger in his . " This is an elegantly formed hand , " said lie , " the hand of a man gifted with artistic thoughts aud refined aspirations . "
"A truce tonatteiy , my friend , " said the ' unknown , impatiently . "I am not to bc cozened nor beguiled by flue compliments such as thou wouldst shower upon a vain daughter of Eve ' s . Get thee to th y business , and that quickly . " The philosopher look no notice of this uncoilrteous outburst , but keenly examined the lines on the hand , the size of the fingers , and the shape of thc nails . Presently , he started violently , and a shudder passed over him .
" Wherefore that tremor , " questioned thc cavalier . " Dost thou glean aught of evil by thy reading of the palm Y " "A chequered life , " murmured thc astrologer , not heeding the enquiry , and as if speaking to himself . " A young man born to till a high destiny , cultured in taste , pure in ideas , capricious and tickle in disposition , prone to make great friendships , yet unfaithful to friends , autocratic , self-dominant , and easily led by minds inferior to his own . One "
" Strange , very strange , " interrupted the gentleman . " Tlie same reading as given by the old gitano , but couched in better language , Thou hast not told me all , " he added . "Prithee proceed , 1 seek to know more . " The aged man dropped the hand of the speaker , and gazed at him for a few minutes in silence .
Ar02301
"I would rather not enli ghten thee further , clear sir , " gently said Paracelsus . "For some reason—I know not what—I feel strangely drawn lowards thee . Tho spirit of divination , too , is strong within me to-ni ght . Ha ! this is tho 31 st of October , the Eve of All HaUusvs . "
"What of that ? " said the other . "I am a Scotchman and I know that in the North all manner of mystic rites arc practised on Hallowe ' en ; but I thought that ye denizens of the South were too matter-of-fact people to believe in supernatural matters inobservances . "
" Sir , " quoth the astrologer , gravely , and straightening himself to his full hei g ht , " 1 come of a long line of philosophers , a race of mental giants , endued by nature with powers far exceeding those given to the most talented of ordinary mortals . 1 was born seventy years ago on All Hallows' Eve , and have the power of holding communion with beings of another world , especially on Hallowe ' en . I also possess the gift of natural and artificial divination as manifested
by many of the ancient philosophers of Egypt , Greece and Rome . " The stranger smiled at the egotism and apparent earnestness of ( lie speaker , yet he was attracted by the ringing tones of his voice and the impressiveness of his manner . The enthusiast or fanatic , who was quite six feet in stature and of corresponding bulk , was clothed in a dark crimson robe , the upper part of the garment
had a hood attached like the cowl of a monk ; around his waist was a silken girdle with four tassels , to which were suspended triangular discs of metal , and engraved thereon were the Latin equivalents for Earth , Air , Fire and Water . His long white hair flowed luxuriantly from his high , massive forehead ; his moustache and beard were of great length , his large brilliant blue eyes glowed with intelligence ; altogether he presented an appearance both weird and picturesque .
"The hour is getting late , " remarked the cavalier , "and thou hast not yet fully foretold my destiny . Peradventure , th y powers will be intensified and accelerated if the guerdon I promised thee be at once placed in thy hands . " These words were uttered somewhat scornfully , as the speaker placed ten Jacobuses on the table . The eyes of the philosopher gleamed angrily as he retorted ,
"In good sooth , 1 seek not thy dross . What are a few gold pieces to one who has nearly perfected the glorious arcanum . For generations past our family have striven to discover the philosopher ' s stone ; every member b y his experiments and studies has nearly approached the consummation of his ambition . It remains for me , the last of the race , to complete their labours . This I will tell thee , that 1 am on the eve of a great
revelation , one that will render wealth y those to whom the secret is imparted . As thou wilt not allow me lo keep within my breast that which 1 havc diviiwd to-night , and the knowledge of which , I opine , will render thy future days and nights sad and gloomy , hearken to th y inevitable doom . After years of trial and vicissitudes thou art destined lo perish , whilst yet in thy prime , by a sudden and violent death , "
lhose few words were spoken in slow measured terms . At their conclusion , the cavalier rose from his seat , and for some moments paced the room in an agitated manner . He ( hen fiercely exclaimed , " Man or fiend , thou hast repeated what the Spanish sibyl foretold
would bc my fate . " He ( lieu added , "Canst thou inform me the nature of that early death ' She could or would not enli ghten me . " " Neither can I orally , " answered Paracelsus . " But if thou hast the courage to behold , 1 will try and invoke other and more powerful aids . "
"Prithee , forgive my rudeness just now , " said the unknown , " but I . ask thee , good friend , not to treat me to an exposition of jugglery , 1 am iu no mood for a mock display of the black art . " "Have 1 not told thee that I am no pretender , no counterfeit wizard such as awe the minds and delude the eyes of the vulgar at Bai't'leiny Fair or on some village green ot market-place , " retorted tlic old man . " I that have passetl through many terrible ordeals to be chided thus . A firm believer in the doctrines of Hermes and the
Ad02302
—^ . j- y "Newton Abbot , Devon , ist October , 1893 . f ^ I i IX I T \ ^^ ¦ 1 - > . EAK Slks , —1 have delayed ni y thanks , as 1 wished to test ¦ * - ^ ^ " ^ M m . M . m m . KJ t | lc c |( t . cts 0 f Blair ' s Fills b y a sufficient interval of time . " For leu years I had sulk rod acutel y . from Gout , and lite bad lost [\ L J T ^ lfc 1 " TV 11 ' tS aUracl ' > ° wing to the uncertainly of health and the sudden (MiandKneumaticrills,sj^sftissr,,,cro'",o,,i"s'orwceks"Blair ' s Pills have rendered me immense service , as I no longer - - ¦¦ =- - - - tear an attack of Gout . "If taken exactl y according to your directions upon the lirst insidious TESTIMONIAL FROM THE LATE f 7 T ; ?' ,, ° *" . dday , lhc " . emy is invariabl y conquered before it lias obtained sufliciciit hold ol the . system to become formidable . « . «« ni » l D A IV P D " ^ ^ ' t - ' months 1 have been comparativel y free , as one 5 IR OAlVIUfc-L BAKt Kj or two attempted visitations have been immediately stamped out b y the assistance of Blair ' s Pills , THE FAMOUS NILE EXPLORER . „ t ' / c JI c 4 Mt m -D M-CT . » ' " Truly yours ( Signed ) , SAML . \ V . BAKER . PRICE Is . HD . & 2 a . 9 D . PER BOX .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ar02300
Rosenkreiiz was nearly a century old , my relative became an adept , a frater of tlie Sancfi Spiritttn . So clover was lie , so skilled in Astrology , Alchemy . and Divination , that- he became one of the Immorlales and lllmitiitali . The patriarch Rosenkrouz on his deathbed gave directions that Bartholomew Paracelsus should bc one uf
his pall bearers , and , consequently , my gratidsiro was one of thc few Fratres who knew where the great chief of the Order was buried . Yes , sii * , like Attila the Hun—that great scourge of ancient Kurope who was buried secretly , —no man knoweth wliere the mortal remains of Christian Rosenkreit / , lie . My father followed in the
footsteps of his sire and became a Rosicrucian . and I , the last of my race , am also a member of that mystic fraternity . " The stranger by this time had thrown aside his plumed hat , cloak and gauntlets . His features were concealed by a black silk visor .- His dark brown , almost black , hair , flowed naturally and profusely to his shoulders . He was slightly above the medium size ,
gracefully yet niuscularl y formed . His hands were most delicately and finely shaped , their extreme whiteness was relieved by the blue veins that showed beneath ; the lingers were long and tapering . He was attired in black , and was armed with rapier and dagger . " What seek ' st thou of me ? " abruptl y asked Paracelsus . "Dost thou wish me to consult the stars on thy behalf ? "
" No , was the reply . " I may tell thee , that 1 am sceptical of all that pertains to necromancy . We live , I grant thee , in a superstitious age . No old man or woman that practices false , yet harmless arts , such as fortune telling , charm selling , and other tricks
wherewith to dupe the credulous and illiterate , is safe from the mill-pond or the stake . A respected relative of mine , although he is a man of culture , and wise in many things , yet superstitiously believes in witchcraft aud astrology . Frankly , I do not . " " Wherefore do ye seek me ? " demanded Paracelsus .
"I will tell thee , " commenced the cavalier . "Some short time ago , I was travelling in Spain . One day in sunny Seville , I met an old Spanish gitano . According to the custom of her tribe , she asked to be allowed to read my future by my hand I answered her in her native tongue , and with a jest placed a gold-piece in her palm , expecting to hear the usual farrago of nonsense . On the contrary , she predicted terrible things , matters so dire that they still haunt
me . Having heard of th y renown from a friend , one who thoroughly has faith in th y skill , I have this night , and in disguise , sought thy dwelling to test thine art in chiromancy . If thy reading at all corresponds with that of the Spanish crone ' s , 1 shall cease to be a sceptic in matters occult . " The old man gently took the right hand of the stranger in his . " This is an elegantly formed hand , " said lie , " the hand of a man gifted with artistic thoughts aud refined aspirations . "
"A truce tonatteiy , my friend , " said the ' unknown , impatiently . "I am not to bc cozened nor beguiled by flue compliments such as thou wouldst shower upon a vain daughter of Eve ' s . Get thee to th y business , and that quickly . " The philosopher look no notice of this uncoilrteous outburst , but keenly examined the lines on the hand , the size of the fingers , and the shape of thc nails . Presently , he started violently , and a shudder passed over him .
" Wherefore that tremor , " questioned thc cavalier . " Dost thou glean aught of evil by thy reading of the palm Y " "A chequered life , " murmured thc astrologer , not heeding the enquiry , and as if speaking to himself . " A young man born to till a high destiny , cultured in taste , pure in ideas , capricious and tickle in disposition , prone to make great friendships , yet unfaithful to friends , autocratic , self-dominant , and easily led by minds inferior to his own . One "
" Strange , very strange , " interrupted the gentleman . " Tlie same reading as given by the old gitano , but couched in better language , Thou hast not told me all , " he added . "Prithee proceed , 1 seek to know more . " The aged man dropped the hand of the speaker , and gazed at him for a few minutes in silence .
Ar02301
"I would rather not enli ghten thee further , clear sir , " gently said Paracelsus . "For some reason—I know not what—I feel strangely drawn lowards thee . Tho spirit of divination , too , is strong within me to-ni ght . Ha ! this is tho 31 st of October , the Eve of All HaUusvs . "
"What of that ? " said the other . "I am a Scotchman and I know that in the North all manner of mystic rites arc practised on Hallowe ' en ; but I thought that ye denizens of the South were too matter-of-fact people to believe in supernatural matters inobservances . "
" Sir , " quoth the astrologer , gravely , and straightening himself to his full hei g ht , " 1 come of a long line of philosophers , a race of mental giants , endued by nature with powers far exceeding those given to the most talented of ordinary mortals . 1 was born seventy years ago on All Hallows' Eve , and have the power of holding communion with beings of another world , especially on Hallowe ' en . I also possess the gift of natural and artificial divination as manifested
by many of the ancient philosophers of Egypt , Greece and Rome . " The stranger smiled at the egotism and apparent earnestness of ( lie speaker , yet he was attracted by the ringing tones of his voice and the impressiveness of his manner . The enthusiast or fanatic , who was quite six feet in stature and of corresponding bulk , was clothed in a dark crimson robe , the upper part of the garment
had a hood attached like the cowl of a monk ; around his waist was a silken girdle with four tassels , to which were suspended triangular discs of metal , and engraved thereon were the Latin equivalents for Earth , Air , Fire and Water . His long white hair flowed luxuriantly from his high , massive forehead ; his moustache and beard were of great length , his large brilliant blue eyes glowed with intelligence ; altogether he presented an appearance both weird and picturesque .
"The hour is getting late , " remarked the cavalier , "and thou hast not yet fully foretold my destiny . Peradventure , th y powers will be intensified and accelerated if the guerdon I promised thee be at once placed in thy hands . " These words were uttered somewhat scornfully , as the speaker placed ten Jacobuses on the table . The eyes of the philosopher gleamed angrily as he retorted ,
"In good sooth , 1 seek not thy dross . What are a few gold pieces to one who has nearly perfected the glorious arcanum . For generations past our family have striven to discover the philosopher ' s stone ; every member b y his experiments and studies has nearly approached the consummation of his ambition . It remains for me , the last of the race , to complete their labours . This I will tell thee , that 1 am on the eve of a great
revelation , one that will render wealth y those to whom the secret is imparted . As thou wilt not allow me lo keep within my breast that which 1 havc diviiwd to-night , and the knowledge of which , I opine , will render thy future days and nights sad and gloomy , hearken to th y inevitable doom . After years of trial and vicissitudes thou art destined lo perish , whilst yet in thy prime , by a sudden and violent death , "
lhose few words were spoken in slow measured terms . At their conclusion , the cavalier rose from his seat , and for some moments paced the room in an agitated manner . He ( hen fiercely exclaimed , " Man or fiend , thou hast repeated what the Spanish sibyl foretold
would bc my fate . " He ( lieu added , "Canst thou inform me the nature of that early death ' She could or would not enli ghten me . " " Neither can I orally , " answered Paracelsus . " But if thou hast the courage to behold , 1 will try and invoke other and more powerful aids . "
"Prithee , forgive my rudeness just now , " said the unknown , " but I . ask thee , good friend , not to treat me to an exposition of jugglery , 1 am iu no mood for a mock display of the black art . " "Have 1 not told thee that I am no pretender , no counterfeit wizard such as awe the minds and delude the eyes of the vulgar at Bai't'leiny Fair or on some village green ot market-place , " retorted tlic old man . " I that have passetl through many terrible ordeals to be chided thus . A firm believer in the doctrines of Hermes and the
Ad02302
—^ . j- y "Newton Abbot , Devon , ist October , 1893 . f ^ I i IX I T \ ^^ ¦ 1 - > . EAK Slks , —1 have delayed ni y thanks , as 1 wished to test ¦ * - ^ ^ " ^ M m . M . m m . KJ t | lc c |( t . cts 0 f Blair ' s Fills b y a sufficient interval of time . " For leu years I had sulk rod acutel y . from Gout , and lite bad lost [\ L J T ^ lfc 1 " TV 11 ' tS aUracl ' > ° wing to the uncertainly of health and the sudden (MiandKneumaticrills,sj^sftissr,,,cro'",o,,i"s'orwceks"Blair ' s Pills have rendered me immense service , as I no longer - - ¦¦ =- - - - tear an attack of Gout . "If taken exactl y according to your directions upon the lirst insidious TESTIMONIAL FROM THE LATE f 7 T ; ?' ,, ° *" . dday , lhc " . emy is invariabl y conquered before it lias obtained sufliciciit hold ol the . system to become formidable . « . «« ni » l D A IV P D " ^ ^ ' t - ' months 1 have been comparativel y free , as one 5 IR OAlVIUfc-L BAKt Kj or two attempted visitations have been immediately stamped out b y the assistance of Blair ' s Pills , THE FAMOUS NILE EXPLORER . „ t ' / c JI c 4 Mt m -D M-CT . » ' " Truly yours ( Signed ) , SAML . \ V . BAKER . PRICE Is . HD . & 2 a . 9 D . PER BOX .