Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1855-05-02

their panic, and gathered once more TO-
gether; but the duchess was not to be
found. The greatest anxiety was felt
for her safety. The hazy mist of twilight
had prevented their Distinguishing per-
fecuy the animal which had affrighted
them. Some thought it wolf, others a
bear, others a wild man of the woods.
For upwards of an hour did they be-
Lacquer the forest, without daring to ven.
ture in, and were on the point of giving
up the duchess as torn TO pieces and de.
voured, when, to their great Joy. they be-
held her advancing in the gloom, sup
ported by stately cavalier.
He was stranger knight, whom no
body knew. 1t was impossible TO dis
tinguish his countenance in the dark ;
but all the ladies agreed that he was of
noble presence and captivating address.
He had rescued the duchess from the
very fangs of the monster, which, he as
sured the ladies, was neither wolf, nor
a bear, nor yet wild man of the woods,
but veritable fiery dragon, species of
monster peculiarly hostile to beautiful
females in the days of chivalry, and
which all the efforts of the knight-errant.
ry had not been able to extirpate.
The ladies crossed themselves when
they heard of the danger from which
they had escaped, and could not enough
admire the gallantry of the cavalier
The duchess would fain have prevailed
on her deliverer to accompany her to
her court, but he had no time to spare,
being knight-errant, who had many
adventures on hand, and many distressed
damsels and afflicted widows to rescue
and relieve in various parts of the coun-
try. Taking respectful leave, there
fore, he pursued his wayfaring, and the
duchess and her train returned to the
palace. Throughout the whole way, the
4
ladies were unwearied in chanting the
praises of the stranger knight; nay,
many of them would willingly have in
Cured the danger of the dragon to have
enjoyed the happy delivelance of the
duchess. AS to the latter, she rode pen
sively along, but said nothing.
No sooner was the adventure of the
wood made public, than whirlwind
was raised about the ears of the beauti
full duchess. The clustering nephew of
the duke went about, armed TO the teeth,
with staggering uncle at each shoul-
der, ready to back him, and swore the
duchess had forfeited her domain. 1t
was in vain that she called all the saints, |
and angels, and her ladies in attendance
into the bargain, to witness that she had
passed year and day of Immaculate
fidelity. One fatal hour remained to be
accounted for 4; and into the space of one
little hour sins enough may be conjured
up by evil tongues, to blast the fame of
a whole life of virtue.
The two graceless uncles, who had
seen the world, were ever ready to boil
ster the matter through, and as they
were brawny, broad-shouldered warriors
and veterans in brawl as well as debauch,
they had great sway with the multitude.
If any one pretended TO assert the inno-
cence of the duchess, they interrupted
him with loud ha ha of derision.
"A pretty story, truly" =" would they cry,
"about wolf and dragon, and a
young widow rescued in the dark by a
sturdy varlet, who dares not show his
face in the daylight. You may tell that
to those who do not know human nature
for our parts, we know the sex, and that's
enough"
If, however, the other repeated his as
sertion, they would suddenly knit their
brows, swell, look big, and put their
hands upon their swords. As few peo-
pie like to fight in cause that does not
touch their own interests, the nephew
and the uncles were suffered to have
their own way, and swagger uncOntra-
dicted.
The matter was at length referred to
a tribunal composed of all the dignita-
ries of the dukedom, and many and re-
peated consultations were held. The
character of the duchess. throughout the
year was as bright and spotless as the
moon in cloudless night; one fatal
hour of darkness alone interviewed to
eclipse its brightness. Finding human
incapable of dispelling the mys-
terry, it was determined to leave the ques-
ton to Heaven; or, in other words, to
decide it by the ordeal of the swOrd-a
sage tribunul in the age of chivalry.-- +
The nephew and two bully uncles were .
to maintain their accusation in listed COM 8
bat, and six months were allowed to the :
duchess to provide herself with three
10 meet them in the field. I
Should she fail in this, or should her
champions be vanquished, her honor
would be considered as attainted, her ,
fidelity as forfeit, and her dukedom would $
so TO the nephew as matter of right. 8
With this determination the duchess q
was fain to comply. Proclamalions were |
accordingly. made, and heralds sent to '