The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1875-05-26
Very soon he gave me fresh un.

ing, SlttlnR at work near the lamp, when
my old maid-servant ran in, and said, in
frightened whisper: "Only think
there's been, some one sitting on the
doorstep for the last quarter of an hour
I've watched him from the kitchen win
dow, and I'm afraid it's Wiesbauer
Franzl. Jesus, Maria, Joseph % she
added, "he's sure to knock presently,
and want to come in |"
Annoyed and curious, I hurried ND
stairs in the dark, meaning to open the
window softly and reconnoiter my visitor,
as it might be only harmless Journey
man availing himself of convenient
resting-place; but, in spite of my eau
tlon, the stranger heard me open the
window, and lookedup without changing
his position or uttering word.
1t was Wiesbauer Franzl. To pro
pltlate him, spoke first, saying, with
assumed friendliness: EDO you want
anything, Franzla Are you hungry2
shall bring you some food?" But the
rogue replied, with stoical shake of the
head: "You needn't trouble to do that,
Karl; I've had my supper, and I've got
further to go tonight. I'm only resting
Bit" Soon afterward he got up and
went his way.
When the first snow fell I left my
summer residence and went back to the
town, but my friend Franzl remained in
the mountains and continued his re-
QUESTIONS. I did not learn his further
adventures until my return the next
year.
One day, after an afternoon nap, he
fell into the hands of the bailiffs. He
was triumphantly lodged in the county
jail, and every one breathed more freely,
although no one felt perfectly safe then,
so indomitable was his bearing,
Fresh alarm was soon created on his
account. The very next morning had
scarcely dawned before the jailer was at
the doctors door, tugging at the bell
like mailman. 'sMake haste, doctor,
make haste " he cried. "Franzl has
hung himself in the night. I was on my
rounds, and I've just found him hang
ing from one of the window-bars. He
was stone cold, SO I didn't cut him
down." The doctor rushed TO the prison
and found everything exactly as he had
been told. In a fit of wild despair which
comes over energetic natures when all
escape seems out off, the bold robber
had determined to make an end of him
self. The doctor at once cut the linen
moose, cold water was thrown into the
poor fellows face; but it was all in
vain; he gave no signs of returning
animation. The news spread like wild
fire from place to place, and people
said it was Franzl's first useful action.
eff he's really gone," croaked some,
the wretch is not to be trusted until he
is actually in his grave"
Meanwhile, preparations were made
for the dissection, and the attendants
were about to undress the corpse, when,
behold the eyelids trembled, the mus
cles quivered, and the dead was re-
stored to life. It was high time, for
the dissecting knife lay ready upon the
table. And so the vital force of the
young criminal had triumphed over his
will, and, in spite of all his efforts, he
found himself still on this side the
grave.
He was restored to consciousness with
eve ry care, and taken back to his cell, to
be forwarded the next day to Munich, as
none of the authorities cared to have
the responsibility of him; the prison
itself seemed unsafe as long as he was in
it. He himself was doggedly submis-
sive, and seemed to be in very low
spirits. Instead of rejoicing in his res
toration to life, he was evidently medi-
tatlng some other desperate scheme.
The next daya farmers cart was hired,
and Franz, bound hand and foot, was
placed in it. The people stared inqulsi-
lively at the notorious prisoner, and the
equlpage slowly assembled the precipi-
tous road above the lake. Suddenly a
slight snap was heard, the fetters were
broken, the cart jerked violently, and
the culprit was gone Head foremost
he plunged into the lake; for a moment
the waves closed over him, the next he
was swimming rapidly away. AS none
of his escort could follow, OF rather as
all shrank from n hand d-to-h hand struggle
In the water, boat was got ready for
the pursuit.
In spite of the start he had had, the
sturdy rowers soon caught up with the
fugitive. But what then At first he
dived to battle his enemies, but, his
breath being soon exhausted, fearful
conflict ensued. AS it was impossible to
reach him by other means, some of the
men struck him on the head with their
oars whenever he came to the surface of
the water, hoping by this means to stun
him. But his iron skull was not to be
cracked, and as for seizing him and
dragging him into the boat, that was
quite out of the question, for he present
ly flung himself upon it like maniac
and tried to capsize it. The danger was
now all on the side of the pursuers. A
storm was rising, and it was found ad-
yisable to relinquish the pursuit for the.
time. With considerable difficulty the
little boat regained the shore, while the
fugitive found safe place of conceal
ment among the tall rushes on the banks
of the lake. When it was quite dark he
crept ont, and decided that it would be
good policy to disappear for time. For
weeks nothing further was heard of him,
and it was thought by many that he had