Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1873-06-14
MfaiseeIIaneoms. q s.
THE VAMPIRE.

TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN BY T. BRAAM.
1t was in the fall of the year 1S-, and
was still an old student, with high aspiring
plans in my head and the dream-god OF
future fame in my heart. The hustle of
the capital disturbed me, and its social
pleasures had no attractions for me. Dur
ing the day l freQuented, diligently, col
lege-lectures and hospitals, and at night
often sat studying over my books until
daylight. In the same way as | had here
toiore been absorbed with predilcction in
the mysterious history and writings of the
middle ages, l was now enticed by the his
tory of nature and its phenomena, of which
philosophy and physiology have not yet
found the cause.
The vacation had commenced when
set out on a trip to my old home, for recrea-
tlon. The village, which is concealed
among the mountains, is, even yet without
any railway connections, and concluded
to walk with knapsack on my back the
distance from the nearest railway station
to my home, several miles. 1t was noon
when left the train, and 1 only expected
to reach the end of my Journey toward
night. The part of the country through
which my way led was very rich in forests.
The leaves already commenced to tall hu.
the foliage which was left on the trees dis
played the most beautiful colors in the
golden rays Of the autumn sun. and the air
was filled with fragrant odors.
With extended chest and upifted head
l walked on with elastic step. Nature it,
self, which had forgotten while studying
natural history, refreshed me. Toward
evening strong wind drove the clouds
together with great swiftness. Heavy
r.If n n.1 IN, fall l,a la,x
and then all delight and every radiance was
wiped away from earth, n dark gray sky
hanging over the half naked trees and FUN
ing meadows. l was soon dripping wet
and glad to reach the small city of R.,
which only noticed among mist and rain
and quickly growing darkness, when
stood before Its ancient walls.
looked around ON the deserted market
place for the hotel--The Red Lion, where
had once waited the age-coach on my
way to the University. A light was burn
ing IN the doorway, and while turning to-
ward the sittns-room my eye fell on bill
with gigantic letters posted on the wall /:
For the first time in this city, tomorrow
evening, the grand spectacle The YAM
pre- Admission, &c'
went directly up to my room, changed
my wet clothes for Sunday suit, the only
one my carpet-bag contained, and sat down
near the fire. When the waiter brought
in my supper he laid theater bill on the
table in front Of me.
Taking the paper in my hand / asked
him Since when have you theater in
B-rn
We have always had theater, but not
always theatrical company. The present
director. however, is doing II good business
N 70 ha .,,s.
performance, and last Saturday all the OIL
GERS from D came oyer to see Miss
Leonita in her great part OF louisa Miller
in. The piece which will be given to-mor-
row evening is said 10 be expressly written
for her.
l could not help smiling. The Vam-
pire' was, without doubt, an old English
melo drama, which recolected since my
first study years at the college. l looked
over the bill. Yes there were the English
names TO which the director had added
short, characteristic explanations.
read:
Sir Grcville Lillburne, n0blcman of
very arlstocratic family. poor, but lroud
aud jealous. Marsden, the YAM
pire, phantom-like fcnd, who renews
his life by sucking Lhe blood from other
persons
That is her father, said the waiter.
Whose father p
Miss Leonita's father a good old soul,
but somewhat weak in his legs
Ia she very lovely girl p
That she is.' He turned his eyes in
rapture upward TO the ceiling. But alas,
she won't stay with us much longer. A
gentleman from the capital will arrive here
tomorrow, and it is said that he has en-
gagged her for the Royal Theater. II
you
Enough interrupted him.
Il wish you goodnight, sir.'
Goodnight
1t did not stop raining, The water ran
down in the gutter near the window.
From time to time the storm turned to-
ward the house; it groaned and cracked
outside in the hall, aud tie shadows on my
bed-curtains moved backward and forward.
| could not sleep. The theater bill had
given my thoughts a peculiar direction.
What is superstition in the history Of YAM
prism What ia truth Living persons
iancied themselves attacked by the dead.
who sucked their blood, until they we're
afflicted with illness aud died. The news
papers announced in the 18th century that