The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-09-20
A ooURIER's STORY.


cosmopolitan in every taste and habit. In
my early days l regularly followed the
profession Of q courier, as l do now occa
sionally when any one Of my old patrons
or their friends require such services
which is rather intrequent, the taste OF the
travelling public having degenerated into
hasty journeys by express trains, with the
consequent loss OF enjoyment OF the dit,
ferent phases Of scenery through which
the travellers are passing. In the course
OF my many years experience l have been
witness to many strange occurrences, have
assisted in many secret and adventurous
undertaking, and have been subject to
many perils. From among such varied
experiences give the following strange
story, suppressing for obvious reasons the
real names Of those interested.
Many years ago was engaged as courier
to his Excellency the Honorable Frederick
Eslington, misunderstanding OF
his Britannia Majesty King George, on a
special secret mission to one Of the great
Continental powers. Having finished his
duties and successfully attained the object
OF his mission, we started on our home.
ward journey in the summer oils. The
period was one to be long remembered.
from the political excitement which ex.
listed throughout all Europe, almost every
government having unsheathed the sword.
We had travelled considerable part OF
the first stage Of our return journey, when
his Excellency, who was feeling the IA.
tiGues OF the incessant travelling in the
heavy, rumbling carriage, said he should
stop at the next town we arrived at, and
take rest and refreshment, both OF which
he was much in need Of, besides having
important state documents to transcribe.
In due course we arrived at the small
town OF s., on the confines OF. Germa.
ny, where We put up. We staid day
and half there; and was then instruct
ed to have the carriage and horses in read.
iness to continue our Journey. His Ex-
Cellency meanwhile had completed his
writings, 10 which he had assiduously ap.
Piled himself; and tcld Inc, as it was o fine
afternoon, he would take n short walk,
and on his return resume his Journey at
once, and must therefore make all nee.
essary preparations. He accordingly left
the hotel. But he was never seen after.
ward, nor was anything known Of his
fate.
| waited for upward Of an hour anxious
lY, and then made close search for him,
which continued for several DAYS, but
not trace could l discover OF my master.
A villager, however, living outside the
town, brought to me at the hotel pair OF
overalls, which he stated BIZ had found in
q neighboring copse. I recognized the
garment as belonging to his ExcelIency,
and at once repaired with the villager to
the copse, and closely examined the spot
but found no trace or sign Of any struggle:
Findingituseless to prosecute the search,
! at once returned to London with his
Excellency's travelling gear, which hand,
ed to his family. The British government
at once instituted inquiries, as also did his
ExCellency's family, and large rewards
were offered by both, and advertisements
widely disseminated for any information
respecting the missing ambassador; but
they failed one and all to gain any infor-
nation of or the slightest clew TO bis fate.
A certain amount Of suspicion attached to
me, but it was only momentary, and l at
once cleared myself Of it, and assisted the
distracted wife and her missing husbands
family as much as lay in my power. Well
l remember the agonies Of anxiety and
suspense caused to the ambassadors wife
and family by the distressing calamity,
Magisterial investigation was made, ex.
perts were employed, and every endeavor
made to penetrate the dark veil rot mys-
terry surrounding the event; but all efforts
were unsuccessful. One OF his Maiesty's
ambassadors had completely and mysteri-
ously disappeared, without leaving clew
to light up the awful obscurity which en-.
veloped the tragic occurrence.
Several years had elapsed since the dis
tressing event, and the memory, the
painful memory, Of it was beginning to
fade from my mind, when happened 10
be in Antwerp on short tour through
Belgium with patrons. And while list.
lessly strolling by myself on tho quay one
summers evening". watching the passen,
gers disembarking from the newly arrived
steamer, was accosted by a mean, bag.
gar Hooking little man OF beggarly appear.
ance, who spoke to me In Flemish. 1ap'i
care you not Herr Roeckel the courier?'
said he. ia. .-,s, d.
eyes, replied l. "What do you want
with me2 Who are you?" .i..i Il
II suppose you have quite forgotten
me?" said he. ..a -a-a,
I stared at him keenly. The mans tea
lures were somewhat familiar to me, vel
l was confused in my remembrance o.
how and where had seen him. 81 do moi
know you" said I.
Eyes, you do, and very swell,n replied
he. "My name Is Ludwig KIhl, and
have frequently driven you the frs
stage out Of Vienna. Ibid so when yor
we're courier to his Excellency the Honora
BILE Ellington, In the summer Of the yea
49," H-@ E-E,
THE courier is remembered even whe,
the patron Is forgotten, for it Is to us tina
landlords and servants look for their graf
uities.) gl.s.Tls
/ stared at him, and then recognize,
the haggard looks. "Trpe," said I; II re
member you well. How goes 1t with you
What do you here in Antwerp The oil
"Ah, nor he replied, With deeppl
drawn sigh. cts a long story, and
can't tell II to you here in all this nois
and hustle. Let US go to q quiet cabaret.
| agreed, and in our short walk l II
volyed in my mind all those cirCumstanc
SO dark and impenetrable In their pr
found mystery, which had yhappene
years before. And ! remembered no,
our position, Ludwig Kuhl, had assiste
me In the unavailing search for his Exec
lency. Soon we reached little oubaret.
their nameis legion in Antwerp-in one,
the back streets near the Cathedral; al,
with o glass Of his favorite Boonje kamp
front Of him, he seated himself, and III
me the following sequel to the mysteriol
disappearance:
"Iou must remember me, friend :.
began, when I was in . better conditii
THAN You now see me-" and he scam