Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-08-27
THE WINDOW IN THE FOREST
BY GEORGE l.. ALIEN.

cluced valley IN Germany, gather without
the door, awaiting the approach of horse
man, the distinct sound of his horses
tread having apprised them OF his coming.
} lie rides rapidly up and springs lightly
from his saddle, giving his horse in charge
OF the hostler, who, after receiving his
instructions, leads him away to the stable.
Ihe new conner observed the looks of
wonder cast upon him, and was at a loss
TO account for the curiosity he excited
lie was man of about thirty-five years
of age, of medium height, well-propor-
toned and tolerably good-looking. He
was attired in the uniform OF dracoon
i'll the German service.
We'll, my good people," he exclaimed
at length, what do you see in my ap-
pearance so surprising, that it makes YOU
gaze upon me with open mouth ?'
" Is it possible that you are alive? g.
The astonishment Of the host caused
this somewhat singular interrogation to
escape from him.
Faith, to the best of my belief, am
So" replied the dragoon pleasantly, DO
| look like a dead man 2"
"NO, no-l mean not that" said the
host, as he seemed to be revolving some
matter in his mind, which puzzled him.
g You came by the forest road!"
Certainly, and gloomy enough it is
too; lonely path to traverse when a
man has no companion but his own
thoughts" F"
Better have your thoughts, than the
fearful companion some have met in the
forest.
"Indeed? What sort of person is he {?
We know not !; none that have seen
him have lived to tell of their encounter
"This is a strange affair that you are
telling me-"
did you see nothing in your way
through the forest g
Nothing yet stay-now bethink l
do remember noticing in the forest,
short distance from the road, small cot
tage window
"Ah a window ~
yes; | thought it singular that cot
tage should be situated in such particu-
liarly lonely neighborhood.
"You did not approach it 2"
"No-I should not have observed it
but for the glimmering light of taper
which betrayed it to my eyes. Twas too
hungry to stop to examine it; | knew of
the locality of your inn, and hurried on,
as | wished to pass the night here"
"Ah! | remember you now, is it not
Capt. Ernest 20
'.The same"
You stopped here on your way to join
the army for the last campaign g.
Yes the war is over now, the En-
peror has concluded peace, and am on
my way home. But come, serve me up
something in the shape of repast, and
while | satisfy the cravings of nature, you
shall narrate to me the particulars of this
story. What little I have heard has
greatly excited my curiosity.
The host led the way into the principal
apartment of the inn. A hasty meal was
soon spread upon small table, and Capt.
Ernest commenced vigorous attack.
"You must know" commenced the
host, seeing that his guest was prepared
to listen, sit is nearly year since that
window was first SEEN"
Then presume that the cottage was
built about that time," replied Captain
Ernst.
Cottage there is no cottage"
What, no cottage? oh, but my good
fellow l saw the window of it myself"
True, yet still there is no cottage"
Well, | have heard of houses without
windows, but | never before heard of
window without house,
''Yes, it is the fact. Traverse the
road by day-light-carefully examine
every portion of it-penetrate short
distance into the forest on either side, and
you will find no vestige of any human
habitation."
There is some mystery in this. )"
Ay, and deep one; for so soon as the
shades of evening begin to fall, the trav-
eler beholds the light shining with sickly
lustre amidst the dense foliage around"
"Ah, [ have it: this is nothing more
nor less that Jack o olantern-a Will O. the
Wisp."
You are wrong; the window has
been seen-the very number of panes
counted; there are six; my boy Heinrich,
there, has seen it."
The host pointed to stout lad of eigh-
teen who had been attending to the stran-
gers wants.
Ah, that alters the case, though I
must say this light in the window is
rather strange affair. But how chanced
it ne could approach so near this danger
Gus object, and not to be the worse for it,
when l understand you to say all others
have perished !''
-" You shall hear it, it must have been
through the mercy of Providence. One