The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-01-10

chase some OF it's it dear!
sTwo sous bottle
Two sous a bottle! Why you live in par'-
Benedctre myself
We'll Comte, we are ready to receive you into
our brotherhood at any time
Two sous bttle, replied the Comte, as he tll-
led third glass
Il must forewarn you. however, that it has one
defect said the superior.
sNo, no it has no defect
Ibeg your pardon, it is very strong, and isapt
to affect the head
Strong. strong cried the Comte, with con-
temptuous air. 'Why could drink pint oft and
not feel the effect any more than if had taken
glass of goosberry syrup
We'll, Comte, help yourself-act precisely as if
you were in your own house. would only say
that ifyou are afraid OF it, we have other kinds
which are at your service
The Comte turned to the table, and in virtue of
this permission began to eat and drink in true Ger
man style. The monks, excited by the example of
their superior, not wishing TO be left behind by
stranger, put themselves earnestly 10 the work.
They soon broke the religious silence observed at
the beginning ofhe repast, and each began to con-
verse with his neighbor, first in low tone but
soon their voices rose, and each seemed desirous
of downing the sound oil all Others in hIs own. At
the beginning of the second course, they began
relating their adventures; and the Comte, from the
little Sican he understood, ,houshh he distinguish
ed among them the exploits Of brigands, OF gend'-
armes hung and nuns carried off. But he was not
surprised to hear this; the isolated situation of the
worthy Benedictines, and the distance from the
city, no doubt rendered them familiar with such
scenes. The Marsala was poured freely, whist
the dry Syracuse, Ae muscat of Caabria, and the
mavoisie of Lipart were not neglected. Notwith-
standing the Comte'S strong mead, his vision was
becoming confused and his words iadstinct. The
entertainment was now varied; from the relation of
adventures they passed 10 songs.
The Comte when, desired to enter into the hla-
rity of his entertainers, sought III his anacreontic
repertory for something to add to the general con-
tribution, but he could think OF fnothing except the
Brigands' Song of SchiIlea; he Numbered out the
famous g Stehlca, a'Ordea, h,rcn, 6algen," which
appeared TO him to be very well received, and to
excite universal plaudits. Everything seemed
now to him to be turning round. The monks
gradually threw aside their religious air, and ap-
pearsd to act like bandits. Their ascetic counte-
nances seemed to change character, and to be light
ed up with ferocious joy. In word, the dinner
4 l.
without cessaton and as bottle after bottle disap-
peared, new supplies were brought from the cellar.
Some one at last struck on the table with bottle,
10 call for more wine, aud in striking overturned
the lamp; the table-cloth took fire and communi-
Gated it to the table. Instead Of attempting 10 ex-
tinguish the flames, chairs and benches were
thrown on. In an instant the table was an i'm
mense blazing pile of wood, around which the
monks, now changed into bandits were dancing
like demons. Al last, in the midst OF this internal
upronr, the voice of the captain was heard, crying
out:
'The nuns! the nuns
A general huzza greeted these words; and an in
slant after, door was opened, and four nuns were
dragged in by four five bandits they were greet
ed with shouts ofJoy. The Comte saw every
thing as in dream; and it appeared to him as il
some superior force fixed him in his seat, and took
from him the power of motion, whilst his mind
took cognizance Of all that was going OH around
him. The bandits rushed towards the nuns the
captain attempted to make his voice heard, but il
was drowned in the general clamor. The Comte
thought he saw the captain take up the Kukenrei
tiers which bore such strong resemblance to his
own; he thought he heard two reports and shut his
eyes blinded with light He opened them again
and saw blood; two brigands fell writhing into
corner, he shut his eyes again without the power
to ore-open them; his legs were no longer able tc
sustain him-he fell heavily, dead drunk.
When the Comte awoke it was broad day. HI
rubbed his eyes and looked around him; he wa.
lying under tree at the edge of the wood, on hi
right was Nicolas, on his left Peadra, before hin
Catania, and beyond Catania the Sea. He seemed
to have passed the night on soft bed of sand, hi
head supported by his portmanteau; the only cur
tains to his couch were the blue heavens. AT frs
he could recall nothing, and remained for somt
by slow and confused operation at first carried
him back, and he soon recalled his departure from
Catania, the hesitation ofthe muleteer; his arriva
at the monastery; his alteration with the cook; his
reception by the SUPERIOR the dinner; the Marsal;
VINE; the songs; the drunken lrolic; the nuns ant
the pistolreports. He again looked around him and
saw his baggage; he opened his portmanteau and
found in it his porfeuile, his pipe, his bag Of to-
bacco and his purse which looked as full and round
as if nothing unusual had occurred; he opened il
with anxiety; it was as full of gold when he last
had seen it, and contained also letter. The Comte
opened the letter quietly, and read as follows:
Monsieur lie Comte-We owe you thousand
apologies for the very unceremonious manner in
which we separated but au expedition of the high
est importance made it necessary for us to go al
once to Cefali. hope you will not forget the hos
pitalty you received at the hands Of the Benedic-