Litchfield enquirer., 1855-11-08
Nisceiiaqy..
A NIGHT AT A FRENCH INN.

"A
One Of our city weekly papers tells a
shocking story under the above title. 1t is
to the effect that young man. while trav.
cling through France. stopped at village
inn and asked for lodgings. The village
was crowded with strangers, owing to some
national festival which, was going forward,
and the inn was consequently full, but the
landlord. after much hesitation, placed the
young man in room giving him strict or
ders as he left him not to raise curtain
which was opposite to his bed. The trav-
eIer went to sleep and slept well, hut in the
morning, unable to restrain his curiosity
any longer, he raised the curtain, when,
what was his horror TO behold the corpse
Of young man, which had been so open
ed as to expose its whole internal structure.
We will now let the young man tell his
own story:
l quickly decided to- GO to the nearest
magistrate and report what had seen, leav-
ing him TO do as he might See fit. / dress
ed myself with expedition, and went down
as cautiously as possible, for did not wish
to excite observation as it might lead to a
suspicion of my intention.
I" Is Mr.. B. in !" enquired of the
servant.
"Yes," she said, manifesting some sur
prise, I" he is in, but you cannot see him |;
he will not be up these two hours"
"Bus must see him - persisted
Tell him that a stranger desires to confer
with him on matter of the greatest impor-
,ance-of life and DEATH" added, seeing
that she still hesitated. Making no further
objections, the servant ushered me into a
small sitting room, where in few minutes
was joined by the magistrate, whom my
message had melted to expedition.
81 am told" he said, courteously "that
you bear something important 10 communal
cate"
~ viii tell you. and you shall judge"
was my reply. For my own part, i. is so
extraordinary that l hardly know wha, to
think about it,"
proceeded to unfold what the reader is
already acquainted with. The magistrate
listened with fixed attention, and said, at
the conclusion:
cit is certainly strange revelation, this
which you have made. Ii looks dark, yet
ill this moment have never heard any
thing at all, affecting the character Of the
landlord. Mr.. Jacques. thank you for your
communication, and will beg Ct yon the IA
vor to accompany me on visit OF investi-
CATION. which shall at once make to the
hotel"
Summoning two officers, the magistrate
proceeded to the suspected scene Of crime.
Tell your MASTER" said he to serv-
ant. ",hat wish to see him instantly"
Two minutes had barely passed, when
the landlord had entered. He looked sur.
prised at meeting such visitors, until he
SAW me. then a singular expression came
over his face-l could scarcely determine
Of what nature
Lead the way" said the magistrate. au.
thofitalively, ]" to The apartment occupied
by this gentleman" pointing at the same
time 10 me.
with pleasure" replied the landlord,
bowling. We were in the room once more.
Lift that curtain" said my companion.
I, was done An exclamation of horror
burs, from all, as the appearance which had
started me. was visible.
Now, Sir" said the magistrate sternIy,
"what have you to say! VIVA, does all
this meant"
"That you shall soon know" said the
landlord with composure.. " But beg you
to observe that this body is not what you
naturally suppose i. to be, but only wax
Imitation"
/ We all started forward, and were speed
| lily convinced that this was So
But how did it come into your posses
sion I"
"That is easily told. 1t belonged to a
young physician who came into the town
with the hope Of establishing himself in a
good practice. He did not succeed, and
when he wen, away, being unable to pay
phshe amount of his board left this in pledge.
think have never seen more perfect inn
itation Of the human body"
Why did you not explain the matter to
this gentleman, instead Of warning him not
10 raise the curtain -
"Because the idea Of death is so terrible
TO some, that even its resemblance inspires
uneasiness, and | feared the gentleman's
slumbers would be disturbed, even if he
was satisfied that 1t was not reality"
This explanation was, Of course. adjudg-
ed perfectly satisfactory, and sat down to
the table with my feelings tow ards the land
lord completely revoIuiionIzed.