The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-05-18
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Mtsrellameous.
From Graham's Ladies and Gentleman's Alagas inc
THE HAUNTED CASTLE.
LEGEND OF THE RHINE.

A LEGEND OF THE RHINE.
On the brow ola lofty and rugged hill, which
Overlooks the Rhine, stand the ruins of the an
cient Castle Of Ehlendorf. The ivy has clam
bered over its crumbling towers, as tito shield
them from the destructive hand of time, and
bind with its creeping tendrils the wounds which
he has made. Once its hall resounded with thu.
mrth Of the young and gay, Of brave knights and
ladies' falr, while the songs OF the Ministries, and
tales of heroic enterprise, whiled away the hours
of the night, until the Purple light Of dawn APP
peared. Now it has fallen to decay the race of
its noble possessors has become extinct; and
the ivy grows, and the owl boots amid its de-
serted courts.
in az b6ssess6Hh n Cohnfaad, Barron of Ehlen-
dorf the remaining scion of that noble family.
His brother had died in Palestine, leaving to him
the title and all the estates Of his ancestors.
In early life he had welded the beautiful Elfrida.
of Aldcnburg, and never was purer gem more
dearly valued than the young bride Of Ehlendorf
by her doting lord. Years of bright, unclouded
happiness rolled over their heads and if unal-
loyed pleasure has ever dwell on earth, 1t was
the portion of Conrad, of Ehlendorf, when he
look, upon his angel bride and their little Kat
rine, scarcely knowing which was the lovcliest,
the mother or the child. Often he saw their
fair offspring, with bounding footsteps dimpled
cheeks and laughing eye, throwing back her golden
curls, and rushing with play fulness and love into
her mothers arms, he felt that without her his
treasures were but glittering dust.
Like the other barons of ancient times, his re-
tinue was composed of a vast number of armed
retainers and his power and wealth were une-
qualled by any other of eqaal rank in the coun-
try. His kindness and hospitality were every
where proverbial, and the noblest Of the land
delighted to gather round his festive board
Thus, love, wealth and beauty conspred to fill
the heartfelt Ehlendorfiwith Joy, and naught could
dim his happiness till his loved Elfrda was call
ed from earth TO blossom in fairer cline Sad
and affective was this bereavement to the young
baron, overthrowing as it did the dreams that he
had been weaving through eight bright years of
welded happiness. Still, as he turned in anguish
from the lifeless form of the object his hearts
best affections, one ray of hope enlivened the
surrounding gloom. His lovely Katrine grew
more and more beautiful day by day, and in her
he felt that he possessed purer treasure than
wealth could afford In his constant watchfu
care over her helplessness, and the fond confd-
ing affection with which she repaid his tender
ness, he found forgetfulness OF every sorrow.
As successive years rolled on she grew more
and more lovely, and new charms in her unfold
ed daily. No opportunity had been neglected
which would tend to her intellectual advance
ment and at the age OF sixteen she possessed
the charms ofbeauty and an intellect OF the high
est degree. Their castle was thro5ged with
yOuuS CuNduetSy eager W VIII 81 ioNSiy a. p'i1c
and though her smiles were bestowed on all, yet
no one Of the noble train had received any evil
dence Of her preference Happy in the fondness,
nay, almost idoatry of her father, she remained
insenslble to any other than parental Affection
The baron, though still in the pride of manhood.
had never INDUCED serious thoughts of a second
union, and when bright eyes beamed on HIM,
and silvery voices fell in tones of melody upon
his ear, he had only TO look upon the face of Kat
rine, where every feature of her sainted mother
was reflected as in a faithful mirror, and his
heart was steeled against every attraction.
Ii was beautiful morning in the month OF
June, when the baron and his daughter went forth
| for their accustomed ride. The air was balmy
the fragrance of the flowers was borne upon the
breeze! and the groves were vocal with the melo-
dy of the feathered songsters. Suddenly dark
clouds obscured the sky, and foretold coming
tempest. They hurried on, but when they arri-
we'd al the castle, the storm clouds hung darkly
and fearlully over its rugged towers. The loud
thunders rent the sky; CLEANS of lightning dart
ed from pole TO pole, The rain fell in torrents
from the darkened sky, hour after hour, inces-
sanity the swollen waves of the Rhine beat in
fury upon their rugged banks. Katrine was seat
ed at her chamber window, watching the raging
lbows as they rushed in wild commotion against
| the rocks. Suddenly her attention was attracted
by the sight of a cavalier upon the opposite shore
/ The vision was transient, for scarcely had he
appeared ere his fiery charger leaped from the
towering height of the rock into the boiling wa