Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-11-01
From Once Week.
THE GREENFIELD MONSTER.

One February morning, ABOUT ten
years ago, a man of between SO and 40
sat in his lodgings, on the drawing-room
floor, in Museum street, London, writ
ing. His table was thickly strewn with
old books ana engravings, some of the
former lying open, others with numer- !
Gus slips of paper sticking out from be-
tween the leaves, to mark certain
pieces; for he was writing q history of
the drama backward, taking the nine
teenth century first, and then going to
the eighteenth; and, as he had accu-
mItlated enough manuscript for two
octave volumes without reaching
George Third's reign, and proposed to
get as close to the flood as ne could, it
threatened to be voluminous, exhaus-
tive, and costly work. Fortunately,
however, he never dreamed of its pay
inc. He was a bachelor with a fair in
come, riding his hobby-horse, and it
was cheaper than even thoroughbred
or even hack. Cheaper, but not con-
ducive to health, perhaps, for he look
ed pale and nervous. Indeed, his gen.
eraI appearance was delicate, his figure
small and slight, his hair and sparse
whiskers the color Of tow, his eyes weak
and prominent, and at any sudden noise
he startled. Even SO small matter as
the maid-servant opening the door
startled him, and it did not compose
his nerves that she should announce a
lady.
"A lady, What LADY," he asked.
ttShe wouldn't give her name," re-
piled the girl.
Ask her, tell -" he began. but
the entrance of the visitor in question,
closely yelled, cut the directions short"
He rose and hurried forward to offer
8 chair, SO disclosing limp.
Directly they were alone she raised
her veil; the man literally staggered
back and got hold Of the chair for sup
port.
"Hush p said the lady, placing her
finger on her lip as she went back to
the door which was op aned. Satisfied
that the girl had gone down stairs, she
returned and exclaimed:
90, Mr.. Peters Do you know any
thing of my husband ?"
The poor man sank down in a chair
and collapsed. 80 ~'s
His visitor searched about in a rapid
yet self-satisfed manner, and found
glasses and decanter in cupboard.
- Not that, not that he murmured,
as she offered him the peculiar sherry
which was left out for the benefit of a
thievish landlady; and fumbling for
his keys, he managed, though with
shaking hands, to unlock compart-
meut Of his writing table, in which a
bottle of the wine reserved for his own
drinking was always kept.
Wonderful is the instinct of self
preservation; a man going to be hung
at has b,, i known to refuse port at
s because he was subject to the govt.
When he had swallowed a couple of
glasses of wine, Mr.. Peters revived
little. Then the lady continued:
You do know something, or you
would not be SO agitated. On pray re-
Heve me from the horrible suspense.
cannot draw money Or anything until
there is some proof. Tell me is he
dead?"
Mr.. Peters shuddered. as
II don't know. How should I
know? I was not aware, when [ saw
you last, that you had a husband. What
makes you think"
&c will tell YOU" interrupted the
lady. I am now twenty-five. Seven
years ago [ was married to a monster.
He was old and frightful; but my pa
rents were very. strict, and thought all
pleasure wicked, SO that | was glad Of
an excuse to leave home, and when
they offered him to me took him with
out hesitation. He was rich, he made
good settlements; but, oh, his jealousy
was fearful. He did not shut me up
indeed he rather courted than stunned
society, for he had a horror of his DOM
1inant passion being suspected; yet any
pOdy could see it who had eyes, for he
could not conceal it a bit. It was not
my of me he was jealous. He had
,urreled with all his brothers and sis
sr because he thought his parents
AVID them best; he had a favorite dog
poloned because it grew too fond of
servant There would be no end to
ennnlerauo INSTANCES of his mania, for
it amounted to that; some of his ex-
Tavagances were quite inconsistent
with sanity. We never had a house of
our own, but wandered from place to
place, living principally On the CONT
nent; and, being utterly inexperienced
LII the ways of the world, I attributed
this to the love of travel and change of
EoCC1o, duU Q1Q .1OI discover mat MS resi-
iessness was in reality caused by the
cIvilty of some casual male acquaint-
ance toward myself, till after his first
duel!"
Duel! /"
Duel. He was born and bred in
Germany, and his ideas about many
thlng We're not at all English. I believe |
he considered killing one not as only
pleasant, but something to be proud
Mr.. Peters groaned.
Was it not shocking.?" continued
the LADY. I" Well, though his hair was
gray, he vas very strong and active,
and dangerous antagonist, too. I be.
ieve. with either small sword, sabre or
pistol.
1t was at Dieppe, and about six
months after our marriage, that [ was
first made an excuse for bloodshed. A
polite young Frenchman who had sat ,