Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-05-12
roRrY.nvE xNUTEs.


A TALL gUuHDKD Oh YAc1s-
A YKrExD OF mine who had Travelled
through Germany shout ten yesfr ago, re-
lated 10 me DIE following strange but true
story, which now lsy before the readers
Of the GsJd~ Era: PSI
While WAS riding in the mail coach
which ruiis from Dresden 10 the BavsrlAn
| frontier. I became acquainted with an
| Englishmsn by the name Of Baron Dale,
who was travelling through Europe for
the pleasures of Sightseeing. He was
we'll Acuuairted with the manners and
1 customs OF the inhabitants Of different
countries; and e he had been In San
| Francisco, he often spoke 70 me about the
prospects OF California, for I hsd told him
| that / hSd resided in that city since 1913.
Only one thing was remarkable IN his
| fluent conrerssiior-he never mentioned
tie habits. dresses, ETC., Of the women
who inhabit the different countries
through which he had Travelled. Every
time nensicoed the word ladies or
wives" be broke of and fell into deep
SD gloomy silence
Ii wss hate one summers evening when
the coach stopped At the Red Lions Inn,
the principal hotel OF Brakeman, 9 small
but picturesque city OF Bavaria
During suppe, the Englishman spoke
shout the hesufiful scenery surrounding
the town End offered 10 conduct me On
the following afternoon 10 sr Old Roman
.ower thsf sands upon g high Hill near
by the river thai divides the city into two
bGual haareg
/ thankfully accepted his invitation
Had known whist 81 awful scene / had
70 pass through, would never have &C
e,oBpAr5ed ham
well, 10 make Fey story short, the
Baron and / assembled the hill Near the
tower We found . waiter Of the Red
Lions Inn, who had 8 basket IN his hand
"Lunchs-very vel: you may 60"
saia the EnElishman, taking the basket.
The waiter IVES about 10 leave, when
the Baron cried out:
"Ssop; here is your tr1n1gssd lfee).
Have you put my telescope In the bss-
kef y"
The winter said s'yes," and with snil-
ing face left us The Baron, who wss
very rich, had given him lonig-
Come, mine Herr, let us enter the
sun If too hot close TO these ancient
wallis" sxid the Baron in excellent Ger
man
/ followed him into q large hall, In
which found traces Of Roman sculpture
and part OF o massive 1ooY.
Whist bad taste !" cried a. my eyes
became more accustomed 10 the semi
darkness. ] Saw wide modern staircase,
with broad steps and highly polished
rails leading up 70 the second story Of the
tower.
"Ths.,s what the citizens of Bruck-
enau said, and they added that Baron
YA.1x Al <<<..x~.S 80. fr.<,F vss.ttrd the
Knglishman in safcas tic tine.
did YOU
he interrupted my question. "Yes,
caused it TO be built. This tower belongs
10 me; / bought IL of the city corporation
for q mere trife. There was spiral stair
case Ia the place Of this one, and it was
too much like ascending the wheel of q
treadmilI; 80 had IL torn down. Please
take this telescope and ascend to the top
of the tower. Your ascent Of over two
hundred steps will be amply repaid by
the beautiful prospect that opens before
your gaze az soon ~ you reach the battle
meDts"
After pause he continued:
DO not wait for me. On your return
you will find splendid, lunch spread out
at the foot Of these stairs" The words
"splenJid lunch" sounded very strange,
and looked into his face, which had as
sumcd gloomy IL not fendish expression,
while his eyes glared a. If he hated the
very sight of'me.
As soon as he perceived that l was OBJ
serving him very close the expression OF
his features changed, and In cheerful
tone he concluded:
"And while we are eating our lunch
win tell you a tale about German woman.
You know you have asked me about ladies
before"
I bowed and then fastened up stairs.
Truly grand panorama OF mountains,
woods and valleys spread out before my
enraptured gaze. Far below me was the
ancient town of Bru ckenau, with its walls
and terraces, Its churches and public
buildings, while surrounding II was a
double belt of tall poplar and bushy
chestnut trees, that looked like green
frame in contrast with the tall gabled
houses and dingy looking churches. Be.
yond the town were patches OF woodland,
from the depths OF which heard the bells
of cattle, while nearer and clearer came
t0 my ears the song of q shepherd. "Now
let us thank the Lordr
The vesper bells Of neighboring con-
vent seemed to Join with the song, and in.
voluntarily ! joined in the simple but
impressive song of the poor shepherd.
Lower and lower sank the sun. The
mountain tops reflected Its red beams,
and masses OF clouds above them became
edged with bright golden hues, which
dccpened into purple, then leaden gray
| became predominant and the veil of in
creasing darkness began 70 envelop the
valley.
| This was warning to me to hasten
down. There were three sections OF the
stairway. When reached the top Of the
| last section / saw a light. At the same
time voice cried, "Stop, or you are q
dead man r.
/ looked down. About fifty feet below
me stood the Baron, with candle in one
hand and double .barrelled pistol In the
other.
"Why, my dear sir, you are crazy
Please put up your pistol; / do not like
such practical jokesW cried /, with 9
forced laugh. 9G
practical Joke, hs ha hal It's not
q practical Joke, but stern reality. I've
got you in . trap, sir = answered he, fas
tening the candle to the railing.
IQuickly passed my hand into my coa'
pocket. A cry Ofterror escaped my lips
NV howie-knif and revolver were gone