The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1867-07-26

evident effect, however, upon Wolstang,
for he became agitated and alarmed,
grew pale, and entreated me to let him
go. "Never, you villain, till you return
me back my body. Let me be myself
again, and then you are free"
"That IS impossible" said he, "and
cannot be, done without the agency of
another person, who is absent; but ]
hereby solcmnly swear, that five days
after my death your body shall be your
own"
"Ifbetter terms cannot be had, must
take even these, but better | shall have;
so prepare to part with what is not your
own. Take yourself back again, or ]
will beat you to II mummy" So saying,
| laid on him most unmercifully-ilat-
tened his nose Tor rather my own,)
and laid him sprawling on the earth
without ceremony. While engaged in
this business, heard a sneeze, and
looking to the quarter from whence 1t
proceeded, who did see emerging from
the wood but my old acquaintance,
with the snuff-coloured surtout, the
scarlet waistcoat, and wooden leg. He
saluted me as usual with u smile, and
was beginning to regret the length of
time which had elapsed since he last
had the pleasure of seeing me, when |
interrupted him. "Come," said |, "this
is not time for ridiculous grimacc;
you know all about it, so help me to
get my body back from this scoundrel
here"
Certainly, my dearfriend. Heaven
forbid that you should be robbed of 50
unalicnable property. Wolstang, you
must give it up. IT'S the height of in
justice to deprive him of it,"
"Shall ! surrender it, them" said
Wolstang with pitiable voice.
"By all means: let Mr.. Stadt have
his body.
In an instant felt great pains shoot
through me, and lay on the ground,
breathless and exhausted as if from
some dreadful punishment. also saw
the little gentleman, and the tall, stout
figure of Wolstang, walk away arm and
arm, and enter the wood. | was now
myself again, but had ut first little cause
of cOngratulation on the change, for |
was one heap Of bruises, while the un-
principled author of my calamnities was
moving off in his own body without Il
single scratch. If my frame was in bad
case, however, my mind felt relieved
beyond conception. y load was taken
from it, and it felt the consciousness of
being incased in that earthly tenement
destined by heaven for its habitation.
Alas, how transient is human happi.
ness Scarcely had an hour elapsed when
Il shuddercame over me, precisely SINH
| lar to that which had occurred some
weeks before on entering the College OF
| Gottingen. also preceived that | wa
stronger, taller, and more vigorous, and
as if by magic, totally free of pain. Al
this change Il horrid sentiment came
across me, and, on looking at my shadow
in awell, observed that was no Longer
myself but Wolstang: the diabolica
miscreant had again effected a me
tempsychosis. Full of distracting ideas
| wandered about the fields till night
fall, when returned into the city, an,
threw myself into bed, 0vcruoWerr
with fatigue and grief.
Next day made point of calling n
my own house, and inquiring for my
self. The servant said that could no
be seen, being confined to bed in con
sequence of several bruises received il
an encounter with two highwaymen.
called next day, and was still confined
On the third day did the same, but
had gone out with friend. On tn
fourth ! learnt that | was dead.
1t will readily be believed that thl
last intelligence was far from being m
welcome. On hearing of my own deaf
| felt the most lively pleasure, antici
pating the period when | would be my
self again. That period, according t
W Wolstang's solemn vow, would arriv
in five days. Three of these | had spen
in the house, carefully secluding myse
from observation, when heard asneez
ut the outside Of the boor. 1t opcncC
and in stepped the little man with tn
snuii-cOloured surtOut, the scarlet waist
coat, and the wooden leg. | had cor
ccivcd dislike approaching to howo
ut this old rascal, whom naturallycor
cludcd to be at the bottom of these dii
bolical transformations; ] however
contained my wrath till ! should hea
what he had to say.
81 wish you much joy,my dcaririenC
that YOU are going to resume your oW
body. There is, however, one circun
stance, which perhaps you have owe
: looked. Are you aware that you are
| be buried to-day?'
81 never thought Of it, answered
calmly, "nor is it of amy consequence
/ / presume. In two days ! shall be IN!
self again. shall then leave this bod
> behind me, and take possession OF m
I own"
And where will your own body
@ then?"
| sin the grave" said with ashudde
as the thought came across me.
Precisely 50, and you will enjoy Il
= pleasure Of being buried alive; that,
f suppose, you have not calculated upon
Il This remark struck me with blan
dismay, and | fell back on my chai
/, uttering n deep groan. as there the
: no hope? ? cannot this dreadful doom
y avcrtcd? must be buried alive?"
a "Thc case is rather hard one, NJ
| Stadt, but, perhaps, not without Il rem
4 dy."
: Yes, there is q remedy" cried
i starting up and striking my forehea
:, 81 shall HE to my own house, al
y cntrcat them TO suspend the funeral f
two days"