Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-11-10

la WHICH IN those QdyS was seen, III tbc IndhSion
OF a Swiss noble. His daughter, seated at a
distance, appeared more than usually penslye-
it is said tha. it was the anniversary OF her mo-
TIERS death. BY the pickering blaze OF the
half burned embers, a tear might be seen to
trickle over her pale face, as she raised hersuf-
fused eyes to a rude cruciGx, which according
to the ordinary custom was erected over the t're
place Of the hall, and a sigh might be beard
from time to time breakingth perfect silence.
which reigned within. Without, however, the
elements were loud. sThc blasts Of autumn
sweep through the valleys Of the Alps with re-
s~istless violence, bearing with them the chilly
GOODNESS Of the glaciers, and roaring around the
cottages and the castles, seated among the
mountains. AS the moaning of the forests was
re-echoed among the old t%urrets, and the sleet
or hail dashed against the easements, the baron
would start as il he heard the cries of some ira
weller who had been overlaken by the storm.
but convinced Of his error he would return a.
gain to his seat, and all would sink into silence
until the returning swell of the tempest again
sounded through the ba,tlements.
In the midst Of this, a laundering noise was
heard at the great gate Of the castle. Before
the warder could reach it, to make enquiry or
to open it, the knocking was repeated with im-
petuosity. and violence. The portal was scarce
ly Enclosed, when a horseman rushed ~furlously
into the court.yard-his horse was covered with
mud and foam, and it was said by those who
afterwards passed the road, that his track was
marked over the toughest rocks, and by the We
ry edges Of the precipice, as il the beast had
been driven at full speed up the rugged ascent,
utterly regardless Of danger. The horseman
sprung from bis wearicd horse, and threw the
bride to the porter, as one who knew him well,
but without a word Of recognition.
The father and daughter had scarcely time
to start from their seats, and enquire the cause
Of this unusual alarm, when a quick and heavy
step was heard in the passage, and the door Of
the hall was hastily thrown open. The soldier,
for such his dress seemed 10 bespeak him, en-
tered the apartment. He was armed not exact
ly as a warrior of the day, but partly in his coat
Of mail, and partly in the lighter dress, which
was worn by the mountaineers. 1t was soiled,
however, with mud and rain, and the feathers
of his broad hat hung dripping over MS fore
head. At his belt he wore a dagger, and by his
side a long straight sword. His whole appear
ance correspondent with the dark and ferocious
expression OF his countenance, where the marks
Of native passion, seemed to be increased by ia
tigue and suffering.
"My son." exclaimed the baron, as he ap-
AN llS I idUSCI. 0IIu dllSI1DQSu W Ill
brace him in his arms.
The p~rofiered kindness was rejected with
naughty disdain; the count paced the long hall
with large and hasty steps, and a goblet of wine
was offered to him by the orders of the baron,
he drained it in silence to the bottom.
What occurred during this dreadful inter
view, has never been exactly known. The me-
mails OF the castle, attracted by the extraordi-
nary circumstances, afterwards divulged what
they observed; but from their statement it
could only be collected, that soon after the ar
rival OF the count, a violent alteration had ari-
sen between his father and himself. The count
seemed to demand with naughty violence,
something which his father refused; and his
sister was heard in tones which marked her
agony, TO supplicate the f~erocious intruder
Early on the following morning, when the
old priest who performed the religious duties
in the village church, entered the chancel 10 &C.
lebrate the first mass, he observed something
lying at the foot of the altar, and Immediately
beneath the lamp which was burning over a.
galnst the picture Of the holy virgin. He APP
preached, and discovered the ~senseless form of
the daughter Of baron I~rlingen. Her hair was
wet and hanging down from beneath the long
cap which she wore after the fashion of the
EouhN'y J, Hel oidCk gown was TORN and COYeredI
with mud, her feet were sadly wounded, as if
she had been walking wildly among the sharp
rocks, and her countenance only showing signs
OF animation, by convulsive movements Of hor-
rid terror, which from time to time darted a.
cross it. The old man called Immediately for
aid. The young maiden was borne to a neigh
boring cottage, and every effort was used by the
villagers, by whom she was adored, to restore
her to her senses. Long, long did she lie, on
her little pallet; and even hope was almost ex-
tinct. At times for a moment, a faint CLEAN OF
returning life would pass across her features
but one OF horror Immediately succeeded, and
she relapsed into the state in which she had so
long lain. With the returning day, anxious Gu
rlosity sought the cause Of this dreadful scene.
The gates of the castle were found however TO
be fastened, and communication from within
was forbidden. Rumor was not long in spread
ing a horrid tale; twas said that on the pre-.
cedlng evening, the old baron had fallen by the
hand of his son, who, driven by remorse or
Tear, had left the castle at the earliest dawn, az
ter giving orders that till his return no commu-
.nlcation should be held with the village below.
Months passed away, and the slow influence