The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1849-02-13

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ing without fear, the animals which fed in tn
pastures. This child. so grave and reflective
when with his father soon as he entered I'll,
house, would cast himself into the arms Of hi
mother. Tender, attentive, he sought in the ey,
of Edmee the slightest wish, and before it wa
expressed, it was accomplished by Gemmi.
Tell possessed a friend This friend dwell
among the hills which separate Uri from Under
valid. The resemblance of their hearts, and no
of their characters. had united them from infancy
Melctal. as brave and as generous as Tell, equal
" loved virtue, liberty and his country. Melctal
quick and fiery, could not conceal his feelings
The first transport of passion was expressed
Tell, on the contrary, considered without speak
ing-not even discovering in his countenance The
workings of his mind. Both abhorred injustice
but one was horn TO thunder against it. to give
his life to avenge it, the other to pursue it, in or
der to redress the injuries it had inflicted Melc
tai, with his aged father and little Clara, the only
pledge left him of spouse whom he still mourn
ed, spent his evenings frequently at his friends
or received them at his own house. Thus passed
many years of felicity, when at length the death
of Rodolph twhO had always respected the liber-
ty of the Swiss) cast gloom over the people.
His successor, the proud Albert vain of his
immense possessions, could not bear the idea that
part of his subjects were not fully under his
of great baseness and barbarity, named Gesler,
to subdue and ensave the inhabit7nrs of these
districts. Gesler, appointed Governor, proceed
cd with his satellites, 10 fix his residence in Al
tori not far from the cottage of Tell, and com
menced his crueities, by harassing and insulting
the quiet laborers in that neighborhood. Tell
had been silently watching his movements and
making preparations 10 free his countrymen from
this dread tyrant, when, one morning. as Melctal
was preparing to commence his days labor, one
of Gesler's soldiers approached him, and proceed
cd to unyoke his cattle. Alelctal demanded his
reason for doing this. In reply the soldier babe
him not interrogate his masters. At these words,
Melctal seized the yoke, and would have slain
him, had not his father interposcd. When this
vile agent returned TO Gesler, with this report he
despatched others with him, to take Me!ct-L
In the meantime, Melctal had fled, by the en-
treaties of his aged father-The soldiers, not be-
ing able TO find the son, seized the old man, and
dragged him before Gesler. After interrogating
him without success, with regard to his son, the
Governor commanded that his eyes should be put
out, and that he should then be released. Little
Clara led him by the hand TO the house Of Tell,
where he received the deepest sympathy. Tell
was struck with horror, at the sight of the poor
old mans suf1erings, and resolved TO commence
:he execution of his plans at once, to rid the land
of Gesler. 1t was necessary TO send Il message
to Melctal, informing him of what had happened,
and of Tells pans. Gemmi was to be the bear
er of this, and Clara was TO 20 with him TO take
some provisions to her father. Accordingly, they
set out to seek his retreat among the rocks CT the
neighboring mountains. At the same time, Tell
left his home, to seek in Schwitz q man called
Werner.
The children succeeded in finding Mclctal, and
communicated to him their tidings. He was TO
meet Tell and Werner at q place appointed.
Gemm and Clara, after having rested awhile,
commenced their journey hOmeward. The snow
was falling fast, and the wind blew with such vi
0ence, that it was with great difficulty that they
could find their way. AT times they were almost
discouraged, but before dark they had nearly
reached their own neighborhood, and the moon
appearing dIspelled all their fears.
Here they were joined by man armed with a
cross-bow He said he had lost his way, and
wished to be directed TO Altorf The children
readily promised TO show him the village, which
they hoped TO reach in an hour. They walked
on for some time, in silence. At length, the man
enquired Of Gemmi where he lived, and his faith
ers name. Gemmi replied that his father lived
out of the village, and was laborer who cult
waited his fields and practised virtue.
"Virtuer exclaimed Gesler, flor it was he J
"you are young TO know what that means. EX-
plain TO me-"
1T is the fear of God,' replied Gemmi, "the
love of mankind, and the hate of their Oppress-
ors."
They had now arrived at Altorf. The man a.
gain demanded the name of his father. Gemm
replied, "The name Of my father is only known
among his friends" Here Geslerpronounced his
name, and soon a number of soldiers appeared
who were ordered TO take these children and con-
fine them in prison. Gesler hoped in this way to
find their parents, thinking they would be claim
cd by some of the first Of the people in Altorf.
Tell had by this time finished his councils with
his friends. Werner had engaged a large force
in Schwitz, Melctal in Underwad, and one hun
dred more were waiting the bidding of Tell, in
Uri. This had been done with as much secrecy
as possible, and all were waiting a signal from
Tell to assemble. This signal was TO be great
fire. on the top of the mountain, near his cottage.
Tell had nearly reached Altorf, on his return,
when the first object he saw, was bonnet, erect
ed on pole, and the inhabitants paying Obci
sance TO it. He stood erect, wondering at the
scene, when he was accosted by Sarnem, who had
the command
"Do YOU know" said the latter, shat all the in
habitants of Altorf are obliged to salute, with re-
spect, this sign of the power of Gesler 2"
81 shall only bow" replied Tell, "bcfore d.
vinity."
A signal was now made by Sarnem and flock
of soldiers seized Tell, and hurried him away to
the palace of the Governor. Here his son was
brought before him. AT the sight of him, in the
hands of Gesler, his tranquility forsook him. and
he embraced Gemmi, with much tenderness.
Gesler seemed to be helped by some demon, to
form schemes to torture the hapless victims who
fell into his hands He offered Tell the frightfu
choice of shooting an apple from the head of his
son, at hundred PAGES distant, or TO die with
him. Tell was persuaded by his son, to make
the trial.
.'You will not slly me-" said Gemmi
1.-THE heavens will guide thy hand"
Tell. looking at Gesler with counienance
full of Indignation, said, 81 will obey. Lei
them lead me 10 The place.
The father, leading his son BY the hand,
was surrounded with guards, and conducted
by Sarnem. The people, informed Of the
(rightul spectacle, came with precipitation
towards the place, grooming at heart, but
afraid even to express the sentiments oil
pity.
The space is measured by the feroclonF
A double row of soldiers enclose
LN Il