The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-04-04

U
picions beneath the guiso of affability.
After supper he ordered servant to
bring box that was still in his carriage.
Tottleben Immediately prepared to retire
to bed, and the landlord to light him to his
chamber.
"Do you know madam said Tottleben
laughing as he addressed the wife, "that
should much prefer being conducted to my
dormitory by my kind hostess. am SO
superstitious as to fancy I always sleep
as well again when a handsome woman
shows me to my bed as when a man at
tends me-"
AT this proposal the woman looked a
little disconnected, and showed no great in
clination to perform the Office. The Count
still continuing his jocular strain, put the
candle into her hand, and took hold of her
arm, observing that she ought not to re-
fuse the future godfather of her child such
q trifling qualification, and that she might
take her conjugal partner along with her.
By these, and other representations of
similar kind, he at length prevailed on her
to accompany him, followed by her hus-
band.
They entered the chamber. Herr Tottle-
ben, as soon as he had alighted from his
carriage, had hung upon a nail double
barrelled carbine, full charged with ball
and which he invariably carried with him
in the course of his travels. He took good
care not to cast single look at it before
the proper time. But while the woman
was setting the candle on table near the
window, and when she was just going to
wish him goodnight, he quickly took
down the weapon, and stepped still more
hastily between the landlord and his wife.
In voice which suddenly passed from jest
and laughter to the sternest tone of COM
mand, he said, in imperious accents, =" No,
my good woman ; we are not going to part
from each other so abruptly -
The hostess turned pale but made no re-
ply.
"On this chair, and at this table, you
must sit down and pass the night in my
company" said the Count, in voice of
thunder.
"Impossible explained the landlord.
"What my wife pass whole night in a
gentleman's room ?'
"Even So" returned the traveller 81 am
not joking. Nor, indeed, to say the truth,
don't think was ever so serious in the
whole course of my life and mark you,
mean to have my way. 1 pass my word
and honor as gentleman that your wife
shall be treated with respect and considera-
ton while she remains with me. But, at
the same time, must inform you that on
the slightest noise at the door of tho cham
ber-on the least opposition on your part,
or any other-on the least attack upon my
self one of the balls with which each of
of these barrels is charged shall rid you of
your wife. This swear by my hope of
salvation -
The landlord and his wife would sooner
have expected dissolution of nature than
such an address. Both were silent for a
moment, and then both strove as best they
could to get out Of the difficulty. The
woman piteously entreated him to permit
her to go, and threatened swoon, but her
efforts were in vain. The husband was at
first at loss to conceive what all this
meant. He then had recourse toentreaties
and protestations, assuring the Count that
he was as safe in his house as though he
were in his own home. At length, finding
that nothing availed, he threatened to re-
pei force by force, and to call his people to
his assistance. Tottleben's presence of
mind did not forsake him. ,.I .I..f r.
81 have no doubt, sir,p said he, 'that
you have plenty of people and customers
at hand, but they are not so near as to
rescue your wife from death. If but dog
approaches-if but hand is raised against
mel will stretch her lifeless without pity
or remorse Besides the two barrels in my
carbine, have a pair of pocket pistols ca
pable Of doing excellent service. may be
overpowered, confess but at least three
or four men shall accompany me, and this
charming woman shall 60 first TO show me
the wayl This is my mode of procedure /;
it is one / have had occasion to adopt in
other houses Of public resort besides your
own. If you do not like it, take care and
let my horses be fed and put to my car
riage very early to o.morow morning, Now
begone without delay This chamber is
tonight my apartment y .., ~, !;
The woman sat down, and the man with
drew. In this extraordinary situation the
remaining couple passed the night.
At the break Of day, came Tottlehen,s