The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1870-05-24

from the shores of California to the
frontiers of Bavaria The following
words which the Englishman uttered
confirmed what l had Thought
Yes, he and | travelled in one coach,
ate at the same table, drank good health
to each other, went together to this
tower. His name is Herman Caller, and
You, thrice damned villain, are the
man.,
lsprang to my feet.
tits lie; l never saw your wife /
never saw nor heard of you before l met
You at Dresden. My name is Herman
Caller, | look like the student you de-
scrlaa, but Iswear to you, BY the eter-
nal God above us, that ] am not the
man you saw at tie foot of this tower at
the time your wife left you!"
A. terrible laugh came from his ashy
lips as he swung the hammer around his
head
Very plausible, indeed; but believe
not word of it. Thou, fend, art in my
power. 1t is just FIVE minutes more, and
this candle dies. Then we, too, will die
But no, not die--we will fly into eternity
with the noise of thunder and with The
fash Of lightning
"What do you mean by the word
'fyr" shouted with impotent rage.
'Ha ha ha! thou stupid fool Cast
thy false eyes toward that glass box. 1t
contains tDenty pounds Of percussion
poVder. One stroke with this hammer,
and we, together with this tower. will fly
into the air. Ha! ha ha! it will aston.
ish the natives of Bruckenau; it will
arouse them feom sleep, The falling
stones will crush III their dull skulls. /
rejoice at this, for thou vert born in this
accursed town. Ha! only three min
utes more!' cried he, looking at his
watch, which he held close to the flicker
ing light of the expiring candle
Three minutes more, and / am in eter-
nifty! Good God! what fearful
thought! I, who felt so happy, so full
of life and health l, who came to Ger
many with the certainty of marrying the
girl l loved in my syouthful days, the
maiden who had waited ten long years
for my return, because she believed me
true to my VOWS. And have to perish
Was there no means of escape? Hook
ed down A black chasm- yawned at my
feet, for the madman had removed part
of the stairs. knew l was not able to
leap across the gulf--it would be suicide
to attempt it.
"Itco minutes" came like death
knell to my ears. The Englishman was
still leaning against the railing and shad
ing the candle with his hands to prolong
its life Where was DOW my hope of
escaping him in the darkness 2
My entire former life passed with light
ming flash through my throbbing brain.
! remembered the joyous scenes of my
boyhood, my first love, my departure for
the, to me, unknown lands beyond. the
ocean / thought again heard the
words of my dear mother as she gave
me her blessing. "Be good boy, Her
man; fear God, and do no one wrong"
were her last words as she pressed me to
her bosom, Then I departed. The
voyage to the United States, my struggle
with poverty, my adventures in the far
West, my success in the gold mines of
California, my joyful return to my faith
crland all, all, rushed and surged
through my mind. -
"Oae more miaute.' Pray to God for
thy iniquity." came from below. But |
could not pray, though I felt calmer, as
the last moments were approaching.
What was that! Something vague
and unde6nable, which soon assumed
shape, came quickly to my minds eye.
l saw the'sports of my boyhood. Prov
idence oil wise and unerring, had shown
me the means of escape. Often l had
sat, like one upon horse, on the top of
the ratings and slid with great velocity
down its smooth surface. There pds a
railing before me no,cl
The Englishman still leaned against
it.
Quick, Herman, ere it is too late!
The next moment 1 was on the railing.
l felt the air whiz past me. l felt that
my extended feet struck something
which yielded to the impetus. heard a
dull crash; a terrible cry followed-then
[ remembered no more.
When / awoke l realized that | was
lying upon something soft. l stretched
out my hands-,a cry of terror escaped
nay mouth. ] had touched the face Of
the dead Eleanora. l had fallen into
the coffin
Again lost my senses
When awoke l found myself in bed (,
my father, mother, and my affianced bride
were standing by my bedside. They
told me that IN the morning a shepherd
had found the door Of the tower closed.
He looked through the keyhole and saw
a dead man. He returned to the town,
telling every one he met on the way the
fearful sight he saw. The door was bro
ken open l was found insensible. The
Baron Dale was dead A broken rib
had penetrated his heart. In his memo
randum book was found detailed ac-
count of his life, and with pencil he
had written his intention of destroying
himself and me, whom he supposed to
be The betrayer of his wife. The glass
box did contain white decorating pow
der, such as is used in filing percussion
caps.
MY true narrative is soon ended.
Six months passed away ere l could
leave my bed, aud months elapsed ere |
regained my health. married and re
turned to San Francisco. am not quite
positive if the Englishman was mad, for
he had laid his plans well.
Mine was singular escape from sud,
den death. Those dreadful forty .fr e
minutes, during which | was at the mercy
of fiend, are indelibly impressed upon
my memory,-Gotden Era.
EgThe Prussian Government has
military maps of every foot of its terri
tory so complete that every hill, ravine,
nrooklnt field and forest. is delineated