The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1867-07-19

iIioSt W tiic Srounu, niaue HIty apOlO-
gies for intruding, and inquired with
the most 0utre affectation of tenderness
into the state of my health. He then
seated himself opposite to me, laid his
cooked hat upon the table, took pinch
of snuff, and commenced his intolerablc
system of sneezing. was never less in
II humor torelish anything like foppery.
So throwing myselfback upon the chair
putting on as commanding look as |
could, and looking at him fiercely, /
said, $50, sir, you are back again sup
pose you know me?'
"Know you,my dear friend-eh--ycs,
/ derived great pleasure in being made
acquainted with you the day before yes
terday. You are Mr.. Frederick Stadt-
that is to say, you are Mr.. Albert VOL
stang. ."-(A sneeze.)
"Then you know that am not my.
self?"
"My dear FRIEND" replied he, with a
smile, 81 hinted as much as the last time
saw YOU"
"And pray how did you ascertain
that ?"
"You don't ask me such Il question:"
saidhe, with an air ofsurprise "Iknew
it by your signature"
"My own signature!.I know not what
you mean by my signature"
"Eh-eh-the signature, you know
that is, the compact you made with
WOlstang."
81 know of no compact" cried l, in a
passion "nor did l ever make one with
any man living. defy either you or
Wolstang to produce any such instru-
ment."
81 believe it is in my pocket at this
very moment. Look here my dear SIR"
And he brought out small manuscript
book, and turning up the leaves, point
ed to view the following wOrCls:--
81 hereby, in consideration of the sum
of fifty gilders, give to Albert Wolstang
the Use of my body, at any time he is
disposed, provided that, for the time be-
Ing he gives me the use of his.
FREDERICK STADT.
at is forgery" said 1, starting up
with fury; "a deceptio risus, at least ;
something like your scales"
"What about the scales, my dear
friend?" said he with whining voice.
"Go," replied l "into that room, and
you shall see." He accordingly went,
but returned Immediately, saying that
heobserved nothing remarkable. "Now
said |, rising up; "then shall take the
trouble to point it out to YOU" My as-
tonishment may be better conceived
than described when instead of the small
apothecary's scales, ! beheld the i'm
mense ones in which l had been weigh
ed two days before. l felt confouded
and mortified, and returned with him
to the study, muttering something about
deceptio risus, necromancy, and demon
ology.
"Well," continued | after recovering
a little, "what about this compact; when
and where was it made?"
90 1t is made some three days ago, nj
the Devil's-hoof Tavern. You may
remember that you and Wolstang were
drinking there at that time"
Yes, l remember it we'll enough
but understood that was putting IN
name to Il receipt for fifty gilders whicl
he paid me. l never read the writing
l merely subscribed it,"
"That was pity for really you have
bound yourself as firmly rs signing
with a persons own blood can do"
"Did | sign it with my own blood p
said l, alarmed.
"Exactly so. You may recOllect cut
ting yOur finger. had the pleasure OF
stanching the blood a sufficient quan
tity of which was nevertheless collected
to write this document"
"Then you were present." said l
"yes, have Il recollection Of your face
now that yOumention the circumstance
You were then dressed as clergyman
if mistake not"
Precisely"
And what" continued |, "are tn,
conditions on which hold this strang,
existence? Suppose Wolstang dies"
"Then you keep his body till thu
natural period of your own DEATH"
"Suppose / die?"
He then keeps your body"
"Then if he dies, my body is buriet
and goes to decay, while am cloggc'
up in his body, till relieved from it b.
death?"
Presisely."
This announcement struck me will
terror. "And shall | never" said
weeping, 'see my dear body again ?"
"You may see it, If ever Wolstani
comes in your way"
"But shall never possess it shall
never be my self again?"
Not unless he pleases.h a ..
"The villian!" exclaimed /, In a
agony ofgrief. 81 am then undone; tn
fool of heartless ,unprincipled miscet
ant. Is my case hOpeless?"
80 no, my dear friend" said the lii
! tie man, "not at all hopeless: there
nothing simpler than the remedy. Onl
put your name here, and you will b
, yourself in minute. The fellow wi
then lose all power over your body"
seized with avidity the pen which h
presented to me, dipped it in II vial Q
|, red ink, and was proceeding to doa h
directed, when the writing above caugl
my eye. 1t ran thus =
!. 81 hereby engage, after my natur
!, deceasc, to give over my soul to IL
owner of this book"
4, "Zounds!" said | "what is this?"
!, alt is nothing at all; justa form,
" mere form of business, of no intrins
. meaning. Ifyou would just write yo,
y name il is very'easiy done"
- Has any of her person signed SUI
!. deeds ?" demanded |.