The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-07-12

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"'What hour p I asked
"'Can you not guess? p Heaven award
ed you sixty years of life. You were thirty
when | commenced obeying YOU
"Zagor cried, in horror, do you speak
seriously?
"'Yes, master. In five years you have
spent twenty-five years of existence You
gave them to me-they are mine, and those
years will now be added to mine
"'What! that was the price of your ser
vices p
"'0thcrs have paid for them more dearly :;
for instance, Fabert, whom also protected ;
"'Be sient-be silentr I cried. 1T is
impossible
"Just as you please. Only prepare your
self, for you have only halfan hour to live =
"'You are jesting--mocking me!'
"'Not in the least. Calculate yourself
Thirty years Of actual existence, and
twenty-five which you have lost Total sixty.
! That is your amount and have mine.
"And he endeavored to leave. l felt my
self growing weaker. Life was deserting
me.
"Zago, zago.' cried, accord me fe y
hours-only a few hours
"'No, no. he answered; that would be
taking away from my own; and fully ap-
preciatc the value of existence. No treasure
in the world could sufficiently pay for two
hours of life"
81 was almost speechlcss; the chill ofdeath
was freezing my veins; my eyesight was
growing dim.
"'Well, them exclaimed, making a su-
preme effort, take back those gifts for which
| have sacrificed all. Grant me only four
hours, and take all my riches--my gold, so
much wished forr
"'.So be it. You have been a good mas
ter to mc-I conscntr
81 felt my strength returning, and ex-
claimed
-Four hours! how short time it is =
Zago Zago, four more, and take back my
literary fame. renounce all claim to those
works Of which was so proud, for which |
was by all applaudedr
"'Four hours for tlatr said the negro,
with disdain; it isa great deal! Never mind,
though; will not refuse your last request
"'Not the last, not the last cried, join
ing my hands together in prayer. 'Zago,
Zogo, I besecch you grant me until this
evening just twelve hours--the day, in short
and let all my exploits, my victories, my
military glory, be forever effacel from the
memory of man! Only this one day, Zago,
and I shall be quite content
! "'You take advantage Of my kindness,
/ he said, 'and am making FOOLS bargain.
Never mind. Twill grant you until sunset
after that Eli come and fetch you
"And he quilted me-" continued the other
in despairing tone; land this is the last
! day have to livem
Approaching the glass door as he spoke,
which opened on the park, he cried
Il shall no more behold this blue sky, that
verdant lawn, those limpid fountains |
shall breathe no more this perfumed air
Of early spring. Fool that was Those
| gifts which Heaven grants to all, those boun.
! ties for which was so ungrateful and oI
which now appreciate all the immense
value And have wasted my days in pur.
suing vain chimera for an epheral glory
faded even before myself! Look! looll!"-
he wildly continued, pointngto some peas.
ants, who were traversing the park singing
"What would not give to join in their la.
bors, share them, and their poverty even =
4 But have nothing more to expect or hope
for on earth, not even misfortune"
At that moment ray of sunlight a beam
Of the month of May, shone across his pale
asitated features. Selling my arm in spe
cies of delirium, he said
''See, see how beautiful the sun is, and
must leave it all Oh, let me at least enjoy
this day, which will not know morrow fol
me -
! He sprang through the open window, and
darted across the park before | could stor
him. In truth had not the strength to de
so. / had dropped down on the sofa, over
come by all | had listened to and witnessed
| rose and walked about to be sure that |
was not dreaming. At that moment tho
door Of the room opened and servant en-
tered, announcing "Monsieurle Due dt
i c."
A man ofabout sixty, Of most distinguish
ed appearance, came forward, offering m,
his hand, and begging pardon for having
kept me so long waiting.
81 was not at the chateau" he said &C,
come from the town, where have been t.
consult physician about my younger broth
; er's health the Count de c."
'Is he in danger ~ asked
t No, monsieur-heaven be praised p repli
ed he. "But, in early youth, ambition anC
dreams of glory acted upon an enthusiastic
! imagination added to which he has recent,
! had severe fit Of illness, which nearly car
ried him off, These combined, have left
species Of madness in his brain, and he i
, persuaded that he has only day to i've"
: Allwas explained to me.
"Now," continued the duke, ''let us tall
about your own affairs, and let us see wha
: can be done to advance your interests. w
leave at the end of the mouth for Versailles
, I'H present YOU at Court.