The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1859-04-20
MISCELLANEOUS.
THE MAGIC PHIAL.

''Now," said the portly Peter Won Worst,
as he buttoned up his money in the pockets
of his capacious breeches, 'now I'll home
to my farm, and tomorrow I'll buy neigh
Dor Jan Hagen's two cows, which are the
best in Holland"
He crossed the market place of Delft as
he spoke, with an elatcd and staggering
air, and turned down one of the streets
which led out of the city, when goodly
tavern met his eye. Thinking dram would
be beneficial in counteracting the effects OF
a fog which was just rising, he entered, and
called for a glass of schiedam. This was
brought, and drank by Peter, who liked the
flavor so much, that he resolved to try the
liquor diluted. Accordingly, glass of a
capacious size was set before him. After a
few sips of the pleasing spirit, our farmer
took view Of the apartment in which he
was sitting, and, for the first time, perceived
that the only person in the room besides
himself was young man of melancholy
aspect, who sat near the fireplace, apparent
ly half asleep. Now, Peter was of "a loqua-
cious turn, and nothing rendered room
more disagreeablc to him than the absence
of company. He, therefore, took the first
opportunity of engaging the stranger in con-
yersation.
"A dull evening, mynheer,' said the far
mer.
"Yawr' replied the stranger, stretching
himself, and yawning loudly, Every foggy,
| take it," and he rose, and looked into the
street.
a dress of dark brown, of the cut of the
last century. A thick row of brass but
tons ornamented his doublet; so thickly,
indeed, were they placed, that they appear
ed one stripe of metal. His shoes were
high-heeled and square-toed, like those
worn by company of maskers, represent
Ell in a picture which hung in Peters par
lor at Voorbooch. The stranger was of a
spare figure, and his countenance was, as
before stated, pale; but there was wild
brightness in his eye, which inspired the
farmer with feeling of ave.
After taking a few turns up and down the
apartments, the stranger drew chair near
to Peter, and sat down.
"Are you burger of Delft?" he inquir-
ed
Nor was the reply; 81 am small farmer
and live in the village of Voorbooch"
"Umph!" said the stranger, you have
a dull road to travel! See! your glass
is out. How like ye mine hosts schie-
dam ~
"'Tis right excellent"
"You say truly" rejoined the stranger,
with a smile, which the farmer thought
greatly improved his countenance; but
here is liquor which no burgomaster
in Holland can procure. 'Tis tit for a
prince"
He drew forth phial from the breast of
his doublet, and, mixing small quantity of
the red liquid it contained with some water
that stood ON the table, he poured it into
Peters empty glass. The farmer tasted it,
and found it to excel every liquid he had ever
drunk. Its effect was soon visible; he
pressed the hand Of the stranger with great
warmth, and swore he would not leave Delft
that night.
"You are perfectly right" said his COM
panion; these fogs are unusually heavy !;
they arc trying, even to the constitution of
a Hollander. AS for me, am nearly
choked with them. How different is the
sunny cline of Spain, which l have just
left"
"You have travelled, then? ?" said Peter, in
quiringly.
''Travelrd! ay, to the remotest corner
of the Indies, amongst Turks, Jews, and
Tartars."
"Eh! but does it please ye to travel always
in that garb, mynheer!"
"Even So" replied the stranger; it has
descended from father to son, through more
than three generations. See you this hole
on the left breast of my doublet?"
The farmer stretched out his neck, and
by the dim light perceived a small perfora-
ton on the breast Of the strangers doubtlet,
who continued .
"Ah! the bullet that passed through it
lodged in the heart of my great grandsire, at
the sack Of Zutphen."
81 have heard of the bloody doings at that
place from my grandfather-Heaven rest his
SOUL"
Peter was startled on perceiving the un-
earthly smile which played over the coun-
tenance of the stranger on his hearing this
pious ejaculation. He muttered to himself,
in an inaudible tone, the word 'Duyvelw
but was interrupted by the loud laugh OF
his companion, who slapped him on the
shoulder, and cried, Come, come, mynhecr,
you look sad; does not my liquor set well
on your stomach?"
"'Tis excellentr' replied Peter, asham-
ed to think that the stranger had observ-
ed his confusion: will you sell me your
phial?"
81 had it from dear friend, who has
becu long since dead" replied the stranger