The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1876-08-17

| than boys, ana aS dlSSlm1laf In character
as possible. -
lucrcce de Precy, then fifteen years
old, was a sombre and almost misan-
thropic person. OF slender build, he
had never manifested much liking for
the pursuits of the young scions of noble
houses. He disliked fighting and sport.
was passionately fond of books, and,
above all things, an enthusiastic student
of astronomy His favorite resort was
| an old tower on a wooded hill in the
neighborhood, which in medieval times
had been used as lookout by the
knightly noblemen of Touraine. From
the top of the tower Lucreees del Precy
often made astronomical observations,
| in which he spent there occasionally
whole days.
AS time wore on, his predictions for
this lonely spot grow stronger and strong
| er. To show m appreciation of his at
tachment to it, he had o tall flagstaff
| erected on the top of the tower, over
| which thenceforth foated the banner of
the noble house.
Young Charles de Montbaisson was
| widely different character. His tastes
were singularly gross. He was cruel to
animals, and had on one occasion beaten
servant so severely that the latter had
died in consequence. The noble young
murderer had not even been arrested
for this shocking crime, so great were
the privileges of the aristocracy yet. 1t
remained for the great revolution to
avenge the crimes it had committed SO
long, with such reckIessness and impu-
nifty. OF his hatred of young M. de
Precy, Charles de Montbaisson had made
no secret.
'I shall kill the young rascal one day,
he had repeatedly said.
People who heard him utter these
words believed that, when grown up, he
would challenge young Precy, but they
had no idea that he intended to put
him to death in a widely different man.
ner.
One day, in 1856, Charles de Mont
baisson returned from journey to Italy
where he had been for over year. On
the same evening he secretly repaired
to the tower, where he had ascertained
that Lucrece de Precy was still watch
ing the silent stars. When near the
tower, Charles stood still. A glance at
the top window of the tower. which was
lighted, showed that the last scion of the
house so hated by the Montbaissons was
there.
With chuckle Charles said to ,n,a-
self
81 have got him as rat in trap.
This time no Montbaisson will fall in
the combat, but Precy will die-and die
how %
His savage expression, as he uttered
these words, showed that he had con-
ceived terrible scheme for the Staying
of his unsuspecting adversary.
Lucrece de Precy was on that even
ing in better spirits than usual. The
| night WAS clear and the stars unusually
bright. He had been for hours watch
ing through his telescope various con-
stellations particularly interesting to
him, when he suddenly heard noise in
the tower.
It was close to the entrance. The tow
er contained an old wooden staircase
which led to the platform on its top.
Young Precy listened a moment. ard
then he heard the noise again.
sWho is there 81 he shouted down.
'Is that you, Lucrece de Prccy2"
asked threatening voice below.
eyes"
'I am your friend, Charles de Mont
baisson p
Young Precy was silent for few mo-
ments. Then he said
'sOf course you are not my friend,
Monsieur de Montbaisson. But will you
tell me what you want in this tower
You know it is my property, and have
a notion to have you punished for in
truding here"
cha ha ! ha |" laughed Montbais-
son.
''By the escutcheon of my ancestors"
cried Precy, stung by the scornful
laughter of the enemy of his house, II
shall have you fogged by the game
keeper if you ever show your face here"
''Reallyl really" replied Montbais-
son, mockingly. "What terrible boy
you are But tell me what the stars, in
which you read so often, prophesied you
tonight 20
sect away from here, impudent fel-
low !" cried Precy, now fairly beside
himself.
''Ah, then, L will predict your fate to
YOU" replied Montbaisson, "and you
will find that am splendid prophet"
Precy, struck by the sinister tones of
his unwelcome visitor, listened in silence
to him.
"Now," continued Charles de Mont
baisson, 81 predict to you, Lucrece de
Precy, that this very night you will be
slowly burnt to death in this tower. Un
less the smoke smothers you before the
flames begin to burn your flesh, you will
be slowly roasted. You might throw
yourself from the top of the tower, but
you would break every bone in your body
by the fall"
"What do you mean ?" cried Precy,
now seriously alarmed.
ssI mean to build fire under this dry
old wooden staircase" shouted Mont