The true Democrat., 1854-05-09
Romance and Reality.
COUNT GLEICHEN,

When holy zeal to drive the infidels from Palestine had seized all Europe, and pious knights, bearing the standard of the cross, re- paired in crowds to the East, Gleichen, Ger man count, left his native land; and, with his friends and countrymen, went to Asia. With out describing his great and heroic achievements there, 1t is enough to say, that the most valor- ous knights of Christendom admired his cour- age, and sang in his praise. But it fell to Gleichen's unhappy lot to be made prisoner, and to be sold to Saracen of distinction, who intrusted his garden to Glechen's superintend- ence
 The unfortunate count, who, a short time before, was inspired with a religious fanaticism, and testified his heroism by noble deeds, was now employed in watering lilies, violets, and bluebells. The hero long endured captivity, but all his signs and VOWS would have been in etiectua and no doubt he, like many of his brother warriors, would have died Tn bondage, had not fair Saracen, his masters lovely daugh ter began to regard him with looks of tender affection. Often, concealed beneath the veil of night, did she listen to his melancholy songs, and though incapable of being inspired with their force and meaning, she could drink de- light from his pathetic voice. Often did she see him weep while praying, and her beauti- ous eyes would likewise be suifused with tears. Modesty, the peculiar virtue of the female heart, long prevented her from evincing her affection, or intimating, in any manner, how deeply she sympathzed in his sorrows.
 At length the spark kindled into a flame, modesty gradually yielded its power to cour- age, and by degrees her tervent love was de- clared to the count. Her innocence: her bloom ing beauty, and the idea that by her means he might be enabled to obtain his liberty-all con- bined to produce powerful impression on his mind, and to induce him to forget, for a mo- ment his wife, who had for long time heard nothing of him. The count, however, in a con- versatiOn with the beautiful virgin, told her he was married, and that his wife was probably at that moment signing away her soul on account of his absence. ''That is no argument" replied the young lady, ''the custom of the Turks al lows one man several wives" Subdued by her beauty, her purity and pathos, the count pledg ed his love to the fair Saracen, provided she would agree to leave her father and native land, and fly with him to Europe. This provision was unnecessary, as she had already forgotten her father, her friends and her country, in her all-absorbing love for him. After the requisite arrangements were made, she obtained key, opened private door, and fled with the count. The silence of night which covered them with her sable and protecting mantle, favored their flight Having got on board vessel, they soon arrived happily at Venice. The count there met one of his men, who had been sent on an expedition of inquiry after him. The man told him that his wife and children were quite we'll Whereupon the count dispatched hls servant to Germany, to carry the glad td- mgs of his release, and hastened personally with the Saracen to Rome Having ingenuously re- lated his romantic history, the means Of his es- cape and what he wanted, the Pope granted mm asolemn dispensation to keep his two wives. l hey lett Rome, and after much anxiety they got safely to Germany.
 On the counts arrival, his vassals joyfully greeted nm as their master, whom they had gwen up as slain or lost, and regarded with much curiosity his lady companion, whose coun- tenance was concealed beneath a ve On en- terng the castle, the countess rushed into his arms. My dearest wife,' said he, "for my deliverance, and tor the pleasure of seeing me, you have to thank this lady, who, for my sake, has left her home and fatherand.'' The count covered his streaming eyes with his hands. The beautiful Saracen dropped her veil. and throwing herself at the feet of the countess. ex- claimed, "I am thy vassal" ''Thou art my sister,'' replied the countess, raising and embra- cing her; sny husband shall be thy husband. We will equally share his heart, as we equally deserve it."
 The counts habtation was ever afterwards the abode of peace and happiness, and he, with his faithful wives, were, after death, buried in the same grave, in the Benedictine Church, at Egfurth, in Thuringia A beautiful marble monument was afterwards erected over their tomb, in which the count is represented as placed between his two wives. The Saracen,