The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-01-21

"0ne minute,' he said. "Gen d'arme,
where is your permit?' s le
The gend arme looked astonished, but
did not reply.
Your permit?' repeated Zintorski.
You are aware that after midnight no
gen d'arme can enter private residence
without special permit from the burgo-
master?'
''Herr Graf" suffered the wretched
functionary, edging toward the door, " L
l regret that"
His courage failed him; he said no more,
but rushed down the stairs, followed by his
men, and in u minute we heard the door
close behind them.
Immediately upon their departure fresh
wine was brought in, and the orgies con-
tinued until about two o'clock, when the
party broke up. l had secured bed at a
house where had lodged in my student
days, and it so happened that my way lay
in II different direction from that of my
companions; | therefore bade them good
night, and started off alone. 1t was dull
murky night, with a sharp sleet driving
from the north; the only light shed upon
the wretched streets was from the oil-lamps
swung at intervals across the road. On
hastened, wrapping myself up in my large
coat, and meeting no one. Not a sound
did l hear until, just as 1 was reaching the
street where my lodging was situated
which turned up out Of one of the principal
dlees of the town, l thought distinguished
the sound of advancing footsteps. l lis
tened, and was convinced that my surmise
was correct but thinking nothing of it;
proceeded up the street. | had reached
my door, and was endeavoring to turn the
rusty piece of German mechanism sup
posed to be a key and mentally contrasting
it with my own neat Chubb at home, when
two men advanced toward me, followed at
some distance by a third. This could
just distinguish by the light of a neighbor-
ing lamp. AS the two men came up to me
one of them said, " Goodnight % "Good-
night p ] replied; I" or rather Good-morn-
ing for it must be almost that by this
time" The words had scarcely escaped
my lips when the foremost man hit me
tremendous blow between the eyes which
lit up a thousand candles before me and
knocked me violently backward. As my
back dashed against the door heard some
thing crash. In second 1 recollected
myself; it was the champagne bottle had
placed in my pocket when the gems d'armes
entered. In a second l grasped it by the
neck, withdrew it from my pocket, and
whirling it in the air, brought it down
with my full force on the head of my as
sailant. He gave one groan and fell heavily
to the ground, while the blood spurted
from the wound like fountain. His COM
panion turned and fled, while the third
man, who all this time had remained at
distance, also Immediately made Off My
state of horror can scarcely be imagined.
| knelt down by the mans side, bathed
his head with water, which was fortunate
enough to procure; / strove to stanch the
blood which was pouring from the wound.
l spoke to him--I offered him all my mon
ey if he would only look up. was in mo-
mentary dread of the arrival of the gen d.
armes, and of being conveyed to prison as
a murderer. For more than an hour did
remain in this fearful state The man nev-
er opened his eyes, but lay apparently in
lethargic stupor. No one came near me,
and my excitement was at its height, when
by the dawning light perceived a figure
nI IL, I
thought recognized the companion of the
robber Not word was spoken, and with
my assistance he raised his friend, twined
his arms around him and half carried, half
dragged him out of sight.
need scarcely say that did not go to
bed that night. | went in, struck light,
collected the few things l had unpacked
from my carpet bag, and, needless of my
friends and intended pleasure, hurried off
by the first train and returned at once to
England, SO apprehensive was of the
consequences
Two years passed, and heard no more
of my nocturnal adventure. had letters
from O'Scardon and from some German
friends, full of wonder at my sudden de-
parture, but giving no hint as to its cause,
and the circumstance had almost faded
from my recollection. Last autumn, how
ever, was again in Germany; and hearing
that an old tutor of mine had become Pro-
testant chaplain at the gaol of Verdun7a
place few miles from Dusselberg-I went
over to see him. He acted as my cicerone