Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1840-11-19
The Meadow Dance.
A ROMANTIC TALE.

Ages ago, before Coningsbro' Castle was
graced by the residence of the doughty
A,helstane, it was the dwelling Of Rudolf,
surnamed the Black dreaded as much from
his power as from his ferocous cruelty
His fortress, impregnable from situation,
envroned on all sides by thick forests, and
garrsoned by retainers, who feared neither
man nor God, the Black Baron of ConingG-
bro and his swart riders became terror to
the community for miles around. To him
f1ocked numbers Of disconnected and vicious
men, banished from other society by their
crimes or mislortunes and only those who
had proved their prowess in the most ath-
letc exercises and the deepest debauches,
did the Baron enroll among his riders, and
arm for spoil and aggression. Securing
the roads when he heard of the approach OF
rich travellers, or surrounding the monas-
teries, or mansions Of the lesser barons and
farmers by night, he swept off his prey in
spite OF all resistance, and made Conings.
bro one scene of drunken carousal till an
empty larder or wine vault sent him again
forth with his ruffinly freebooters pair
of spurs served to table in the first dish, was
plenishing, and caused the baron's buglc TO
sound to horse. While on his return the
murder of those prisoners from his last sor-
tie, who had failed in procuring the sum
stipulated for ransom, served to welcome
the arrival of fresh wretches to his den of
infamy and showed them what would short
ly be their fate, unless the rapacity of the
robber was appeased
Numerous were the coalitions formed to
destroy him, and many the attempts to sur
prise his castle. but he had spies in every
part, and his men fearless of danger, fought
with the fury of lions, and were always VIC
torious, while the superstition of the age
clothed them with supernatural terrors and
believed them to have compacted with the
fiend, and thus become insensble to dan
ger and unhurt by wounds. This super
stition, so favorable to habits of violence, it
was their object to promote by the rapidily
and secrecy of their movements, and the
black color of their horses, arms aud accou-
trements. Their har, mustaches and boards
were suffered 10 grow long and uncombed,
and dyed black, to heighten their appalling
appearance, while their cries of onslaught
and songs of triumph, were uttered in the
most discordant tones. Long did they rule
oppressors, till the just revenge of disap-
pointed lover swept them from the earth
their atrocities had polluted.
Near the beautiful town of Braithwell
lies verdant strip of land known by the
name of the Dancing Meadow. IT'S Il
sweety retired spot. and though time has
destroyed the lordy chestnut trees, which
shaded its entrance, and whose roots are
still visible, it vet possesses many valuable
trees, whose thick, dark foliage, affords
delightful shelter from the noon tide SUM-
A brook, clear as the fountain Of the naiads
takes its course along one side, wandering
IN many =" shady nook aud grassy dell, J"
betrayed only by its babblng, as it leaps
over the white pebbles or shoots in tiny cas-
cades, while the soft smooth turf is ena-
melled with an endless variety of simple
wild flowers, choice mosses and rare plants
life's study for the searching botanist.
The blooming daughters oithe burghers
were wont to assemble on the beautiful
summer evenings, to enjoy each others So
ciety in this enchanting vale. Their joyous
songs startled the sweet nightingale from
her bush, and their pretty feet brushed the
verdant carpet in the merry dance
"Whe many pastime crcled in the shade,
The young contending as the old surveyed"