The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-12-22
HE EXIIED HIMSELF.
The Mysterious Host of Travel
ers i'm Texas.
THE HERMIT or THE PLAINS.
A Singular Fereign Character Who Is
said 70 he Powerful Noble
is Disguise.
8. Innis f.Iasa-Iemceraf.


certain gentleman, whom / shall call Herr
L., Was sent 20 Texas from Berlin By
syndicate OF German noblenen who were
DESTROYS OF investing IN land for the pur-
psse Of establishing an extensive ranch.
Herr L. stopped in Fort Worth for
few days, and. hearing favorable accounts
Of the country living northwest of this city,
became impressed with the idea that he
would find there suitable location for the
proposed ranch. He wished to VISIT the
section he thought OF purchasing. and your
correspondent, as an agent for the Hous-
ton s. Texas Central, which owned the
lands, was appointed to accompany him.
We left the railroad 81 Vernon, and went
by private conveyance to the tract IN ques-
ton, which lay some eighteen miles out
from that town. As we left the hotel at
Vernon We asked the landlord If there was
any house on the road where we could put
up for the night should it happen that we
would not be able to make the return trip
that day.
NO house at ali. SIR said mine host,
except that OF the hermit
1.-The hernitln we both exclaimed.
-sYes, the hermit Of the plains. He's q
singular foreign character, VINO lives some
fifteen miles from here. ali alone. in a little
shanty about half a mile of the road. He's
so mighty unsociable he's got himself the
name of the hermit of the plains. lie
might take you in, Mr.. -, but it's one of
his peculiarities that he cant bear Ger
man" with glance at my companionl.
"and he wouldn't accommodate me TO save
his life
"a rabid Frenchman, in all probability
4 las 4 Al Ix4a in
credibly short time darkness was on us and
the entire heavens black with the coming
tempest. The ponies became unmanageable
at the first peal OF thunder and forsook the
road. which vainly endeavored to find
again; but the vivid flashes of lightning,
instead of serving me, only added TO my
confusion, L. called nay attention 10
dim but steady spark OF light burning close
10 the horizon at no great distance from US.
Taking 1t to be at some house, we drove the
now snbdued ponies straight TO it, and
found ourselves before a low shanty,
through whose unshuttered window that
welcome light was shining. We knocked.
and voice in English, though with
slight foreign accent, called out TO know
who we we're. We replied that we were
two belated lost travellers, who sought the
DELAY the door was opened and we stepped
in. A man of average height, butof q COM
manding, elegant bearing, stood holding in
his hand acandle, whose light falling on his
face revealed IL most distinctly. Herr L---
looked at him and at once exclaimed in
amazement:
sGod in heaven. it is the Count
Von---W
d.. a. w.rna go. nrukSarna fn~ A.
man dropped the candle instantly, and
sprang like wild beast at Us throat,
crying in German:
speak that name and win kin you
like dogln
L. gasped that he would not, and his
assailant took his hands from bis throat
and reIighted the candle. The r9om was
furnished rudely, but was scrupulously
clean. The hermit provided us with a
supper Of boiled ham and crackers. and
then, turning TO L., said that II he
would pledge himself not to reveal TO any
one his name and whereabouts we would
be welcome 20 such shelter as he could
offer. L. promised and we remained
all night. There was only one room, and
we all slept in blankets on the floor. Our
mysterious host had little or nothing to
say. His manner, while reserved and cold,
was the perfection of quiet dignity. and he
presided over the frugal breakfast next
morning with an air that would have
graced banquet. After bidding US good
bye he watched Us drive away, ard fam
cied that his eyes followed Herr L. a
little wistfully. Ny curiosity, which had
been Reariy consuming me. broke out as
soon as We we're beyond hearing.
Il don't ask you what that man is, after
your having given yeur word TO him, Herr
- I said. 'shnt what is he, or rather
what has be been %
II will tell you only this, answered my
eompanion. THAT lone hermit Is the
head of one OF the most powerful families
in Germany. He is supposed 70 have died,
however, some years ago. At any rate, q
coffin gas buried with every possible homer,
and. up TO last night, am sure. Is never
occurred 10 any one to doubt ais body lay
In II. lie occupied one OF the most import
ant positions at court, and am at loss
90 understand his exile 10 these Texas
plains. for he LETT charming young wife
an exalted rank, and pFineely income for
that bowel =
"You viii never tell Of your discovery -
queEied.
Herr T. quietly answered the question,
Of which became y little ashamed. ssSir,
arm gentleman
last month again had occasion Ia visit
the vicinity Of Vernon, and On inquirfnx
fos the hermit ot the plains. VAS informed
that he had disappeared from that neigh
eorhoosi. leaving 40 trace behind.