The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1851-03-08

himself obliged to find board fo him
IN another house, that he might De no
/ further drawback upon the reputation
OF his hotel. His removal tookplace
in August. since which time. up to the
first of November Carl had BEEN the
inmate of four different houses. lie be-
ing obliged TO change so often from the
fault that was found with him, in con-
sequence of his lamentable aflrtion.
Early in November he took room
in the house of Mr. Mertens, butcher,
with a stipulation that he should pro-
vide his own board, the family being
by no means anxious to form his ac-
quamtance. Measures were also taken
to keep him within his room during the
night: two bolts were attached to the
outside of the door and closed ever
evening, thereby rendering his situa-
ton very like the one of prisoner in
close confinement. Often was he heard
pacing his room in the dead of the
night, and trying to open his door; nay,
after he had been there a week, a
watchman suddenly chased the slum-
bers from the couch of poor Mertens,
with the startling announcement that
his boarder was evidently preparing
for leap into the street from the high
window. And so it was. On going to
his room the young man was sitting on
the window sill, looking down into the
street, as if calculating his chances in
the dangerous undertaking. He was
secured and put TO bed, and on the fol-
lowing morning heavy bars were put
before the window, in, order to prevent
a repetition of the intended feat.
On the 22d of November Carl Kra-
mer had been spending the day at his
fathers house. and did not return to his
lodging until late hour at night. A
servant girl admitted him, and in her
desire to retire to rest, she forgot to Sc
cure the boltsof CarFs door. Nothing
unusual happened until about l o'clock
in the morning, when the door of the
front sitting room oponed with a slight
noise, thereby waking Mrs. Mertens
who. with her husband, occupied the
back room. She held her
breath and listened-some one was
evidently moving, for she heard faint
footsteps on the uncarpeted floor. In
Germany, husband and wife rarely oc-
cupy the same bed, and so it was in her
case. Her bed stood nearest the door
leading to the sitting room, aud that of
her husband farther off, near the Win
dow. The poor woman had, of course,
visions of robbers and murderers, and
ia ont nnt of hnl ...>-I ~-oh s1re protec-
ton Of her better-half seemed certain
death to her. Cry she dared not, and
moreover, could not-fear had deprived
her of the power of speech. These
were the circumstances under which
she heard the dull footsteps approach
the door near which she laid, InvoI-
unfairly she drew the sheets over her
head. fancyfne, ostrich-likc, that sHch
a proceeding would render her invisi-
bic to the dread enemy. She listened
again-the handle of the door was
touched-it gave way, the door opened,
and now she knew herself to be within
arms length of the fearful visitor
Despair renewed her courage; she
dared no longer. remain blind-folded-
with open ewes would she meet her
fate. Slowly she withdrew the sheets
"a figure stood by her bedside, and the
dim moonlight revealed to her the well
known features of Carl Kramer, who,
clad in natures garb, appeared to be
studying the dimensions of her bed or
herself
Fear had now entirely disappeared,
although there never perhaps was more
occasion for it, for Carl most dellber-
ately lifted up the bed-clothes, anl
coolly stepped into the bed, as though
It was his own, taking however, no
more notice of her than if she had not
been near him at all, exhibiting also a
strong desire to have the largest space
allotted to him. Mrs. Mertens, con-
founded by his conduct and thinking
matters were going rather too tar,
raised her voice to an unnatural pitch
in calling the aid of her husband, who
had. up to that moment, renamed IN
blissful ignorance of what was going
on near him. He answered the appeal
by starting up and rnnning to her bed
side. when, on perceiving the fgnre OF
man snugly enseonced in the down;
he SelZe0 the poor NFetCH' anu oi.0
lifting him out and placing him on his
legs. infficteda a most tremendous chas,
tisement upon him. The matter would
probably have resulted in the down
right murder of Kramer, had not Mrs
Mertens found an opportunity to inter
cede and save him from further INJURY
The parties being at last separated
watchmen were called in to take Car
to prison, although he, now thoroughly
awakened, protested his innocence b!
denying all knowledge of the incident
| and ascribing it to his somnamb3listl'
propensities. There is no doubt tha
the poor fellow was actually laborln:
i under an attack of that kind, for u
sound senses he would hardly dare t
approach a woman IN the presence c
her husband, if indeed he felt incline
to do so, under any circumstances ye
4 Mr.. Mertens insists that his sleep wa
| feianed. and that trespass upon NJ
], honor was intended.
i Carl was taken to the prison; but wa
/ discharged on the following day, nnde
). a promise to be home early every evl
pino that he might be properly locke