gulled, the case was good and defensible. To look at the morale of any case was entirely out of the question. He looked to his brief, his fee, and his fame in the profession. While he hastily examined the documents, Miss Chadleigh's attorney interfered; but the barrister, despite the breach of professional etiquette, waved him off. He examined the signatures of two different letters, and the post-marks, once and again; returned the papers to Frankland; and throwing his brief, or his notes, with some violence upon the table, bowed to the bench, and said aloud and emphatically, that he abandoned this case. horrible word which he had just employed in presence of a she-saint-of that most excellent lady. I enjoyed his perplexity not a little and so, perhaps, did she, though she looked quite unconscious. "You must pardon me, madam. We military men of the old school are not always quite so proper in our language as we ought to be :-but if the heart be right "That is much-that is all in all," returned the lady, with her habitual benevolent and cheerful smile. Her carriage drove off for Rochester. "And that jade, Kate Chadleigh, mimicked, ridiculed, and taught me to despise that good woman, Mr. Richard." "And you have lived to learn that there may be worse women in the world than the shesaints," I rejoined. "Nor yet their coming boldly into a court of law, and exposing, without hope or fear, a conspiracy against the purse and character of an old bachelor, who had suffered himself to be bamboozled He flung away, the fluttering of his gown fanning the now really fainting plaintiff, and familiarly nodded to the governor as he passed, saying, in a loud whisper, "I congratulate you, Governor Fox. Had I this morning known of this case "Little did I merit such kindness at her hands what I know now, I would never have opened my—though I can't abide women going about to lips in it." meetings, tracts, and societies, and all that stuff: "Small thanks to you, sir," returned the gov-bold hussies-and so quiet and shy all the ernor, with a stiff bow. "You don't like to be while." found out, I see. "" But Frankland was addressing the bench-and I begged silence. In brief, the jury were discharged. The attorney of the enemy, who was himself deeply implicated, attempted to bustle and bluster aside to my brother; but at the sight of his own letters, he changed color, and darted a look of fury at the wretched plaintiff, whom, in defiance of the governor's anger, I conducted out of court, and placed in a coach at the nearest stand. Neither of us spoke one word; but my fair companion trembled exceedingly. She attempted no vindication, no palliation of her conduct; nor shall I, farther than to state, that it afterwards appeared she had entered upon the prosecution with reluctance, and under the threatened horrors of a jail. This much was disclosed by the correspondence in the bag, so opportunely picked up by one of the girls of a poor widow, patronized by Mrs. and carried to that lady. The carriage and horses of this lady, who proved the deliverer of the governor at his need, waited near the court. I found him making warmly grateful and polite speeches, to which she listened with placid dignity and a benevolent smile. Sometimes I could fancy that a slight fugitive ray of humor played about her lips. Una had subdued the lion. To the lady, at parting, the governor made the lowest bow he had attempted since he attended the levee of George the Third, in 1805; and, with the Baptist druggist he shook hands with cordial frankness, hoping that, as old neighbors, they might yet be better acquainted: had he known what a dd good fellow he was, they should have settled their old affair about the pump, over a bottle of Maderia, without those rascally attorneys. But here his conscience suggested the LINES. Now listless o'er life's sullen tide Now lowering brood the mental skies, 66 Hang it, man! say no more about it ;-catch any gipsy taking me in again. You are grinning now at the protection of four-score ;—but a man is never too old to learn wisdom." Whether it be increase of wisdom, better society, or the sedative effects of an old age passed without pain, fear, or anxiety, I cannot say; but the improvement, the kindly ripening, and mellowing of the governor's temper, has become the subject of remark and congratulation to all his friends, and particularly to the Walpoles and myself. Sometimes a whole week will elapse, during which he and his man Sam will duly read the Prayer Book, and over the blinds watch the transit of the Dover coaches-now the governor's chief occupation-without his once launching his crutch after the long heels of the offending black. He has lately been prevailed upon by Mrs. Walpole, and his now esteemed friend, his former "she-saint," to reinstate Mrs. and Miss Chadleigh in his will, exactly as they stood before the trial; and, of his own impulse, he went the length of presenting the latter, who was known to be in extreme want, with twenty guineas, at last Christmas-which largesse was to remain a dead secret between himself and the bearer, Sam. With him it ever will do so.-Perhaps I have said too much about my old friend-but, in spite of his superfluous use of expletives, and frequent reference to his satanic majesty, there are many worse men talked of in the world, and figuring in books than GOVERNOR Fox. And must this be! My soul, arouse ! Stretch to thine oar, yon beam thy guide- LITTELL'S LIVING AGE.-No. 52.-10 MAY, 1845. 11. Punch's Noy's Maxims, 23 to 37, PAGE 250 New Monthly Magazine, 251 Examiner, 257 Spectator, 260 Critic, 262 Examiner, 263 New York Tribune, Critic, Punch, 266 12. Diaries and Correspondence of the Earl of Malmesbury, Quarterly Review,. 13. A Miracle! Pennsylvania has paid! Punch, POETRY.-Thomas Campbell's "Advertisement;" The Wedding Ring, 249-Enigma; I think of Thee, 270. SCRAPS.-Dog Annexation, 250-Electric Clocks; Calmness in Commotion, 261Talented Women; Vulgar Eloquence, 262-Anecdote of Dunning, 266. A CORRESPONDENT points out that the writer of Mornings with Thomas Campbell," published in the Journal a few weeks ago, (No. 58,) has somewhat misunderstood the poet's account of his fancy for the beautiful child whom he met in St. James' Park. What the author of the " Pleasures of Hope" sent to the newspapers was the following jeu d'esprit : LINES ON HIS NEW CHILD-SWEETHEART, I hold it a religious duty, I chanced to, yesterday, behold 'T was near-more sacred was the scene- Her pouting mouth was Cupid's bow; For by its instinct childhood's eye But where abides this jewel rare? To think I ne'er may meet her more. Our correspondent adds, that the lines were answered in a poetical address by a member of the young lady's family, who fully appreciated the honor he had done them.-Chambers' Journal. THE WEDDING RING. EMBLEM of happiness, not bought nor sold, Of simple elegance th' unconscious charm, The only amulet to keep from harm; To guard at once and consecrate the shrine, DOG ANNEXATION. From Punch. J. POLK was put to the bar charged with robbing the Mexican minister of a favorite dog, named Texas the circumstances of the case Don Bernar do Murphy stated to be these:-Some months since, John Polk sold his Excellency the dog, (a very large animal, spotted black and white, that used to run under carriage ;) subsequently a fellow named Houston, a countryman of Polk's, who had been in his Excellency's service, absconded with the dog, and he had that day seen it at Greenwich Fair, whither he had gone in company with Chevaliér Bunsen. The animal was tied to a van, belonging to the prisoner, and from which he was haranguing and psalm-singing to the company at the fair. POLICEMAN, X. 21, said-Please your worship, there has been more picking of pockets round that 'ere psalm-singing wan than in any part of the fair. MR. ABERDEEN-Silence, Policeman. What has that to do with the complaint? The Mexican Minister continued, in a very agitated manner, "I instantly recognized my dog, and gave the scoundrel yonder in charge of a policeman." jurisdiction has this here court? what authority has any court on airth in a question purely American? My bargain with Don Bernardo Murphy took place out of this country-the dog came back to me thousands of miles herefrom. MR. ABERDEEN-In that case I really must dismiss the complaint. Allow me to state my opinion, Mr. Polk, that the dog is yours; I have no business to inquire into the question of annexation as you call it, or of robbery as his Excellency here (very rudely, I must think,) entitles your bargain. I entreat rather that gentlemen so respectable should live together in harmony; and-and I wish you both a very good morning. Mr. Polk then left the office, whistling to his dog, and making signs of contempt at Don Bernardo Murphy, who slunk away in a cab. He had not been gone an hour when Policeman X. 21, came into the office and said, "Please your worship, the Yankee annexed your Worship's Canadian walking-stick in the passage." MR. ABERDEEN (sternly)-Mind your own busifellow, Mr. Polk is perfectly welcome to the ness, stick. Presently another member of the force, O'Regan by name, entered and swore the incorrigible Polk had stolen his beaver hat. about it at law. "Scoundrel!" the prisoner cried, (a very sanc- MR. ABERDEEN (good humoredly)-Well, well, timonious looking fellow, who held the dog in his I dare say the hat wasn't worth twopence halfarms,)-"Am I in a Christian land, to hear my-penny and it's better to lose it than to squabble self called by such names? Are we men? Are we brethren? Have we blessings and privileges, or have we not? I come of a country the most enlightened, the most religious, the most freest, honestest, punctuallest, on this airth, I do!" MR. ABERDEEN, (with a profound bow,)-You are an American, I suppose? O'Regan left the court grumbling, and said it was n't so in Temple's time. BOOKS RECEIVED. Mr. Dwight's AMERICAN PENNY MAGAZINE POLK-I thank a gracious mussy, I am! I can makes its regular weekly appearance-always filled appeal to everything that is holy, and, laying my with good matter; much of it original, and all hand on my heart, declare I am an honest man. I showing the marks of editorial care and judgscorn the accusation that I stole the complainant's ment. This excellent family book will make dog. The dog is my dog-mine by the laws of more than 800 double pages in a year, for One heaven, airth, right, nature, and possession. Dollar. Published at the Express Office, New York. From Messrs. Harper & Brothers: HARPER'S BIBLE, No. 24. MOUNT SOREL, PART 2. DON BERNARDO MURPHY, very much agitated, here cried out-How yours? I can swear to the animal. I bought him of you. POLK-You did. It's as true as I'm a freeborn man. DON BERNARDO-A man who was an old servant of yours comes into my service and steals the dog. POLK-A blesseder truth you never told. DON BERNARDO-And I find the animal now in your possession. POLK (cuddling the dog)-Yes, my old dogyes, my old Texas; it did like to come back to its old master, it did! DON BERNARDO (in a fury)—I ask your worship, is n't this too monstrous? MR. ABERDEEN-Your Excellency will permit me to observe that we have not yet heard Mr. Polk's defence. In a British court, justice must be shown and no favor. POLK-I scorn a defence. The dog returned to me by a lor of natur-it's wicked to fly against a lor of natur. If I sold the dog, and by the irresistible attraction of cohesion, and the eternal order of things, he comes back to me-am I to blame?— It's monstrous, heinous, reglar blasphemy to say Mr. Aberdeen appeared deeply struck by the CHARLES TYRRELL. By G. P. R. James. ENCYCLOPEDIA OF DOMESTIC ECONOMY, comprising such subjects as are most immediately connected with Housekeeping. To be completed in 12 nos. at 25 cents each, and illustrated with nearly One Thousand Engravings. This will be a treasury of knowledge upon matters of which we all feel the importance. Messrs. Greeley & M'Elrath have issued the first part of the POPULAR LECTURES ON SCIENCE AND ART, BY DR. LARDNER, of which we gave notice in a former No. This Part, price 25 cents, contains: The Plurality of Words; The Sun; Eclipses; The Aurora Borealis ; Electricity. The work is handsomely printed, and we are glad to see that the type is of a good size. We shall read every word of it, and recommend it especially to young people. A knowledge, even although superficial, of the principles of Natural POLK (continued)—I did n't steal the animal-Philosophy, is a foundation which is built upon Steal! Is a man of my character to be called a through all after life.-It is a very profitable in thief? I annexed him-that's all. Besides, what vestment. 1 latter observation. From the New Monthly Magazine. seats, also presented similar stains. On the table THE LEFT-HAND GLOVE; OR, CIRCUMSTANTIAL were the remains of a repast which had evidently TESTIMONY. On the summit of a hill near Muhlbach, a small town of Rhenish Prussia, there is a chapel dedicated to St. Joseph. Being a place of pilgrimage, this chapel is on festival days visited by many of the inhabitants of the surrounding country; but on other days of the year it seldom happens that the sound of a human footstep disturbs the sacred solitude. Very early on the morning of the 19th of July, 1818, a peasant proceeding to work, was wending his way along a narrow path at the foot of the hill. His dog was running before him. Suddenly the animal stopped short, and in another moment darted off rapidly in the direction of the chapel. The dog soon returned to his master, howling piteously, and betraying unequivocal signs of terror. The peasant quickened his pace, and turned directly into the path leading up to the chapel. On coming within sight of the portal of the little edifice, he was horror-struck to behold, stretched on the steps, the lifeless body of a young man. The terrified peasant hurried to the neighboring village with tidings of what he had seen The news spread with the swiftness of lightning, and in a very short space of time the magistrate of the district, accompanied by the village doctor and schoolmaster, and followed by a crowd of country people, were ascending the hill in the direction of the chapel. The body was found precisely on the spot and in the position described by the peasant. It was the corpse of a very handsome young man; part of the clothing, viz., the coat and waistcoat had been taken off, and beneath the shirt there was found a piece of cloth of a bright red color, apparently the fragment of a shawl. This piece of cloth was laid in several folds over the region of the heart. It was fastened by a band of fine lawn or cambric, which was rolled round the body, and the whole was firmly fixed by a mass of congealed blood. On the careful removal of these bandages, there was discovered a deep wound, which had divided the carotid artery. The deceased wore light colored pantaloons, boots with spurs, and on one of the fingers there was a massive gold signet-ring. The ground round the spot where the body lay exhibited no trace of any struggle; but prints of footsteps, partially obliterated, were perceptible. These marks were traced to a neighboring wood, and in the direction of an eminence which towered above the trees, and whose summit was crowned by the ruins of the old castle of Ottenberg-a place which the neighboring country people believed to be haunted. been partaken of at no very distant date, for there were fragments of bread and fruit, and a broken bottle in which some wine still remained. On further examination, deep prints of footsteps were perceived leading from the ruins of Ottenberg to the high road of Beking, in a direction quite opposite to that of the chapel. A little further on in the same track, was found a piece of red cloth; and on comparison it was ascertained to belong to the same shawl, a fragment of which had been used to stanch the wound of the victim. At the foot of a tree lay a lady's glove, nearly new, but stained with blood. Nothing more was discovered, and in the evening the body was interred in the village churchyard, after being throughout the day exposed to the public gaze. On the following day, an innkeeper presented himself to the magistrate of the district. He had recognized in the murdered man a traveller who slept in this house on the night of the 15th of July, and who left early on the following morning. He knew neither the name nor the condition of the stranger; nor had he heard from whence he came, or whither he was going. The innkeeper observed that he had a gold watch and chain, a red morocco pocket-book, and a green silk purse; moreover, that he wore two rings, one of which he had recognized on the dead body. An active inquiry was set on foot; but no circumstance of importance was brought to light, until about six weeks afterwards. The police then ascertained that a gentleman named Von Bergfeldt, who had been residing for some time at Coblentz, had suddenly disappeared. He came from Frankfort, and to all appearance possessed plenty of money. He had made several excursions to various parts of the adjacent country, and his journeys had extended as far as the mountains of the Vosges. An old soldier, who had been his servant, and the proprietor of a house which he had hired, came to Muhlbach; both had a perfect recollection of the watch and the two rings remarked by the innkeeper; the servant positively affirmed that the boots found on the dead body belonged to his master. Several months elapsed, and public interest, which had been powerfully excited by this mysterious event, was gradually subsiding, when a gentleman of rank, travelling to the waters of Podewil, happened to pass through Muhlbach. Hearing of the murder, he was struck by the name of the victim-Bergfeldt being the name of one of the most ancient and noble families in Silesia. He knew their armorial bearings, and he expressed a wish to see the signet-ring which had been found on the body. The engraved coat-of-arms was identical with that of the Silesian Bergfeldts; viz., quarterly sable and azure, on a Chief Or, a serpent between two bees. Whilst the doctor and others were engaged in examining the body, some of the rustic crowd mustered courage to trace the foot-prints, which apparently led to the ruined castle-their super- The ober-procurator of Muhlbach lost no time stitious fears being doubtless lulled by the convic-in addressing a letter to the authorities of Breslau. tion that ghosts are not prone to wander in the An answer was speedily returned enclosing a bright sunshine of a July morning. One of the letter signed Ferdinand von Bergfeldt, the writer party was soon seen running back to the chapel in of which described himself as being the second son breathless haste, announcing that the scene of the of the old Baron Franz von Bergfeldt. He stated crime was discovered. The magistrate proceeded that his elder brother, had about two years preto the ruins of the castle, and what he saw left no viously, left home to make a tour in various parts room to doubt that the murder had actually been of Europe, and that the family had received committed there. The floor of the spacious aréa no intelligence of him for a very considerable (once the banqueting hall of the castle) was time. stained with blood. The walls, the table, and the Every circumstance," pursued the writer of the letter, "leads to the supposition, that the vic-| the bathing establishment, and wanted some pertim of the recent murder is no other than my un- son to tie a bandage round her right hand, which fortunate brother. Our family has the greatest she said she had accidentally cut. The wife of interest in elucidating this mystery, inasmuch as the bath-keeper washed and bandaged the wound. our patrimonial estates are entailed on heirs male. The cut was long, but not very deep, and appeared My brother was married, but had separated to have been inflicted with a knife. The lady from his wife, by whom he had a daughter, who requested to have a clean white handkerchief, died in infancy. I shall set out forthwith for which was furnished to her; she left a ducat in Muhlbach." payment, and went away hurriedly. An old man, dressed like a wood-cutter, had been observed waiting for her at some distance, and, the lady having joined him, they went away together. From the evidence of a person living near the baths, it appeared that, being at work behind a hedge, he had heard a short colloquy between the lady and her guide. The former was weeping and appeared greatly distressed. The old man said to her, "In the name of Heaven, madam, be calm! Tears cannot recall the dead to life from me you have nothing to fear-I will be silentsilent as the grave!" Ferdinand von Bergfeldt arrived at Muhlbach in December, he examined the effects of the deceased, and the documents relative to the examination of witnesses. It appeared evident, beyond doubt, that his brother had perished by the hand of a murderer; but, nevertheless, it was requisite he should be provided with an attested certificate of his death, before he could take possession of the inheritance which would devolve on him as next heir, at the decease of his then very aged father. He engaged the assistance of the advocate Schelnitz, a lawyer of justly reputed intelligence and activity; and with him he proceeded to Coblentz. The mystery of the case, the important interests involved in it, and the rank of the family, all contributed to stimulate the zeal of Schelnitz, and he speedily brought to light certain facts which promised to lead to the detection of the .criminal. Ferdinand and the lawyer visited the house which had been occupied by Edward von Bergfeldt at Coblentz. Seals had been affixed to all the drawers, trunks, &c., and, on a careful examination of the effects, there was found in the pocket of a coat a note written in French. The address had been torn off, but the note was as follows: "I grant the interview on condition of its being the last. Your threats can never intimidate me. I defend myself with the arms of virtue and honor. This is my last communication. Secret correspondence must not continue. "C. As soon as Ferdinand von Bergfeldt perused this note, he felt convinced that he was on the right track for the discovery of the murderer. "It has been conjectured," observed he, "that robbery was the motive for taking my brother's life-no such thing! I feel assured that the fatal blow was struck by a female hand-the same hand to which the glove belongs, and the same hand which traced this note. Every one of our family are aware that my brother did not behave well to his wife; and that his conduct caused them to separate shortly after their marriage.' The active inquiry now set on foot brought to the knowledge of the magistrates various circumstances worthy of attention. A country girl deposed that, whilst she was engaged in cutting wood in the neighborhood of the castle of Ottenberg, on the morning of the 16th of July, she had seen a gentleman in a hunting-dress walking with a lady. She described the lady to have worn a straw bonnet, a bright-colored dress, and to have carried a parasol. The keeper of the baths of Podewil, near Muhlbach, furnished testimony somewhat more important. He stated that, about noon on the 16th of July, a lady elegantly attired, but pale and evidently suffering from fatigue, came to the door of These witnesses described the lady to have had a light-colored parasol, a straw bonnet trimmed with flowers, and a green silk dress. Ferdinand von Bergfeldt now entertained no doubt that the investigation would speedily lead to a satisfactory result. In a letter, which he addressed to the magistrate of Muhlbach, he said, "We shall soon unravel the truth. We have the glove, and it will not be long ere we have the hand. It is a right-hand glove, and, on turning it inside out, I have made a discovery which has heretofore escaped observation. In the inside is written a name, part of which is obliterated, the letters Henr-Fke, being all that are legible.” But was this the name of the wearer or the maker? With the view of solving this question, who had orders to spare no exertions for the elucithe glove was transmitted to an experienced agent, dation of the fact. At this juncture an unexpected circumstance intervened. A festival day was at hand, and in preparation for it the chapel of St. Joseph was swept and cleaned. The box destined for receiving donations for the poor was opened; within it was found a green-silk purse, containing a considerable sum in gold and silver, together with a slip of paper, on which were written the following words: "Give the dead man Christian burial, and Heaven will reward you!" It will be recollected that the inn-keeper had seen a green-silk purse in the hands of the stranger who had slept a night in his house. He was shown the purse found in the poor-box, and he identified it as the same. Meanwhile, Ferdinand von Bergfeldt received letters from Silesia, acquainting him with his father's sudden death. He hurried home without delay. He was aware that in the event of his brother Edward's death being proved, it would be necessary that he should go immediately to Berlin to obtain the requisite authority for entering into possession of his inheritance. In this matter he counted on the support of his sister-in-law; as the widow would be entitled to an annuity much more considerable than the sum she had received as alimony since her separation from her husband. Ferdinand von Bergfeldt was not on friendly terms with the family of his brother's wife. Some overtures for effecting reconciliation between the husband and wife had been obstinately opposed by the father of the lady, General Count Hildenrath. This circumstance had, in no slight degree, wounded the pride of the Bergfeldts. |
