The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1838-08-18


der, saw the enemy flying through the
field.
The conquerer returned home in triumph:
and in all parts of delivered Saxony, came
wives and children forth, and with out.
stretched arms greeted their husbands and
fathers. But Adalbero knew what awaited
him; and every smile of an affectionate
wife pierced, as with poisoned dart, his
anguished heart. At last they came be-
fore his magnificent castle. He was not
able to look up as the beautiful Similde
met him at the gate with her daughter in
her hand, while the little one leaped and
cried Father, Father beloved Father"
Adalbero looked round on his people, in
order to strengthen himself; even there he
met qtivering eyelids and bitter tears; for
among his warriors many had heard his
horrible vow. lie dismissed them to their
families, feeling what happy men he, the
most unhappy, was sending to their homes;
then rode into the castle, and sending the
domestics away under various pretences,
sprung from his horse, closed the gate with
laundering sound, securing them carefully,
and pressed his beloved wife and child to
his heart shedding over them a torrent of
tears.
"What is the matter, husband!" said the
astonished Similde.
"Why do you weep, father!" stammered
the little one.
"We will first prepare an offering to the
Gods" replied Adalbero; sand then shall
relate everything to you. Come to me soon
to the hearth"
81 will kindle the fire, and fetch, in the
meantime, the implements for sacrifice"
said the sweet Similde; and the little one
cried out, clapping her hands.
81 also will help; [ also will be there"
and skipped away with her mother.
These words 81 also will help; also will
be there" the hero repeated, as, dissolved
in grief, he stood by the flaming pile with
his drawn sword in his trembling hand
He lamented aloud over the joyful innocent
child, and the graceful obedient wife, who
brought the bowl and pitcher, perfuming pan
and taper, used in sacrifices. Then he
thought that his vow could not be valid, for
such sorrow could not find place in the
heart of man. But the answer was given
in dreadful peals of thunder down from the
heavens.
81 know" said he,sighing heavily, y,"your
thunder has assisted US, and now your thun-
der calls on your devoted believer for the
performance of his vow.'
Similde began to tremble as the frightful
truth burst upon her, and with soft tears
she sad--"Ah! hast thou made vow?-
Husband, see no victim! Shall human
Adalbero covered his eyes with his hands,
and sobbed so terribly that it echoed through
the hall, and the little one, terrified, shrunk {
towards its mother.
Similde knew well such vows in ancient
lines. She looked entreatingly to her lord
and SAID "Remoye the child"
"Both, both l must'' murmurred A. &
lalbero; and Similde, with violenl effort,
forcing back her tears, said to the little l
one, "Quick, and bind this handkerchief /
On thine eyes; thy father has brought
present for thee and will now give it thee. +
"My father looks not as if he would give G
ne present." sighed the child. c
Thou shalt see; thou shalt see present I
"" said Similde hurriedly;-and as she n
placed the bandage over the eyes of the G
,hild, she could no longer restrain her tears, I
out they fell so softly that the little one i
Knew it not. a
The affectionate mother now tore the /
lrapery from her snow white bosom, and l
lneeling before her sacrifcer, beckoned e
hat she might be the first victim. 6
"Quick, only quick" whispered she to l
he lingerer; ''else will the poor child be SO
erri6ed." L