Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1900-06-14

Ills AAS0SAs -
dent days.
Victors trick!
Why had he not thought of It be-
fore? That most unique device to,
which Victor had often resorted to Sc
cure a railway coach to himself and
which had never yet been known to
fail!
The sad Victor would find himself in
an unoccupied coach, and as soon as
anyone offered to enter would roll his
eyes in fury, loll his tongue and make
every conceivable grimace and gesture.
The would-be passenger, of course,
took him for an insane person and
sought hastily another coach.
snow for Victor's trick!" thought
Arnold, "and let the deed follow the
thought"
The remedy indeed proved to be
speedy enc, and put to fight in rapid
succession two stout ladies. an elderly
gentleman, and finally an entire fam
lily. consisting of father, mother and
daughter. All of these beat rapid re
treat, giving Arnold little or no time to
stndy the features Of his discounted
victims.
The whistle shrieked and the train
started. "Hurrah for Victor's trick"
thought Arnold, triumphantly. And.
comfortably stretched upon the cush-
ions of his seat, he was soon lost in
sweet, dreamy reveries.
Leipzig!
1t was nearly midnight when the
train arrived. The best that Arnold
could do at such an hour was to OBJ
tain lodging for the rest of the night.
The next morning, having made a
careful toilet, during which he made
a most profound impression upon the
barber in attendance, he started out
for stroll. Arnold resolved to pass
the time until evening in seeing the
sights; but, too much concerned with
himself to enjoy in full tranquility of
spirit the beautiful architectural works
of the city, he contented himself with
promenade through the streets, dur
ing which he gazed attentively at ev-
eryone he met, in hope of meeting the
one whose image had carried away his
heart the previous day.
"That is she," he would think, as,
upon turning a corner, he came sud-
denly upon graceful figure. And
then he would find himself face to face
with a well-dressed old spinster or
blushing maiden, who felt fiattered at
having made such marked impress
sion upon such a hands ONE young gal
lant
At length the hour of six drew near.
His time had come. fastening to his
hotel, Arnold attired himself for the
evening and started for the dwelling
of Herr Brettschneider.
Having been announced, the servant
led him into the parlor, where he
found Herr Brettschneider. his wife
and daughter waiting his arrival. The
young lady was indeed beautiful-the
photograph had not done her justice.
With smile of welcome all three
advanced to greet the visitor, when
suddenly cry burst simultaneously
from the lips of each.
''My God! The insane man we met
on the train yesterday"
In moment Arnold grasped the sit
uation. The family, consisting of ia
Their. mother and daughter, whom he
had driven in terror from the coach
must have been the Brettschneiders!
He laughed nervously in an endeavor
to better the situation, and at once
proceeded to give the necessary eXpla-
nation.
"My good friends, I see the cause
of your alarm. An awkward blunder
of mine, but when have explained the
plot of the comedy
"a dangerous case" whispered Herr
Brettschneider to his wife, in tones
plainly audible. ''When an insane per-
SON attempts to explain his conduct
it is sure sign of his incurability."
The young lady had hastily sought
refuge behind her ia Their, and was trem-
bling all over.
''Oh, I assure you, sir, am not dam
gerous," observed Arnold, in a tone of
irony, 81 have not injured single
human soul. and if you will do me the
honor to listen to me minute you
shall see that can at least speak ra-
tionally. I see that Victor's trick has
been the unfortunate cause of this mis-
understanding"
'VictOr's trick?"
"Certainly: an old friend whose ex-
ample l have initiated only too well.
However, he carried it further than
I did. He used to remove his boots and
coach.''
''He is indeed quiet for moment:
still, he may break out at any time"
whispered Herr Brettschneider to his
wife. "send quietly for the police"
"Mein herr" turning to his guest,
Judging from your description, this
Victor must have been charming.
amusing young fellow. and 1 would
very much like to make his acquaint-
ance."
''In the act?' queried Arnold. taking
this for witticism. 'Would you real
ly like to meet him?''
'Most certainly! Such a fantastic
talented person! would like to have
him for a FRIEND" replied Herr Brett
schneider. Zone must agree with him
in everything; that is the only way
to avoid crisis!" whispered he to the
rest, as he left the room.
Although assured that he had sue
ceeded in convincing his lost as to his
sanity, Arnold could not but feel that
his arrival had been grotesque. The
young lady might well hesitate in ac