Fremont weekly freeman. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1850-1853, 1852-01-31
4 castle anda Hoard BesIeged

- MuranY, one Of the most important fortress
"a Inn the possession Of the Transylyanians, was
lost ia a manner characteristic Of the age of
ehivalry. A castle Of great strength, in the
center Of country so often the seat of civil
war. the name of Murany frequently occurs in
Hungarian history. At one time the Diet
complains oft as a harbor for traitors and rob-
bers: at another, solemn decree Of the ma
tion indicates il as the safeguard of the king
dom, and appoints il rs the place where the
sacred crown Of ST. Stephen should be depos-
ilad. At this period ID was in the hands of q
woman. Maria, the lady Of Murany. young
and haansiful widow. educated strict Pro-
testank had little difficulty in choosing the
party she should adopt; and readily admitted
detachment of TransylVania troops to
strengthen the garrison of her castle, but on
" On condition that she should retain the COM
naand. The III disciplined soldiery Of Tran
syIvania we're easily conquered in the field,
but as long as Murauy protected their retreat
their entire subiection was almost hoPelesa.-
A strong body Of troops under Wesselenyi
surpeyed fts natural and artificial dsfeSces, he
almost aaapaired of efecting its reduction; !;
and. when. he heard that Maria commanded
the garrison. his despair Was embittered by
she thought that bis bard earned lAureis might
now Be farnished by defeat at the hands of a
woman
An the arts Of war we're expended in vain
against the huge mountain fortress; every at
tempt cost the blood of some Of the kings best
troops, and served only as amusement to the
garrison. A prstracted seige rarely improves
the disciple Of an army, and rumors Of Victo-
ries on the side of the enemy were not want
ing 10 discourage the beseigerA Time, too.
nov pressed; and, as force was stltl evidently
poueTless against Murany, WesseleRyi at last
determined to try what persuasion might et-
feet on its COMMANDERS. Disgusting himself
in chs dress of an inferior officer, the General
appeared before the gates as bearer OF a flag
of truce, 10 demand parley with the mistress
s. the castle; and eunningly did he talk offa-
pofabls conditions and royal rewards, but his
opponent only laughed at his offers. as she had
done a his threats A good General, howev-
eT, always finds cut the weak points in his en-
emy,s defenees; and perhapsthe eyes of Maria
had expressed no displeasure at the hand
some face and manly figure Of the envoy, nor
probably ware the beauty and courage Of the
counmsndress without their influence on Wes-
selenyi's determination Certain il is. that
the next day another trumpet summoned the
Garrison to parley, and that this time the
herald bore 9 letter offering the heart and
hand Of Wesselsnyi to his beautiful enemy. to
whom he confessed the ruse be had Practiced,
but vowed that love had taken ample revenge
for his semerity. Caught with the romance,
but determined to test its sincerity, Maria an
oWered that if the writer's courage equsled his
audacity, and he was willing to pursue the
fortue be tempted. be might End, at midnight
a ladder against the northern tower, IN which
light would be burning, and where, If he
came alone, he might hear further of his suit
Wssselenyi was too good knight to refuse
the bidding efa 1adys fayre,' hazardous tho
II might be. At midnight, and alone. he left
his camp, and, gaining the summit Of the rock,
found The promised liz ght in the northern tow
er. The ladder hung from an open window,
and silently and cautiously did the lover gain
the height: but no sooner had he sprung into
.the tower than he found himself suddenly
seized from behind and dragged to the
ground. while body of armed men entered
The chamber and bound him in chains Blind
folded he was lead forward he knew not whith-
er, till . harsh voice commanding halt, thus
addressed the prisoner: 'Sir Knight, strate-
Nv Is fair in love as well as war; you have de-
HVGreQ YOuFS6A tnbO SdG pONSA ~ w. SAN
mics, and it is for them TO dispose OF you as
they choose; but the cOmmandress of the cas-
tIesis inclined to mercy, and on condition of
your deserting the cause of the king. she is
Wiling not only to give you freedom. but to
bestow herself and her vast possessions on you
By marriage In an hour come to receive
your answer-ae acceptance or death? Rude
as was the trial where love and life pleaded
against loyalty and duty. the soldier withstoOd
il nnanfuiiy; and. at the hours conclusion, re-
turned only sulIen answer, "Bettsr die than
botrayI" Scarce had the words passed bis
lips when the bandage fell from his eyes;
Szecsi Maria stood before him, in all her beau
ty; a smile played around her mouth, and
extending her hand to the astonished Vessel
enyi she exclaimed, '|Take il. noble knight,
and with il all have, for thy conatancy hath
won my heart; keep up thy faith 70 me as
well as thou hast done to Ny king, and Maria
viii gladly acknowledge thee her conquerer"
CIo.rSa al