Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-01-24
5Hiscellaueous.
The Maid of the Inn, or Female In
trepiditV.


November. A light snow, mingled with seel,
was wLirled about by the wind, and pierced
through every crevice of n little roadside inn,
situated between Horube7g and Rottweli, on the
frontier of the duchy of Baden.
Two travellers, driven by the bad weather TO
the shelter of this humble hosiery, were forget
ting their hunger and wcariness in the comforts
of the hearty rcpasl Of smoked beef. The his
sing and roaring of large stove conlrasled f;l-
vorably in the travellers ears with the loud
moaning of the north wind without, and di>pos-
I'd them still more to the enjoyment of The good
things within.
The innkeeper and his wife had for their only
domestic, Il young girl of Baden, whom they
had brought up from childhood. Krettel, for
such was her name, was host in herself, house.
keeper and maid TO her mistress, cook in the
kitchen, valet DE- chambre to the stray vi,itants
in the best room groom in The stable-he har-
dy and good humored German girl fulfilled all
The duties usually shared by large establish
ment of servants
Ten O'clock struck, and the travellers, having
finished their supper, drew nearer to the group
that had collected round the stove Father Ho"
kirck, the minister, their host, and some neigh
bors who had entered by chance. The conrer-
saliun turned Oh the fearful and nurdcruus
events of which The neighboring tnrest had been
the scene and each one had his own story 10 tell,
surprising the rest in horror. Father Hoffkirck
was among the foremost in terrifying his audi
ence by the different adventures, all more or less
tragical. The worthy father had just finished
horrible story Of robbers, quite 4 chef d. Gaure
in its way. The scene Of the legend was little
more than gun.shot from the inn door; it was
tradition, unfortunately; but IN ancient gbbet,
which still remained on tie identical spot, gave
10 the narration an air of gloomy veracity, which
no one dared TO question. This place was, i'll
deed, made formidable throughout the province,
as being, it Was said, the rendezvous of Il troop
of bandits, who held there, every night lher.
mysterious meetings.
All the guests were still under the influence
of the terror which the story of father Hoffkirck
had caused. when one Of The travellers before
mentioned offered 10 bet two ducals that no one
dared to set off at that moment 10 the fatal spot
and trace with charcoal ) cross on the glbbet.
The very idea of such Il proposition increased
the fears of the company.
A long silence was their only reply, Sudden
", the young kretle, who was quietly spinning
in the corner, rose up and accepted the bet, ask
ing her masters consent ut the same time. He
and his good wife ut the first refused, alleging
The loneliness of the place, in case of danger.
But this fearless dansel p, rsisted, and was at
last suffered to depart.
= Ksst,el only reGnssted that the inn door should
be !eft open until her RETURN and taking u piece
of charcoal, TO prove on the morrow that she
had really visited the spot, size rapidly walked
toward the gbbct. When close beside it, she
started, fancyng she heard noise. However,
after moment Of hesitataion, she stepped for
ward, ready to take flight NJ the least danger.-
The noise was renewed. Krelte listened in
tently, and the sound of a horses feet struck
upon her ear. Her terror prevented her at first
from seeing how near it was TO her-lhat the
object of fear was fastened 10 the gibbet Itself.
She took courage darted forward and traced The
cross. At the same instant the report of pis.
tol showed her that she had been noticed. BY
n movement as swift as thought, she unloosenpd
the horse, leaped on the saddle, and fled like
lightning. She was pursued; but, redoubling
her speed, she reached the inn yard, called out
TO them 10 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 valise was
attached to the saddle; but father Hufkirck
would not suffer it TO be opened, except in the
presence Of the Burgomaster.
On the morrow, which was Sunday the inn
keeper, his wife and their guests, all sci off for
the neighboring town, where they intended, af-
ter the service, TO acquaint The Burgomaster
with the last evenings adventures. Krete,
left sole guardian of the house, was advised no,
to admit any one until her masters relurn-
Many young girl would have trembIed nj being
IN her situation; but this young servant maid,
having seen the party disappear, fearlcssly set
about her household duties, singing with light
heart and clear voice some pious hymn which
her kind mistress had taught her.
An hour had scarcely passed, when there came
knock on the outer door. 1t was a traveller
on horseback, who asked leave TO rest fora little
while. Krettcl at first refused; but on the
promise of the cavalier that he would only
breakfast and depart, she agreed to admit him.
Besides, the man was well dressed and alone, 10
there was little 10 fear from him. The stranger
wished himself TO take his horse TO the stable,
and remained n long time examining and admir-
ing the noble steed wich had arrived the prcri.
Gus evening in manner 20 unexpected. While
breakfisting he asked many questions about the
inn and ils owners-inquired whose was the
horse that attracted his attention so much; and
in short, acted so successfully that the poor girl,
innocent of all deceit, told hima OF her late ad-
venture, and ended by confessing she was all
alone. She instantly felt u vague sense of hav-
ing committed some imprudence, for the stran-
ger listened to her with singular attention, and
seemed to take greater interest than simple
curiosity in what she was saying. The break.
fast was prolonged to the utmost length. At
last, after few unimporlant questions, the tra.
weller desired the servant girl to bring him
bottle of wine. Kre,tel rose to obey; but on
reaching the cellar, found that the stranger fol-
lowed her, and turning around, she saw the plil.
ter of pistol handle through his vest. Her
presence of mind failed her not ut this critical
moment. When they had reached the foot of
the stairs, she suddenly exlingushed the light,
and stood up against the wall. The man, NUT
terinp imprecaticns, advanced few steps, crop.
ing his way. Kreitel, profting by this move
ment, re. mounted the steps, agile and noscless.
ly, closed and bolted the door upon the pretend
ed traveller, and then barrcaded herself in an
upper chamber, there 10 await her masters ar
rival.
Krettel had not been many minutes ensconc-
ed in her retreat, when a fresh knocking resound-
ed at the inn door, and she perceived there two
i'll. looking men, who asked her what had become
of traveller who had been there short time
before. From their description of his appear
ance, the young girl Immediately discovered that
the person sought for was the stranger whom
she had locked in the cellar-nevertheless, she