Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-02-12
Alistr!lontous.
A Castle and a Heart Besieged

A Castle and a Heart Besieged.
The following romantic story is QUE of several
which pleasantly relieve the graver H slory of
Hungary, Introductory to Kossuth and his Gen
erals, by II w. De Puy-npw in the press of
Phinney & Co., Buffalo, N. Y:
MuraDy, one of the most important fortresses
in the possession of the Transy sylvanians was
lost in a manner characteristic of the age of
chivalry. A castle Of great strength, in the CEN
tire of country so often the seat of civil war,
the Dame Of Murany often occnrs in Hungarian
History. At one time the Diet complains OF it
as harbor for traitors and robbers; at another,
a solemn decree of the nation indicates it rs the
Safeguard of the kingdom, and appoints it as
the place where the sacred crown of st. Stephen
should be deposited. AT this period it was in
the hands of woman. Maria, the lady of Mu-
rany, young and beautiful widow, educated
strict Protestant, had little difficulty in choosing
The party she should adopt; and readily admitted
detatcfm ment of ransyvunian troops IN oider
to strengthen the garrison OF her castle, but only
on condition that she should retain the command.
The iIl-dscpned sodery of Transy ylvania
were easily conquered in the field, but as long
as Murray protected their retreat, their en-
tire subjecnon was almost hopeless. A strong
body Of troops under Wesseenyl were detached
to besiege the capital. As Wesseleny surveyed
Its natural and artificial defenccs, he almost dc
SPARED of effecting its reduction; bnt when he
heard that Maria commanded the garrison, his
despair was emblttered by the thought that his
hard earned aures might now be tarnished by
defeat at the hands of II woman. All the ars
OF war were expended in vain against the huge
mountain fortress; every attempt cost the blood
of some of the kings best troops, and served
only as amusement to the garr'soo A protracted
siege rarely improves the discipline of an army,
and rumors of victories on the side of the enemy
were not wanting to discourage the besiege:t.
Time, too, now pressed; and, as force was still
evidently poweIless against Murany, WesseIenyi
at last determined to try what persuasion might
effect on its COMMANDERS. Disgusting himself
in the dress of an inferior officer, the General
appeared before the gates as bearer of flag of
truce, to demand a parIey with the mistress of
the castle; and cunningly did he talk of favor
able conditions and royal rewards but his Cd.
ponent only laughed at his offers, as she had
done at his threats. A good General, however,
always finds out the weak points in his enemy's
defences and perhaps tie eyes of Maria had
expressed no displeasure at the handsome face
and manly figure of the envoy, nor probably
were the beauty and courage of the command,
ress without their influence on Wesselenyi's de.
termination. Certain il ls, that next day anoth.
er trumpet summoned the garrison to parIey,
aud that this time The herald bure letter offer.
ing the heart anil hand of Wesselenyi to his
beautiful enemy, to whom he confessed the ruse
he had practised, ut vowed that love had taken
ample revenge for his temerity. Caught with
the romance, but determined to test its sincerity
Maria answered that if the writer's courage
eqnalled his audacity, and he was willing to pur.
sue the fortune he tempted, he might find, al
midnight, ladder against the northern tower, ir
which u light would be burning and where, il
he came alone, he might hear further of his
suit.
Wesselenyi was too good knight to refuse
the bidding OF a" layde fayre," hazardous though
it might be. AT midnight, and alone, he left bis
camp, and gaining the summit of the rock, found
the promised light in the northern tower 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 tom behind, and
dagged to the ground, while body OF armed
men entered the chamber and bound him in
ckalns BIindfolded, he was led forward he
knew not whittier, til hBrsh voice, command.
ing halt, thus addressed the prisoner: Sir
knight, strategy is fair in love as well as in war
you have delivered yourself into the power Of
your enemies and it is for them TO dispose of
you as they choose but the commanLress of the
castle is inclined to merry, and on conditions nl
your desertng the cause of The king, she is
willing not only to give You freedom bat 10 bo
stow herself and her vast possessions Oh you bv
marriage. In an hour come to receive your
answer-accepanc or DEATH" Rude as was
the trial where love and life pleaded against 10y.
atty and duty, the soldier withstood it manfuly
and, at the hours conclusion, returned only a
sullen answer, " Better die than beray "
Scarce had The words passed his lips, when the
Oahdoge fell from his eyes; Szecsl Maria stood
before him IN all her beauty; smile played
around her mouth, and, extending her hand tc
'ne no" ostonshed Wesseenyi, she exclaimed
take it, noble knight, and with il MI have
Tor thy constancy has won my heart kern ur
t Thy faith to me as well as thou hast done to m,
King and Maria will gladly ACKNOWLEDGE thee
i her conqueror."
EXTRAORDINARY MIRAGE.-The s,eoroao;,
F., Arctic was recently seen in a cloud off Newnor
Z Beach. 1t was case of mirage, as the Arcti,
: was distant about sixty miles from the Mae,
! where seen. At that time vapor was risin,
: from the water