The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1892-06-30

ing back, as utterly Oblivious of my
presence as If had never existed.
stood there in gaping amazement.
my heart beating my throat con
tracted. strange feeling an extraor-
binary doubt assailing me. Perhaps
he was the real one and the other
He had entered my house as naturally
as it he were at home, while / was
left standing in the street. Suddenly
a thought came to my bewildered
brain vigorously rang the bell OF
! Count Brenner's apartment
| Hans, the old servant OF my friend
showed his frightened face at the
grating. quickly said Hans ]
have lost my key. I have fruitlessly
rung peal after peal at my door; my
servant is either asleep or gone out;
open the door and allow me to sleep
in your masters room tonight"
The good old fellow, knowing my
intimacy with Count Bremen imme-
diately opened the door and conduct
ed me to.his masters chamber. While
he lighted the fire slipped to the
window and looked over at my house,
! I was petrified with amazement.
My room was lighted the curtains
not even drawn. and there was my
unknown my double, standing before
the chimney in the full light of the
fire. Whilst Carl. my own servant
a man. who had been in my family
ever since l was born. an old domes-
tic my mother had placed with me,
in whom she had the greatest conf
dence. was waiting on this intruder.
first taking off his cloak. then his
shoes. coming; going giving him all
those attentions he was accustomed to
give me. and all in the most natural
manner in the world. As to the
other parsonage the use Of my apart
ment seemed as familiar to him as to
myself. He acted as if he were per-
fectly at home. leisurely undressed
himself and went to bed. Yes. in my
bed. Then the curtains were drawn,
the lights put out, and saw nothing
more.
Hans went out wishing me good
night made two or three turns up
and down the room. hesitating, per-
picked. not knowing what to think or
do, and I acknowledge it. frightened
and worried beyond expression. -.
At last worn out with fatigue and
excitement. lay down on the bed,
trying to concentrate my thoughts.
trying to unravel this strange event
of which l was the victim asking
myself if l or the other one had the
right to sleep IN the opposite house.
Ali was so confused. so bewildering,
l lost consciousness and ended by
falling into heavy. dreamless Sleep
which lasted until morning:
1t was full day when was aroused
by voices and EXPLANATIONS in the ad-
joining room, all talking at once as if
something extraordinary had taken
place. Half asleep and no longer re-
Numbering what had occurred. I
listened and recognized the voices of
Carl and Hans.
But you do not understand. " said
my servant in tones of the deepest
distress. Il tell you the ceiling has
fallen. 1t is frightful accident and
my poor master is under it all. crushed
into thousand pieces. All, the I'M
fortunate young man."
Here the groans and sobs increased,
and Hans. evidently not understand
ing. impatiently replied: What is the
matter with you, Carl; have you lost
your senses?'
NO, have not lost my senses I"
sobbed Carl; but what will tell his
poor mother, the dear madam who
sent me to watch over him. for the
ceiling has fallen and all the furniture
from the room above has crushed
down upon the bed and the dear, good
master was in it.. The room us high
as my head is full Of rubbish. and the
poor boy is under it all. Oh! if you
would only come and see; 1 pray you
to come"
But he is here. my good Carl;
your master is here" exclaimed
Hans who probably thought my ser.
want had gone mad. He slept here
last night. and IS asleep here this
morning, alive and we'll as you or l.
'Ah. you are making fun of me, y
| Indignantly cried Carl; and do you
! think | am in the humor for your
stupid jokes?''
More amazed than ever. I leaped
out OF bed and ran into the room where
they were talking. Hans on seeing
me- uttered a cry of triumph. but nv
old Carl turned white as sheet and,
staggering back, would have fallen il
Hans had not caught him. so great
was his transition from grief and hor-
ror to joyful surprise.
At last all was explained. or rather
nothing was explained. I was told
had returned home and passed the
night in my own bed yet knew
had slept in the bed of Count Bren
ner; was told ! had been killed,
crushed under the falling furniture,
yet here was alive and WELL As al
this seemed very improbable hastily
dressed myself and rushed over to my
house.
Truly the chamber where hac
slept, and yet had not slept was filled
with rubbish and broken furniture as
high as the top of the door.
1t appeared that the apartment
above mine had been occupied BY a,
old jew; a dealer in second HAND
goods. and in the room directly Owe