Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-07-18

,Puchheim was a widower, with an only
son, Rudolf, q youth Of noble disposition,
who, quite the efeverse Of his father, abhorred
his nightly revels and predatary excursions.
He, therefore, so often as he could, with
drew from the banqueting at kirchschlag,
and, taking his bow and arrows, rode out to
hunt in the forests Of his fathers dominions,
which even nowadays have an inexhausti.
Bile supply Of game.
One summer evening, as he bent his way
homewards along the winding course Of a
rivulet, his ear caught the tones of female
voice, singing the Ave Maria" with touch.
ing sweetness, while the evening bell tolled
from the castle. With mingled feelings Of
pleasant surprise and curiosity, Rudolf fol-
lowed the sound, and after short walk, at
a sudden turn of the path, behind an over
hanging cliff, he discovered scone of pecu.
liar interest On the deep bank Of the spark
ling streamlet, which there formed clear
little bay, maiden of uncommon loveliness
ket on the greea turf, teaching her little
sister the melody Of that evening prayer,
her countenance lighted up with an express
sion of childlike piety. The group was
charming, but still more so the songstress,
who, in the first bloom of youth, looked the
very picture of innocence and beauty. No
wonder that the scene produced a marvel.
lous effect upon the young count, and he
unconsciousy tarried, lost in contemplation,
until he was aecosted by warrior of impo.
sing appearance, who, on learning the name
of the stranger, introduced him to his daugh.
ter Gizela, inviting him at the same time, as
good neighbor, to his house.
Karol led his guest and children up a
flight of stairs, rudely hewn into the rock,
to spacious clearing where, round mas.
sive watch.tower, stood several huts, sur.
rounded by plot Of arabic land, the whole
enclosed by a rampant and ditch. There,
on Hungarian ground, Rudolf enjoyed the
hospitality of the simple but true hearted
inhabitants, giving himself up wholly to the
uncomfortable emotions which the presence
of the commanders eldest daughter awoke
on him. The hosts friendly wishes, that
the young count should repeat his visit, was
welcome pretext for his coming again and
again to the Hungarian settlement; till at
last he felt that he could not exist one day
without listening to that voice which thrilled
through his every >nerve-:without seeing
those features that reminded him of;a picture
of guardian angel in the castle chapel Of
Kirchschlag. When unable any longer to
resist the force of his love, he ayowed the
state of his heart TO Gizela, whose affection
he already possessed, they mutually plighted
their faith, and the father Of the maiden bles-
sed their happiness with feeling of per.
feet security and content, caring little within
their own fairy circle for the egotistical
schemes of the outer world, where, however,
the storm was already gathering around
their heads, that would so soon break upon
their bliss with an annihilating power.
Amongst the garrison at watch-tower was
youth, by birth German, whom karol,
when boy, had rescued from destruction
at the storming of an Austrian fortress.
From that time, the warrior kept him in his
family as a play mate for Gizela. The
youth conceived violent passion for the
maiden; his suit, however, having been re.
iected, his love changed into hatred, TO which
the success Of the young count added fresh
aliment. His keen, jealous eye detected,
without much difficulty, the cause of Ru.
dolf's daily visit, and on remarking the pro.
gress he made in the maiden's favor, the un.
grateful miscreant, forgetting the numerous
marks of kindness bestowed upon him by
the family of his benefactor, resolved on be.
traying the secret of the lovers to Rudulf's
father. He accordingly fastened to the cas-.
tie, and informed Count Puchheim how at.
fairs were going on in the Hungarian watch.
tower. The wrath of the naughty magnate
was terrible. Besides his hatred against
Hungary, he felt his aristocratic pride and
prejudices deeply wounded by the proceed.
ings of his son. In order at once to put
stop to his youthful folly, as he deemed it,
he informed his son that two weeks from
that day he was to wed the daughter of a
neighboring cavalier.
At this intimation Rudolf felt the crisis of
his fate fast approaching Fully aware of
the uselessness Of openly opposing his faith
er's will, or of imploring his pity, he with.
drew apparently satisfied, and rode over to
Karol, to communicate the sad intelligence
to him. The warrior knew Of only one way
to surmount the mighty obstacle, and that
was, to 60 without delay to King Matthias
at Vienna, from whose justice and humanity
he promised himself the most satisfactory
result. When the day for their setting out
was once fixed, the betrothed quickly forgot
troubles, and now began to look upon their
dreams of glowing future as already re-
allied.
Although the preparations for the journey
were made with great precaution, still the
Austrian traitors suspicious were aroused,
and no sooner were they confirmed. than he
again sped to Kirchschlag imparting the
tidings to the count, who was just then ma.
king merry with several boon companions.
Heated by wine and passion, Puchbeim
swore, in the presence Of his guests, to pre-.
pare suitable nuptial couch for his Hunga.
rian daughter.in.law.
1t was the evening before the day of de-
parture. Rudolf and Gizela had visited, for
the last time, all the places so endeared to
them by thousand sweet remembrances.
Before entering the dwelling, they fingered
at lovely spot not far from the ramparts,
casting a farewell look on the glorious
mountain.scenery, bathed in the gray hue
of approaching twilight. Lost in silent reye.
rie, and overwhelmed by an inexplicable
feeling of sadness, they did not remark that
night and darkness gradually spread over
valley and mountain.