“Got You at Last”
A physician from Baden-Baden tells this story: “It was a clear cold night—after twelve o’clock. I was returning from a visit in the country, and riding through the forests I heard the sounds of ax-strokes. There was no doubt about what this meant. I was in good humor, so I tied my horse to a tree, sneaked up close to the thieves, and watched their doings for a while. As they were giving the last strokes which were to bring down a beautiful tree, I jumped from behind my hiding-place, crying: ‘Got you at last, you villains!’
“‘Clear out—it’s the forester!’ called a voice; and as quick as lightning the whole company disappeared. One ax was left behind, and I took it as a trophy and rode home. The whole affair passed so quickly that I could not see distinctly any one of the trespassers.
“Years passed, when one afternoon as I entered a tavern in Baden-Baden, my attention was drawn to a party playing cards. The game seemed to be lost to the man whose back was turned to me. Suddenly he cried out: ‘Mine with the bower, and thank you!’ It was the same voice, that years ago, had given the command: ‘Clear out!’
“A second game began. I stood behind my man looking at his cards. As he took up a long-expected trump I called to him unexpectedly: ‘Got you at last, you villain!’ Slowly the player turned around to me and said: ‘Where is my ax?’”