Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1859-03-12


voice OF surprising cultivation and power. The
duet, therefore, was studied with all haste, and
the evening at length arrived, on which the cars
OF the people of Grunwicsef were to be enrap-
tured by the concert.
The old stranger was unable to be present at
his nephew's triumph, in consequence of illness,
but he gave to the burgomastcr, who visited him
during the day, some rules for the guidance of
his eccentric relative. "He is good SOUL"
said he; "but now and then he is seized with
some strange notions, and breaks out into the
widest freaks. | regret, extremely, my inabil-
ny to be present at the concert this evening, for
his demeanor is perfectly decorus while am by.
lie well knows why, the scamp! Let me as
sure your excecncy that this vivacity of his is
not mental vice, but merely a bodily infrmity.
Mhenever therefore, any such humor scizos
him, so that he seats himself on a musc-stand,
or attempts to knock down the contra-bass, or
the like, if your exccllcncy would take the
trouble to loosen his cravat a littc or, if moth
ing better can be done, take it off altogether,
you will see how quiet and well-bred he will at
once become"
The burgomastor thanked the sick man for
his confidence, and promised, in case the ncces-
sity arose, to follow his directions to the letter.
Fart first of the concert was over, and every
body was Oh the tenter- hooks of of expectation
iOi tlc scCOHu, Ill WHICH tne Young GnplSnInaN
was to perform a duet with the burgomaster's
daughter. The nephew had made his appear
ance in gorgeous costume; and had long ago
drawn upon himself the attention of all present.
lie had thrown himself down. without the slight
est ceremony, in the elegant armchair provided
for countess of the vicinity. and tretchng his
legs to their full length, had stared the audience
out of countenance through hug opera glass
which he had provided in addition to his ordi-
nary spectacles; playing necessarily, meanwhile,
with large mastiH which he had persisted in
introducing in spite of the regulations prohibit
ing all such animals. The countess, for whom
the armchair had been provided, soon appear
ed; but the young Englishman made no move
ment to resign his seat. On the contrary, he
only assumed more comfortable attitude and
no one present vcnturcd to rcbuke his insolcncc.
The distinguished lady was consequently obliged
to take her seat in an ordinary cane chair among
the other ladies of the city, in a state of intense
and natural indignation.
No wonder, therefore, that every body was
curious to see how he would succeed with his
duet. The second part began the city music
ians played the Introductory bars, and now the
burgomastcr led up his daughter to the Young
Englishman, and, handing him sheet OF music,
said to him. "Nly dear sir, are you disposed to
begin the duet ?" The stranger laughed, show
cd his teeth, and, sprnging up, preceded the
two Others to the music-stand, while the au-
dicnCe was filled with excitement and anticpa-
ton. The organist beat the time, and NODDED to
the Englishman to begin. The latter looked ut
the music through his spectaclcs moment and
gave utterance to some hideous and melancholy
howls whcreupon. the organist shouted TO HIM
"Iwo notes lower, your honor; C;-you must
sing c.
Instead of singing c, the stranger pulled off
one of his shoes and flung it at the organist's
head making the powder fy in clouds Seeing
this. the burgomaster thought to himself: "IIa
his bodily infrmity has got hold of him again :"
and, sezing him by the neck, he loosened the
buckle Of his crayat. But, at this, the young
mans conduct became only the more outrageous
lie dropped the use of German, and confined
himself to an extraordinary and uninteigible
language taking all the while the most trcmend-
tRiss tRs fdeaahe GnTg2~HbpSsn " vas M in dspor at
ment, and instantly resolved to take of entire
ly the crayat of the young Englishman, whom
some unusually violent paroNysm must have
suddenly seized. But no sooner had he done
this, than he started back aghast. Instead Of n
human skin and complexion, dark brown fur
enveloped the neck of the youthful stranger,
who instantly proceeded upon still higher and
mere marvellous leaps; and. twisting his white
SlpNNH lhlANu IL tiiNlItlN Oli.
wonder Of wonders this beautiful hair was on
ly wig, which he threw into the burgomastcr's
face, and his head made its appearance clothed
i'll the same brown fur as his neck.
lie overturned tables and benches, threw
down music-stands, smashed the fddles and
clarionets, and in short behaved like a unatic
"Seize him seize him :" shouted the burgo-
master, beside himself; che is raving seize
him. This, however, was difficult matter,
for he had pulled off his gloves, and showed his
brown hands, armed with frghtful nails, with
which he assaulted the faces of the company
A courageous huntsman at length succeeded in
taking him prisoner He epressed his long arms
down to his sides, so that he could do nothing
except struggle fiercely with his feet, and laugh
and shrek in piercing voice. The audience
gathered round to look at the eccentric young
gentleman, who by this time had lost every
semblance of human being Among them, a
learned gentleman of the enyirons, who pos
sessed large collection of stuffed animals, ap-
preached him and, after close examination,
suddenly exclaimed. Good God ladies and
gentlemen, why do you admit this beast into
good societyP This is an ape, the homo trig-
lodites Linn@i and / will give you six dollars
for him, if you like, and stuff him for my cabi-
net"
Fancy the astonishment of the citizens of
UrunWlesel, wnen they heard THIS. NV hat
an ape, an orang -outang in our best society =
The young Englishman nothing but filthy
ape" They stared at each other in dumb be-
wilderment. They could not believe it; they
would not trust their eyes, and they examined
the animal more narrowly; but, gaze as they
pleased, a vulgar ape he was, and a vulgar ape
he remained.
at must be sorcery, devilish sorcery !" said
the burgomaster, bringing the apes cravat.-
"Look ! here in this crayat lies the witchraft
which has blinded our eyes. Here is a broad
strip of parchment, inscribed with strange char
acters. 1t is Latin, / believe can any body
read itP
The pastor, man of extensive learning, who
had often lost game of chess to the young
Englishman, stepped up, and looking at the
parchment said, Certainly, this is Latin, and
means:
This ape is very ridiculous creature,
And to see through and shun false pretensions will
teach you.'"
SAY, ay; it is an Internal swindle in itself
a species of witchcraft," he continued, land
should meet with exemplary punishment"
The burgomster was of the same opinion and
started forthwith to arrest the stranger, who
could be nothing but magician. Six soldiers
carried the ape, for they were determined to