The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1869-02-05
3,tSfEttaAeonS.
THE WALPURGIS-N NIGHT,
II. ZsCToREE.
THE TEMPTER.
RETURN HOME.
(Co,,fiO,Ic9
RETURN HOME.

WAS now resolved to be Off. | had
paid mine host and my servant with
my trunk on his back was going before
me, when on the steps of the hotel
met my brother on whose account had
come to Prague.
OF course all thoughts of starting i'm
mediately were at an end. We went
back to my chamber. There heard
with spleasure that the embarrassed
circumstances of my brother had been
relieved greatly to his advantage. In
stead of suffering an immense loss he
had made large profit on spocula-
tion in cotton and coffee and he had
now fastened to Prague to attend 10 his
affairs himself. 81 have got my sheep
out of the pit, now" said ne, "but l
have had worry enovgh. will bid
gOoa-sy to business. l will put my
money out at moderate interest, and so
run no risk of being to-day million.
aire, and tomorrow beggar and swim
dler. | have come now to thank you
for your Drotherly kindness, and to
bring my business connections forever
to a close"
l had to accompany my brother TO
different houses. But he saw my i'm
patience and home-sickness, and there
fore after few days advised me to re-
turn home without him. resolved to
do so the more readily, as his stay in
Prague would be prolonged several
weeks. took an extra post, and flew
towards my dear home.
On the way the strange Vaudeville
continually arose before my imagina-
ton. I could not forget the odd figure
with the red coat, the club foot, and the
ill-omened features. l could not help
thinking too of the bushel of black hair
which stood about his brow. Perhaps
there was little horn under it, and
then was he BeelZebub complete from
top to toe.
1t is true, he had brought back my
pocket-book no man in the world
could have acted more honestly. lie
had read Fanny's letters and my broth
er's instructions to me and so,naturally
enough, had become acquainted with
my secrets. But-his face-no, nature
could not have written so illigibly!-
Enough, had l ever believed in the eX-
istence of Il Mephistophiles, / should
have had no doubt of it now for single
moment.
/ followed this train of thought, and
will not deny that l gave myself up
right willingly to the play Of my imag-
ination for it beguiled the time. 1 con-
cluded that my honest Man devil might
be the real devil, and his honesty n
mere trick to snap upmy poor soul on the
way to heaven. And If he really were
the devil, what had he to offer me?-
Gold and goods?--I was never avaric-
ious. A throne? Yes, that / would
have been glad to have for week, in,
order to give peace 10 the world but
then should want TO go back again to
my own simple dwelling to cultivate
turnips with my own hand, like Sec
ond Cincinnhtus. Pretty womon?-A
harem full Of the most beautiful Hell
ems, Armidas, and Armaudas? No,
when thought OF Fanny, tho loyeliest
Circassians seemed TO be but old wO-
men. l would not have given straw
to be DR.. Faust. Aud why? | was
happy! Happy? No, not quite 80,
even because / was SO happy. l trem-
bled little at the thought of the Skel-
eton, who with mis- terrible scythe
might 50 easily NOW down my Fanny,
my two sons, and oven myself. And
then there was always the great ques-
ton, Whether and how we should ever
come together again in paradise ?-I
should have liked to have thrown a
look into the future life, just to quiet
myself. But suppose my devil had
granted me my pious wish, and let me
peep through crack in heavens gate,
what else could subject of Adrame-
lech have been able to show but his
own dark abode?
But enough Of this nonsense.
had been two days and night on
my way home, and it was getting late
on the second day. In vain did / scold
the driver, and urge him on with word;
and money. 1t was growing latel ano
darker, and was becoming more anc
more impatient. All, 1 had not seei
Fanny for Glmont three months, mol
! my children, who bloumed At tire side
Of their young mother like two roal
buds near a hardly blown rose! l lairls
! tre mblcd with delight, when | though