The Ohio union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1849-1854, 1853-09-14

fearless damsel persisted, anu was al last
suffered 10 depart
Kretlel only required 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 visited the
spot, she rapidly walked towards the glib
bet. When close beside it, she started,
fencying sht heard noise; however, af.
ter a moment of hesitation, she stepped
forward, ready 10 take flight at the least
danger. The noise was renewed. Kret.
tel listened inlenty. and the sound Of a
horses feet struck upon her ear. Her ter
ror prevented her at irsl from seeing how
near it was To her--hal the object Of fear
was fastened to The gibbet itself. She took
cour-ge, darlcd forward and traced the
cross. At the same instant The report Of a
pistol showed her she had been noriced-
By = movement ~ swift AS thought, she
unlo0sed the horse, lelped on the saddle,
and ilad Ike lightning. She was pursued;
hui rebuilding her speed, she reached the
inn,yarh, called out To them 10 close the gale
and iainlel away. When the girl recover.
4 ed, she told her story, and was warmly
congratulated on her courage and presence
Of mind. All admired the horse, which
was Of striking beauty. small lrahern
valisa was attached 10 the saddle; but
Father HOn'kirck would not suffer it to be
opened, except in The presence of the
BurgGmasief.
On the morrow. which was Sunday, the
inn keeper, his wife and their irgucsts, all set
Of for the ncighborlng town, where they
intended, after The service, 10 arquaint the
Burgomaster with the last evening sdven.
ture. Kreuel, left sole guardian of the
house. was advised not to admit any one
until her masters return. Many a young
girl would have lrembled at being in her
situation, but this young servant maid, hav.
ing seen the party disappear learIessly set
about her household duties, ngiHg with
light heart and clear vnice some pious
hvmn which her kind mistress had taught
her
An hour hpi scarcely passed when there
came a knock on the outer door. II was
a traveller on horseback. who asked leave
"a rest for lnlle while. Krete at first
Tciu'fH hu ~ 'he promise pi the rava.
Iirr hal ne wou'' on, breakfast and de.
part, she agreed to admit him Beside,
the man was well dressed and alone, So
ihere was lule 10 fear from him. The
Stranger wished to Ike his horse 10 the
stpt,e himself, and renamed long time
examining and admiring the noble slepd
which had arrived the previous evening in
4 manner so unexpected.
While irbrrakfas'ing, he asked many qucs.
'inrs about the inn and its owners. inquired
wh"sr was he horse that had attracted his
attention 50 much; and in short, asked so
successfully, that the poor girl, innocent of
| ~ deceit. told him Of her late adventure,
! md end w rpnirssing herself all alone.
She Instantly felt vagUe sense Of having
romminrd some imprudpnce, for the
stranger listened to her with singular al.
tention, and seemed to take a greater in.
Ierest than simple curiosity in what she
| war "a IUHs 4 NV ultdhldNN was
to IT'S utmost length. At last after n few
unimporiant questions, the traveller, desired
The servant girl to bring him bottle Of
wine. Krellle rose 10 obey but on reach.
ing the cellar, found that the stranger fol-
lowed 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 reached
the foot ot the stairs, she suddenly exin.
guished the light, and stood up against the
wall. The man, muttoring imprecaiions,
advanced few steps, Cropping his way
krolIol. pr0lilng by this movement, re.
mounted the steps, agile and noiselessly,
closed and holcd the door upon the pre-.
tended traveller, and then harricaded herself
in an upper chamber, lleTe to await her
masters arrival.
kre'rl had not been many minutes en.
scnnced in her retreat when fresh knock
ing rcsoundcd nj the inn door. and she npr.
ceivpd there ton illlmking men, who ask
ed her what had become ofa traveller who
had been there n shurt time before. From
their description Of his appearance, the
Young girl Immediately discovered that tho
person sought for was the stranger whom
she had locked in the cellar. Nevcrlho.
less, she 'hnuVhl it mos prudent TO make
II" admission IN the subject. On her re-.
fusing their request to open the door, the
Two men threatened IN scale the wall
The poor girl lrembled with fear, for she
knew that they could easily accomplish
their project hy means Of the iron bars
fixed tn the windows Of the lower story.
In this pcrplexily Kreltel looked around
her, and her eve fell on musket which
hung from the wall, relict of her masters
younger dnys. Shc seized II, aud pointing
the muzzlc out Of the window, cried ou,
HAT she would fire on the first man who
attempted to ascend.
The two robbers-ior that they were 70
could no longer be doubed-slruck dumb
at the sight, Of fire arms, where, expecting
no resistance, they brought no weapons,
aNd conlnunded at such intrepidi,y, wen,
away, niierirg the most fearful mennces,
and vowng ia return again in greater force.
In spite oI her terror, oar heroine remain.
firm at her post. An hour passed away
in this critical position; at last tn, girl per.
ceivcd her master and friends coming in
sight accompanied by the brave Burgo.
master and some officers.
The brave krettel rushed to the door,
and her fear, amounting almost to despair,
gave place 10 The Iivelcsl joy. The won.