Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-10-22
Gertrude Ponder WGrt.
AN AFFECTING STORY.

Among those who are accused as accoTa.
plices in the assassination OF the Emperor
Albert, by John Of Swabia, was the Bar
on Wonder Wart, though according to the
unanimous testimony Of earlier and later
historians, he had not taken any immedi
ate part in the deed itself. He was
bound alive TO the wheel. Ills wife, Ger
trude, did not forsake her unhappy hus
band even in his last moments, and she
describes those dreadful hours in the fol
lowing letter to Marguerite Fre,anstein,
which is inserted in a book published at
Harla in 1918, underline following title,
"Gertrude Wonder Wart, or fidelity till
death, a true history of the fourteenth
century. by J. &. Appenzelier,"
81 pra we'd under the scatfold on which
my husband was fastened alive upon the
wheel, and exhorted him to fortitude. |
then arose and with thick pieces OF wood,
built myself Kind OF steps, by means of
which could noun up 10 the wheel, laid
myself upon his trembling limbs and head,
aud strohed the hair from his face, which
the wind had blown ell over i'll be-
seech you, leave me Oh. | beseech you"
he exclaimed COMMUNICATIVE day
breaks, if you should be found, iere what
will be your fate? and what new misery
will you bring upon me? On God! is it
possible that thou canst increase my suf-
ierings."
II will die with you; it's for that |
come, and no power shall force ne from
you,n said | andspread cut my arms over
him, and implored God Tor my Rudoph's
death.
The dav broke slowly, when I saw
many people in motion opposite us: | re-
placed the thick pieces of Woo where
had found them 1t was the guard who
had fed on my appearance, but had re,
NAMED near the spot and as it seemed,
caused a report to be made Of what had
passed: for at day break al the people.
men, women and children, came flocking
out of the town
Among these people | recognized the
gaoler, who had given me up tie preced
ing evening to Won Lancenberg. The re-
port must also have reached him, that |
had been with my husband. for he ap
preached me, shaking his head and said:
Woman. this was not the intention when
Landenberg fetched you yesterday"
As more people approached, | saw also
several women of my acquaintance. among
hem was the wife ufthe bailif Hugo Won
Winthertur; | saluted her, and begged
her intervention with her husband that
he nigh: orderthe execulioner to put an
end to my husbands cruel sufferings.
He dare not 90 any thing for me-"
sighed Wart upon the wheel, again NOV.
inc his head at this moment, and looking
down upon me with his swollen ewes
: He dare not do any thing; tho Queen
pronounced the sentence; and the bailiff
must therefore obey; otherwise | had well
deserved of him that he should do me this
last kindness"
Some persons brought me bre al and con
tec,innary, aud offered me wine 10 refresh
me, but | could take nothing: for the tears
that were shed, and the pity that animated
every heart, and was kindly expressed, wa.
to me tie most agreeable refreshment. As il
grew lighter, the number OF people incress-
ed: ] recognised also the sheriff Steiner Won
Pfungen: with his two sons Conrad Datlikon,
also a Madame Won Neftenbach, who was
praying for us.
The executioner came also; then Lam
pucht the confessor, the first said will, a sigh:
God have compassion with this unhappy
man, md comfort his SOUL" the latter asked
Rudolph 1t hs would not ye' confess? Hart.
with a dreadiu' e~xer:;ou Of 81 his strength,
repeated The same words that lie had called