Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-06-29

to close the gate, land 1ainteo away. Vheh
the brave girl recovered, she told her story
and was warmly congratulated on her cour.
ace and presence of mind. All admired
the horse, which was of striking beauty
A small leather valise was attached to the
saddle. but Father Hoffkirck would not sut'
fer 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, all
set off for the neighboring town,w where they
intended after the services, to acqualnt the
Burqomaster with the last evening adven'
ture. Krettel, left sole guardian of the
house, was advised not to admit any one
until her masters return. Many young
girl would have trembled at being in heI
Situation, but this young servant maid hav.
ing seen the party disappear, fearlessly sci
about her household duties, singing, with
LIGHT heart and clear voice, some pious
hymn which her kind mistress taught her
An hour had scarcely 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 re-
fused but the promise of the cavalier that
he would only breakfast and depart, she a.
greed to admit him. Besides, the man was
we'll dressed and alone, so there was little
to fear from him. The stranger wished
himself to take his horse to the stable, and
remained long time examining and admi-
RING the noble steed which had arrived the
preceding evening in manner so unex-
pected While breakfasting, he asked ma
nv questions about the inn and its owners,
inouired whose was the horse that attract
ed his attention so much and in short, act
ed so successfully, that the poor glrl' lnno-
cent of all deceit told him OF her late ad-
venture. and ended by confessing that she
was all alone. She instantly felt a vague
sense of having committed some ndlsere-
tion, for the stranger listened to her with
signal attention, and seemed to take great
er interest than simple curiosity in what
she was saying. The breakfast was pro-
longed to its utmost length. AT last, after
a few unimportant questions, the traveller
desired tine servant girl to bring him bot
tle of wine. Krettel rose to obey but on
reaching the cellar, found that the stranger
followed her, and turning round she saw
the glitter OF pistol handle through his
vest. Her presence of mind failed her not
at this critical moment. When they reach
ed the foot of the stairs, she suddenly ex-
tnquished the light, and stood up against
the wall. The man. muttering, lmpreca-
tions, advanced few steps, groping his
way. Krettel, profting by this movement
remounted the steps, agile and noiselessly,
closed and bolted the door upon the pre-
tended traveller. and then barricaded her.
self in an upper chamber to await her mas
ter's arrival. -.
Krettel had not been many minutes en-
sconced in her retreat, when fresh knock
inc resounded at the inn-door, and she per-
ceived there two ill-looking men, who ask
ed her what had become of traveller who
had been there short time before. From
their description of his appearance, the
Young girl Immediately discovered that the
person sought for was the stranger whom
she had locked in the cellar, nevertheless
she thought it most imprudent to make nc
admission on the subject. On her refusing
their request to open the door, the two men
threatened to scale the wall. The poor
orl trembled with fear; for she knew thai
fhey could easily accomplish their project
bv means of the iron bars fixed to the win
dows of the lower story. In this perplexl
ty Krettel looked around her, and her eye
fell on musket which hung from the wall
a relic of her masters younger days. She
seized it, and pointing the muzzle out o.
the window, cried out that she would fire
on the first man who attempted to ascend
The two robbers-for that they were
could no longer be doubted-struck dumt
at the sight Of fire arms where, expecting
no resistance. they brought no weapons
and confounded at such intrepldity. wen
awav uttering the most fearful menaces
and yowing to return again in greater force
IN snite of her terror our heroine remained
firm at her post. An hour passed away II
this critical position at last the girl per
ceived her master and friend coming II
sight, accompanied by the Burgomaster ane
some officers.
The brave Krettel rushed to the door
and her fear, amounting almost 10 despair
rave place to the livelest joy. To the
wonder and admiration of all, she related
what had happened; the Burgomaster es
neciallv lavished on her the warmest praise
for her heroic conduct. The officers wen
in search of the robber whom Krettel hat
,mnrisoned with so much address and pres
ence of mind. After sharp resistance nj
: was hound and secured, and soon after re
coguized as the chief of a band of robbers
| who had for some time spread terror owe
, tbe country. His men, wandering withou
e. a captain were quickly taken or dispersed
: The Burgomaster decided that the hors'
! and valise, which contained large mum
ber of gold pieces, should be given to tn
vouna Krettel, whose courage had SO pow
erfuliy contributed to rid the country OF
bandith who had infested it for SO long
time.
t SYMPATHY FOR THE FALLEN.-For m,
e nart I confess have not the heart to TAX
e an offending man from the general crow
d Of sinful, erring men, and Judge him harsh
". The little / have seen OF the worl'
: and know Of the history of manklnd, teach
: es me to look upon the errors OF others II
d sorrow, not anger. When | take the his
: tory of one poor heart that has slnned AM
4 suffered, and represent to myself the strug
8 gles and temptations it has passed-th
s brief pulsations of joy-the feverlsh inqul
It etude of hope and fear-the tears OF regre