The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1855-02-02
4 GbrilIinl Sturu..
~. Jht Wai0 of tha '7nn.
OR FEMALE 1NTREPIDITY.

/
with sleet, was whired about bv the wind.
and pierced through every crcvce of little
! roadside inn, situated between Hornbcrc
and Rottwel, on the frontier Of the duchy of
! Baden. 80. ..
Two travellers, driven by the. weather to
the shelter Of this humble hostlcry, were for
getting their hunger and wcarinesS in the
comforts of the hearty rcpast Of smoked beef
The kissing and roaring of n large stove
| contrasted favorably in the travellers cars
with the loud moaning of the north wind
without, and disposed them still more to
| the enjoyment Of tho good things within.
The innkecpor and his wife ,hai for their
only domestic, young girl Of baden, whom
they had brought up from childhood. krct-
tel, for such was her name. was host in
herself, housekecper and mail to her mis-
tress, cook in tho kitchen, valvct de chambrc
to tho stray visitants in the beat room in the
stable-the hardy and good humored Ger
man girl fulfilled all the duties usually shar-
ed by large establishment of servants.
Ten o'clock struck, and the travellers hav-
ing finished their supper, drew nearer to the
group that had collected round the stove
Father Uotfkirck the minister their host.
chance. The conversation turned on the
fearful and murderous events Of which the
ncighborin@ forest had been the scene, and
each one had his own story to toll, slrpaSs-
ing the rest in horror. Father Uotfkirck
was among the foremost in terrifying his
audience be the different adventures, nil more
or less traIical. The worthy father had
Just finished horrible story of robbers, quite
a ch%f IT GUVre in its wav. The scene of
the legend was little more than a gun
shot from the inn door; it WAS tradition,
unfortunately; but an ancient gibbet,
which still remained on the Identical spot,
gave to the narration an air Of gl0omv-e sEssI
city, which no one darod tn~aI2n<s,sl = 81
place was, indeed, made forniidaI Ile throNS
out the province, rs being, it was .Sad -
rendezvous of troop OF bandits, who 60
there, every night there mysterious meg
All the guests were still under ap'-HS
fuencc Of the terror which the story eEttS
cr H"tfkirck had caused, vixen ono o.
travellers before mentioned otlcreAL To- bsi
ducats that no one darcd to set M &sc
moment to the fatal spot. and. .ltatH =
charcoal cross, oia the gibbct, 17is.ea8
idea ofsuch proposition increased tlsi
oi the company. %.aSS =
\ long silence was their only re- ID :
denly, the young Krettel, whg - -
spinning in the corner, rose up anf - S 5
the bet, asking her mtster's' consent at.iill,te
same time. He and his good wife at 'ihc
first refused, alleging the loneTinabs Of flSs
place, III c,rsc of danger. But the f.sanses
damscl persisted, and was at las: suisainl.',ss..
depart. A
Krettel only requested that the inn d5lsf
should be left open until her return, aspI TAX
inga piece Of charcoal, to proS poii the NOR
row that she had really visited he spot she RI.
pidIy walked toward the gibbet. When close
hesi'le it, she started. fancying she heard Il
noise. However, after a moment Of hcsita
ton, she stepped forward, really to take flight
ut the least danger. The noise was renew
ed. Krcttel listened intently, and the sound
of Il horses feet struck upon her car. Her
terror prevented her at first from sreing how
near it was to her--that she object of fear
was fastened to the gibbct itself, She took
courage, dartcd forward and traced the cross.
At the same instant the report of a pistol
showed her that she had been noticed. Bv
a movement as swift rs thought, she unloos-
ened the horse, leaped on the saddle, and fled
like lightning. She was pursued; but. re.
doubling her speed, she reached the inn yard,
called ont to them to close the gate, and fAin-
ted away. When the brave girl recovered
from her fright, she told her Surprising story,
and was warmly congratulated on her cour-
age and presence of mind. All admired the
horse, which was ofsriking beauty. A small
3eathcrn valisc was attached TO the saddle:
but father llotlkirck WOULD not suffer it TO
be opened, exeeptin the prcsemcc of the Bar
gomastcr. -.
On the morrow, which was Sunday the
innkeepr, liis wife End their gle5ts, Nil act
OFT for the neighboriDg town, where they in.
tended, altcr the service, To acquaint the Bur
gom'lster with the last evenings adventures.
skrettcl, left sole guardian Of the house, was
advised MOTTO admit any ono until her mas
,ter's return. Many q young girl would
have trembed at being in her situation; but
this young servant maid, having seen the
party disappear, fcaElcssly set about ber
household duties, singing with Il light heart
and u clear VOICE some ppus hynpl which her
KIND mistress had taught her. ,r.s- i
An hour had scarcely. passed, when there
came knock ON tbcsouter door. IL was n
traveller on horseback, who askei leave to
rest for little While. Kre,tel at first ref,ls-