Middletown transcript., 1873-12-20


ed pitchfork; then leaning compssedly
backward. hs addressed Carl, who. as be-
foro stated, was pcrehcd upos his three
legged rostrum, pretty nearly stunned
with terror.
play us tune, old boy"
Whether i. was disinclination 10 obey
this command, or whether fear and terror
had paralyzcd the sense Of hearing. We do
not pretend 10 elect. but another summons,
like a blast from brazen throat" Old
boy. dye hears l say play away
brought response from the victim.
I'LL can't don't want to-"
..You must"
..Its too late"
Then you must begin the sooner; come,
play away"
II cannot, indeed besides, its Christ
mas morn and on Sunday, too"
That's no reason for me Come dye
heart begin, say-Allegro. ma non pres
to--cut with it, and leaning forward he
snatched up his fork in an attitude of hos
tility, the prongs Of The tripod glissening
and glimmering like the sheen Of burnish-
ed silver.
This offensive movement had its effect
upon Carl and in small measure regain
ing foriitudc and composure. he trembling
u enquired who the stranger might be.
II am His Satanic Maiesty's Ambassa-
dor Extraordinary and Minister plcaipo-
teutiary from the regions Of Pluto to
Earth, and my grand mission in calling
upon you is TO inspect your skill in per
forming upon that instrument, for my In
perial Master desires to employ you as
chief musician in his Kingdom Besides,
the weather outside is sadly at variance
with the warm receptions we practice in
our doulinieus Come, play US tune :
/ The perspiratiou oozcd aud issued from
every pore in poor Carls skin, and his
hair shot up on end, like quiis upon tho
/
coming. and at so shert notice, citizen
Of another world so fearful aud nneom.
Portable But wha, could ha do Mount
ed upon stosl in remote corner of the
rom, with 10 instruments af defence but
his violin and how. in the power Of a De.
mon be never before saw. heard or even
dreamed of. and that vllain1as iormcntor
armed with weapon - Formidable that
It's very glisten chilled and curdled his
yery blood What dilemma. If he al
tempted resistance. ii must be esiden, be,
ysnd doubt that lie would be oyerpe.er.
ed and perhaps be deprived Of his lfo. Il
he made a noise or attempted 10 alarm the
neighbofhooa or called to his - better
half. who was still snoozing. unconseiou,
! Of what was befalliag her unfortunate part.
ner, he wuull most assaredly be transdxej
or mraled, or pinned 10 tho wall like 0
beetle. by no means an enyiablc position
when, upon reflection, it is discovered il
fork
This chain OF reasoning induced him te
believe that resistance would he haxardou,
in ths extreme: he would try expostula.
tion, aud hc was ljus, emerging from thi,
, mental reyefie, and upon the point o
+ broaching the argument, when the stontor
ian voice Of his visitor again in,piuged up
I'm his lympannum, =" Play US tune,
old boy come. give US Lor est aae chi.
+ mere. of Meyerbeer flom Rober. 40,
trappo, presto; now y
! = 1t will not do indeed i, will no
do ii, is too late, and am
), canuo, help it, you must begin. now
/ Gfasioso. pi.sirato, bsgin say. =
Carl was about 10 reply. bu, he sool
found all eypos.ulation would be in win
) Ills auditor would listen to no argument
) whatever. Immediate submission h,
, impera,isely demanded. Any movement
+ AL hbitam was out of the question. II,
. was partial to Solos, and decidedly AYERS
r to Duets, 1,.,os and Qniatetfs. A Hour
; ish Of tho three. .pronsed instrument, tn,
/ metal Of which flashed before the light o
, the candle, impressed the truth Of thea
remarks upon Carl's mind, and when h
. observed, too that bis gold which, to him
/ was infinitely more precious than any 9th
] er possession, he thoaght it wissst an,
/ best to submit To him, tho atmospher
: Of the room s,neiled strongly ,ulphurous
: stream Of pho.phoresccnt light issue
. from the mouth of the Tsr.arian Ambas
ssdor. aud vivid coruscations Of fame wer
! emitted from his metsor-liks eyes. Al
most rc,riiisd with fear, and apparentl
unconscious Of the movement. Carl DIRE,