Litchfield enquirer., 1874-11-26

 part of it. | shall start at seven o'clock in the evening, say Monday the 18th. want to walk over the road once, taking two or three days at it: you will go with me. of couEse. want to fix points in my lminds and see where I can make any shortcuts
 'sGood enough! But why do you chose seven o'clock in the evening to start? Strikes me, should prefer four or five in the morning.
 "A nice time that would be to arr1ve ct Baden. wouldn't it. Imagine having onr worthy judge meet me at the Kur- saal at that hour! Rather too pastoral. And don't you see, from here to Veil have good straight road, the best part of the whole, to take at night. If can walk on that at the rate of four to four and 8 half, have considerable gain by breakfast time, and also daylight for the hard places
 f And so 1t was finally arranged. F A week later Harry and I walked over the road carefully. and found several op lportunities to make shortcuts, which might or might not be useful when the time came.
 The 12th of May was the day fixed f. nally for the trial. A rain in the morning had made it as nearly perfect for such an occasion as I could have wished. The roads were just right, dusty nor day; and had slept the greater part of the afternoon. A little before six, he routed me out of bed; and we ate steak and a roll, and drank some very strong Icofee together Then I leisurely dressed myself in a suit of light-gray flannel, on the style of our old Harvard baseball 1 uniform,-loose shirt, we'll open at the Ineck, but trousers fitting like glove, and flight at the ancle. I wore in button FhOle little scrap of pale-blue ribbon. My cap was of white linen, such as is lworn by British officers in India, but mi nus the havelock. I confess to strange feeling of nervousness while I was getting ready; but it passed off quickly, and I felt myself again.
 At twenty minutes before seven, Lo- l benstein and Jim, who were to accom- pany me, drove up ln light one-horse affair: and Franz drove me down to the Konisbau, while Jim and Harry walked down together.
 was quite unprepared for the recep- tion was to receive there. A number of young officers. and quite delegation of our American colony, were on hand to send me of. Some of the officers were on hand to send me off Some of the of ficers were mounted, and proposed to ride up the Hasenberg with me, take supper there, and return. had said good-by to the Tyrells, Miss Pendleton, and Miss Wade in the morning. Miss Wade, with party, had already gone to Baden: the others were going in the morning train. I had hoped to see them there to say good by again; buts they were not there, and no one had seen them.
 It is close on seven o'clock. Three minutes two minutes minute. 'Are you ready?" I am ready; but I look up the Schloss Platz in the vain hope of see ing some one of the party whom I miss. No one in sight. Busy packing, I sup pose: still I should have thought she might have come to speed her knight, for I am going to this wager of battle" for her. and she has given the gage. "Seven o'clock. Go!" wave my hand to the ladies who stand there futtering their Fhahdkerchiefs. We are off.-Lobenstein and Wade in their Einspanner. Harry walking by my side, and the baron and quite a knot of boys on horseback.
 Up the Koingsstrass past the fountain, out on the beautiful new Riensburg, past the last house, fairly out into the open; the long, steep Hasenberg to be climbed. The officers are laughing and talking to- gether. l hear one or two small bets of fered and taken. The odds seem to be against me in every instance. I set my teeth, and make up my mind to win. I feel like the party in the story, who, start ing out on the prairies, before railroad times. painted on the wagon flap, "Pike's Peak, or bust" believe the old party "busted." l am mentally resolved not to. Harry is talking as we walk up together.
 "How do you feel, old boy? All right? Good! Don't let yourself out too much on this hill: hold yourself in for the level beyond. Got everything you need? By the by, put @ box of crackers and some sherry in the wagon with your coat; thought they might come handy"
 They are sure to; and thank him. By this, we have reached the summit Way below us lies the most beautiful city of South Germany. garden indeed, as its Neckar, and gliding all the windows in the city, is wonderfully beautiful
 Here they all leave us, except Harry, and the boys in the wagon. I call out to the baron, "We meet tomorrow on the terrace at Baden. Au reuoir!" His an- swer is indistinct
 A pleasant surprise awaits us here Just over the brow of the hill, there stands carriage waiting for us to come up,-a surprise to me, but evidently none to Har- ", who recognizes, even more quickly than do, the party we had missed below, Mrs. Tyrell, her daughters and Miss Pendleton. The former lady calls out, as we approach,-
 'sYou must have started we'll on time. MT. Gray. We expected to wait here some little while yet As We are to be the first to receive you, we want to be the last to say good-by: so we intend driving along with you little way
 - l express my delight at the arrange ment, and take up my station by the side of the carriage where Miss Pendleton sits: and, 80 walking, the conversation becomes general. They are to take train for Ba- den early Tn the morning, and arrive there about noon. They will dine, and get little settled, then go to the Kursaal. and spend the afternoon, listening to the mu- SIC, and waiting for me. I can scarcely be expected before seven; but they might as well be there as in their hotel. They accompany us to the woods where the road branches of to Castle Solitude. As the carriage turns to leave us, Ada, lean ing over the side, whispers, ''No failure, Sir Knight! Remember that. see you have your knot of ribbon Beware lest you fail, and it has to be given to the bar on." Then, as press her hand for mo- ment in saying good-by, promise again to be worthy of the colors.
 Harry is up on the box to return with the ladies. Be careful of yourself, old boy! If you can make Hengstett by eight o'clock in the morning, I think you are safe. Jim will telegraph progress to me, when he has opportunity. Good-by!' The ladies wave their hands. raise my cap; and we are left on the road.
 A glance at my watch shows how slowly have walked. Five minetes to eight. and only three miles SO far. Now for some real, hoEest workl Four miles or so of wood cutters road. then out on the post-road again. It is darkening rapidly; but I have no real - q