The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1851-04-05
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From the Philadelphia Saturday Express.l
VERONICA OF DESSENITZ.
A Tale from Syrian History.

In 1922 Friedrich, the son OF her.
mann, Count of Cilly, gave princely
entertainment to his father and the no
bles of the Imperial Court, the splendor
of which had never been surpassed in
all the region bordering the Styrian
Alps. The occasion was his removal
to a noble castle at Gurkfeld, the gift
of his father, and destined to be the
chief seat of his patrimonial posses
sions. Thither, with a state and mag
nificence which employed the pens OF
numerous historians of that day, he
conducted his wife Elizabeth, the
daughter of Count Veglia. and there
his guests, the proudest and most pow
erful in the empire, were assembled to
do him honor.
On the morrow after the arrival OF
the master and mistress of the domain,
il was announced by a herald, with
sotfnd of trumpets, that grand hunt
ing excursion was to take place, to be
followed in the evening by ball and
pageant. which the old Count would
himself grace with his presence. The
proclamation was made a little after
daybreak. before the great gates Of the
castle: and in less than two hours a
multitude had gathered from the coun-
try around, of the peasantry as we'll as
the armed retainers of the Count, eager
TO see the cavalcade ride forth. The
sun shone brightly on the waving ban
ners, the floating plumes and flashing
weapons of the guard that fliled the
outer court. Presently a burst of lubl-
liant music announced that the hunting
party had mounted; the gates were
thrown wide open, and the procession
poured out. 1t was truly grand and
beautiful spectacle. The horses gaily
prancing, as if reioiced TO snuff the
morning breeze; the well trained par
ties of knights in their hunting gear
the statelier forms of the mobiles, at
tended by their followers; and last, the
group Of high-born danes riding in the
centre, each escorted by her favored
cavalier. The grace and loveliness
of these were admirably set off by the
simplicity of their becoming sylvan
costume. Foremost among them, and
distinguished by the superior richness
of her dress, and by stately air,
amounting TO haughtiness, came the
Countess Elizabeth. Her face was not
one that would have attracted the
common observer: the features were
strongly marked and rather severe IN
their outline, and an expression of dis.
content the evidence of some secret
dissatisfaction, habitually clouded heI
brow. The scarcely perceptible low
eFing of the corners of her mouth In.
.-dieated suffering; but this was con,
tradieted by the proud curve of her up
per lip. and the restless flashing of hei
eyes, that seemed, as If were, to set al
defiance the langor of sorrow. Hel
complexion was dark and unnaturally
pale, contrasting with the braids ot
glossy raven hair which rested upon
her temples. Her figure was tall and
symmetrical, and she managed hel
coal black charger with an ease and
grace which only the habit of eques.
frian exercise could have bestowed
She was accompanied by half dozen
Of the danes of her court-for the es.
adjustment of mobiles so high in rank,
in fhe early part of the fifteenth cen.
.turv. deserved to be called court
bat nearest at her side, and attentive to
her every movement. heedfnl of her
every look, rode her pTineely husband
He spoke often. kindly and cheerily 70
her and she answered with courtesy
bak It was evident that her Thoughts
we're not In the present scene, except
whom eaIlsd from their wandefings BY
sone uFlusaal mental effort. This ah-
stracfion seemed unnotIced By the
Count, who perSevcrsd Id his attentions