The Wilmingtonian., 1824-04-15
GERTRUDE WONDER WART.

John Swabis, was the Baron Wonder Wart, though
according to the unanimous testimony OF earlier
and later historians, he had not taken any imme-
date par, in the deed itself lie was bound alive
to the wheel. His wife, Gertrude, did not iorsake
her unhappy husband even i'll his last moments,
and she described those dreadful hours i'll the fol-
lowing letter to Marguerite Freiansiein, which Is
inserted in book published at HARLEM in 1918,
under the following title "Gertrude Wonder
Wart, or Fidelity till Death true history OF the
18th century, by J. G. Appenze ller.'
81 prayed under the scaiiold on which my hus.
band WAS fastened alive upon the wheel, and ex-
horted him to tortltude. ] then arose, and with |
the thick pieces of wood, built myself kind of
steps, by means OF which could mount up TO the
wheel, laid myself upon his trembling limbs and
head, and stroked the hair from his face, which
the wind had blown all over it," beseech you,
leave me Oh beseerh yon," he exclaimed con
tinually -" When day breaks, if you should be
found here what would be your fate; and what
new misery will you bring upon me Oh God is
it possible that sou can still increase my sutier-
| ings
| 81 will die with you--'tis for that come, and
no power shall force me from you," said J, and
spread ont my arms over him, and mploreu God
for my Rudoph's death.
The dav broke slowly, when saw many people
in motion opposite us replaced the thick pieces
lof wood where | had found them. 1t was the
lguard who had fed on my appearance, but re-
NAMED Near the spot, and as it seemed caused
report to be made ofwliat lad passed; for at day
break all the people, men, woinen and children,
came f1ocking out of the town.
Among these people recognized the goaier
who had given me up the proceeding evening to
Won Landenberg The report must also have
! reched him, that had been with my husband,
, for he approached me shaking his head and said,
" Woman, this was was not the intention when
Landenberg fetched you yesterday"
, As more people approached, saw also several
women of my acquaintance, among them was the
wife of the bailiii Hugo Won Winterthuri salu
ted, and begged her Intervention with her hns-
band, that he might order the execatlone 10 pat
an end to my husbands cruel suflcrings.
" lie dare not Go any thing for me-" sighed
/, Wart upon the wheel, again moving his head at
!, this noinent, and looking down upon me with his
? swollen eyes" lie dare not do any thing; the
| queen pronounced the sentence, and the hal,'ii
e must therefore obey; otherwise had well de-
served OF him that lie should do me this last kind
I lness"
y Some persons brought me bread and confec
:, tionary and offered INC wine to refresh me, bu
: could take nothing for the tears that were
l. shed, and the pity that animated every hcart ant
e was kindly expressed, was to me the most agree
able refieshmcnt As ii grew lighter the nuin5e
= ofpeople increased; recognized also the sherii
y Steiner Won Ptlngcn, with his two sons Conrst
v and Datliken; also q Madame Won Neitenbach
: who was praying for us
& The cxecutioner came also; then Lampuch
II the confessor; the first said with sigh; $50,
have compassion with this unhappy man, an,
= comfort his soul % The latter asked Rudolph i
81 lie would not yet contess' Wart with dreadful
# cxertion OF all his strength, repeated the SAM
words that he had called out to the queen befor,
y the tribunal at Brusk. The priest WAS silent
All at once heard cry of" make way!'' ant
troop Of horsemen approached with their vizor
down,
The executioner kneeled, the confessor laid hi
hand on his breast, the horsemen halted. Father
:. aud Mothers held up their children in their arm
20 and the guard with their ances formed circ
v while the talcst of the knights raised himself il
: his stirrups and said 10 the executioner, "Whitl
q er the crows flown that he still keeps hi
nrI eyes" and this was the Duke Leopold.
'e My heart ceased to beat when another knigh
y. with scorniul smile said, Let him writlle a
. long he has feeling but them people mus
l. begone. Coniounded wretclies this signing ant
a crying makes me mad No pity must be shown
\ here; and she here who increases the bowling
., who is she What does this woman want ava.
+ with her!"
~ now recognised the voice of the Queen 1t Wa
y. Agnes in the dress and arn,or OF knight. re
~ marked Immediately that il was womans voice
% and it is certain that it was Agnes.
y, "it is Warts wife p | heard a third knigh
III say" l. st night when the sentence was execu
ID ted, We took her with Us to kyburg We though
e. that in her despair She had leap into the inoa
te of the castle We have been seeking her slnc
g, this morning eavly.-tiod what faithful love. LIE
il, her alone, nothing can be done with her"
1t, here recognized the mild tempered youth
IN Ton Lanaenberg. How well did lie now spca
ne for mel cnuli have fallen at his feet
1t, swell Gertrude cried fourth tone, will yo
not yet take rational advice do not kill yourself
save youself for the world you will not repei
oft"
Who was this Margarcha trcmbled; it Wa
Vi she who wanted me al Brugk, to leave the Grim
ey na Wart to bis fate, and pass days OF JOY wit
u.s. her. Then l too could almost have exclaimet
u God this is too much cease" I"
ou Agnes made sign to an esquire to raise me u
to and bring me away from the sciifoll He az
it proachcd me, but threw my arm round it, an
e. mpored my own and my husbands death, but i
III, vain two men dragged me away. besousht a.
We sistance from Heaven-t was granted me.
ell Won Landenberg Otherwise faithful servar
ty of Austrla) once more ventured to speak for me
III Cease to humble herr such ti'ielity is not ioun
be on earth angels in heaven must rejoice at it
l, but it would be good if the people were drive
of away"
al 'they let me loose again; the horsemen d.
lie parted tears flowed from Lamprccht's eyes; h
en- had acted strictly according to his duty and ex,
III. cuted the will of the Queen; he could lise
os- to the voice of nature and weep with me. "I Ca
H. 4 l.. 11t Il