Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1859-02-17

Oe Jew, ana tnifQ party declared VIII
great solemnity that he was a magician o
sorcerer. grew to be eighteen, twent.
Years old, and still the man was alway
called in the city "The Stranger"
1t happened, one day, that some peopl'
came to the city with collection of strang
animals. The troop which showed itself oil
this occasion in GrunwieseI was dislingu
ished by the possession of monstrou
orang-outang, nearly as large as man
which went on two legs, and knew all sort
of cunning sleights of hand. 1t chances
that its performances took place in front .
the strangers house. When the drum ant
fife sounded, he made his appearance. a
first with visible vexation, behind the dark
dust-begrimmed window of his residence
Soon, however, he grew more amiable, and
opening his, window, to everybody's aston
ishment, looked out and laughed heartily a
the orang- -outang's gambels Nsyr IN Pui'
so large piece of silver for The entertain
ment that the whole city talked of it.
The next morning the collection Of ami
mails went on their way. They had scarce
ly made league on their journey, whe the
stranger sent to he posthouse, demanding
to the postmaster's amazemeDt, a post-chaise
and horses, and set forth BY the same gate
and on the same road taken by the men.
agerie. The whole city was furious at moi
being able 10 learn whittier he was going.
1t was night when the stranger again re-
turned to the gate in the postchaise. A per.
son was sitting with him in The vehicle
with his hat pressed closely down over his
| face. and his mouth and ears bound in silk
handkerchief. The gate-keeper considered
il his duty TO speak to the second stranger
and demand his passport. His answer was
surly, and groHled out N some uninteIligi-
bic language.
ait is my nephew" said the stranger po-
iitely, putting several silver coins into the
gate keepers hand; she understands very
little German. What he said just now was
swearing at our being delayed here.''
"Ah. if he is your nephew, sir" answer
ed The gate-keeper, ''of course he can enter
wilhou. passport. He will live in your
house, no doubt!''
CeTldlnIyr edlu tue st dbSci, ohu WIN
probably remain with me long while ,
The gate-keeper made no further opposi-
tion, and the stranger ard hi. nephew pass
ed into the city. The burgomaster and the
whole town were much displeused with the
conduct CT the gale keeper. He should at
least have taken notice of the nephew's
language; it would then have been an easy
matter to decide to what nation he and bis
uncle belonged. The gate-keeper asserted,
in reply to these complaints, that it was
neither Italian nor French, but had sounded
good deal like English; and, unless his
ears hae deceived him, the younger gentle
man had said distinctly. "Ros-bif!" By
this the gate-keeper helped himself out Of
his scrape, and. at the same time, assisted
the young man to a name. for nothing was
talked of now in the city but the young
Englsnman.
The young man, however, was no greater
:requenter of the bowling green or the tav-
ern than his uncle was; but he furnished
the people much food for conversation IN
another way. 1t happened now, not un-
frequently, that in the hitherto silent house
would be heard irightful uproar and Shrek
ing SO that the passers.by would stop be-
fore the house in crowds, and gaze up al the
windows. The young Englshman would
be seen dressed in red frock and green
trousers, his hair erect, and his appear ance
indicating terror, running with great speed
through the rooms, from window to window,
the old stranger pursuing him with hunt
ing-whip in his hand, ard often failing to
overtake him. But it sometimes seemed TO
the crowd below that he had succeeded in
catching the young man, for they could
hear, issuing from the rooms above, cries OF
anguish ana sounds of blows. The ladies'
Of the city took such deep concern in this
cruel treatment of the youthful stranger,
that they induced the burgonaster at last
to take some notice Of the affair. He wrote
a letter to the strange gentleman. in which
he alluded in vigorous terms TO his harsh
treatment of his rephew, and threatened
him, in case similar scenes Continued to
transpire, with taking .he unfortunate young
man under his especial protection.
when he saw the stranger entering his
doors for the only time in len years. The
old gentleman excused his conduct towards
his nephew on the plea of the peculiar
directions of the parents of the young man
who had entrusted him with his education.
He stated that the youth was in most re-
s2ects clever and Intelligent, but that he
learned languages with great difficulty; that
| he wished so earnestly 10 make his nephew
an accomplished German scholar, that he
might afterwards take the liberty 10 intro
duce him to the society of Grunwiesel, and
the progress made by him was so discourag.
ing, that on many occasions there was nc
better course to pursue than TO beat it into
him by suitable castigation. The burgo.
master expressed himself perfectly satisfied
with this explanation, recommended Il little
more moderation in the infliction of chastise.
ment, and rspo red in the evening at the
beer-saloon, tina: he had rarely met, in hil
whole life, a bettcr-in formed and more
agreeable gentleman than the stranger
The only pity is" he added, "that he goe'
so little into society; but think, as soor
as his nephew can speak little German
, he will visit our circle oftener."
: By this single incident the opinion Of tn
city was completely changed. They regard
ed the stranger as a well-bred man, felt
desire to cultivate his acquaintance, an
5 considered it to be perfectly in order, whe
now and then frightGul shrek was hear
:, to issue from the desolate house. ale i