Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1870-05-06
MISCELLANEOUS.
FORTY.FIVE MINUTES.
A TALE FOUNDED ON FACTS.


A FRIEND of mine who had Travelled
through Germany about ten years ago, re-
lated to me the following strange but true
story, which now Icy before the readers
of the GOldeN Ere:
While was riding in the mail.coach
which runs from Dresden to the Bavarian
frontier, L became acquainted with an
Engllshman by the name of Baron Dale,
who was travelling through Europe for
the pleasures of sightseeing. He was
well acquainted with the manners and
customs of the inhabitants Of different
countries; and as he had been in San
Francisco, he often spoke to me about the
prospects of California, for had told him
that had resided in that city since 1849
Only one thing was remarkable in his
fluent conversatioI-he never mentioned
the habits, dresses, ETC., of the women
who inhabit the different countries
through which he had travelled. Every
time mentioned the word "ladies" or
wives" he broke off and fell into deep
apd gloomy silence.
1t was late one summers evening when
the coach stopped at the Red Lions Inn,
the principal hotel of Bruckenau, small
but picturesque city of Bavaria.
During supper the Englishman spoke
about the beautiful scenery surrounding
the town, and offered to conduct me on
the following afternoon to an old Roman
tower that stands upon a high hill near
by the river that divides the city into two
equal halves.
l thankfully accepted his Invitation.
Had known what an awful scene 1 had
to pass through, would never have ac-
Companied him.
"Well, to make my story short, the
Rarnn onA I acnonHaH ha hil1 fho
tower we found waiter of the Red
Lions Inn, who had basket in his hand.
"Lunch very well; you may go"
said the Englishman, taking the basket.
The waiter was about to leave, when
the Baron cried out;
Stop; here is your t1Tnkgeld (fee).
Have you put my telescope in the bas-
The waiter said eyes," and with smil-
ing face left us. The Baron, who was
very rich, had given him louis.
"Come, mine Herr, let us enter the
sun is too hot close to these ancient
wallsl" said the Baron in excellent Ger
man.
followed him into large hall, in
which found traces of Roman sculpture
and part of a massive floor.
"What bad taste |" cried I as my eyes
oON6lu1 ulOlC dCGuSIOul6u VI LuC SGDll-
darkness. l saw wide modern staircase,
with broad steps and highly polished
rails, leading up to the second story of the
tower,
"That's what the citizens of Bruck-
enau said, and they added that Baron
Dale wa3 an eccentric fooll" replied the
Englsnman in a sarcastic tone.
Did you-?"
He interrupted my question. Yes, /
caused it to be built. This tower belongs
to me; bought it of the city corporation
for mere trifle. There was spiral stair.
case in the place of this one, and it was
too much like ascending the wheel of a
treadmill; so had it 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 as soon as you reach the battle.
meptsr'
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 word;
splendid lunch" sounded very strange
and looked into his face, which had as
sumed gloomy if not fiendish expression
while his eyes glared as if he hated the
very sight of me.
As soon as he perceived that was OBJ
serving him very close the expression o
his features changed, and in Cheerful
tone ne concluded
And while we are eating our lunch
Will tell you a tale about German woman
You know you have asked me about ladie:
before"
bowed and then hastened up stairs
Truly grand panorama of mountains
woods and valleys spread out before my
enraptured gaze. Far below me was tn,
ancient town of Bru ckenau, with its walls
and terraces, its churches and publ,
buildings, while surrounding it was {
double belt of tall poplar and bushy
chestnut trees, that looked like greer
frame in contrast with the tall gabieC
houses and dingy-looking churches. Be
Yond the town were patches of woodland
from the depths of which heard the bell
of cattle, while nearer and clearer camt
to my ears the song of a shepherd. "NoW
let us thank the Lordw
The vesper bells of neighboring con
vent seemed to join with the song, and in
voluntarily l joined in the simple bu
impressive song of the poor shepherd.
Lower and lower sank the sun. TIL
mountain tops reflected its red beams
and masses of clouds above them becam
edged with bright golden hues, whic
deepened into purple. then leaden gra,
became predominant and the veil of in
creasing darkness began to enVelop tn
valley.
This was a warning to me to hastel
down. There were three sections of tn
stairway. When reached the top of tn
last sestion 1 saw light. AT the sam
time voice cried, "Stop, or you are {
dead man !"
Hooked down. About fifty feet beloy
me stood the Baron, with candle in one
hand and double -barrelled pistol in tn,
other.
- "Why, my dear sir, you are crazy
Please put up your pistol; l do not lik
such practical jokes" cried /, with
forced laugh
"Practical joke, ha ha hal It's no
apractical joke, but stern reality Nv
got you in trap, sir /" answered he, fal
r tening the candle to the railing.
Iquickly passed my hand into my coa
pocket. A cry ofterror escaped my lips
my bowie.knhe and revolver were gon,
The Englishman perceived my motions
81 made sure of that" cried he, in tr
umphant tone; ~ took your weapon
while you looked through my telescop
II was my only means of preventing yo
from killing yourself, We have to fi.
hy-yes, fly, my manp
What did he mean by the word" fly u
knew that l had to deal with madmal
and the best way to deceive such peopl
was by humoring them. So 1 said, 9
calmly as l was able:
Baron, you promised to relate to me
story"
"Yes, / have not forgotten It'll" erie
he loudly; "but first will prepare OF
lunch"
With these words he took glass be
from the basket and placed it in a mich
close to the foot of the stairs; then l
took out hammer, which he laid besiC
IT, With his left hand he kept hold of h
pistol. Now is my time, thought /, as /
was bending down. jumped dow