The Corvallis gazette., December 21, 1894, Image 4

MY CASTLE IN THfe ATE.
If I could go ballooning,
And bad the time to spare,
I'd Journey to discover
My castle in the air.
It stands, that stately building,
Beyond the yellow moon,
Where tradesmen's bills can .
never
come,
Not even by balloon.
The water-rate collector
He eyes its door in vain,
B . tin runs with
No water, but champagne.
Its roof has been constructed
So very high and steep,
No love-lorn cats can clamber there
To frighten gentle sleep..
My neighbor's hens can never
Defy the garden wall,
Because there are no neighbors
Or hen-coops near at alL
So in the garden nodding,
In rich profusion grow
Tobacco trees and cauliflowers,
And ros?s all a-row.
O! could I reich my castle,
I'd never need to think,
I'd never need to scribble,
And clothe my dreams in ink.
So when I'm not so busy,-
I'll hire a big balloon,
And sail away with I know whom
Beyond the yellow moon.
The Iron
Assessor.
T was in Luebben that it
a happened. But you were
mean the Luebben past
which today the train from
the Goerlitz station whizzet.,
and which is visited by
thousands of summer idlers
in their outings in the
Spreewald. I mean the Luebben of
twenty years ago, where a stranger
seldom appeared, and where the only
connection with the city was the post-
wagon. The social center of the place
at that time was the Star, with its
Hebe, Ernestine, somewhat old, 'tis
true, but fleet-footed still. Here the
younger generation drank their beer
and, now and then, their punch. In
the Star, one ovening. sat together
civilians and soldiers in their com
fortabie hunting-jackets! An old of
ficer had Just finished so incredible
a hunting story that no listener dared
venture a first word, when suddenly
the door opened, and the chief-justice
entered. Now the chief-justice ap
peared at the Star only when some
thing of unusual importance had hap
pened in Luebben. So, after the first
greetings, arose on all sides: "What
is it Judge? Murder? Embezzlement?
Elopement?"
"All wroiiK, gentlemen, all wrong,
returned the judge. "Worse! much
worse! We are to have an unmarried
assessor; and since the news has
spread,- the g!rls, under the pretext
of calling on my daughters, have not
given me a moment's peace. Is he
wise, rich, handsome, fat, thin, tall,
short, blonde, brunette, and what
not? Overwhelmed with the ava
lanche of questions, I have just man
aged to escape with my life and
now, Ernestine, a glass of beer.
In a few moments the judge had
recovered sufficiently to satisfy the
universal curiosity about the new
comer. Herr von Kahlbaum, the
newly-appointed assessor, had been
introduced to him as a highly-gifted
jurist and accomplished gentleman,
whose only weakness lay in his being
a sworn woman-hater.
It was a chilly March evening when
the Ion? form of Assessor von Kahl
baum sprang from the city stage. He
was a man cf about 30, with closely
cropped light hair, a long, curly, red
dish board, ruddy complexion, and
merry blue eyes. His fine, well
featured face awakened confidence,
and its owner would have had some
claim to positive beauty, had he not
been so thin. He went directly to
ward the Star, where he had already
ordered rooms. Ernestine, in her
freshly-starched, snow-white apron,
stood with beaming face in the door
way to greet the new guest, who re
turned her welcome with a half-suppressed
exclamation, and an audible
"These officious old women!"
A few hours later, around the long,
old-fashioned table of the Star, was
gathered -a laughing .company. Not
In the least wearied by his journey,
Kablbaum was brimming over with
wit and good-humor. He related
story after story, and proved himself
not only a clever speaker, but also
what is much more rare a charming
listener. As the company separated,
It was universally agreed that the as
sessor was a valuable addition to their
gatherings. The married members of
the club knew not how to excuse
themselves to their better halves for
their late return, except by sounding
the praises of the new arrival. And
so among the mothers of the little
city curiosity waxed strong, and
through the dreams of many a re
spectable dame hovered the face of
the woman-hater.
But Frau von Kesselschmidt, the
colonel's wife, could find no sleep, al
though her enthusiastic husband had
long since yielded to the poppy god.
No romantic fancies filled her head.
however. Was she not a daughter of
practical England? Persistently her
mind returned to the new assessor.
Herr von Kahlbaum, the woman
hater, should be summoned before the
wives and maidens of Luebben.
Maud, her dear sister, to whom 'she
had been a second mother, was near
ly 25 years old. She ought to marry.
Perhaps the assessor might be the
husband for Maud. And the little
frau fell asleep with a murmured,
"Yes, that will do."
The next morning the colonel bad
scarcely scrambled on his tall brown
Lisa to ride to his green lads on the
parade grounds, when Stabilinsky,
private, gardener, and errand boy, re
ceived orders from his mistress to
arm himself with the market basket.
Stabilinsky prepared wonderingly
to execute so unwonted a commission.
He laid aside his blue apron, and as
he squeezed himself into the some
what narrow livery-of his predeces
sor, he gave vent to his bewilderment
in the purest idiom of his native fields.
Then he grasped hastily the brown
market basket and his broad-brimmed
hat, and was ready to follow his mis
tress. Frau von Kesselschmidt hastened
fo the weekly market, Stabilinsky fol
lowing at a respectful distance.
Strangely enough, the little woman
Sad no eyes for the display of fresh
vegetables, or the fat woodcock; her
looks were fixed on the last house on
the main street, while Stabilinsky
gazed at the pretty country girls from
the Spreewald, and bashfully ex
changed with one or another a silent
greeting. Suddenly the little cloud
vanished which had gathered on her
"forehead, almost hidden under the
curly golden locks. A mischievous
smile curved her rosy lips enough to
show the gleam of dazzling white
teeth. From out the carefully watched
fcouse, wltb a bundle of papers under J
II
his arm, had just appeared an elderly
gentleman, whom we recognize as the
chief-justice. Frau von Kesselschmidt
walked toward him, and stretching
out her hand, exclaimed cheerily,
"Good morning, judge. How are
Paula and Erna this morning?" These
were the two unmarried daughters of
the judge.
SiLce the death of his wife, many
years before, the chief-justice had led
a very secluded life. Frau von Kess
elschmidt was the only lady upon
whom he called. He would gladly
have stopped to chat with her, but
the case of Kaiser versus Meyer was
called for 11 oclock; it was already
late, and never in his whole life had
ho kept a case waiting. With a wo
man's ready wit, Frau von Kessel
schmidt had guessed the thought of
the judge. She explained that her
errand led her in the neighborhood of
the courthouse, as she could not find
what she wished at the market Then,
as if by chance, after complaining of
heT husband's late hours, sne men
tioned the new assessor. Her hus
band had said so much about him
that she must kDow him, cost what it
might.
"That will be a hard task," ex
claimed the judge, "for Kahlbaum is
a sworn woman-hater.
"Not so hard as you think, my dear
judge, if you will only help me.
And the little Frau looked half
beseechingly, half-affectionately at the
iudse. until he wished in his inmost
hoart Kaiser versus Meyer to the
devil.
Frau von Kesselschmidt saw that
she had won her point. She now has
tily explained to the judge that he
was to give the usual complimentary
dinner to his new assistant at his own
house, instead of at the Star, and
that he was to invite ladles to be
present All objections were over
ruled, one after another, by the reso
lute little Englishwoman, who offered
to furnish menu, dishes, and servants
and finally the judge gave a reluctant
consent At the very door or the
court-hcuse they agreed upon a list
of guests, eight ladies and eight gen
tlemen, and Frau von Kesselschmidt
arranged matters so skillfully that all
formidable rivals to Maud were omit
ted.
The principal thing is, however, my
dear judge, and with this the con
versation closed "that the assessor
shall have no suspicion that ladies
are to appear at this dinner. I will
answer for their secrecy, if you will
undertake a similar, but even more
difficult task with the gentlemen. And
now good-by, my dear friend." With
a charming smile she offered both
hands to the judge they stood in the
entrance hall of the court-house who
raised them with much confusion to
his lips, not noticing that the parties
to Kaiser versus Meyer, who had
fon waiting already a half-hour for
him, wctb watching the operation
from over the balustrade.
That very evening, on his return
home, the judge found that Frau von
Kesselschmidt had spent the after
noon with his daughters, Erna and
Paula, who presented him with the
menu for the important event On
the next day the six ladies were in
vited and bound over to silence. On
the third day came the dinner.
Frau von Kesselschmidt had ordered
her beautiful china and cut-glass car
ried to the judge's. Stabilinsky, with
a Sired waiter, was to serve, and on
this occasion he was to wear the gala
livery of the Kesselschmidths. But
alas! this was altogether too small.
In vain did the tailor let out to their
full extent the seams of the blue
frock and the velvet breeches. They
were still very small. The faithful
servant however, squeezed and twist
ed himself into the uncomfortable gar
ments. The black-and-yellow striped
vest was no larger than frock and
breeches. The blood rushed to his
broad face. His head was bursting.
But what mattered it to him? Did
he not feel so much the cooler for his
long white stockings and his broad,
patent-leather 6hoes?
The guests were assembled at the
juTTge's, but the assessor did not ap
pear. They joked and laughed about
the poor fellow, but two people were
not quite comfortable: the judge, who
could not foresee how Kahlbaum
would take the surprise; and Stabil
insky, who was in a condition border
ing upon apoplexy. Suddenly a ring
at the bell. All was silent
"Herr Assessor von Kahlbaum,"
gurgled Stabilinsky, and at the same
moment the long form of the issessor
appeared in the doorway. Thinner
than ever he looked in his close-fitting
evening suit
Kahlbaum's forehead darkened at
the sight before him. He took a half
step backward, but Immediately his
good breeding conquered. He greeted
formally the host- and his daughters,
showing himself a master of knightly
courtesy; and although the good-fellowship
that made him such a favor
ite among men is forbidden among
ladies, he was soon acknowledged by
all to be exceedingly attractive.
Dinner was served. The assessor
was obliged to take out the daughter
of his host but Maud was seated at
his left hand.
Maud could scarcely be called re
markably pretty. But her bright,
round face, with Its halo of golden
hair, Its great, clear blue eyes, dear
little snub nose, and fresh, rosy
mouth, was truth and frankness itself.
She was of medium height, with a
round, graceful figure. The assessor
did not seem displeased with his
neighbor, and as he spoke English
fluently, before the oysters had dis
appeared a lively conversation had
sprung up between them, although
Erna was not neglected.
When Stabilinsky, red as a cherry,
appeared in the doorway with the
soup-tureen, was he careless about
the threshold of the strange house, or
did he stumble in his great shoes?
However this may be, with a fearful
crash, followed by a second one sug
gestive of distant thunder, there lay
the five feet four inches of Stabilinsky
among the fragments of the shattered
tureen. High over him splashed the
waves of soup. There was a univer
sal outcry.
My best tureen!" rose to the lips
of Frau von Kesselschmidt But a
warning glance from her husband
brought her to herself. Stabilinskv
did not stir.
"For heaven's sake, get up!" cried
Colonel von Kesselschmidt
Stabilinsky went so far as to raise
his head with an appealing look, but
remained as flat as if nailed to the
floor. The consternation of the com
pany was indescribable. The assessor
alone remained unmoved. He could
hardly repress a sarcastic .smile as
he murmured under his breath, "For
unto every sin cometh its own pun
ishment" . The ladies had atoned for
their deceit
Still Stab'liiisky did rot move. Maud
voiced the thought cP all when she
ventured to suggest that the pfor boy
might have hurt himself.- Sht was
the only one who had a word of pity
tor the faithful But she was
soon relieved of a If anxiety; for as
the servants raVd in with cloths to
dry the floor. Stabilinsky. with one
great spring, disappeared. Bis gala
livery was never made for such a
strain aa he had given it m nis lan,
and showed, in consequence, opeuiugs
which Stabilinsky would not lor ma
life have exposed to the gaze of the
company. Like Moltke, he had skil
fully made his retreat at a moment
tvben the enemy e attention was di
verted. . I
Dinner was followed by dancing.
The assessor shrugged his shoulders
and looked for his hat, but Maud,
who dearly loved to dance, glanced
beseechingly at him. He hesitated a
moment and then said: "if you are
willing, Miss Carlington. and if you
will excuse my lack of skill, I will
gladly dance with you."
The strains of a polka filled the
room, and the whole company stood
speechless as the assessor, the woman-
hater, stepped out with Maud to
dance. It was easily seen that he was
unacquainted with the most approved
forms, but with perfect coolness he
put his arm around his little friend,
placed her hand at his back a cus
tom not permitted in the best society
and started off. The lookers-on
could not refrain from smiling, and
a wicked little sub-lieutenant ex
claimed as he let fall his monocle:
" 'Pon my word! it looks as if a soda
wafer were dancing with a maca
roon." Kahlbaum scarcely noticed the at
tention which he had excited. He
was now fully occupied with the
pretty young girl, who was managing
to make herself very agreeable to
him. Where were all his well-grounded
principles against women in gen
eral and marriage in particular?
Why was this woman different from
all others? He pressed the soft white
hand more closely to hiin. Maud
uttered a cry? The assessor looked
down at her, and seeing how pale she
was, led her to an adolning room,
placed her in a chair, and hastened
to bring a glass of water. Maud's
sister and the hostess were soon at
her side, overwhelming her with ques
tions. She answered only that she
was not veil, that she would like to
go home.
On thef way home, Maud refused
any exp' ation of her sudden faint-
ness; but unce in her chamber alone
with her ister, great tears gathered
In her L':e eyes as she threw her
arms ari;.:nd her sister and stam
mered:
"Now I know why he hates us, why
he has sworn never to marry. He is
a cripple, he wears a splint at his
back."
Frau von Kesselschmidt looked at
her sister in speechless amazement
and repeated automatically: "A splint
at his back?" As Maud wept more
and more bitterly, however, she tried
to awaken another train of thought:
"Why, my darling little sister, sure
ly so soon you cannot have
"But I felt it," sobbed Maud. "He
is a cripple. He laid my hand at bis
back as we danced, and then I I felt
the splint. It is frightful. He will
never marry, and I I " she hid
her face on her sister's shoulder.
During this scene, Kahlbaum lay
upon a sofa in his comfortable room,
blowing thoughtfully into the air blxu.
rings from his Havana. Suddenly bo
exclaimed with a somewhat, loicert
laugh: "What a fool to go back ov
all your theories! As though all
women-folk were not of the same
hysterical, faithless set. Miss Carling
ton seems reasonable, yet she is just
like the rest Away with them all!"
Frau von Kesselschmidt Maud, and
the assessor passed a restless night
The first fell asleep toward morning
with a satisfied smile and her favor
ite, "That will do," on her lips. Maud
had, indeed, soon fallen asleep after
the excitement of the eveuing, but she
was tormented with frightful dreams.
Kahlbuun. after a wakeful night
left his house in the gray light of
early dawn, just as the long-drawn
tones of the reveille sounded through
the slumbering c'ty. His head was
heavy, he felt oppressed. He knew
that, in spite of his night's struggle,
a change, which twenty-four hours
before he would have thought impos
sible, had taken place within him, and
he sought in nature to regain his lost
self. In vain. He heard on all sides
the tender love-song of the wild dove,
and shutting bis ears, he found him
self watching thoughtfully the grace
ful springs of two squirrels chasing
each other from branch to branch.
"Why net dare such a spring and win
that happiness so dear to the poet?
Can it be wholly imaginary? No, no.
her good, true eyes " And with
these words he lighted a cigar and
walked thoughtfully back to his
rooms.
A soldier's house is early astir.
While Kahlbaum was wandering
about in the park, making gcod res
olutions, little Frau von Kesselschmidt
was sitting before her desk writing to
each of the ladies present at the din
ner of the previous day. There was
to be a ball at the Casino on the fol
lowing evening, but she Invited them
to drink coffee with her that after
noon. Before 10 o'clock, Stabilinsky
returned with the acceptance of all
the laiies and the assurance from the
baker that the inevitable creaim-cake
should be at hand punctually at 5
o'clock.
At 4 the ladies began to arrive.
These gossiping little assemblies were,
in truth, a perfect horror to our little
English friend; but making a virtue
of necessity, she tried to entertain her
guests as well as she could. Maud
did not appear. Her presence had
been forbidden, under the pretext that
she needed rest if she intended to be
present at the Casino ball.
The usual faicy-work had been
brought forth, the servant-girl ques
tion had been exhausted, the sister of
the mayor's wife had been unanimous
ly condemned for the capital crime of
smoking a cigaiette in her garden,
great breaches had already appeared
In the cake basket when the hostess
took advantage of one of those rare
pauses in the conversation to remark
carelessly: "Ladies, we need no
longer wonder why the assessor Is
such a woman-hater, and why he has
foresworn marriage."
By their eager and instant attention,
by their "ah's" and "oh's" of aston
ishment, it was evident that the la
dies, one and all, had given time and
thought to the solution of this riddle.
"Yes," continued Frau von Kessel
sebnfldt "behind his hatred for us
lies a sorrowful story." .
"Probably an early, unfortunate
love-affair," remarked the postmas
ter's wife.
"Not at all, my dear friend," replied
the hostess. "No! Kahlbaum is a
cripple."
"A cripple!" came In unison from
the circle,
"Yes, and therefore he cannot and
will not marry."
Erna and Paula, the elderly daugh
ters of the judge, dropped their eyes
bashfully.
A moment of painful silence fol
lowed. And It was only when the
little frau was positive that interest
in her news bad reached the highest
pitch that she continued':-"
"Yes, the poor fellow has something
wfong with bis back. He wears an
iroTT splint. You can easily assure
yourselves of the truth of my state-
meat tomorrow at the ball, if you will
ask Kahlbaum to dance with you In
the cotillon. As he guides has' partner, ;
the support can easily be felt'
The hidies protested Indignantly,
but each to herself resolved to under-
fake a journey of discovery upon the
back cf the poor man at the very first
opportunity. , j
The next evening found representa-
tives from every house in town wend-
ing their way toward the Casino,
Even Kahlbaum,- yielding to his de-
sire to see Maud once more, joined
the nu;rv throne:. The meet in 2 be- i
twten tliu two was somewhat con-'
strained. However, Kahlbaum thought
Maud in ball-dress and Dink roses. -
with her perfect shoulders and soft
eyes, a thousand times prettier than
before; and he devoted himself with !
such success to her entertainment j
that she soon forgot the iron splint
and even the dance which she dearly
loved. A brilliant polka brought the
thoughts of both back to the ballroom,
and offering his hand without a word,
he plunged with her boldly, yes, even
with inspiration, into the whirling
maze.
Ah! there it was again, the fatal
iron!
Maud grew slightly pale, but con
trolled herself by a violent effort.
After the dance, Kahlbaum left the
ball-room, but in the pause before the
cotillion, he returned to seat himself
in the circle beside Maud. He had
determined to try his fate during this
very dance; but m so determining,
he had reckoned without the coffee
party of Frau von Kesselschmidt
It was during the very first figure
that the general's wife, a thin, faded
lady of. uncertain age, decided t)
make upon th assessor the experi
ment suggested by the clever little
Englishwoman. "Scarcely had they
taken the first steps when Kahlbaum
became suddenly aware of a nervous
band scrabbling up and down his
back, and beating a regular tattoo on
his spinal column. At first, he paid
little attention to it thinking that the
good lady must be excessively nerv
ous. But the investigating tattoo be
came more and more intense. Now
Kahlbaum had the misfortune to be
so ticklish that the outstretched finger
: of a signboard nearly threw him into
convulsions. For some time be con
trolled himself, but finally he began
to wriggle and twist under the merci
less band of his partner. His face
began to twitch convulsively.
Frau von Kesselschmidt had
watched the first experiment with
ever-increasmg Interest and alarm,
and as she realized the outcome, even
without the speaking look of the gen
eral's wile, sha murmured aloud,
"Poor Maudie!"
Meantime the assessor, wiping the
drops of moisture from his brow, had
led his partner to her chair and was
turning toward his own place in the
circle; but alas! between him and
Maud stood the mayor's wife, who,
With a gracious smile, bade him re
turn to the dance. Only a few turns,
and again commenced the same tor
turing groping. By the most incredi
ble turnings and twistimgs the poor
man tried to escape; but the more he
twisted, the more determined grew
the search of his partner. The may
or's wife, absorbed in her conscien
tious examination, paid no attention
to the peculiar movements of her
partner; the whole company, on the
other hand, wore remarking upon the
extraordinary behavior of the new
assessor. They whispered that he had
taken too mucu wine. Maud was in
despair, and her sister regretted the
coffee-party from the bottom of her
heart
No sooner had this city mother,
overwhelmed with grief at her dis
covery, let the poor victim slip from
her arms, than he was claimed by the
postmasters wife, who, undaunted
by the general indignation at his be
havior, offered her hand to put him
again to the test
It was a trying position for the un
fortunate man. He felt that he was
the object of universal attention, that
a catastrophe awaited him. Still, he
would not be rude on the very first
evening of his entrance into the best
society of Luebben; so he took with a
shiver the proffered hand. The or
chestra struck up a noisy galop.
Kahlbaum had but one desire, to get
this frightful dance into the past and
return to Maud. He whirled madly
into the crowd. Away went the fin
gers at the same moment, up and
down, up and down. Beside himself,
the poor fellow exclaimed, "Please,
please stop tickling me!" At that
very instant the noisy music, which
had been merely the prelude to the
dance, was hushed, and the winged
words echoed through the hall.
A moment of ominous silence, a
burst of laughter. The postmaster's
wife thought best to faint Hopeless
confusion arose, in which Maud took
refuge with her sister, who wrung her
hands in despair. The innocent vic
tim, as white as a sheet staggered
into a side-room, where he was about
to sink exhausted on a sofa, when
he heard the voice of the mayor:
"Sir, your behavior of this wening
gives you no right to linger in these
rooms. I must earnestly beg "
Kahlbaum turned: "What impu
dence! Who gave you a right to crit
icize my behavior without knowing
my motives?" "
"For the personal insult you will
give me satisfaction later. Now I
command you to leave the house Im
mediately," answered the mayor in
excited tones.
The assessor became still paler, and
who knows what might have hap
pened, if Colonel von Kesselschmidt
had not rushed into the room.
"Hold!" he cried to the two angry
men. "The assessor Is innocent A
misunderstanding. A wager."
"A wager?" demanded in unison the
mayor and the assessor.
"Yes, a wager," replied the colonel.
"Let me get my breath and I will tell
you all about it" With . some hesi
tatloui he continued: "Someonje told
the ladies that Kahlbaum was a crip
ple, and they laid a wager that they
would find out this very evening
whether he really v.-ore an iron splint
at his back, as was reported. Prob-.
ably our friead here Is somewhat
ticklL'h, but he's not to blame for
that."
This account was interrupted by the
cry of the mayor, "You, too, Hed
wig?" and the exclamation of Kahl
baum, "I, a splint at the back!"
"Ye), dear sir, a splint that is, a
Wittle one, but that is not your fault,"
resumed the colonel.
"True," sighed the mayor, "he can't
help that" -
"The devil! I haven't any splint at
my back!" shouted the angry assessor.
"I aim as sound and strong as you ire.
Who started this infernal nonsense?
Who " , - ' -
"But the mayor's wife, pardon me,
dear madam," the mayor's wife nod
ded sadly "the mayor's wife has ac
tually felt it Just let me see!" and
the colonel made a sudden grab at
Kahlbaium's back.
'Ye.v but what is this then? Here
. i
is the splint!" v'i
Loud rang the clear laugh of the
assessor. He reached under his coat
and suddenly drew forth -A key of
oolcssal dimensions.
"Here is the t-nlint gentlemen.'
Bewildered and speechless, they all
gazed at the assessor's house-key.
which certainly, as far as size was
concerned, would have done honor t
the tertiary period,
When Kahlbaum had castered his
laughter, he explained that it was an
old student habit of his to have his
servant fasten his house-key into his
vest sinth. before he left home. Kes-
selscbmidt, who had more than half
believed the tale of the splint now
ioined heartily in the assessor s laugh
ter. But the mayor slipped quietly
away with his hedwig, after having
shaken hands with Kahlbaum. It was
left with Kesselschmidt to make
further explanations to the company
These were received with the keenest
appreciation. Only those most closely
concerned in the affair did not feel
quite satisfied with this 'unexpected
solution of the mystery.
The next morning, the whole city
knew of. the engagement of Maud and
the "iron assessor. .
BE WAS
A Case That Startles
a Scientific World.
Covered in a Grave for
Two Months.
The Body then Dngr Up, Scientific Skill
Applied, Returns to the Land
of the Living:.
Nevada, Ohio, December 5th. Some
time during the early summer the
question of being buried alive and re
maining in that condition for a period
of two months, according to the prac
tices of the India fakirs, was dis
cussed with considerable force and
favor in and, about this little village,
when it was suggested that if a sub
ject could be found who would sub
mit to a test a good, round sum of
money could be raised to defray the
expense and as a bonus to the sub
ject.
As an experiment, and in the inter
est of science, an effort was made and
a subject was secured, who, for the
sum of $500, agreed to have the test
made, he offering himself for the or
deal. Arrangements were begun, and the
subject, Levi Nye, of this place, got
himself in readiness; but the authori
ties, fearing that some injury might
be done him, and as public opinion
was rather against it, ordered the
proceedings stopped.
Nothing daunted, and believing that
it could be successfully accomplished,
the promoters changed their tactics,
and, after letting the matter die out
of public notice, went about it in a
systematic manner, taking into their
confidence only those in whom they
could place the most Implicit trust,
who were believers ,in and would as
sist in this most extraordinary test.
The only known people who ever at
tempted it were -the inhabitants of
India, a portion of whom, it is said,
have practiced It for a great many
years, and who do it for a mere pit
tance as a means of livelihood.
During the World's fair Prof. Sey
mour proposed to the managers that
as an attraction, and for the sum of
$10,000, he would submit to a test of
this kind, remaining in this mummi
fied condition for from sixty to ninety
days. The managers were about to
arrange with' him for the experiment
when the authorities refused to let
it proceed, fearing a failure, and that
they might be held for premeditated
murder. '
A suitable place was secured where
the utmost secrecy could be main
tained, and under the immediate su
pervision Of Dr. C. A. Mills, Dr. J.
X. Goodbread, J. E. Maxwell, of this
place, and H. M. McLaughlin, for
merly of Denver, Col., preparations
were begun.
They called into their conncll a few
of their personal friends V. O. Tut
tle, Clarence Knowlton and Edward
Diner and, taking the guide and rule
laid down by those who had conduct
ed such tests in the past noting every
particular, so that no mistake would
be made, for their determination was
to make it a success, Jf such a thing
were possible.
Mr. Nye, being a bachelor, and with
no immediate relatives, and who has
been of a roving disposition, with no
place he could call home, was a most
desirable subject
In him they fund one whom they
could trust in their preparations, and
should it by any turn, prove not a
success, there was very little likeli
hood that any questions would be
asked, or, if so, no investigations
would be pushed. The natural infer
ence would be that he had gone on
one' of his wanderings, and, should he
never return, it would be only what
thousands of others had done, and
would be classed among "the miss
ing." Should it prove a success, as
they hoped and believed It would,
then they would accomplish what the
civilized world had said could not be
done. Should It prove a success,
science would be advanced, and a
complete revolution In the study of
the great question of life and death
would take place. It - would open a
new channel for the investigation, of
the immutable laws of nature. It
would revolutionize the doctrines and
practices of the past ages, and make
for themselves a reputation second to
none In the history of the known
world.
Had this test proved a failure, this
article never would have been writ
ten, and only a few could have an
;wered tfie Question as to the where
abouts of Levi Nye.
After the preliminaries, which con
sisted of a complete cleansing of the
system by cutting off the supply of
nourishment in a systematic manner
each day for thirty days, there was
a diminution of matter taken into the
stomach until it was reduced to the
minimum, after which be was placed
on a slab, after having his tongue
turned back in his mouth and filled
with cotton, also his nostrils and ears.
After this to all appearances he. was
dead. His pulse ceased to beat his
heart was still, his eyes were glassy,
and no sign of life was visible. At
this time there was a feeling of un
rest and uncertainty among the little
party of experimenters, but It was no
time to falter or turn - back. There
was one of two things that was sure
to be it was either going to ba a
failure or a success. They bad gone
RESURRECTED
too far to even hesitate. His face was
then cleanly shaved and ready to be
put in his living tomb, or rather to
be burled alive. -
The place of Interment was In a
cellar. A two-and-a-half grave was
dug. The body was carefully wrapped
and encased in an air-tight box, when
it was lowered and neatly covered
with all the earth thrown out and
there left to rest waiting for the res
urrection, which was at that time set
for January 1st or New Year's day.
following. The burial took place or
Monday, October 1, 1804.
A careful watch was conducted
every evening. The doors were all
securely locked and bolted, the grave
was marked carefully, so there could
be no tampering with it without de
tection. Only among themselves, and
with the greatest caution, was there
any word spoken or sign given. Eight
long weeks of watchirg. filled with
hopes and fear, and then o council
was held to determine whetatr or not
it was time to resuscitate him, or, at
least, to make the effort. The s?traiu
on their nerves was such that it was
decided not to wait any longer. Could
it .be successfully performed in two
months, there would be ro question
about their being able to accomplish
the same thing in three.
Monday evening, December 3d, was
the time set for the reappearance of
Mr. Nye, either in life or death. If
the latter, then all would be forgot
ten. If the former, then a glorious
awakening and a success?1 1 experi
ment that would startle iht world.
After removing the earth and lift
ing the box from its position, it was
with trembling hands and beating
hearts that the lid was removed, and,
to their great surprise and joy, they
found the body remarkably like when
two months before it was laid away.
except a wonderful growth of hair
and whiskers. All doubt seemed re
moved. All xclaimr-d with one
breath, "A success!"
A bath tub had bn brought in
which was now filled with water.
quite warm. The cotton from his nos
trils, mouth and ears was removed.
His tongue was laid out in its natural
oosition, and the body placed in the
warm water. Now caine the wash.
There was but one sentiment and that
was, "it must be a success;" each
took turns" in rubbing the body until
it had relaxed its rigid condition
;;olor returning to the face. The blood
began to circulate, and in less than
in hour signs of life began to appear.
Then hot poultices were applied to
i the head and bowels. Air was am
ficlally pumped into his lungs, and
after a few sharp and vigorous pump
ings of the body a start and gasp
were noticed, then followed a twitch
ing of the muscles, and in loss than
two minutes more he was sitting up
unassisted and in a wild, half-scared
manner like one who had awakened
from a bad dream, and all was well.
Very liffht stimulants were given him
He was dressed in warm woolen
clothes and laid in a warm bed with
hot irons at his feet. The best of at
tention was given him. and by morn
ing he was able to converse with
those around him. When it became
known that the test had been made
there was some excitement in and
about the town. Everybody is now
ready to congratulate them on their
success, and few there are who look
at it in a skeptical way.
The doctors have the details of fit"
who'e procedure noted down, and will
publish them to the world and give
humanity the benefit of what must
now be considered the greatest dis
covery in this world's history.
Mr. Nye will prepare a detailed ac
count of his experience while in the
under world, of which he has a vivid
recollection.
LAFAYETTE IN AMERICA.
xuc ureat Frenchman's Experience
in the Army of Washington.
Lafayette was only 10 years of age
when " he took unto himself a wife,
who was even younger, and only 20
when he blossomed out into a full
fledged general of the American army.
He must have been 'the young man
old, for we find nowhere in the rec
ords of his brilliant achievements
upon the field the apologies that
might have been warranted for the
freshness and exuberance of youth.
Lafayette appeared In the awful
days of the winter at Valley Forge,
when men lay, starving and unclad,
axposed to the perils of an unpre
cedentedly severe winter, and horses
were fying by hundreds from expos
ure and famine. The Goliath of
Britain's might then pervaded the
land, all-powerful in superior num
bers, splendidly equipped and seem
ingly invulnerable. It was then this
modern David who replied to General
Lee's deprecatory injunction as to the
uselessness of fighting "the enemy:
"It may be so, general, but British
soldiers" have been beaten and they
may be again. At any rate, I am
disposed to make the trial."
In alertness, strategic skill and re
sistless energy, Lafayette was indom
'table. His love of America and the
principles Involved in its momentous
struggle was little short of Idolatry.
When he returned to France, after
Ills first term of service In the Rev
olution, it was to appeal to the French
king for new sinews of war In tlie
way of men and money, and he ob
tained them.
It is enly within the year, in the
monument erected at Dobb's Ferry,
that any significant recognition of
the services of the French allies in
the Revolution has been made by the
ns of the early patriots. This, it
is to be hoped, is but the prelude to
some grander memorials to the young
hero. No more important feature of
the historic struggle is chronicled
rhan the coming of the boy-soldier in
his self-equipped expedition, ignoring
til commands of his king and defy
'ng the dangers of the long and haz
ardous voyage and the presence of
hostile fleets. Strangely forgetful as
we have been of the obligations due
to Lafayette, the Revolutionary
Cathers and the generation that fol
lowed them were prodigal In their
recognition of his memorable services.
After years of public service to his
native country, and of suffering and
imprisonment In the cause of liberty
he sought for France, Lafayette was,
upon his release from the Austrian
orison, claimed as the nation's guest
PIONEER
-A
COFFEE
HODES& HALL,
lain and Fancy Confections-Ice Cream.
CIGARS:: , .r: ...
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hour of the day.
by his .American admirers. With
his old-time . enthusiasm, he ccwie-
nearlv half a century after his tri
umph at Yorktown to receive tha
homage of his old comrades and their
grateful children. His Journey through,
the twenty-five states of the Amer
ican Union was akin to one of the
historic "triumphs" of some Roman
emperor. He had lost his fortune in
the terrible vicissitudes through which
he had passed, and congress voted
him what was then a munificent for
tunethe sum of $200,000 in recog
nition of his services during the Rev
olution. The last lustrum of his
eventful life was spent peacefully in
his beloved France.
The name of Lafayette stands in
history's page unsullied by the breath
of slander, an epitome of all that was
the ideal of loyalty and of that nobil
ity of character that knew only the
loftiest principles and held them "unv
spotted before the world." The 6th
of September marked the one hun
dred and thirty-seventh anniversary
of the birth of this hro, one or tne
Messiahs of human liberty in modern
times. New York . Mail and Express.
AN EMBARRASSED FIRM.
Philadelphia. Pec. 17. Job Batti's
Sons, one of the oldest establishments
in yarn and carpets in Kensington
district are financially embarrassed,
with liabilities aggregating $200,000. '
A. member of the firm said: "The
present trouble was caused by Miller
& Sattersfield. who put the sheriff on
us for a $10,000 claim. They also
charged us with obtaining goods un
der false pretenses."
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