The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-12-07

Herr L., was sent 20 leNas from nor.
lin by a syndicate Of German noblems,
who were DESTROYS Of investing IN ana
for the purpose Of establishing an ext.n.
sive ranch. Herr L stopped ia Fort
Worth for n few days, and heann,
favorable accounts OF the country Vino
northwest Of this city, became impressed
with tho idea that he would find there.
suitable location for the proposed ranch
He wished to visit the sections hs thought
OF purchasing, and your correspondent
a. agent for the Houston and Texas Cen.
trail. which owned the lands. was an
pointed to accompany him. We left Tia
railroad at Vernon, and wont hy priva,o
conveyance to the tract In question.
which lay some eighteen miles out from
that town.
As we left the hotel at Vernon wa
asked the landlord il there was any
house on the road whore We could nm
up for the night should it happen ,h,
we would not be able 20 make tho return
trip that day.
"No house at all, sir, said mine host.
"except that Of the hermit"
1.-THE hermit we both exclaimed.
ayes. the hermit Of the plains. Hesa
singular foreign character, who lives
some fifteen miles from here, an alone.
in little shanty about half milo "a
the road. He's 50 mighty unsociabe he's
cot himself the name Of the hermit Il
the plains. lie might take you in. Mr.
=, but it's one Of his peculiari.es that
he can't bear a German with a glance
at my companionl, "and he wouldn't
accommodate me 20 save his life"
az rabid Frenchman, in all probable
, ity," said Herr l., as We drove on.
We had a capital pair Of brisk little
Texas ponies, all fire and nerve, and, tho
roads being good. reached our object
point in good time, but several houn
were consumed in drivingoyer the coun-
try. and, unconscious Of the flight Of the
sho9 dav, we were surprised to find our
solves near its close. Another reason
for haste was also apparent In tho
nurplish masses Of cloud lying near tho
/ horizon that threatened a storm. In an
incredibly short time darkness was on
us and the entire heavens black with tho
coming tempest. The ponies became
manageable at the first pealo Of thunder
and forsook the road, which yaiuly en-.
deavored to find again; but the vivid
flashes Of lightning, instead of serving
me. only added 10 my confusion. An
hours plunging here and there IN tho
bald prairie threw me completely ont u
my reckoning. and when 40 last tho
storm had spent itself and the rain began
TO pour down in torrents, | couldn't have
told NV right hand from my left. Herr
l. called my attention 10 q dim but
steady spark of light burning close 10
the horizon at no great distance from u.s.
Taking i to be at some house we drove
the now subdued ponies straight 10 It.
and found ourselves before a low shanly,
through whose unshuttered window hat
welcome light was shining. We knock
cd. and a voice in English, though with
slight foreign accent, called out 10
know who We were. We replied that
we were two belated, lost travellers, Who
sonoht the shelter OF a roof for the
night. After some delay the door vas
opened. and we stepped in. \ man u
average height, but Of commanding,
elegant bearing. stood holding IN hts
hand candle, whose light falling on ''.-
I face revealed il most distinctly het'
l. looked at him and at once sf
claimed in amazement;
"God in heaven, IL Is tho Count vor
-w
Rnt the name was unuttcred, for th'
man dropped the candle instantly,
sprang like a wild beast at fs-'f
crying, in German; .,nro.
"Speak that name and
dogw 1 kill YOU Ii
L. gasped
. and his ass ut that he would M
his throa' ..iant took bis hands fro
. roor' 4 and rellghted the candle. II
~ -. was furnished rudely. but wi
scrupulously clean, and the plank tab
p covered with books that proved on 81
at animation to DO the untranslated lat
II. poets, with few well chosen yOlumi
Of English essays. The hermit proyid,
US with a supper Of boiled ham an
crackers, and then, turning TO r.
g said that If he would pledge himself I'd
Re to reveal 60 any ono his name an
IN whereabouts we would be welcome
= such shelter as he could offer. l.
promised, and we remained an nigh
There was only one room, aud we a
p, slept in blankets on the floor. Our my
u FERROUS host had little or nothing 10 sal
d and when l. volunteered some info
}, nation in regard 10 recent German pol
u tics, replied that be wished never
= even hear the name Of that countr
t mentioned again.
0 IL don't ask You who that man Is, al
= ter your having given your word 10 hin
Herr L." said, but what is he, q
p rather what has he been"
Il will tell you only this" answere
, my companion. THAT lone hermit
. the head OF one OF the most powerful
J families in Germany. lie is supposed
have died, however, some years ago. 4
any rate, coffin was buried with ever
possible honor, and, up 10 last night,
. am sure. il never occurred 10 any one q
doubt his body lay in it. lie occupieN
one Of the most important positions a
u court, and am at loss 20 understand
, his exile 70 these Texas plains, for he lei
{, u charming young wife, an exalted ranl
and a princely income for that howell
o "You will never tell Of -FOUR discoy
ery;' Iqueried.
Herr l. quietly answered theques
tlcn. Of which became a little ashamed
"Sir, am a gentleman"
again had occasion o. sit the 'icin
fly of Vernon, and, on inquiring Tor ih'
hermit Of the plains. was informed tha
he had disappeared from that neighoo'
hood. leaving no trace behind. on
Worth Cor. ST. Louis GlObe-Democrt.
An Illustrated oaotatiOn.
~