The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-03-21

: accepted him.
: This response disconnected Hippel little
t bat he replied unmoved:
Then you did not love him, madame?
9 How is it possible to love a man ugly, mean
repulsive, and a miser?
/ Hippel arose and surveyed his person in
the glass. When he saw his fat, rudy cheeks
he laughed aloud returned to his seat and be-
gan to carve a chicken. Well, the burgo-
master may have been ugly, and repulsive,
but that proves nothing against me.
Are You one of his relatives: asked the host
ess IN surprise.
/. / never knew him 1 only say that
some are handsome and others ugly; and be-
cause my nose is III the middle OF nay face,
like the burgomasters, it does not follow
that ! am like him.
On, no, said the woman. you have 70 trait
of his family.
Well, l am not mise,, and that proves l
am not the burgomlster Bring Us two bot
ties OF your best wine.
The woman went out. and seized the occa-
sion to warn Hippel not to say anything that
might reveal his identity.
Who Do you take me for. Ludwig? he
turiously exclaimed You know | all no
more the burgomastar than you are, and to
prove it, my papers are all right.
He showed his passport The hostess
returned.
He read:
Medium height, nose large, Chick lips.
gray eyes, brown hair
"a little like him, said the woman, except
that he was a little bald.
Hippel passed his hand through his hair.
The bursomaster was bald. No one can
say am bald.
| The hostess thought that my friend was
crazy, but as he rose and pad her, she said
nothing.
| When we reached the door Hppel turned
to me. and in low voice said, let us 90.
Are you going to conduct me to the Gene
terry where the burgomaster reposes?
No, he replied; no, never. Do you wish 10
pracipitate me i'll the grasp of Satan?
|, stand by my own tomb! That would be
contrary to the laws Of nature. Do you not
think SO:
Calm yourself, Hippel You are at this
moment under the influence of invisible
powers. They draw you on by cords 50 thin,
so transparent, that We bannot perceive them
l. is necessary to break them and restore the
soul Of the bur5omaster, and that is only
possible at his tomb. Do You wish 10 be the
robbie of that poor soul: That would be a
theft, and | ain too we'll aware of your deli
cacy to suppose you capable o. such an in
fanny.
These invncible arguments cornered him
Ile "dlhtu ftlDlilN, uOlulu3 MS HaC N BIS
hand, his hair in disorder, and casting his
hands wildly about. like Il man about to ao-
compllsh the last act of despair.
We traversed several narrow streets, crossed
the old mill bridge, and then followed a mar
row path across a neighboring field, unul we
reached high wall covered with moss and
clemats. This was the cemetery. Ia enc of
the angles of the wall stood a little cottage,
surrounded by garden. Hippel entered
here and found the sexton; he was twining
immorteles on the wall.
My good man, [ exclaimed, conduct us
to the tomb of The burg ,master.
This is useless, replied Hippel, l know
where it is.
Without awaiting a reply, be opened the
door leading into the cemetery and ran like
one insane, jumping over the graves, shout
ing There it is There it is
Evidently an evil spirit possessed him. be-
cause he overturned white cross on his way.
crowned with roses. 1t was on the grave of
q child.
The sexton and | followed at distance.
The cemetery was very large. Green weeds,
thick and high, covered the walks; the hang
ing bouehs OF large cypress trees touched the
ground, but that which particularly attracted |
my attention was q trallIs against the wall |
covered with magnificent vine SO laden with |
grapes that the punches were pressed to-
gether.
While walking along together said to the
sexton, That vine there must bring you in a |
great deal?
Oh, sir, he replied, with down-cast and
troubled look, it yields me but little No !
one wishes those grapes. That which comes
from the dead returns to the dead.
| looked at him steadily He had false
look, and diabolcal smile played about his
mouth | doubted what he said
We reached the tomb, which was against
the wall. On its face was a thick vine covered |
with grapes. The roots penetrated the grave.
Large punches Of red and white grapes
sparkled III the sun.
You do not eat those grapes, ! said to the
sexton, but you sell them.
He turned pale and shook his head
You sell them to the village of Welche and |
| can name the inn where they drink Your
wine, too It is the ''Fleur de Lis.
The sexton trembled in every limb Hip
pei wanted to strange him, and it was with
difficulty that prevented him.
Villain, he exclaimed, you have made me
drink the soul of the bursomaster | have
lost my personality.
But all at once Il brilliant idea struck him.
He turned against the wall, put his finger
down his throat and relieved himself Of the
wine.
God be praised, he said, turning to me-
have returned to the earth the burgomaster's
soul, and | feel relieved Of au enormous
weight An hour later we pursued our jour
ney, and Hippel recovered bis natural sayety.