Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1855-01-26

IecllngS.
"Oh, don't be slarmed about me- said
the little red man, seeing my anxiety; 81
am above such accidents and triAes as
that ; I'll convince you oi that, for I'll
just come round to YOU"
And in the twinkling Of an eye. before
| could say "don't he was by my side, he
sat down by me at once, and held out
his hand to shake hands-l was too
much afraid to decline the proffered
stony gripe; but his friendly feeling did
not stop here, for he placed his other
arm lovingly round my shoulder in true
German fashion.
This Is jolly said he. after a mom.
ent, "to sit beside chap like you one
who knows pretty nearly all abou: Us.
Aint this a fine view! Rare stuff grows
in that corner under the castle, many's
the glass that has warmed my heart in
days gone by and he made clucking,
gurgling noise with his throat, as though
he was taking quart thereof at least.
"Ah" said be- with sigh, it does
me good TO think Of those times. Do you
see the place mean, old boyl'
Yes Herr Knight, said I diffidently,
although rather offended at his familiar.
ity and want Of respect.
Nonsense, David, said he with a
wink Of his eye, l wasn't knight for,
like good many other fellows who wear
swords, cooked hats. and uniforms, was
no soldier. No, Horncsstle, my boy, l
was the fool Of the castle ; give me your
hand again, brother-l lived along with
the Graf Won Feurspuckenberger and his
family for forty long years, till one night
the Graf and ! were going over the
draw-bridge thut separates one side OF
the castle, over the ravine, from the other;
| think we had taken about twenty bot.
ties Of the best Fenrspue',enoergershei.
mer of the good year Of the comet 1911,
and l was ye.y funny, but was walking
on, and as steady as l am now, when
somehow forgot my usual caution, and
taat the dfaw-oridse was up, and taking
a step in advance Of my lord, went
souse to the bottom Of the ravine. I
needn't tell you, David, that flesh and
blood couldn't stand that, and my breath
was knocked for ever clean out of my
b. lv. Graf Feursouckenberger was in.
l,olable, and had me fished up, and
sent to Cologne for great scuIvloI, who
was ordered 10 make statue Of me,
whicn was foithwrh stuck up in one Of
the inches. and have, from this spot,
beheld all the changes which have occur
red to the good old castle and its inhabi.
;ants, and have never failed 10 give them
a hin, and warning when any danger
was likely TO happen to them, and a:
last was well known to the family as
the spectre of the little red man.
lie ceased, and was quite overcome
for some time by his feelings, and was so
long quiet that thought he had turned
to stone again, and was just on the point
OF going away and leaving him, when he
looked up with wicked leer, and said.
"Horncastle, NY boy. / ask you ten thou.
sand pardons for boring yon with this
melancholy history. 1t wasn't for this |
came 10 you, but knew you would like
TO see something of this castle, and have
miad to obIige you. Would you-P
Certainly"
"There, then, take that" and saying
which in trice he divested himself Of
his cap, cloak and sword. with which he
attired me, and he had no sooner buck
eled on the belt of the last named article,
Than became instantly aware that l was
endowed with the powers Of my COM
panion. My eyes grew dim the present
scene closed from before me, and when |
again became conscious Of possessing the
power Of vision, the aspect Of the whole
country was changed, and such a: it had
exhibited in days long since passed, even
at period anterior to the famous year
of the comet, twelve hundred and eleven
Of which my companion had recently
discoursed.
The old Rhine was there rushing along
as it had recently done, but no stately
steamers and craft innumerable and Of
all descriptions studded its fair surface.
The sides of the rocks were barren and
uncultivated, and looked black and
frswning. while the whole of the other
part Of the country presented one huge
.nass Of .hicK and dark foliage forest
that descended 70 the very edge Of the
water, and overhung the stream, casting
its dark shadows upon its surface. The
old ruin where ! had but recently been
seated was the only habi,ation visible
but what a wonderful change this had
undergone. Il was q monstFous build
ing. dark, massive, fiownisg. and sol.
emn, with no sign Of life about Il, save
on the walls Of the last turret, where !
discovered four rough looking troopers.
who had steel caps on and wore bucklers
Of the same metal on their broad shoul.
ders, carrying crossbows on their arms
and pacing slowly backwards and for.
wards. occasionally looking over upon
the streanA Oh casting a glance at dis.
sant tower in the forest, which was in
like manner occupied by men who were
keeping watch on the interior Of the
country. 1t wasa dreary wild lookingl
building. aud smaeked greatly Of the ole
faudal times which had oncce 80 much
delighted in, but seemed scarcely. upon
this nearer acquaintance, SO attractive os
l had depicted to myself
Hans Pster." said my companion