The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-30
an UNCOMMON SORT OF SPECTRE

Tho ancient castle OF Wenstoin, on tho
upper Rhinc, was. as everybody knows. inhab-
tied IN tho autumn Of 1852 by the powerful
Baron Kalbsbraten beitor known in those parts
~ Old Twenty Flasks, a eobriquet derived
from his reputed daily capacity for tho product
Of tho vineyard. Tho Baron had many other
admirable qualities. He was a genial, whole
boulcd public-spritcd gentleman, and robbed,
murdered burned. pillaged and drove up the
bteep sides OF tho weinstein his neighbors' cat
tie. wives and sisters with hearty bonhommie
that won for him tho unaffected esteem OF his
contemporaries.
One evening tho good Baron sat alone in tho
great hall of Weinstein. in a particularly happy
mood. He had dincd well. as was his habit.
and twenty empty bottles stood before him in a
row upon the table. like train Of delightful
memories Of the recent past But the Baron
had another reason to be satisfied with himself
and with the world. The consciousness that he
had that day become parent lit up HIS coun-
tenance with a tender glow that mere wine can
not impart.
what hoi without HI seneschalr' he
presently shouted in n tone that mado tho
twenty empty bottles ring us II they were musi-
cal glasses while n score OF suits Of HIS ances-
lors' armor hanging around the walls gave out
In accompaniment a deep metallic bass. The
Beneschal was speedily Mt his side
"seneschal" said Old Twenty Flasks. you
Eave me to understand that the Baroness wns
foing nnely9"
lam told" replied the seneschal that her
ladyship is doing as we'll as could be expected"
The Baron unused in silence for a moment.
Hbsenty regarding the empty bottles you
Also gave me to understand" he continued,
that there were -"
Four" said tho Seneschai. Rravely II am
Sredby informed that there are four. all boys"
That" exclaimed the Baron. with glow Of
honest pride. bringing brawny fist down upon
ME table" That in these days. when the nbom-
Unable doctrines OF Nautilus are gaining ground
among the upper classes Is what call credit
hbIo-creditable. by Saint Christopher. II do
Say 1t !" His eyes rested again upon the empty
bottles. Il think. Seneschal." he added after
, brief pause that under the circumstances
we may venture"
Nothing could be more eminenty proper"
reioined the SeneschaL 81 will fetch another
Task forthwith. and OF the best What says
your Excellcncy to the vintage Of 1904. the year
Df the comet p
But" hesltated the Baron. toying with his
moustache. 4" 1 understood you to say that there
were four Of 'em-four boys 2"
True my lord" replied tho seneschal.
catching the idea with the readiness OF a woll
nasks."
As the excellent retainer deposited four fresh
bottles upon the table within tho radius Of the
Baron's reach. he casually remarked:
pious old man. traveller. is in the castle
Yard. my lord. seeking shelter and supper.
He comes from beyond the Alps. and fares to-
ward Cologne"
80 presume" said the Baron. with an air OF
Indifference. that he has been duly searched
for plumber"
" He passed this morning" replied the re-
iainer through the domain OF your well-born
cousin Count Conrad OF Schwlnkenfels. Your
lordship win readily understand that he has
nothing now save few beggarly Swiss coins Of
copper"
My worthy Cousin Conrad" exclaimed tho
Baron. affectonatey. 1t is the one great mis-
fortune OF my life that live to the leeward Of
Bchwnkenies. But you relieved the pious man
Of his coppcr?"
Ny lord" said the seneschal with an apol-
eGcic smile. " 1t was not worth the taking"
Now 10y my soul" roarod tho Baron. you
exasperatc mo. Coin. and not worth the
uFETng rcrnaps not fUr us Intrinsic value
but you should have cleaned him out as a mat
ter Of principle you FOOL"
The Sencschal hung his head and muttered
an explanation. At the same time he opened
the twenty-nrst bottle.
Never" continued the Baron. less violently
but still severely. II you value my esteem AMI
your own paltry skin. suffer yourself to be
sweryed hairs breadth from principle by the
apparent insignncance Of the loot A consci-
ontious attention to details is one Of the fuuda-
mental elements Of prosperous career-in fact.
1t underlies all political economy"
The withdrawal of the cork from the twenty
second bottle emphasized this sentiment
Modified. this is not day on which l can
consistently make fuss over tri1e. Four.
and all boys This is a glorious day for Vein
stein. Open tho two remaining TASKS. Senes-
chal and show the plous stranger in. fain
would amuse myself with him."
II.
Viewed through the Baron's twenty odd bot
ties the stranger appeared to be an aged man
eighty years II day. Ho wore n shabby gray
cloak and carried palmer's stan and seemed
an innocuous old fellow. cast In too common
place mould to furnish even few minutes
diversion. The Baron regretted sending for
him but being a person Of unfailing polite
ness. whom not upon the rampage. no babe his
guest be seated, and filed him q peaker OF the
comet wine.
After an obeisance. profound yet not servile
the pilgrim took the glass and critically tasted
the wine, Ho held tho Deaker up athwart the
light. with trembling hand, and then tasted
again. The trial seemed to afford him great
satisfaction, and he stroked his long white
beard. -.
Perhaps you are connolssour. II peases
your palate. eh 2" said the Baron. winking at
the full-lcngth portrait Of one OF his ancestors.
Proper well. replied the pilgrim though
1t Is a trihe syrupy from too long keeping BY
the bouquet and the tint l should pronounce 1t
OF the vintage Of 1904. grown on the steep slope
south southeast OF the castle, in the fork OF the
two pathways that lead 10 under tho hill. The
suns rays reflected from the turret give pecu-
liar excellence to the growth Of that particular
spot. But your rascally varlets have shelyed the
bottle on the wrong side OF the cellar. 1t should
have boon put on the dry side near where your
doughty grandsire. Sgismund Won Welnsten.
the Hairy Handed walled up his third wife in
preparation for fourth"
Tho Baron regarded his guest with look OF
Amazemont ." Upon my life !" said he, but
you appear to be familiar with the ms and outs
OF this establishment"