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


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isa12 bs4 A Thrilling Narrative. 79 <
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1t was in the year 1889, toward the
close of November, light snow, mingled
b. with sleet, was whirled about by the wind,
+ and pierced through every crevice of a
roadside inn, situated between Hornberg
{ : and Rottwell, ON the frontier of the Duchy
s of Baden. sss7 s,e Er ~.
,lia Two travellers, driven by the bad wealth
-sa er to shelter of this humble hostelry, were
bf forgetting their hunger and WEAKNESS in
~ the comforts of the hearty repast ofsmoked
y beef The kissing and roaring ola large
5. stove contrasted agreeably in the travel
3 ersl ears with the loud moaning of the
north wind without, and disposed them
- still more to the enjoyments of the good
within. # - g.
-4as The innkeeper and his wife had for
b. their only domestic a young girl of Baden,
N whom they had brought up from child
hood. Krettel, for such was her name,
was host in herself. Housekeeper and
maid to her mistress, cook in the kitchen,
b valet de chambre to the stray visitants in
the best room, and groom in the stable
the hardy, active German girl fulfilled the
duties usually shared by large estab-
lishment of servants.
Ten o'clock struck, and the travellers
having finished their supper, drew neare,
to the group that had collected round the
stove, Father Hoffkirck, the minister, THEN
host, and some neighbors who had entered
by chance. The conversation turned up
on the fearful and murderous events O
which the neighboring forest had been thu
g scene, and each one had his own story tc
tell, surprising the rest in horror. Faith
er Hoffkirck was among the foremost ii
terrifying his audience by the diferentad
2 ventures, all more or less tragical. The
worthy father had just finished horrible
story ofrobbers-quite chef d. euars il
s its way. The scene of the legend was {
ktte more than gun-shot from the inn
door; it was atradition, unfortunately; bu
ii an ancient gibbet which still remained OF
n the identical spot gave an air of gloomy
veraciy which no one dared to question
This place was, in truth, made formidable
throughout the province as being, it wa
< said, the rendezvous Of troop of banditti
who held there every night their mysteri
.ous meetings.
- All the guests were still under the in
Auence of the terror which the story Q
Father Hoffkirck had caused, when one Q
Che travellers before mentioned offered t
bettwo ducats that no one dared to set of
z at that nscment, tothofatal spot, and trac
with charcoal a erosion the gibbet. Th
very idea Of such . proposition increased
the fears of the company.
Along silence was the only reply. Sud
denly the young girl Krettle, who wa
quietly spinning in. the corner, rose UP an
accepted the bet, asking her master con
sent at the same time. He and his goo
wife atErstfefused, alleging the loneli
'ss ness oftheplace in ease Of danger;.sbd
this fearless damsel persisted, and was a
sa last suffered to depart.
.s17' Krettel only required that the inn doc
should be leftopen until her return, an
taking piece Of charcoal, to prove on tn
morrow that she had really visited the spo
she rapidly walked towards the gibbe
When close beside it, she started, fancyin
she heard noise; however, after a me-
ment Of hesitation. she stepped forward
''F ready to take flight at the least DANCE
The noise was renewed. Krettel listene
intently, and the sound of horses fe'
struck upon her ear. Her terror prevei
ted her at first from seeing how near
was to her-that the object of fear was fa1
tened to the gibbet itself. She took cou
-, age, darted forward and traced thss eros
At the same instant the report of pist
showed her she had been mott ced. By
81 movement as swift as thought, she III
Ioosed the horse, leaped on the saddle, an
- fed Ike tightening, She was pursued
but redoubling her speed, she reached Il
''a'si inn yard, called out to them to close Il
gate, and tainted away. When the bra'
girl recovered, she told her story, and wi
warmly congratulated on her courage an
presence of mind. All admired the hors
which was Of striking beauty. A sms