The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-12-03

placing his hat on the floor, he seemed
to lose himself i'm deep meditation. And
now, while we have very favorable
opportunity, let us examine him little
closer. Were 1t in our power to remove
that expression of bewilderment-which
however, has been very much diminished
since he entered the hOtel-we would un.
doubtedly pronounce his face to be that
of an intelligent and experienced person.
His aquiline nose, high eyebrows, and
ample forehead, betray an honest and
sensible man. His hair is of raven
blackness, long and straight, and regular
as fax. In form he is tall and rather
inclined to corpulency. In short, his
whole appearance is that of a man with
whom we would like to deal-with whom
we would like to talk, and laugh, and be
on terms of friendship.
"The stranger had been in his musing
position for about fifteen minutes, when
he suddenly lifted up his eyes, and
said,-
Gentlemen, what date ish dist"
The seventh of September, IVA,
answered several gentlemen, very seri-
Ously; for in spite of the Oddness of the
scene, none felt disposed to jest-the
strangers aspects were so distressed, and
yet earnest and confidential.
"'So dey say was the simple reply
but, after a short pause, he added :
Either all the world is mad, or am ;
and, taking up his hat, he went toward
the door.
"Stop, triend,' said one of the guests,
mildly. Can l be of any service to
your
"'Tell me de TRUTH said the strang-
er, respectfully bowling to the person who
had addressed him; tell me de truth,
on your honor, ish dis de town of Phila-
delphia and ish dis day de seventh of
September, 1774?-or have all de people
of dis place conspired against me, deter
mined to increase my dismay?'
1t is just as every one tells you |;
this is Philadelphia, and this the date
you have Just mentioned replied the
gentleman who had just before spoken to
him.
"Then listen to me %
Listen-whO can? Somebody at the
door again. How exceedingly annoy
ing!
"Doc, are you at home? Oh, I've got
a horrible toothache!"
Have you? Pm sorry for that-bad
company"
"And I want the offender taken out"
"Why, sonny, it is customary to take
offenders in."
eyes; and sometimes they take in
themselves. But want none of your
crackers, doc; set to work"
Separate your jaws, sir; we shall
soon catch him."
How annoying this country practice;
we must be dentists and everything.
"There, sonny, he is out"
"Heigho, doctor-Judy, that hurts"
cit is all over"
"Thank We fort. You're a writin';-
story, I'll bet, for Cooley wish l could
see it,"
"You shall see it, sonny, after it is
published. Good-by, that's good boy"
Good-by, doc" cried my youthful
customer, taking my gentle hint, and
leaving the room.
Now for the story. How excessively
annoying to be interrupted at the best
part of it!
"The stranger again took his chair,
and said (but / shall not follow his
Dutch pronunciation)-
q" My name is Petrus Von---. / was
born at Fort Orange, in the year 1915.
Two years previous to my birth, my
parents had come over from the Neither
lands. In the old country, they stood in
the first ranks of the common people
were respectable, honest and wealthy.
These circumstances were guarantee to
distinction in their new home. And my
father received that distinction for in
all political and industrial transactions,
which were in the hands of the citizens
of Fort Orange, he was certain to be
consulted, and his opinions generally
threw the preponderance into that party
with whom he thought it his duty to
side. In his veins flowed the unalloyed
Dutch blood; he was strenuous de-
fender of our rights, and fearlessly OF
posed the British aggressiOns. But he
died before the true crisis arrived death
saved him from the pain it would have
occasiOned him to see the New Neither
lards in the undisputed possession of our
enemies.
ellis opinions and his principles were
also mine. / would always have been
willing and ready to sacrifice my life for
my country. But this satisfaction was
denied me; You must be acquainted with
the shameful surrender which Petrus
Stuyvesant was compelled to make to the
English. Indignant at the conduct of
my countrymen, left the Province of
New York." as they now called the
country of Heinrich Hudson, with the
determination to look upon it no more.
At first, travelled North; but as l could
not agree with the strict Puritanism
practiced in New England, l turned my
self in another direction, and, after
wandering about for many years, at
length arrived in Philadelphia! am not
dreaming, gentlemen. Surely, / am
awake, am seated in hotel in--in Phil
adelphiaT'
"Here the confusion of the speaker in
creased; he blushed, and rubbed his
eyes, and looked about himself. After
moments pause, he continued,---
One day--it seems to me like yester-
day. went up the banks of the Schuyl-
kill, with my gun on my back to look for
some game. Not meeting with anything
worth shot of powder, / continued my
ramble for long stretch into the wild
and picturesque woods. Suddenly an old
nldu SJoOu DCiOIC HlCs lutTc WdS SOIne-
thing peculiar in his face, which discon-
certed me for moment; but pleasant
smile, which presently started in the
corners of his mouth, and played upon
his lips like Innocence herself, restored
the equanimity of my mind. With great
familiarity he took hold of my hand,
gave me a hearty shake, but quickly
came round with his other hand, grasped
me by the throat, threw me to the ground,
and, before ! could pray for mercy, he
overpowered me, tied cloth around my
eyes, and throwing me on his shoulder,
ran off at a rapid pace"
Reader, / am very nervous; the least
noise will disturb the equilibrium of my
mind. There is humming sound right
under my table, that ! must look after.
Oh, it's careless wanderer that fell into
a trap-a fly in spiders web. Well,
there is fuss, I'll declare, that the little
fly makes about herselfl How the poor