Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1844-07-23
BY c. L, SH0LES.

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convulsed, his eyes appeared starting from
their sockets, tie tongue was protruded,
and blood and foam gurgled in his throat.
Cllck-clck went the mechanism /;
and through skin and flesh, and severing
nerve and vein, slowly but surely penetra-
ted the instrument Of the baron's dreadful
death.
Let The hours take their course, do thou
take thine" said the astrologer.
Strong and terrific commissions shook
the baron's frame his limbs quivered, and
every muscle worked in the intensity of
his agony. There was ore fearful throe,
one gurglng sound-it could not be called
a groan low, but awful 10 hear, and the
baron felt no more.
:. So perish those who mock the stars ~
said the aslrologer.
"The headsman is ready, and thy time
is almost out ~
Young Rudol pin, for it was he who was
addressed, turned his wondering and blood
shot eve on the speaker as though he un-
derstood him not.
The time is at hand" repeated the
man alarms; "and therefore PREPARED
"Lo!" SAID another, "the baron looketh
down from the dial of the clock -
They were too far distant from the main
parsonage of our story to observe the ira.
gedy which was enacted in respect to him,
but they could see his features undergo a
change.
He laugheth - said one of the gazers.
Certainly it is u thing TO laugh at"
sad the Abhorson. "Ha, ha! so young
and 50 comely and so soon to die A change
from yesterday-ha, ha! from the arms of
far maiden to hard block, sharp axe,
aud clean stroke ~
Brutal as were the ISLANDERS, they
Shrunk FROM the wretch who spoke.
Come" lie exclaimed with a grim
laugh, as he observed the effects OF his
speech-"' come, prepare ~ aud he grasp
cd Rudolph with one hanl, and poised the
broaI bright axe with the other.
"'Chrstine ! Christine die blessing
thee niurmlred poor Rudolph.
His neck was on the block, the axe gilt
tered aloft, the group around held their
breath in anticipation Of the event, when
suddenly the as,rologer broke through the
crowd.
Hold - he shouted in dice Of thun-
der hold, or tn ~ art but dead man ~
Wherefore should hold - said the
headsnan 1.-The baron ordered me to
strike, unles, he laid his head at The prison.
er's feet"
Lo, it is done ~ said the astrologer.
~ h,.l, I d,,,un LII
u round bloody mass. Bounding from the
spot where it fell, it rolled to the feet Of
knceling prisoner, and all knew by the
hluo y aud distorted features that il was
the baruu's head.
There is the token thou spokest Of"
said the astrologer.
"A mirace--a miracle ~ shouted the
by-standers.
Rudolph sprung to his feet and tore the
bandage from his eyes
/" Hail to Rudolph Wolfs,en, rightfuI
lord Of Schwaggcrbergern ~ exclaimed the
aSlrologer and, bending on one knee,
the crowd responded,
HAL TO Rudolph Wolfstien, rightful
lord Of Schwaggerberger -
d" He is alvc--i am yet in timc!" shrek
cd Christine, bursting through the crowd,
AMI claspIng Rudolph in her arms.
The astrologer stretched his arms aoft,
and said soemniy, Thus are fulfilled the
decree OF our stars ~ then turning away
! he strobe from the castle into the forest,
and no man knew whittier he went, and
none Of those who saw him go ever saw
him again.
4 Il
Shall we pursue our tale further? Assn
red y not.
lie who can fancy the rest, requrell
not and he who cannot, deserve,h no
tha, he should be told aught further.