The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-07-13

set of at that moment to the fa.al spot, |
and trace with charcoal cross on the |
gibbet. The very idea of such propo-
sition increased the fears Of the compa-
ny.
A long silence was their only reply. |
Suddenly the young Krettel, who was
quietly spinning in the corner, rose up
and accepted the bet, asking her mas
ter's consent at the same time He aud
his good wife at first refused, alleging
the loneliness of the place, in case of
Danger but this fearless damscl persist
cd, and was at last suffered to depart.
Krettel only requested that the inn
door should be left open until her return,
and taking piece of charcoal, to prove
on the morrow that she had really visi-
ted the spot, she rapidly walked toward
the gibbet. When close beside it, she
started, fancying she heard noise -
however, after Il moment Of hesitation,
she stepped forward, ready to take fight
at the least danger. The noise was re-
ncwed. Krettol listened intcntly, and
the sound of n horses feet struck upon
her ear. Her terror prevented her at
first from seeing how near il was to her
that the object of fear was fastened to
the gibbet itself She took courage, dart
cd forward and traced the cross. At
the same instant the report of a pistol
showed her she had been noticed. BY a
movement as swift as thought, she nm
loosed the horse, leaped on the saddle,
and fed like lightning She was pursu-
ed but redoubling her speed, she reach
ed the inn.yard, called out to them to
close the gate, and tainted away. When
the brave girl recovered from her fright
she told her surprising story, and was
warmly congratulated on her courage
and presence of mind All admired the
horse, which was of striking beauty. A
small leathern valisc was attached to the
saddle but Father Hoffkirck would not
suffer it to be opened except in the pres
ence of the Burgomastcr
On the morrow Gt was Sunday the
innkeeper, his wife, and their guests, all
set off for the neighboring town,
whore they intended, after the service. to
acquaint the Burgomaster with the last
evenings adventure. Krettcl. left sole
guardian of the house, was advised not
to admit any one until her masters re-
turn. Many young girl would have
trembled at being in her situation hut
this young servant maid having seen tho
party disappear, fearlessly set about her
household duties, singing with light
heart and clear voice, some pous hymn
which her Kind mistress had taught her
An hour had scarcely passed when
there came knock on the outer door
1t was traveller on horseback. who ask.
tel at first refused but on the promise
of the cavalier that he would only breal,
fast and depart, she agreed to admit him
Besides, the man was well dressed and
alone, so there was little to fear from
him. The stranger wished himself tc
take his horse to the stable, and remain
) ed long time examining and admirinl
the noble stecd which had arrived thl
previous evening in manner SO unex
pected While breakfasting, he asked
many questions about the inn and it
owners-inquired whose was the hors,
that attracted his attention so much
and, in short, acted so successfully, tha
/ the poor girl, innocent of all deceit, tolt
him Of her late adventure, and ended b,
confessing she was all alone She in
stantly felt vague sense of having com
T. miited some imprudence, for the strar
ger listened to her with singular after
tion, and seemed to take a greater inter
est than simple curiosity in what she wa
saying. The breakfast was prolonge
to the utmost length. AT last, after
few unimportant questions, the travello
desired the servant girl to bring him
bottle of wine. Krettel rose to obey
but on reaching the cellar. found tha
the stranger followed her. and turnin
around she saw the glitter of pistC
handle; through his vest Her presenc
: of mind failed her not at this critici
G moment. When they had reached til
C foot of the stairs, she suddenly extir
guished the light, and stood up agains
the wall. The man, muttcring imprec;
tions, advanced few steps, cropping hi
way. Krettel, profting by this move
ment, re-mounted the steps, and agilel
and noiselessly closed and bolted the doc
upon the pretended traveller, and the
+ barricaded herself in an upper chambei
/ there to await her masters arrival
krettel had not bOen many minute
onsconced in her retreat, when frcs
knocking resounded at the inn door, an
l. she perceived there two ill.looking moi
who asked her what had become of
T traveller who had been there a short tim
l. before. From their description of hi
n appearance, the young girl immediatel
7 discovered that the person sought fo
was the stranger whom she had locke
in the cellar-niverthelcss, she though
y it most prudent to make no admission o
C the subject. On her refusing their +,
l. quest to open the door, the two me
L threatened to scale the wall The poe
l. girl troubled with fear; for she kne
that they could easily accomplish the
5, project by means of the iron bars fixe
II to the windows of the lower story. /
d this perplcxity, Kreltel looked aroun
s. her, and her eye fell on musket thi
20 hung from the wall, relic of her ma
u ters younger days. She seized ii, an
Is pointing the inuzzle out OF the windoN
N cried out that she would fire on the fir
D. man who attempted to ascend.
r. The two robbers-for that such the
c. were could no longer be doubted-struc
10 dumb at the sight of fire arms wher
IS expecting no resistance, they brought \
St weapons, aud confounded at such intr
pidily, went away nttering the most fea
he full menaees, and vowing to return agai