The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-03-19
THE MEsMER1sERs VICTIM.

How weary, stale, flat, and unprOftable is all
this lifel said the young, rich, and elegant
Duke Of Effingham, 10 bis friend De Courtney,
as he stretched his length on an embroidered sofa
scattering perfumes as hemoved.
Rain, rain, rainl nothing but rainl If II
were not for the extra trouble, do believe
should make up my mind to hang myself, as 50
many Of our countrymen are said TO do in sneh
q November"
What is the rain or the cold Of November to
you, EfIiugham, when all that luxury can give
you, is spread around you to exclude cold, TO
drive off ennui and to kill timei''
Don't moralize, De Courtney, or shall 20
to sleep in good earnest; nor frOwn 80 like grim
old Sir Hugh, yonder BY the way De Court
ney, have often, as ] sat here looking on that
precious collection Of myDancestOrs heads, wish
ed for the excitement, the romance, the actiV-
ity of cid Sir Hugh Howard's life; but have
fallen upon evil times or rather, peaceable times
He had his master William the ConquOror, to
assist in the conquest Of England, the Saxon
ehurls; his new vsssals, to cOntrol--enough to
keep him awake, at least-with all the romance
that we attach to the feudal system, and the
chiValry Of the Middle Ages to interest him;
while l. his unworthy descendant. have uol
even the excitement Of an occasional quarrel
among my tenants to arouse me- and, as tor my
attendance on my sovereign. Heaven keep me
from that most stupid Of all place e's,-the House
of Lords should yawn worse than this rain
and your dullness, De Courtney, make me -
When have energy enough to make wish
have most devoutly wished ! could change pa-
ees with him that might have something 10
/ nIafa Mt
German iVersity and 90 through four years
course Of the horrors there, toiobtsin leave from
the Evil one to make the exchange. for the
Devil is said to play more pranks there than in
our phlegmatic nation. But grow suddenly
sleepy; let US to bed, De Courtney, and dream
of excitement, if We cannot realize it"
A few moments found his grace in his own
sleeping apartment The Goals bnrst bright in
the CRATE, casting dim shadows over the rich
Persian carpet. the ornamental bedstead. the
silk curtains, and the other elegant furniture ot
the room. As the Duke flung himself on his
down bed he looked with an eye Of satiated
dissatisfaction upon all the display Of wealth
around him. and fell asleep, reflecting on the
superior happiness which the founder Of his
line, Sir Hugh Howard, had experienced in the
greater excitement Of hla life
His sleep was deadly sound, aud not mote
Of time" did he take, until aroused from his
slumbers by the morning entrance, as he sup
posed, of his usual attendant.
"Will Sir Hugh please to arises The mstin
bell has long since rung, and Father Anelm
grows impatient" said youthful page, clad in
a tight doublet Of red leather, with furnished
velvet cloak hanging loosely over his shoulders
Effingham reused himself, and, to his utter
astonishment, beheld everything changed around
him. Instead of the exquisitely carved and gild-
ed high couch, with its drapery Of silk hanging
in graceful folds from gilt eagles mouth, ele-
vated over his head; instead Of his down bed and
thick aud comfortable coverings he was lying
on a rude wooden, settee-like couch-a few
bearskins only beneath him, and his blankets
so coarse and dirty, that his groom would have
disdained them for his horses Instead Of the
embroidered aud perfumed night.clothes which
decked his person when he sank to sleep, he had
q close setting, knit, wOOlen shirt and drawers
something like those now worn by seamen. -
His apartment was large and high, but dark,
gloomy and cold; and though fire Of fagots
had evidently been kindlsd in one corner, yet
the smoke not havi Dg much vent, had discolaur.
ed the osken beams and psnnels, aud the ragged
tapestry that waved in the many blasts which Il
November storm sent through the narrow aper.
turs, designed as shot holes for the fortress and
to admit the light and air. The furniture was
Of the same rude east; few oaken benches and
tables were scattered around the huge room, On
them were lying various pieces Of ancient arm
our, Of polished steel, evidently belonging to a
large and powerful man. On table near the
couch was huge silver flagon, containing to
appearance, the night drink Of the occupier Of
the apartment.
where am II said Effingham, staring in
utter sstonishment round him.
The page, with roUgish lee Of the eye to-
wards the empty flagOn, replied Where should
you be but In your own castle of Brawham
built by Hsrfager the Dane, and conferred on
your knightshiP for feudsl services by our puis
SAINT master, William the Bastard, and constitu
ting yon Baron of Bramhamf"
The alarmed and agitated countenance Of the
Duke checked, for an instant, the eVity Of the
page; but the hurried question, who am Ii?
For Heavens sake tell me" oVerset his mock
gravity; and replying, with stifled laughter
In the name of the Virgin and Saint Martin
Sir Hugh Howard /" he left the room TO give
vent to his merriment.
"What in the name Of the Seven Slsepers -
said the portly Father Anselm, as the page rush
ed into the adjoining hall, "What in the name Of
the Seven Sleepers, and all other saints Of
drowsy memory, makes your master so late this
morningi Ihsve been longing this hour to be
in the bowels Of that VenisOn pasty; and, if it
had not been for the remains Of Yesterday 5 pie
| should have tainted, ere this, from downright
starvation"
why, tOtell you the plain truth, father,
believe Sir Hugh, instead Of his usual night cup
Of good Rhenish, must have sWilled a barrel Of |
the gross Saxon ale. His brain is as muddy as
duck-POnd. He asked me. with the most hor. /
rified countenance, where aRd who he was!' |
am afraid you did not shrive him sufficiently for
the slaughter Of those Saxon churls, yesterday,
and that his dreams have been troubled BY some
unusual qualms Of conscience; though never
knew blood stick on his conscience before
But now | have aroused him must hurry back
with bis buff doublet."
The page found his master sittingrin the
same position in which he left him, with the
same surprised, puzzled cast Of eountenance, but