The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1875-08-13

'iohduu, Whele lC was yet only known by
report. The most complete success at
tended this journey. Wherever they went,
spectators crowded to the exhibition to wit
ness the triumph of the automaton, who
generally kept his ground against his an
tagonists, and came off victorious, in spite
of the advantage which he permitted to
his opponent liz giving him the pawn and
move.
The exhibitor and his assistant went on
for some time in perfect harmony ac-
counts were settled between them at every
halting place, and each was perfectly salts
fled. 1t happened, however, on one of
these occasions, that NJ. Maelzel remained
debtor to his assistant for a considerable
sum, and as weeks and months passed by,
he still had some pretext for omittinp its
payment. At length year had passed
without producing the desired settlement,
and VI. Mourel, weary of this delay, found
the means of frightening his companion to
his proper duty.
The automaton was then at Amsterdam ::
the King of Holland sent one morning to
engage the eXhibition-room at the same
time ordering a sum equal to three thous-
and francs to be paid to NJ. Maezel The
latter went joyfully to announce the good
news to his associate they breakfasted
together, and were delighted at the thought
of entering the lists with a crowned head.
NJ. Maelzel then FASTENED to make such
preparations as should make the exhibition
as brilliant as possible. The performance
was to commence at half-past II at noon.
Twelve O'Clock arrives, and it is time for
Nj. Mouret to take his station in the chest.
But he has not yet arrived, and Mr.. Maezel
hastens to find out the cause of the DELAY.
What is his surprise to find Mouret in bed,
and seized with convulsive trembling.
''What do | see? What is the matter ?,'
exclaimed MaeIzel
81 have fever" said his artful assist
ant.
HWhy You were very well just now -
eyes, but this is a sudden attack
'The king will be here presently.
''lle must go back again.
''But what can | say to him?''
''Toll him the auromaton has got the
fever"
''No more Of this folly"
Il don't wish to joke with you.''
'Then pray get up"
''Impossible'
LET me call physician"
cit is of no use.''
els there no means of subduinp this
fever?"
''Yes, one only"
''What is it ?''
''To pay me the 1900 francs you owe
me-
''lou shall have them this evening"
mo, no, this moment
Nj. Maelzel saw too plainly that there
was no alternative, and went to fetch the
money. The cure was wonderful the au-
tomaton was never attractive before
The king did not actually play, but he
advised his minister of war, who played for
him. The pair were completely beaten by
the automaton, but all the blame of the
defeat was, of course, thrown upon the
minister.
Another anecdote is related of the auto
maton to the following effect In one of
the towns of Germany a conjuror had been
exhibiting his various tricks, to the delight
and amazement of the Inhabitants " hen
the arrival of. the automaton presented a
still more powerful object of attraction,
and left the poor fellow without an au-
dience. Annoyed and jealous at the repu-
tation of his rival, he went to be himself a
witness of the new performance, and from
his in ha ..,fn e
he felt convinced that the chest contained
hidden player. He thel efore began all
at once to raise cry of Fire. i'm which
he was seconded by one or two companions.
The spectators we're seized with the great
est alarm, in which, strange to say, the
automaton participated, and i'm his fright
upset his adversary and tottered about as
if he were mad. Happily NJ. Maelzel, who
preserved his presence of mind, was able
to push him behind a curtain, where he
soon became quiet, and recovered his usual
dignified bearing. The alarm of fire was
soon discovered to be false, and the cor
juror did no: gain anything by his attempt
to undeceive the company. After this
event NJ. Maelzel, in giving directions to
cdhuiuaIe ior the oi1lce or concealed player,
was accustomed to say, eff you hear
cry of fire, don't stir will come to your
help
The automaton was afterwards taken to
North America, where it was exhibited,
during several years, in the principal towns
of the United States and Canada. South
America then received visit from this
wonder of the age, and, after due exhib-
iton of its powers, the automaton finally
sank into oblivion, and was deposited in
lumber room in New York, where, we be-
lieve, it still remains, never again perhaps
to be the means of exciting curiosity or in
terest.-Hartford Times.
COUPLE of disputatious neighbors were