The Columbian fountain., 1845-11-29
ISCELLANEOUS.
THE HUSSAR'S SADDLE.

appeared nothing about it, capable of exciting
his idolatTy. 1t was Turkish saddle, and deep
ly stained with blood; yet, to the brave Ludovic.
1t recalled tale Of other days, when Young, ar
dent and enthusiastic, he first drew his sword
In defence OF his country against its enemies
lie had been opposed in battle against the hos
tile invaders of his native Hungary, and many
an unbeleving dog had his good sword smitten to
the earth. Various had been the fortunes of the
war, and too often was the glory Of the cross
dlmmed by the lustre of the triumphant crescent.
Such sad disasters were seldom alluded to by
the brave Hussar, but he loved to dwell on the
successful actions in which he had been en-
gagged.
It in was one ofthese fierce combats that sud
denly cut off from his party, he found himself
surrounded by four infuriated Turks. But the
recollection Of you and your angel MOTHER would
Ludovic say to his daughter, nerved my arm.
! was assailed by all my opponents. How three
fell, knew not; but severe and long was the
conflict, with the rest Of my foes whose power
full arm was raised against me. Already saw
my wife mournful widow; and my child father
less, and these dreadful thoughts infused fresh
yigor into my arm; smote the infdel dog to
death, hurled him from his steed, and rifed him
MS he lay. AT this moment several Of the enc
my appeared in sight, but was too much ex-
haustad to renew the perlous conflict. NV gal
lant horse lay wounded and in the agonies of
death; threw myself on the Turkish courser,
and forced him on at his utmost speed until re-
gained my squadron. The saddle was stepped
in the blood of my foe, and mine mingled with
1t. When a cessation of hostlities permitted
the troops to rest for space from the horrors of
war, fastened with the treasure, which during
the campaign, had acquired, to my home, pur-
chased these fertile fields around my dwell
ling, and forgot for a season the miseries Of
war;
The good Ludovic would here pause He
still retained lively recollection Of his lost
wife, and he could not bear to narrate the cir
cumstances of her illness and death. After that
sad event, his home become hateful to him, and
he resolved again to engage in the arduous du-
ties of soldier. The little Theresa was kind
y adopted into the family of his only brother,
and there, after lapse Of some years, our
good hussar found her blooming in youthful
beauty.
Ludovic arrived only in time to close the eyes
of his brother, who, on his death bed entreated
him to bestow Theresa on his only son when
they should have attained proper age. Crate
full for his almost parental care of his child and
moved by the situation of his brother, whose
whole heart seemed to be bent on his union, I.u-
doyic promised that when his daughter should
have attained the age Of eighteen, she should be-
come the wife of Karl, provided Karl himself
desired the connection at that time, and sat
isfed with this promise the old man died in
peace. &
This engagement was concealed from Theresa,
but it was known to Karl, who exulted in the
thought that this rich prize would one day be
his. With low habits and coarse turn of mind, ,
the delicate graces of Theresa had no charms
for him; he loved her not, but he loved the
wealth which would be his, and which he look
ed on with a greedy eye. The thousand soft
and nameless feelings which accompany gen
erous and tender passion were unknown to Karl.
1t was hard task for him to tend his gentle mis-
tress, nor did he ever appear disposed to play the
part OF lover, except when some other seemed
inclined to supply his place. 1t was at a rural
fete given by Ludovic to his neghbors at the ter
mination of an abundant harvest, that Karl first
choose openly to assert his right. He had taken
it for granted that he should open the dance with
Theresa. What then, was his idignation,
when, on entering the apartment, he saw The
resa; her slender waist encircled by the arm Of a
young hussar, moving in the graceful waltz =
The evident superiority of his rival, whose well
knit limbs, firm step and free and martial air,
formed a striking contrast to his own clownish
figure and awkard gait, only increased his ire,
and in violent wrath he advanced to Theresa, in
ssting on his right to open the dance with her.
Theresa plead her engagement; he persisted; she
refused his request and laughed at his anger
He became violent and rnde The hussar inter-
fered, and the quarrel rose so high as to draw
Ludovic to the spot
Karl, in voice almost choked with passion
laid his grievances before him. Theresa, in
tone Of indignation, complained to her father of
his insolence and appealed to him whether she
were not at liberty, to select any partner for the
dance she thought proper. 'sYou have no such
liberty" Numbered forth Karl.
Every passing day carried with it some por-
ton of the fortitude Of Theresa, as if he saw the
near approach of the period which was to con-
sign her 10 a fate so dreadful. Three little weeks
were all that lay between her and misery Lu-
dovic endeavored to sooth her, but she would not
be comforted. Had even her affections been dis
engaged, Karl would have been distasteful to her
but with her affections placed on another; the idea
of union with him seemed insupportable.
''My dear child" would Ludovic say, inter
ruptng a passionate burst of grief, "by what
magic has, Arnholt gained possession Of yonr
heartP' ''He is an hussar," replied Theresa.
There was something in this reply which moved
Ludovic; he recollected that he himself had i'm
bued the mind of his daughter with sentiments
of respect and esteem for the character of good