Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1856-02-22
MISCELLANY.
COURTsHIPIND DIFFICULTIES
A HUMOROUS HISTORY.


FROM THE GERMAN OF FERDINAND sroIIE.
(Concluded)
gladly accepted the offer we'll pleased to
have at last a refuge from Nimrod's gun and
Dieffenbach' s Instruments NV host led the
way to n comfortable and well furnished apart
ment, wished me pleasant NAP, and departed.
Left alone fell to musing on the events of
day, and as gazed through the window on
the beautiful landscape without, | thought to
myself what pity it was that such charm
nc residence should be rendered intolcra BILE
bv the vagares of the owners daughters.
| The old gentleman was far too indulgent-
verv weak indeed-and seemed to think DEF
fenbach had done me II great service by rob
bing me of one of my best teeth. | made up
my mind soon to depart. | would wait to
have look at Oxen; that my uncle might
not be able to say | had not complied with
his wish that should see all three daughters
As to stopping u week, it was out of the
question. Before that time elapsed should
! lose n leg or an arm at the hands of Dicfien-
bach or be laid low by the bullets Of Nlmrod.
More beautiful girls had never seen, and
doubted that handsomer existed but what is
the value of beauty in whose presence there is
no security for life and limb My thoughts
turned to the youngest sister Ernestine.-
Judging from her portrait, she was of softer
mood than her elders Her father account Of
her partiality to spiders and other vermin
was not very encouraging, but at any rate
with her one risked neither death nor mutila-
tion.
would gladly have smoked cigar, my
custom of an afternoon, but the state of my
gums rendered it impossible. was quit ex-
hausted by the various extraordinary adven-
lures that in so short a tins had occurred to
me, and felt inclined to sleep The after
noon was very warm, so pulled of my coat
and laid myself down in my shirt sleeves on
soft and excellent sofa. Sleep soon closed
nv eyes but it was neither a pleasant nor a
refreshing slumber. The incidents of the
day were reproduced and exaggerated in my
dreams First came Louisa. and shot inv
nose completely Off as if it had been tho bcak
, Of popinay at a shooting match. Then
Emily appeared with a horrible screw, which
she insisted on passing through my head
The dream was succession of glastly visions,
each one more painful and oppressive than
/ its predecessor ! tossed about, and grOaned,
and perspired with terror, but my persecu-
tors would not leave me. After Nimrod had
shot a hole right through my body so that the
sun shone through, and the landscape behind
me was visible to those in front, Dieifenbach
approached me, wearing string round
| her neck. on which were strung my thirty
| one remaining teeth-So that was as tooth
| less as an old man of hundred, and griey-
ously did yewail myself But my sutferings
were not over Diefrenbach produced long
slender sharp pointed instrument of polished
steel and insisted upon operating upon me
for disease of the heart. naturally protest
ed against this, and made a desperate defence,
but all was in vain invisible hands seized
me, fettered me so that | could not stir my
breast was barred and with fendIsh laugh,
m bp nj tp m nt,rt
Thereupon ! screamed out loud-aud awoke.
My dream was not all dream, although it
seemed one to me for some seconds after |
opened my eyes. Emily stood beside me, a
lancet in her hand my arm was bandaged
and from the vein dark red streamlet gush
ed into basin, held by maid servant.
"Merciful heavens ~ | exclaimed, already
weakened by the loss Of blood, what is all
this ."
"IIush, hush '' said my murderess, for
such now held her to be, keep yourself
yourself quiet, or you will bring on the fe-
ver''
"You want to bring me to my grave"
"By no means, BY this prompt bleeding
have probably saved you from it. Not
aware that you were installed in this apart
ment. accidentally entered, and found you
in high fever, quite delirious, There was
nothing for it hut the lancet, See how fever
ish your blood is
saw nothing but felt weak. let my
head fall back upon the sofa cushion and
closed my eyes, ''Bled to DEATH thought |
to myself, and stirred not, for was quite
resigned to my fate, and convinced that there
was no chance OF my escaping alive from
Niesenthil | rather think my senses left
me, Al least remember little of what pass
ed, until, an hour and half later, found
myself walking in the grounds with Frdger
| walked but slowly, for the blood letting had
really weakened me.
4" 60 too fast for you" slil the counsel
lor who observed that | had difficulty in keep
ing up with him; and he slackenei his pace
My poor friend, >" he continued, ''you little
thought when you started on peasure-trip
to Wiesenthal, tnat you would leave some Of
your blood behind you. | cannot imagine
what evil spirit has taken possession of my
daughters. assure you that they are usu-
ally the gentlest, kind hearted creatures in
the world.
| ascribed this astonishing statement to
paternal blindness, and to avoid contradict
ing my host, held my tongue,
"lou must have been in real danger" said
Frager, apologetically. Emily has excel
lent Judgment and quick eye, and certainly
would not have bled you had II not been
necessary and to lose few ounces Of blood
never does any one harm
began to lose all patience with this alb
surd old counsellor, who took his daughters
mad freaks for 30 many proofs Of skill and
wisdom. believe that if they had cut my
head off he would have maintained them 10 be
perfectly justified by the precarious state Of
my health, | examined myself TO see if there
were anything about me that could possibly
ah)rd Dieilenbnch a pretcxt for another ope-
ration. on.-Commencing with my head, travel
ed down to my feet and reioiced to find that,
with the exception of my tortured mouth
and punctured arm, everything was in a per-
fectly natural and healthy state. There was
nothing to justify any further artiGce Of
surgery upon my unfortunate person. | re-
solved to be extremely on my guard, and to
lock the room door Whenever | was alone.
Inc day was near its close when we returned
to the house were We found the supper table
spread, The young ladies were all absent
Heaven on ly knew in which direction Nimrod
was out shooting, Dicflenbach amputating,
and Oxen collecting spiders, | must confess
to a greater wish tU see Oxen than Minnie. per
haps, would altogether have approved At
any rate with her lshoull he in no bodily dan