The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1879-11-08
THE INDEPENDENT.
1 CoURIER,s STORY.

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occasionally. when any of my old pat
rons OF their friends require such SER
vices, which Is rather infrequent, the
taste Of the travelling public having de-
generated into hasty journeys by express
trains. with the consequent loss oI all
apiovment Of tho different phases uf
scenery through which the travellers
are passing. In the course OF my many
wears experience have been witness to
many strange occurrences, have assisted
in many q secret and adventurous under
taking. and have been subject to many
perils. From among such varied expe-
riences give the following strange story,
suppressing for obvious reasons the real
names Of those interested.
Many years ago was engaged as
courier to his Excelleney the Honorable
Fredrick Eslington, embassado ador-extraor-
binary Of his Britannia Majesty King
George, on a special secret mission to
one Of the great continental powers.
Having finished his duties and success-
fully attained the object Of his mission,
we started on our homeward journey in
the summer of 1S- The period was one
to be long remembered from the politi-
cal excitement which existed throughout
all Europe, almost every government
having unsheathed the sword. We had
travelled a considerable part of the first
stage of our return journey, when his
Excellency, who was feeling the fatigues
OF the incessant travelling in the heavy,
rumbling carriage, said he should stop
at the next town we arrived at, and take
rest and refreshnlent, both of which he
was much in need Of, besides having inn
porfant state documents to transcribe.
In due course we arrived at the small
town of S., ON the confines Of Ger
many, where we put up. We staid q day
and half there; and was then instruct
ed to have the carriage and horses in
readiness to continue our journey. His
Excellency meanwhile had completed his
writings, to which he had assiduously
applied himself, and told me, as it was
fine afternoon, he would take short
walk, and on his return resume his jour-
ney at once, and must therefore make
all necessary preparations. de accord
ingly left the hotel But he was never
seen afterward, nor was anything known
of his fate.
/ waited for upward of an hour anx-
iously. and then made close search for
him. which I continued for several days,
but not trace could I discover OF my
Ukfl1ecLs "A skLAt1teGts AAQHItrAs AAsAAAs5 Oul-f
side the town, brought to me at the hotel
a pair of overalls, which he stated he had
found in neighboring copse. recog-
nized the garment as belonging to his
ExeeIlency, and at once repaired with
the villager to the copse, and closely ex-
amined the spot, but found no trace or
sign of any struggle.
Finding it useless to prosecute the
search, I ct once returned to London
with his ExceilencY's travelling gear,
which handed to his family. The Brit
ISL Government at once instituted in
quiries, as also did his Excellency's FAM
lily, and large rewards were offered by
both, and advertisements widely dissem-
mated for any information respecting
the missing am bassador; but they failed
one and all, to gain any information or
the slightest clue to his fate A certain
amount Of suspicion attached to me, but
it was only momentary, and I at once
cleared myself Of it, and assisted the dis
tracted wife and her missing husbands
family as much as lay in my power.
Well remember the agonies of anxiety
and suspense caused to the ambassador S
wife and family by the distressing cal
amity. Magisterial investigation was
made, experts were employed, and every
endeavor made to penetrate the dark veil
of mystery surrounding the event; but
all efforts were unsuccessful One OF
his Maiesty's ambassadors had mystef-
iously and completely disappeared, with
out leaving clew to light up the awful
obseurity which enyeloped the tragic oc-
currence.
Several years had elapsed since the
distressing event, and the memory, the
painful memory Of it, Was beginning to
fade from my mind, when ! happened to
be in Antwerp, on q short tour through
: Belgium with patrons. And while list
lessly strolling by myself on the quay
one summers evening, watching the
passengers disen bark from the newly ar
rived steamer, was .iccosted by mean,
haggard-lo looking little man of beggarly
appearance. who spoke to me in Flemish.
Are you not Herr Roeckel, the cour-
ier?y he said.
Eyes, replied I. 'swhat do you want
with me? Who are you ?"
'sI suppose you have quite forgotten
me p said he.
/ stared at him keen1y The mans
features were somewhat familiar to me,
yet was confused in my remembrance
of how and where had seen him. 81
don't know you, said /.
Yes you do, and very we'll, replied
he. 'My name is Ludwig Kuhl, and /
have frequently driven you in the first
stage out of Vienna. 1 did SO when you
were courier to his Excelleney, the Hon
ornble Ellington, in the summer of the
year 1S--."
tThe courier is remembered even when
the patron is forgotten, for it is to us
that landlords and their servants look for
their gratuities.)
stared at him, and then recognized
the haggard looks. True said / 4"
remember You well now. How goes it
with you2 What do here in Antwerp !?
At the old trade, ell q
''Ah,no," he replied with deeply
drawn sigh, sits long story, and I
can't tell it to you here in all this noise
and hustle. Let us go TO quiet cabaret"
agreed; and in our short walk I re-
yolyed in my mind all those circnmstan-
ces, so dark and impenetrable in their
profound mystery, which had happened
years before. And remembered how
our position, Ludwig Kuhl, had assisted
me in the unayailng search for his Ex-
cellency. Soon we reached little cabar-
et,--their name is legion in Antwerp In
one Ol the Ddck StI9Gt1 BcAE buS CbLtlb-
dral; and with a glass Of his favorite
Boonjekamp in front Of him, he seated
himself, and told me the following sequel
to the mysterious disappearance:
s'You must remember me, friend, he
began, swhen was in q better condition
than yoi1 now see me;s and he scanned
his wretched garments, Struggling his
shoulders with an impatient air.
nodded aedliiesceuce
''Well. " said he, you must also know
in your long experience of travel that all
classes Of society on the continent, and
particularly in Vienna, have their secret
club. The positions had theirs; but it
was subject to the rule of the Chief
Secret society. In my younger days,
friend, was induced, in an unlnclSy mo-
ment. to enroll myself as a member, and
take the oaths of tlle Secret Society OF
Positions. Bitterly have repented
since, for it is to that circumstance owe
my present deplorable state of mind and
position"
But what has that to do with the mys-
terions case OF his Excellency?" asked
of him, somewhat impatiently.
Much more than you imagine or can
ever know, friend, replied he. senten.
tiously wagging his head. He paused
for moment. We'll, will tell you"
continued he, though you must not
break my story with your inquiring COM
ments. Firstly, then, you must know