The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1851-02-20
An Extraordinary Adventure.

On the 7th of November, Mr.. Reichel
a usurer of great wealth and known in.
t1uence at Vienna, received an anonv-
nous letter. whereby he was summoned
to be in the Pirates. the Champs Elysccs
of the Austrian capital, at late honr
on the following night unattended,
armed, and without letting anybody
know where he intended to go. This
strange summons, although il look ID
somewhat suspicious, did, however, moi
much surprise the worthy merchant
He had, il seems, been in the habit of
occasionally loaniug large sums to the
eXtravagant Austrian nobility, and en-
ployed several men in watching the
movements of his debtors, that by
taking their Lotes, he might, in spite OF
the enormous interest he took. not in
the end become loser. In this man.
ner he had managed to keep clear of
any heavy losses, for the moment he re-
celyed notice OF threatening ruin or in
tended escapade he came right down
on his debtor and made him pay as long
as he had a form to bless himself with.
He held, at that time, notes to a very
large amount, and had vague notion,
as all creditors have, that one or two of
his customers would take wing for a
more genial cline. The letter, there
fore, as we said, did not surprise him
much; some friend OF his, or, perhaps,
some specnlator, who was anxious to
get his good graces, had, in all proba-
bility, written ii, wishing to put him on
his guard, yet not daring to visit his
house for fear of being watched. But
why go armed? Well, Mr.. Reichel did
not much trouble himself about that,
only armed could be interpreted in two
ways, armed with weapons or armed
with the more needful-money. He
took it into his head TO interpret in the
first named manner, and put pair of
double-b -barreiled pistols, with dagger,
into his pocket, and went cheerfuily TO
the Prates to meet the nameless one.
Itawas 10 o'clock at night, and the
great thoroughfare was entirely de-
serted. The hustle of Vienna's hun
dreds of thousands of merry burghers
was growing fainter, aud soon ceased
altogether. A single horseman, and
now and then carriage, driven in the
Austrian way at lightning speed, alone
interrupted the silence of the grand
promenade. and Reichel listened TO
their distant rumbling with some sort
OF delight, for even he, armed as he
was, did not feel altogether at ease. At
last ST. Stephens clock struck eleven,
the time fixed for the interview. and al |
the same moment, a closed carriage |
came rapidly up to the spot where he |
stood leaning against poplar tree. 1t
and two men presented them
selves TO the usurer. He was aslound-
ed, and well might he be so, for the
men wore masks. and he could not even
see their eyes, to Judge what were their
in regard to him.
Is it You, Mr. Reichel?~ asked one
Of the strangers.
A faint and rremulous ayes" told
aim that he was that Identical individ-
naL |
Are yon armedan asked the same
ieep but calm voice.
ann
Follow us.n
There was no resisting this summons,
Ind Mr.. Reichel bestirred himself to
comply with the request, bat at the mo-
nent that he stepped into the carriage
he felt his arms seized from behind. and
| bandage was passed over his ewes,
while he was firmly bound at the wrist.
All this had been the work of a second.
md Reichel felt himself entirely in the
lower OF his assailants. He feared fur.
her violence, but the carriage rolled
apidly away, and not a word was
poken by his strange companions, ex-
,ept a warning not to cry for assistance
when they entered Vienna, at the peril
# his life. The anxiety of his mind
eft him no chance to think of means of
lellveFy, every moment seemed to be
III age. and at last when the carriage
topped, he was near fainting. His
bade him come out. and led
i'm into house. They passed through
many doors and passages, the cold air of
which told him they were subterranean.
II last they stopped, and aftera short
clay another door seemed 10 open
hey descended flight of steps and en-
cred a hall, where Mr.. Reichel was re-
leved of has bandage and unbound, his
Weapons having been previously taken
way from him. He found himself in
ne midst af a large and well lighted
all, amongst anumerous assemblage,
ut he alone, was standing, all the
theirs being seated upon chairs along
ne walls. A man, who was distin- F.
uished by seat above that of all the
theirs, but like them, closely masked.
eckoned the astonished Reichel to-
Tards him. The imposing dignity of
MS man, and the stiffness throughout
ne crowded hall. made it moment of
soletnnity.
Poor Reichel felt his last breath on
is lips, SO thick did it come from his
hest. But he was mistaken. The
erson who had now approached him,
ade him kneel down, and be Initiated :
D the flrst secrets of the society of !
'Tsemea. q
= Initiated -Im gasped Reichel.
Thou hast been deemed worthy of !
nat honor. Brother Reichel.n quoth the .
mailman, sand, in solemn convention ,
ave wa dgrrepff that tho1 shonId he. +