if I P' Hi1HI itifif
ufrZVill' AN INDEPENDENT FAMILY NEWSPAPER. f'oZnZ
Vol. "V. IYoav 1 Jloomlieltl, 3n., TiieHlsriy, Aiiil -1. 187'!. IVo. 14.
Is Published Weekly,
At New Bloomfield, rcnu'u.
BY
FRANK MORTIMER.
BUBSCKIPTION TEKM8.
ONE DOLLAR rEIt YEAlt I
CO Cents for 0 Months; 40 Cents
for 3 Months,
IN ADVANCE.
A Night's Adventure.
A GERMAN STORY.
AT THE period to which this story
more particularly refers, there stood
in the high road leading to the villago of
Schwalbach, a long, low, old-fashioned inn,
which boasted of a more than ordinary
amount of out-houses and grounds in its
rear. It was never at any time a fust-class
establishment ; nevertheless, its proprietors
for it changed hands several times during
its chequered career appeared to drive a
tolerably profitable trade. One evening
Count Tottlebon was traveling iu a light,
open chaise, accompanied by a single ser
vant, ou the rood leading to Schwalbach,
when the house in question attracted his
attention. The season was cold the evening
was far advanced, both travelers wero wet
to the skin, and the heavy clouds above,
and the drizzling ruin, rendered the road
more miserably dark and cheerless.
"I shall not risk going any further,
Franz," said the Count, addressing his
Bervant. "Yondor house will doubtless
afford us accommodation for the night.
Dost thou know aught of it?"
" No my lord, but I dare say it will do
woll enough."
" Thou we will pull up here, and take our
chauce, unless you know of a better place
in the village."
Franz declared that he knew but little of
that part of the country, and his master,
therefore, halted at the inn. He alighted
and entered, resolving to set out early in
the morning.
The people of the house seemed very at
tentive and obliging. The count was shown
into a comfortable looking room up stairs,
which was clean and neat.
His orders were obeyed with alacrity,
and supper was being prepared ; he had
every reason for being well pleased with
his reception. Accustomed from his youth
to a wandering life, he made it a practico
when in houses of publio entertainment
to pass very little of his time iu his own
apartment, but ' generally chose rather to
associate with the other guests in the pub
lio room. There ho entered into conversa
tion with every one, whethor foreigner or
native whethor noble or peasant.
Ho was consequently voted by all who
knew him as the best of good fellows, and
a jolly companion to boot. In short, the
Count was a general favorite with both
sexes.
On tho present occasion, he adhered to
his usual custom, and passed an hour or
more below in tho public room. He con
versed with the host, and then passed sev
eral compliments upon the appearance and
manners of the hostess, who was a young
and exceedingly pretty woman. The laugh
and jest went round, and all present seemed
iu admirable good hiynor which was con
siderably enchanced upon the Count de
claring that ho supposed that ho should
have to stand godfather to the landlord's
first-born. ' The hostess blushed, but could
not refrain from Indulging In a hearty
laugh. . . .
" You' must not mind what I say, 'niy
friend," observed the Count to the land
lord. ''It's my way, people toll me j and
the ladies especially declare that I am a
privileged person. , you've an aiuiublo
wife, I'm sure -any one can see that. I
hope you prize and chorish her indeed
I'm sure you do j; 'j- ; ;, ;y () ,j
Of course the speaker was answered in
tho affirmative ; but there wus a certain
hesitation and uneasiness betrayed by both
husband and' wife whiih' tho 'C6unt could
not readily account for'; so hp1 'pcrsued the
conversation iu a tono tot banter and good
humor, but fulled to elicit anything from
cither party., , ...... ;ll. , t
" I shall know more about these people
before morning, I dare say," thought the
Count. rcrhaps I am on the wrong
track. It's likely enough that they are not
so happy a couple as I had at first sup
posed. While thus ruminating, ho was surprised
to find that the eyes of both woro intently
engaged in examining the expression of his
countenance.
" Umph !" muttered Tottlebon, to him
self. "Thore is some undercurrent, that's
certain ; and of which I am in complete ig
norance" Perceiving perhaps, that a shade of sus
picion passed over tho expressive and hand
some features of his guest the landlord
strove to say something pleasant, iu which
endeavor, however, he signally failed.
His wife came to tho rescuo, and began
to banter the Count in return, declaring
that she bclioved he was by nature so gay
and, at the same time, so fascinating, as to
bo a dangerous man. This speech, of
course, gave rise to much merriment, all
present indulging in a loud laugh at the
Count's expense.
While this conversation had been going
on, a servant-maid, who was both young
and pretty, had occasion to come back
ward and forward to the room several
times. He presently observed that the
waiting-maid's manner was mysterious ;
her countenance wore a thoughtful and
even anxious expression, and the Count
came to the conclusion that she had some
thing to communicate to him. In this sur
mise as it afterwards transpired, he was
not mistaken. The girl was deeply con
cerned ; she had fears for the security of
tho Count ; sho desired to give him timely
warning. As often as sho looked at him
sho thought within herself, "I think I
may trust him ho looks so very good and
amiable I" She hesitated no longer; as
she passed Tottlebon, she pulled him
gently by tho coat.
Tho Count was iu no way surprised. He
gave a look of inquiry, and she whispered
in his ear, " I know not what I am risking
for your sako, but think and hope you will
not betray mo. Do not retire to rest with
out seeing and speaking with mo."
Having given this caution, she glided out
of the room.
From tho usual vanity of bis sex, the
Count imagined that the girl was smitten
with him. He could hit upon no other
satisfactory solution to account for her
strange conduct. However, as she was
young, and was possessed of no inconsider
able share of rustic, feminine beauty, thore
could bo no harm iu having tete-a-tete
with her.
She very shortly brought some refresh
ments in the public room, when ho left his
companions, upon the pretext of wishing to
tuke some fresh air. The girl was already
waiting for him at the door of the kitchen
and beckoned him to go into tho yard,
whither she followed him in haste and agi
tation. Bhe murmured, in hurried accents, "For
the love of mercy, sir, pray take care of
yourself I You are not among such honest
pcoplo as you imagine. They know that
you have money about you. They intend
to rob you of that. Already arrangements
have been made to effect this object ; but,
alas 1 what is still worse, your life is iu
danger. Do not think of going to sleep
after you retire, but be watchful and vigi
lant. Prepare for tho worst.
" You're a good girl, and your solicitude
on my behalf will not be readily forgotton,"
said Tottloben, who was deeply impressed
with his companion's . kindness and the
gravity of his own situation. A presence
of mind almost incredible inspired him on
the spot with a very different idea. The
maid was about to retire, when ho quickly
pulled her by tho arm.
" I dare not remain longor, or they will
suspect I" sho ejaculated, in evident trepi
dation. ( , . '
" One or two questions, and I have dune,"
cried Tottloben. "Tell mo, does your
master live on good terms with his wife ?"
" Yes j on the very bcst,of terms." : ,
" Docs ho roilly and truly love her?"
"Almost as much as his own life.';
"Enough. Now you may go. It es
cape, your fjrtune shall bo made ;if I die
your warning shall dlo with mo. I will
never, come what may, betray you, or make
known what has passed between us.' Mind
you yourscir are equally cautious. Do not
mention a word of this business to my' ser
vant." ' . " ' ' . , ' ;
The ghl low to the kitchen, and the
Count returned to the public room. Not a
look botrayed him ; his, toue . and temper
were just the same as before. At least so
they appeared to be. ' Uo even ordered
supper to be luld below, and would not it
down to it oxcept ou condition that his
kind host and hostess would partake of it
with him. Thus did ho conceal his sus
picions beneath tho guiso of affability.
After supper he ordered a servant to
bring a box that was still in his carriage.
Tottlebon immediately prepared to retire
to bed, and the landlord to light him to his
chamber.
"Do you know madam," said Tottlebon
laughing as he addressed the wife, "that I
should much prefer boing conducted to my
dormitory by my kind hostess. I am so
superstitious as to fancy I always sleep
as well again when a handsome woman
shows me to my bed as when a man at
tends me."
At this proposal tho woman looked a
little disconcerted, and showed no great in
clination to perform the office. The Count
Btill continuing his jocular strain, put tho
candlo into her hand, and took hold of hor
arm, observing that she ought not to re
fuse tho future godfather of hor child such
a trifling gratification, and that she might
take her conjugal partner along with her.
By these, and other representations of a
similar kind, ho at longth prevailed on her
to accompany him, followed by her hus
band. They entered tho chamber. Horr Tottlo
ben, as soon as he bad alighted from his
carriago, had hung upon a nail a double
barrelled carbine, full charged with ball
and which ho invariably caried with him
in the course of his travels. He took good
care not to casta single look at it before
the proper time. But whilo the woman
was setting the candle on a table near the
window, and when sho was just going to
wish him good-night, he quickly took
down the weapon, and stopped still more
hastily betweon tho landlord and his wife.
In a voice which suddenly passed from jest
and laughter to tho sternest tone of com
mand, he said, in imperious accents, " No,
my good woman ; wo are not going to part
from each other so abruptly 1"
The hostess turned pale but made no re
ply. " On this chair, and at this table, you
must sit down and pass the night in my
company," said the Count, in a voice of
thundor.
"Impossible explalmed the landlord.
" What my wife pass a whole night in a
goutleman's room ?"
"Even so," returned the traveler ; "I am
not joking. Nor, indeed, to say the truth,
I don't think I was ever so serious in tho
whole course of ray life ; and mark you, I
mean to have my way. I pass my word
and honor as a gentleman that your wife
shall be treated with respect and considera
tion whilo she remains with mo. But, at
the same time, I must inform you that on
the slightest noise at the door of tho cham
beron the loast opposition on your part,
or any other on the least attack upon my
self one of tho balls with which each of
of these barrels is charged shall rid you of
your wife. This I swear by my hopo of
salvation !"
The landlord and his wifo would sooner
have expected a dissolution of nature than
such an address. Both were silont for a
moment, and then both strove as best they
could to got out of the difficulty. The
woman piteously entreated him to permit
her to go, and threatened a swoon, but her
efforts were in vain. , The husband was at
first at a loss to conceive what all this
meant. He then had recourse to entreaties
and protestations, assuring the Count that
he was as safo in his house as though he
wore iu his own home. At length, finding
that nothing availod, ho threatened to re
pel force by force, and to call his people to
his assistance. Tottleben's presence of
mind did not forsake him. ...
" I have no doubt, sir,'.' said he, 'that
you have plenty of peoplo and customers
at hand, hut they are not so near as to
resoue your wife from death. If but a dog
approaches if but a hand is raised against
pio I will stretch her lifeless without pity
or remorse 1 Besides the two barrels in my
carbine, I have a pair of pocket pistols' ca
pable of doing exoellont service.-' I may be
overpowered, I confess ; but at least three
or four mon shall accompany me, pnd this
charming woman shall go first to show me
the way I ' This is my mode of procedure ;
it is one I have had occasion td adopt in
other houses of publio resort besides your
own.' If you do not like it,, take care and
lot my horses he fed' and put jtq1 my' car
riago very early tomorrow morning, Now
begono without, delay J Tliiq chamber is
to-night my apartment". ,iM .',
, The woman sat down, and the man with,
drew. In thhj extraordinary situation the
remaining couple passed the night. . , . ;
At the break of -day, came Tottleben's
servant. Before ho was half-way up stairs
he called out to let his master know where
ho was. Ho brought tho Count's breakfast
and a bill with very moderate charges.
Tho Count presented his companion with
the first cup of cofTco, and after she had
drank it, ho took tho rest at his ease.
When he was informed that everything was
ready for his departure, ho thanked the
hostess for hor good company, and bogged
hor to favor him with it to his carriage
He then conducted her down stairs, as
though she wore tho first lady of tho Court.
At tho house door, he stopped and inquired
for the servant-maid whom he had seen tho
day before, and whom he accurately de
scribed. Sho advanced, trembling, from a
comer. All the suspicions of tho landlord
had already fallen upon hor : already had
he (as sho afterwards related) promised,
with the most tremendous imprecations, to
givo her a suitablo reward as soon as the
stranger was gone.
When Tottloben saw her by daylight,
and looked at her more narrowly, ho ob
served that she was a delicate, elegant girl.
He threw hor a full purse.
"Take that," said ho, " and if you are
determined to stay hcio, buy a husband
with it. But if you are afraid to remain
with your master, come along with me. I
will answer for your success, and I swear I
will provide for you as long as I live."
Tho girl wanted no second bidding. She
sprang into the carriage, leaving behind all
she possessed, which probably, indeed, was
of no great value. The Count took leave
of his fair hostess, begging her not to for
got that ho was to be godfather.
He was afterwards informed by his ser
vant, who had slept in the public room, that
about midnight three robust fellows softly
entered tho house, wont into another room,
and after a long conversation with tho land
lord, speeded away. The girl, who had
been about a year in the house, related that
during this time two strangers who had put
up there had disappeared, Bhe knew not
how. She said, also, that she was quite
positive about tho plot entered into by the
lundlord and his associates, who had agreed
to admit tho three men whose purpose was
to assassinate Tottloben in his sleep.
At tho next town the Count acquainted
tho burgomaster and other civil authorities
with the whole affair. Soldiers were imme
diately dispatched, but they could not or
would not find eithor tho host or hostess.
At the same time, Tottloben provided his
female deliverer with more costly apparel.
She continued his companion for some time,
until at length, when tho Seven Years'
War was over, as a reward for hor kindness
and devotion to him, displayed in a variety
of ways, he mado her his wife, and never
had reason to regret having raised her to
so high a position.
A SCEME U A t'HUKCH.
ACIULICOTliiTTo.,) paper says :
One of the most remarkable church
difficulties we have ever heard of trans
pired in this city ou last Thursday night, at
the Methodist Protestant Church on Main
street. A revival had been in progress sev
eral nights, and in tho course of his ser
mon that evening, Mr. Miliard, tho pastor,
referred to a class of persons who were re
ligious in the church and irreligious out of
it, and spoke of a man who was a member
of that congregation who answered to that
character. At this accusation, Mr. Peter
M. De Camp, . who is a member of that
church, sprang to his feet in an excited
manner, and cried out, ." Name the man ;
who Is it 1" The minister proceeded with
his discourse, when Mr. De Camp again in
terrupted him with the exclamation, "Who
is it? . Do you mean me?" The min
ister retorted that his remarks were for gen
eral application, but that " if the shoe fit
him he could woar it."
This was too much for Peter's combative
temperament, and he again sprang to his
feet and used expletives of an emphatlo
character Tho minister undertook to con
tinue his discourse, when. Mr. Do Camp
took possession of the lamp (which belong
ed to him) by which the minister was read
ing. But this did not succeed in stopping
the services, and a daughter of Mr. De
Camp cried out, "Shut ou" the gas, father,'!
which ho Immediately did, leaving minister
and audienco enveloped iuj darkness. The
room was soon empty, and , Ma, po Camp,
who isone of the trustees, locked the chx
and departed, for homo. ,,j r v ,,,, ,,
Whethor there was any persona! diJllcul
ty between tho minister and Sir. De Camp,
whieh will explain this singular proceeding
we have not learned. The next morning
it was rumored that Mr. De Camp would
bo prosecuted ou tho charge of disturbing
divine services ; but later in the day we
learned that tho trouble had boon entirely
reconciled.
AN EXTRAORDINARY TRIAL.
MANY years ago, a gontloman, follow
ed by a servant in livery, rode into
an inn in tho West of England, one eve
ning a little before dusk. Ho told the land
lord that he should be detained by business
in that part of the country for a few days,
and wished to know if there wore any
amusements going on in the town to fill up
the intervals of time. The landlord replied
that it was their race and assize week, and
that he would, therefore, bo at no loss to
pass away tho timo. On tho gentleman's
making answer that this was luck, for that
ho was fond of seeing trials, tho other said
that a very interesting trial for robbory
would come on the next day, on which
people's opinions were much divided, the
evidence being very strong against the pris
oner ; but ho himself persisting resolutely
in declaring that he was in a distant part of
tho kingdom at the timo the robbery was
committed. His guest manifested consid
erable anxiety to hear tho trial ; but, as tho
court would probably be crowded, express
ed somo doubt of getting a place. The
landlord told him that there could be no
difficulty in a gentleman of his appearance
getting a place ; but that, to prevent any
accident, ho would himself go with him
and speak to one of the beadles.
Accordingly, they went into court the
next morning, and the gcutleman was shown
to a seat on tho bench. Presently after,
the trial begiui. Whilo tho evidence was
giving against him, tho prisoner remained
with his eyes fixed on the ground, seem
ingly very much depressed j till being called
on for his defence, he looked up, and seeing
the stranger, ho suddonly fainted away.
This excited some surprise, and it seemed,
at first, like a trick to gain time. As soon
as he came to himself, on being asked by
the judge the cause of his behavior, he said,
"Oh, my lord, I see a person who cansavo
my life I That gentleman" (pointing to
tho stranger) "can prove I am innocent,
might I only have leave to put a few ques
tions to him."
The eyes of the court were now turned
on tho gentleman, who said ho folt in a
very awkward situation to be so called
upon, as he did not remember ever to have
seen tho man before, but that he would an
swer any quostion that was asked him.
"Well, then," said the man, "don't you
remember landing at Dover, at such a
time?" To this the gontloman answered,
"that he had landed at Dover not long be
fore, but that he could not tell whether it
was on the day he mentioned, or not."
"Well," said the prisoner, "but don't
you recollect that a person in a blue jacket
and trousers carriod your trunk to the
inn ?" To this he answered, that of course
some person had carried his trunk for him ;
but that he did not know what dross ho
wore. "But," said the prisoner, 'don't
you remember that the person who went
with you from the packet, told you a story
of his being in tho service, that he thought
himself an ill-used man, and that he show
ed you a scar he had on one side of his
forehead?" During the last question, the
countenance of tho stranger underwent a
considerable change ; he said he certainly
did recollect such a circumstance ; and on
the man's putting his hair aside, and show-
uo Dvni, uo uuiUiuo 1JU1LU sure, liutlll Jlti
was the same person. '' ' ' ' 1
A buzz of satisfaction now ran through
tho court ; for the day on which according
to tho prisoner's account this gentleman
had met with him at Dover, was the : same
on which he was charged with the robbery
in a remote county.' '.The strangor, how
over, could not bo certain of tho timo, but
said that he sometimes made a memoran
dum of dates in his pocket-book) and might
possibly have dpno so on this occasion. On
turning to his pocket-book, ho found a
memorandum of the time he landod from
Calais which corresponded with the pris.
oner's assertion. This being the only cir
cuirtstance nocossary to prove the alibi, .'the
prisoner was immediately acquitted, amid
applause and congratulations.!. .i .1,7
Inn tit. an. Iia tinnnn-A ...:-.. V .
it nuiu less man n monui aiun- wu ine
gentleman who came to tho inn, i attended
by a servant in llvory, the servant whd fol
lowed him, and the prisoner who had Tjcon
acquitted, wore all three brought back "to
gether to1 die same goal,! for robbing' the
mail.' " ; ' ', ' ; i 11 "
1 l.t f ,.ti . ( ...i ill YAu M'f '.
V3 The other day, whilp a teacher was
1, ,....! i wr a liiv i.Atf 1.1a 1 ., . 1 . i 11
ing passage occurred, "The wages of 'sin
is death." The teacher, wishing to get
the word " wages" out by deduction, asked,
"What does your father get every Saturday
night?" The boy answered promptly, "he
gets drank 1"