Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-11-24

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probably executed by my predecessor. 1t
WAS lighted by small window, nine or
ten feet from the ground. and the fucni-
ture consisted of bundle Of straw and d
bucket.
| seated myself on the straw. and re.
maincd, know not how loSg, plunged in
gloomy reve,y. What if tine fall down
,tairs had inflicted some mortal injury on
my landlord The fellow was miser
and insolent E; but, after all, he had done
nothing to justify his receiving such
rough treatment at my hands. While
would be the upshot Of it all? What
revolving this uucomfort ble question, the
door grated on its hinges; my jailor ap-
peared, and desired me to follow him.
Two turnkcys placed themselves one at
each side Of me, and we walked on. We
traverscd gloomy corridors, ieebly lighted
by interior windows. | saw behind a
grating noted assassin, who was
Sentenced to be executed on the following
morning. lie wore straight waistcoat,
and was singing with a hoarse voice, 81
am KWg of these Mountains -
"Ha! comrade, III keep a place for
you tomorrow on my right -
The turkeys looked at each other with
a sinister smile, and my flesh crept with
horror.
l was conducted into gloomy sort Of
judgment hall, at the upper end Of which
we're seated two judges, one Of them be-
ing my late visitor, Won Sprcckdahl. a
clerk employed in tickling his ear with
the feather of his pen sat before table.
Won Spreckdahl, raising his voice, ad-
dressed me-
Heinrich karf. how did you become
possessed Of this drawing?'
He showed me the nocturnal sketch; |
examined it and replied
/" 1t WAS done by me-
There was silence, and the clerk
wrote down my reply.
| thought within myself "What is the
meaning OF this? What connection can
this have with my pushing Rapp down
stairs 2"
''It was done by vou,' repeated Won
sl r:cAdahl. ''What is the subject Of
it ~
1T Was fancy sketch"
. ! on have not copied the details from
any painting or engraving ?"
" no. sir, Invented them all.
"Prisoncr said the judge in u severe
tone, IL advise you to reflect. Do not
lie"
I REDEEMED with anger, and said en-
phatiaally,-
Il have spoken the truth.
Write clerk" said Won Sprcckdahl.
And this woman continued, "who
is being assassnated at the edge Of
well, have you imagined her figure also p
-" Cegtainly.'
" ! ou neHer saw her p
Never"
With an indignant gesture, y an Sprcck-
dahl rose from his chair. then rcsuming
his seat, he appeared to consult in low
tone with his colleague.
"What can it be all about? What
have [ done ?' murmured to myself.
Addressing my guards, Won Spreckdah
said
Conduct the prisoner to the carriage,
we are going to the Metzser Strasse,
Heinrich kApff," he continued, "you are
pursuing a deplorabie path. Consider
thet if the justice OF men Is inHexible
the mercy Of God may yet be obtained
by full confession OF your crime"
| could not reply felt as if under
the influence Of some irigatful dream,
and prepared tc follow my guards III 81
lence.
Two policemen and | entered the car
rage, which rolled along through several
streets. One Of my guards took out his
snuii-box, ana offered Il pinch to his COM
panion. MechanicaIly, extended my
finger and thumb towards the box, but its
owner drew it back with gesture oil
aversion, and quickly replaced it in his
pocket.
fct the hot tin.ling blood mount to
my forehead, but before | could speak,
the carriage stopped. One of the police.
men got out While the other held me, tet-
tered as | was, by the collar, until, see-
ing his comraae ready to receive me, he
thrust me rulcly cut.
All these precautions to secure my per-
son augprcd no good, but just then | was
given TO time for reflection. My guards
hurrieA me along a narrow, filthy alley,
bounded by high walls, and through which
trickIea IA fetil stream Of some thick
dark liquid. Arrived at the end. they
opened a door, and pushed me before
them into a square coJrt. Daring our
progress, strange horror had taken
possession Of me, not arising from the un.
certnin;y aad mystery Of my position, bat
rather Ike ihc effect Of nightmare. /
seemcl to be walking in Il trishrfuI dream
seeing and acting without my own voii-
ton, and under haunting conviction Of
the unreality of all objects around. But
this horror became very tangible and real
when | looked around the place whore |
now found myself. There was the very
Identical court which | had drawn the
night before, tho walls furnished with
books, the broken hen-coop, the rabbit.
hutch not IA siuge detail, not even the
most trifing, was wanting
Beside the well stood the two judges,
Won Sprcckdaal AMI Richter. At taeir
feet lay the corpse Of the old woman. her
long gray hair dsheve'led, her face :vd,
her eyes starting from her head, aal her
tongue pro'ruding from between her teeth
1t was horr;d spectacle.