Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1863-03-03
TREASURE HUNTING.

prOpenSltles, was I'D the nhDlI Oh lreQuenI-
ing the pubic-house of the place, in order
to enjoy with loose companions the ire
gularities he dared not attempt in his own
house, in the fear of drawing upon himself
the apprehension of his superiors in Office.
A fellow of the name of Osterwald, who |
acted as his clerk, was usually the COM
panion of these excuses.
One summer night, as they were seated, |
according to custom, in the public room
Of the inn, considerably the worse for a
carouse prolonged after the decent inhab-
itants of the village had retired to rest, a
stranger entered the inn, demanding
nights lodging and having approached
the table at which the burgomaster and
his friend were drinking, continued TO at.
tract their attention by uttering profound
signs.
Provoked by the interruption, the bur
gomaster, whose name was Listenback,
demanded the cause of his ahliction to
which the fellow replied that it was one
with which he did not choose to trouble
two gentlemen so distinguished us those
he saw before him.
Tickled by this llattcry, Osterwald in
sisted on IN explanation and at length
after much show of caution and mystery,
the stranger declared that, being poor
student of the University of Jena, he had
been warned by dream to repair TO
the old castle Of Brummcrsdorf where he
would find Il fertile source of prosperity
for his old age.
al knew not, said the stranger, that
there existed such a spot as Brummersdorf
on the face of the globe; but on consult
ing my books of science the following
morning, | discovered, not only that it
possessed the ruins of an ancient castle,
formerly one of the finest in Westphalia,
but that the consultations were favorable
to the enterprise
recommend you then, TO set of at
day-break for the CASTLE said 0sterwald,
(Which is situated only few hundred
yards distance, on the cliff overhanging the
village -
Alas have just returned from
thence ~ replied the stranger. Il was
expressly enjoined in my dream to visit
the spot at the full of the moon"
And what success have you met with,
my good friend y demanded Iistenbach,
: with increasing curiosity.
" need not tell you gentlemen, since
you appear to be the inhabitants of the
place. replied the stranger, THAT the
5 old castle of Brummersdor is the de-
! pository Of prodigious treasure, the
e property of the extinct house of that
= name"
"Indced ~ exclaimed his astonishcd
auditors. THAT accounts for the edict
issued by Government, that the inhabi.
tants should Oh no account be permitted
to disturb stone Of that ancient monu
b. ment."
On arriving Mt the spot" reioined
the stranger, 81 made known in loud
voice the spiritual authority by whiel
Y my mission was appointed. When, 10
j the spirit to whom is delegated the guar
9 dianship Of the hidden treasure replied
4 that he was not permitted to divulg'
y the spot where it was buried, unless ad
o iured by three persons at once, and unles
the vault containing it was opened by
magic key-to be formed of pure gold
But, alas however tempting the prospect
gentlemen, how is poor mortal like my
self to procure the twenty-one ducat
which the spirit asserts TO be indispensable,
for the casting of the key or the attend
=, ance of two enterprising companions will
a ling to share my exploit and its noble re
ward Z"
/, Your two companions are beior
e. you" exclaimed the booty burgomas
ie ter, :" if you will accept our company
n. Let me see what money | have in m
5, purse y
We Even without paying the reckoning, in
.e GLIDING fresh bottle Of wine called for
" drink success to the expedition, the purs
N of the burgomaster did not furnish ha
lr the necessary sum. Nothing was easie
| for him, however, than to dispatch hi
d. clerk to the stronghold of his office, which
,S as he was obliging enough to acquair
e. them, contained nearly a couple of hun
ne dred ducats.
In as short a time as the condition {
IL his intellect would allow, Osterwald T,
re- turned with the requisite sum and II
bit three companions, after an inspiritn
o. bumper, took their way towards the ruiz
CHI Of the old castle.
S Ua Having arrived on platform before IL
es venerable gateway, distinctly visible |
f. the brilliant light of the moon, the stral
k ger drew from his pocket short, baC
NJ stick, with which he traced upon II
~, "a parehed turf small circle, adornin
ed it with several mystical devices and syr
zee bols.
ea- "Within this magic Circle said h
GU addressing his companions, who wei
iu overcome partly by wine and partly |
nd awe. ''you must place yourselves,
an order to be secure from the molestatiC
ne of the evil spirits besetting the spo
l.. while l proceed to fulfil the condition
MI of the guardian spirit of the easter
ms tower "
he The two drunkards, not little please
Oh to be thus secured from an interview
Us, tremendous, readily complied and havir
ms furnished the stranger with the purse, toe
gh up their position within the circle FL
ig- some time intense anxiety kept the
ere silent. AT length they ventured to cor
10 10 municate to each other their opinion tn
he the interview between the strange studeI
an and the spirit of the castle was somewhi
lge long but being fortified by their positio
nd within the magic circle, weary of standin
MI nj and oppressed by drowsiness, they agree
ot to stretch their limbs on the ground
ed Next morning, the village of Drummer
on dorf was disturbed by the discovery tn
ing in the course of the night the Office of Il
hl, burpOmastp hod haan brokan into ood /;