The Iowa patriot. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1839-1839, 1839-08-01
THE VILLAGE GARRISON.
AN INTERESTING STORY.

THE VILLAGE GARRISON.
AN INTERESTING STORY.
/, happened, in the course Of the
,rh;rty Years War, that Gonsalvo de
lordoya. who commanded the Span
II troops then overrunning the Pala-
innate, found it necessary to possess
st;; n Of a little walled village, called
|. nuersheim, that lay in his way. On
tbs first intelligence of his approach
Ill the inhabitants fled to Mannheim;
and an when Gonsalvo at length drew
near a and summoned the place to sur
render. there remained within the
walls only poor shepherd and his
wife. the latter of whom, having that
yery morning brought little infant
into this world of misery, was unable
to leave her bed, and her husband, of
course, staid with her.
The anxiety and distress of the
moor man may be more easily con-
cceived than described. Fortunately,
\ however, he possessed both courage
4 and shrewdness; and, on the spur Of
the moment, bethought himself Of a
scheme to give his wife and baby a
chance of escape, which, after embra-
cling them both, he fastened to put
into execution.
The inhabitants having quilted the
town in great haste, had left almost
all their property at his disposal; SO
he had no difficulty in finding what
was requisite for his purpose-name-
ly, a complete change Of dress. Ha,
vingfrst accoutred his lower man in
military guise, he tossed away his
Shepherds hat, which he replaced
with huge helmet "a world too
wide,"-he buckled a long sword to
his side, threw goodly cloak over
his shoulders, stuck two enormous
pistols in his belt, and fastened to his
high heeled boots, pair Of those pro
digious iingling spurs, which were the
fashion Of the times. Thus accou-
tired, he forthwith betook himself to
the walls, and leaning with a pom
pous air on his sword, he listened
coolly to the herald, who advanced
to summon the village to surrender.
.Friend," said our hero, as soon as
the herald had concluded his speech,
stell your commander that though
have not yet made up my mind to sur
render at all, | may possibly be indu-
ced to do SO provided he agrees to
the three following conditions, in
which | shall make no abatement
whatever: First, the garrison must
be allowed to march out with militia
ry honors; second, the lives and pro-
perty of the inhabitants must be pro-
tected; third, they must be left to en-
JOY the free exercise of the Protest
antreligion."
The herald Immediately replied,
that such preposterous conditions
could not for moment, be listened
to; adding, that the garrison was
known to be weak, and concluded by
again demanding the instant surren-
der Of the place.
1My good friend,'' answered the
shepherd, sdo not be too rash. | adj
wise you to inform your general from
me, that nothing but my desire to
avoid bloodshed could make me think
ofsurrendering on any terms whatev-
er; and please to add, that if he does
R ,l choose to agree to those / have
already stated, he will gain posses
s,on otthe town, only at the point of
N. ", sword; for | declare to you. by
.ae taith Of an honest man anda Chris
.hn, as well as by the honor of a gen.
s' Naaisaan that the garrison has lately
l1eceived a reinforcement he little
dreams of
90 saying, the shepherd lighted his
1t and pulled away with an air Of
W. nest consummate noncha1ance.
HI II SG9n1iounded by this appearance Of
u ~, yholaness and security, the herald
ssH svaght it prudent to return, and
s IA to to Gonsalvo the demands which
. sss' o s made. The Spanish Gem
= s.al, deceived by this show Of resist
s;.I e, i and being unwilling to waste
n n..i,sr time or men in reducing this
c@'l ! Town, resolved to agree to the
n Svna !. offered; and, followed by
II troops, approached the gates.
mus na.s lenlent determination was an
hs.a BY the herald to the shep-.
rsnI VINO only vouchsafed to say in
y IVY q find your commander a man
s w !, sohe sense" He then left the
Ghs'arss,. let down the drawbridge, de-
lon la Ely ,y opened the gates, and al
d ~ me Spanish troops to pour in
ons =; : Town. 9 Surprised at seeing no.
mo no ea,' me streets but strange look
M. fellow, whose caricature Of a
costume hung upon him like