The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1853-08-18

- II II
leather yalise was attached to the sabble;
but Father Hoffkirck would not suffer it to
be opened, except in the presence of the
Burgomaster.
On the morrow, which was Sunday, the
inn keeper, his wife and their guests allset
off for the neighboring town, where they
intended, after the service, toacquaint the
Burgomaster with the last evenings ad-
venture. Krettel, left sole guardian of
the house, was advised not to admit any
one until her masters return. Many a
young girl would have trembled at being
in her situation, but this young servant
maid, having seen the party disappear,
fearlessly set about her household duties,
singing with light heart and clear voice
some pious hymn which her kind mistress
had taught her. ef4.ta
An hour hadscarcely passed when there
came knock on the outer door. 1t was
traveller on horseback, who asked leave
to rest for little while. Krettel at first
refused, but on the promise of the cavalier
that he would only breakfast and depart,
she agreed to admit him. Beside, the
man was well dressed and alone, SO there
was little to fear from him. The stranger
wished to take his horse to the stable him.
self, and remained long time examining
and admiring the noble steed which had
arrived the previous evening in manner
so unexpected.
| While breakfasting, he asked many
questions about the inn and its owners, in
quired whose was the horse that had at
tracted his attention so much and in short,
asked SO successfully, that the poor girl,
innocent of all deceit, told him of her late
adventure, and ended by confessing her
self all alone. She instantly felt vague
sense of having committed some impru-
dence, for the stranger listened to her with
singular attention, and seemed to take a
greater interest than simple curiosity in
what she was saying. The breakfast was
prolonged to its utmost length At last
after few unimportant questions, the
traveller, desired the servant girl to bring
1 him bottle of wine. Krettel rose to obey,
but on reaching the cellar, found that the
stranger followed her, and turning round,
she sawthe glitter ofa pistol handle through
his vest. Her presence of mind failed her
not at this critical moment. When they
reached the foot of the stairs she suddenly
extinguished the light, and stood up a
gainst the wall. The man, muttering i'm
precautions, advanced few steps, crop
ing his way. Krettel, profting by this
movement, remounted the steps, agile and
noiselessly, closed and bolted the door up
on the pretended traveller, and then barri-
caded herself in an upper chamber, there
to await her masters arrival.
Krettel mad not been many minutes en-
sconced in her retreat, when fresh knock,
ing resounded at the inn door, and she per-
ceiyed theretoo Unlocking men, who asked
her what had become of traveller who
!, had been there short time before. From
their description Of his appearance, the
young girl Immediately discovered thatthe
person sought for was the stranger whom
she had locked in the cellar. Neverthe
less, she thought it most prudent to make
no admission on the subject. On her re.
fusing their request to open the door, the
$ two men threatened to scale. the wall
THE poor girl trembled with fear, for she
knew that they could easily accomplish
! their project by means of the iron bars fix
ed to the windows of the lower story Ii
this perplexity Krettel looked around her
and here fell ON musket, which hung from
the wall, a relict of her masters younges
days. She seized it, and pointing the muz
zle out of the window, cried out that she
would fire on the first man who attempted
to ascend. r
The two robbers-for that they were
could no longer be doubted-struck dumb
, at the sight of firearms where, expecting
no resistances, they brought no weapons
, and, confounded at such intrepidity, wen
3 |
, away, uttering the most fearful menaces
and vowing to return againin greater force
In spite of her terror, our heroine remain
ed firm at her post. An hour passed a
$ way in this criticel position; at last the cir
l perceived her psaster and friend coming il
: sight accompanied by the brave Burgo
| master and some officers.
: The brave Krettel rushed to the door
t and her fear, amounting almost to despair
t gave place to the liveliest joy. The won
der and admiration of all, she related wha
r had happened; the Bugomaster, especial
! ly, lavished on her the warmest thanksf 70
6 her heroic conduct. The officers went il
!, search of the robber, whom Krettrel ha
). imprisoned with so much address and pre-
g sence of mind After hard resistanc
> he was bound and secured, and soon al
!, ter recognized as the chief of band {
:. robbers, who had for some time spread tel