Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-03-25
A LEGEND OF INNSBRUCK.
BY HARRY BALDWIN

Tempest and storm were raging with wild
f.ry through the rocky mountain passes
and deep gorges surrounding the little viii
lage of lnnsprucken, nestled in the beauti-
full valley OF the Loire, one chilly Septem-
ber evening in the year 1863 as Gottlieb
Gluck, the keeper of tbe only inn the place
aifol es, drew the blinds of the bar and
seated himself before the glowing fire, with
a smile of satisfaction and pleasure upon
his rubicund face. If it was dreary and in
hospitable without, in the cosy room of the
tavern, with the large fire place emitting
cheenulness and warmth, and the portly,
shining bottles of the bar FURNISHED and
bright, all was inviting and of a nature cal
culated to inspire feelings of comfort and
conLentment. Besides, the season had been
fortunate one for honest old Gottlieb, aud
his Golfers swelled with hard earned guild
ers, the result of care and attention to his
summer visitors. 1t was not strange, there
fore, that as he took the huge arm -chair
before the fire, he cast satisfied glance at
his evening customers, who sat smoking and
drinking at a table near by.
Suddenly there was lull in the storm-a
lull following n long, wild shrek of the
sweeping wind, with which seemed
mingled a scream so unearthly and
yet SO human that the men at
the table dropped their pipes and looked
askance at their host, who half rose TO his
feet at the ghostly whisper of his "help,
young Arnold Tegtmeyer:
"What was that?"
Whether the dying echo of the wind was
human or not, they never knew; but their
expectancy of something uncanny was sat
isfed a moment later, when there came n
loud knock at the outer door, followed by n
rude push against the paneled barrier, and
as it flew open there entered q man whose
strange and sudden appearance brought
every person in the room to his feet.
He was tall, thin man, with cadaverous
face and wildly cleaning eyes, appareled
in a long black cloak, which, sweeping back
from his form, revealed glvssy velvet suit
beneath, and richly jeweled sword. In
his arms he bore bundle, wrapped in folds
of dark crimson cloth, like silken counter
pane, and as he confronted the gaping
throng his wet and dripping garments, and
pale, wild-eyed features caused them to
draw back with mingled CONSERVATION and
surprise.
"Well!" he said, finally, fierce sneer on
his lip, sharp rebuke in his tone of voice,
shave We never seen benighted traveller
before, that We stare at him as though he
were the evil demon himself? Who is the
landlord here?"
Gottlieb, somewhat reassured at the hon
est German of his strange guest, advanced
a step and intimated his proprietorship of
the inn.
"Then prepare your best room at once, if
this be an inn; if not, direct me to the
nearest tavern. My horse is without, shelter
and feed him at once, and lead the way to
my apartment"
With q trembling hand and flustered
manner the host took lighted candle from
the mantel, and led the way TO the open
staircase leading to the upper story. The
stranger followed him closely, and as they
reached the front apartment of the upper
floor laid his burden carefully on the bed,
and confronted the innkeeper.
Listen to me, he said impressively, as
he took purse from his pocket; ''this purse
contains q hundred guilders-leave this
room and do not return until / call for you.
If any come for me, if any inquiries are
made concerning me-"
"But, your worship" began Gotilieb-
"a fire, a warm meal or change of cloth
ing"
Nothing, 1 tell you" briefly replied the
stranger. go, you are paid. See that l
am not disturbed"
As he spoke he grasped the candle and
bhO lnlO
the outer passage, with the purse in his
hand.
"But," persisted Gottlieb, "you spoke of
visitors; who are you? What shall tell"
"The devil, if you like, F" interrupted the
stranger sharply, and closed the door in his
hosts face.
II believe it." muttered' Gottlieb as he
CROPPED his way down the dark stairs. "Him-
mel what was that ?"
Less terrifying and far more human than
the voice without which had so startled him
but few moments before, there sounded
on his ears the low, plaintive wall of an in
FAINT. There could be no mistaking the
sound, and as the innkeeper entered the
public room, curiosity and interest were de-
picted on every face at the amazement and
CONSERVATION expressed in his own.
Business is business" he said as he re-
sumed his seat, and held the netted purse
in his hand, with the gold pieces shining
between its silken chinks, up to the view of
his friends, "and his lordship pays royalty;
yet it is question with me ii lis worship s
last words do not refer more accurately to
himself than he might wish it to be con-
sidered."
"What was it he said ?" queried one Of the
men at the table.
"That he was the devil"
A silence brooded over the little throng
for few moments following the words, and
the bar-boy, Arnold Tegtmeyer, after forti-
flying himself with large drink of spirits
at the bar, walked restlessly TO the window
and gazed gloomily forth into the darkness
and rain.
He might have stood there five minutes
or more, when the little company, which
had meanwhile drifted into various specula-
tons and comments on the strange visitor,
we're suddenly startled by a cry OF amaze
ment and terror from the lad. Intuitively
each man sprung to his feet, and hastened
to the spot. Every eye followed the direc-
ton indicated by the white-faced lad, and a
cold horror overspread each face as they
looked and saw
A sight which curdled their blood with a
namsless terror. Running from the house
was large timber, which connected twenty
feet away with the stables of the inn below,
and pendent from which was the gate Of the
place. About eight feet above this was a
oaoond firahor r41nniuu f. fha car,a dfrorfio.,