The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-05-05
MISCELLANEOUS.
FORrY-FIyE MINUTES.
A TALE FOUNDED on FACTS.

While was riding in the mailcoach
which runs from Dresden to the Bavarian
frontier. | became acquainted with an
EBglshman by the name of Baron Dale,
who was travelling through Europe for
the pleasures of sightseeing. He was
well acquainted with the manpers 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 l had told him
that had resided in that city since 1S49.
Only one thing was remarkable in his
fluent cOnversatior-he never mentioned
the habits, dresses, etc, OF the women
who inhabit the different countri. q
through which he had travelled. ET.verv
time I mentioned the word "l.,,dies" ~.
." wives" he broke off and felr,. into deem
and gloomy silence.
I. vas late one sum. ,.ner'~ evening when
the coach stopped. a. tie Red Lions Inn,
the principal ..lotcl of Bruckenau, small
but plcturesqpe city of Bavaria
Dung supper the Englishman spoke
about iiss beautiful scenery surrounding
the town, and offered to conduct ,ue on
the following afternoon to an Old K,man
tower that stands upon high hill near
by the river that divides the city into two
equal halves
| thankfully accepted his invitation.
Had | known what an awful scene l had
to pass through, would never have ac-
companied him.
Well, to make my story short, the
Baron and ascended the hill. Near the
tower we found waiter of the Red
Lloyl's Inn, who had basket in his hand
Lunch very well; you may CO."
said the Enelishman, taking the basket
TIE waiter was about to leave, when
the Baron cried out:
"S:Op; here is your trinhgel1 (fee)
Have you put my telescope in the has-
ket."
TIE 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
walls," said the Baron in excellent Ger
man.
followed him into large hall. in
which | found traces Of Roman sculpture
and part of massive floor
What bad taste !" cried as my eyes
became more accustomed to the semi
darfncss. | saw wide modern staircase,
with broad steps and highly polished
rails, leading up to the second story of the
sower.
That's what the citizens of Bruck.
enau said, and they added that Baron
Dale was an eccentric fool!' replied the
EngliShman in n sarcastic tome
Did you? 2"
He interrupted my question. "Yes,
caused it 10 be built This tovyer belong;
To me; bought it of the city corporation
for mere trifle. There " asa spiral stair
case in the place of this one, and it wa.
too much ike ascending the wheel of {
treadmlll; SO had it torn down. Pleas,
take THIS telescope and ascend to the tor
OF the tower. Your ascent of over two
hundfed sters will be amply repaid by
1he pe'utlf' Il prospect that opens before
your Ssze as soon rs you reach the battle
At n pause he continued:
~ not wait for me- On your return
yo L Will find splendid lunch spread out
q 6 tne foot ef these stairs" The word;
"splendid lunch" sounded very strange
AMI looked into his face, which had as
sumcd gloomy if not tiendish expression
while his eyes glared as if he hated the
very sight of me.
As soon as he perceived that l was OBJ
serving him very close the expression o.
his features changed, and in a Cheerful
tone he concluded:
Ant while we are eating our lunch
viii tell you tale about German woman
You know you have asked me about ladies
before"
| bowed and then FASTENED up stairs
Truly grand panorama OF mountains
woods ana Talleys spread out before my
enrapturrd gaze. Far below me was tn,
ancien; r)wn of Bru ckenau, with its walls
and terraces, its churches and publ
buis;ings, while surrounding it was
dsuble belt of tall poplar and bush,
chestnut trees, that looked like greer
frame in contrast with the tall gable
houses and dingy-lOoking churches. Be
yOnd the town were patches of woodland
zrom the depths of which heard the bell
of cattle, while nearer and clearer cam
10 my ears the song Of a shepherd. NOV
let US thank the Lord ~
The vesper bells of a neghbOring con
vent seemed to join with the song, and in
voluntarily joined in the simple bu
impressive song of the poor shepherd.
Lower and lower sank the sun. TIL
mountain tops reflected its red beam:
snd masses cf clouds above them becam
edged with bright golden hues, whicl
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 haste
down. There were three sections of tn
stairway. When | reached the top Of tn
last section | saw light At the sam
time voice cried, Stop, or you are {
dead man y
looked down. About fifty feet beloy
m. stood the Baron, with a candle in one
hand and double barrelled pistol in tn
other.
why, my dear sir, you are crazy
Please put up your pistol; | do not lik
such practical jOkesr' cried /, with
forced laugh
"PracticaI joke, hai ha J hal It's no
practical joke, but stern reality. Tv
got you in a trap, sir ~ answered he, fas
tcning the candle to the railing.
quickly passed my hand into my Goa
pocket. A cry ofterror escap ped my lips
Iay bOwic-knife and revolver were gone
The Englshman perceived my motions
81 made sure of that" cried he, In a tr
umphant tone 81 took your weapon
while you looked through my telescop,
1t was my Only means of preventing yo
from killing yourself. We have to fl,
fy-yes, fy, my manl'
What did he mean by the word" fly
/ knew that had to deal with madmal
and the best way to deceive such peopl
was by humOring them. So / said, q
calmly as was able
"Baron, you promised to relate to me
story"
"Yes, | have not forgotten it erie
he loudly; "but first i Will prepare ou
lunch"
With these words he took a glass be
from the basket and placed it in mich
close to the foot of the stairs; then h
took out hammer, which he laid besid
IL With his left hand he kept hold OF hi
pistol. Now is my time, thought ], as b
was bending down. l jumped dow