New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1881-11-16
THE MYSTERIOUS CHEST.

oOO0 u t0ETlOl0 IO0k u S0OOR Tue HUT
Aud that was tho picture tho swift sun took.
Australian Ncsns.
THE MYSTERIOUS CHEST.
Lovely and serene was the summer
evening, in the year 1877, when man
Of apparently thirty years Of age. and
whose naturally handsome countenance
was marked with the traces of care and
dissipation, entered the city of Florence.
His garments were made in the most
fashionable style, but they were old
soiled condition, and lanquid walk,
bore testimony to the length and fati-
que of his journey. Nevertheless. there
was an air of aristocracy about him
which neither rags nor suffering could
efface and his large black eyes were
lighted with the fire Of a proud soul
and fine intellect.
He entered the beautiful Tuscan city
between nine and ten o'clock at night,
and presently stopped at fountain to
Stake his burning thirst. That act on
his part argued but indifferently for tho
state Of his finances, as brilliantly.
lighted cafe, where more comfortable
refreshment might have been obtained,
was close at hand. Tho traveller be-
held it; and as he dropped the iron
ladle, or spoon, which benevolence had
caused to be fixed to the edge Of tho
fountain for the use of wayfares as mis-
cradle as himself, he sighed and MUIR
INJURED, ''There-there was it that I
first learnt the fatal habit which has
made me what am.' Then, as if inn
PEELED by an attachment to the very
habit which he execrated in his soul,
he approached the windows of the cafe.
and watched the game of cards at
which the inmates were engaged.
Presently the door of the cafe was
flung open and two elegantly-drcssed
gentlemen came out.
''You have been quite fortunate to-
night, Ribiera," said one-a young
man of about two-and-twenty, as he
took his companions arm.
'.Pretty well, Vasori." replied the
other, who was at least ten years older,
but who possessed q handsome counte-
nance, and tall, well-knit figure.
"You know that with my princely for
tune the gain or the loss OF few hun,
bred pieces is as nothing. But now let
us repair to the Ferroni palace
''The Ferroni palacer' calculated
the wretched traveller, who had over
heard this discourse.
'.For Tonight" continued Ribiera,
1.-THE beautiful Julia is to give me de-
cisive answer whether she will receive
my suit or not
.'To-night r. repeated the traveller /;
and he mechanically followed the two
individuals whose discourse had APP
parently interested him so profoundly.
The Count de Ribiera-for such was
that persons rank-and Signor Yasori
pursued their way, without perceiving
that they were followed. through sever
al of the principal streets, until they
reached magnificent house, brilliant
with light streaming from every wind
ow. The sound of music echoed from
within and the air around was per-
fumed with the odors of the sweet
flowers which festooned the open case
ments.
The traveller watched the two gentle
men until they entered the mansion.
He then walked slowly to the opposite
side of the street, from which point he
attentivcly watched the windows of the
mansion of the Marquis of Ferroni.
Presently q group of ladies approached
an open easement, and his eyes fell up
on one older but more beautiful than
the rest, but whose cheeks were very
pale, and whose air seemed to denote
feelings by no means congenial with
the gayety of the scene at which she
was present. She was about twenty.
five years of age her blue eyes were
expressive of mildness, and her counte-
nance wore a shade of melancholy.
"'Tis sher' murmured the traveller
and he darted away precipitately from
the spot, saying to himself, cat all
events, I have seen her once more
And she is pale-and melancholv-and
pensive! Can it be that she designs to
bestow a. thought on mea''
The unhappy man wept as he asked
himself this question-probably be-
cause he knew how unworthy he wa.
of any interest on that part Of thai
beautiful being. He was hungry but
he forgot the cravings of want as he re-
Elected upon what he had seen and
heard that evening-for he had hcari
that she-the daughter of the Marquis
of Ferroni-was to give q decided an
swer to the Count Ribiera that evening
And what would that reply be7
The miserable wretch fastened away
from the vicinity Of the Ferroni man
sion, and at length sank exhausted up
on the step Of door.
When he awoke again he was in ,
strange place. cell, with white wall
and arched ceiling and barred window
met his eyes. Scarcely had he time t.
collect his scattered ideas, when ,
gentleman in black entered the room
and appeared glad to find him In Al
improved condition Of health.
In answer to the question put to hin
by the invalid, this gentleman said
you were brought hither four months
ago from the hospital, to which plac,
you had been conveyed in . state Of in
sensibility, having been picked up IL
the street at late hour. The condi
ton into which illness and other cause
known only to yourself plunged you .
the hospital led to your removal hither.
"And where am l, then7'' demande.
the invalid, casting terrified glance
around him.
I'm q lunatic asylum" was the r.
ply. ut is better that you should know
the truth than perplex your mind wit
the vain conjectures Of ignorance an,
uncertainty. Compose yourself, and il
few days you will be quite restore
to health, both mentally: and physically
You can then leave the establishments
"a .lunatic asylum r. exclaimed th
invalid, with . shudder; land fou
months have passed away
-Four months, > repeated the SUI
geon s''but have you no friends whor
you would wish to b informed Of you
present situationfe'
II have no friends. Ny own condut
has alienated them Ill. inherited
great fortune g my father . death eigh
J years ago-and I Va engaged 70 !.