Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1851-04-10
The Fat. Of Ague. seru.uer.

iohC, OOSuiACu III llC Cdiiy PAT "
the fifteenth century. The nara
tive is strictly true, and one more
deeply affecting is scarcely to be
found in the pages of history:
Albert, the only son of Duke oI
Ernst, of Bavaria, was one Of the
most accomplished and valiant prin.
ces of the age in which he lived
His father and family had selected
for his bride the young Countess
Elizabeth of Wurtumberg. T b c
contract was signed, and the mar.
riage on the point Of taking place,
when the lady suddenly eloped with
more favored lover, John, Count oi
Werdenberg. The tidings were
brought TO Albert at Augsberg,
where he was attending a grand tour
nament, given in honor Of the ap-
preaching nuplials; but they fell IN
needed on his ear, as his heart, which
had not been consulted in the choice
oe his bride. had just yielded itself
10 the bright eyes Of young maid
en- whom he had distinguished from
the crowd Of beauties that gTaced
the lists. Virtuous as she was love-
ly, Agnes Bernauer had obtained,
among the citizens of Augsberg, the
appellation of the "angeI;;" but she
was the daughter of a bather, an
employment considered al that peri
cd, in Germany, as particularly dis
honorable. Shs had a companion
who assisted her at the baths-a
young female almost as lovely as
herself, and whose name was Ber-
linda. The sincerest friendship ex-
listed between these girls; and, al
though there were really no ties Of
relationship, many persons fancied
that they were really sisters. Ag-
neS was tall and superbly formed.
Her hair was of a rich, dark brown;
her eyes of hazel, and her lips red as
coral. Berlinda was not quite as
tall. Her hair was OF a light chest
nut; her eyes Of the sweetest blue,
and her lips of pure vermilion.
When Albert visited the baths, he
was attended by handsome young
page named Gonlried; and, while
the former became desperately en-
amored of Agnes Bernauer, the lat
ter was equally smitten with the
charming Berlinda. Regardless Of
all consequences, Albert divulged
his passion to Agnes, but in the most
honorable terms, and with the most
correct intentions. The maiden lov-
ed him as tenderlv and as well; and
their marriage was shortly after cel-
ebrated privately in Albert's castle
at Vohberg. At the same time Con-
fried became the husband of Berlin
da; and thus Agnes was not compell-
ed to seperate from her friend and
confdante.
But the happiness of Albert and
Agnes was of short duration. Duke
Ernst became possessed Of their Sc
cret, and the anger of the whole
house of Munich burst upon the
heads Of the devoted couple. AL
bert was commanded to sign a di-
vorce from Agnes, and prepare to
marry Ann, daughter Of Duke Erich
Of Brunswick. The indignant prince
refused to obey. Being afterwards
denied admission TO a tournament
at Regenburgh, on the plea of his
having contracted a dishonorable
alliance, he rode boldly into the lists
upon the Heide Platz, and before the
whole company declared Agnes Ber-
nauer his lawful wife and duchess,
and then conducted her to his pal
ace at Shraubing, attended as became
her rank.
Every species of malice and mis-
representation was now set at work
TO ruin the unfortunate Agnes. Al
beri's uncle, Duke Welhelm, who
was the only one of The family in
clined to protect her, had a sickly
child, and she was accused Of hav-
ing administered poison TO it. But
the duke detected the falsehood, and
became more firmly her friend.
Death too soon deprived her Of this
noble protector, and the fate of the
poor duchess was Immediately seal
ed. Taking advantage of Albert's
absence from Straubiug, the author
tiles of the place arrested her on
some frivolous pretext; and the hon.
est indignation with which she as
serted her innocence was tortured
into treason by her malignant Jud-
ges. To plunge her the more pro-
foundly into despair, and even kill
her with grief, if possible, her loved
friend and confdant Berlinda, was
tortured by the rack in her presence,
and then put to shocking death, al
though about to become a mother.
Gcnfried, driven to despair by the
loss Of his wife, and the hideous cru
elites which had marked her immo-
- Al n