True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-11-04
9 ..GBtlIing. Stotg.
=. MAY OF P0MERANIA.
BY FRANCES p. PEPPERELL.

Bf FRAMED f' FEEEENhLh' 4
A thorny, thick wood, without other
paths than those made by cattle and wild
beasts, separated the province which has
always been known for that reason, as
Pennsylvania, from the western districts,
anil many centuries ago it was more vast
and intricate than at present. Conrad,
the lorG Of Swabia, had been delayed up
on the way. and his retainers having ad-
vanced a days journey and now waited
for him beg it happened that he was
traversing this vast forest alone, and at
midnight, and doubling somewhat, if on
the path lie had intended. Now and
then his frightened beast gave low
Whitney at the savage noises of the wood.
A pine cone dropping down sharply would
s.artle him from the path, and the low,
hanging boughs of the forest, wet with
perpetual dew, brushing continually
across his face, caused him to be control.
led with difficulty by his fearless rider
Suddenly, faint and vibratory, single toll
of bell fell on the air; moments pause
and then another and another, slow and
distant. 1t sounded as if some human
life mus, be near, but then it was "pss.
sing bell," and there must be death also.
The ground he was crossing had been
very marshy. so that he had frequently
felt it impossible 10 advance or retire, and
the thickest darkness surrounded him.
As he proceeded now, the wood grew
gradually thinner, the soil 6rmer, and he
seemed to be issuing on bOwery lane.-
The sound Of the bell struck close and
dead upon his ear, as if opposed BY some
solid mass at last, wherever the chapel
might be, he had passed it, and this am
pithestre of open space in the heart Of the
forest, could not have exceeded rod,
ere a torch flashed up before him, and
steadily descended in a moment tall
groom stood beside his saddle.
"Come," said he, Z" he has need Of
thee -
Rather wondering, the lord of Swabia
said
"And who is he, my friend"
"The Baron Slahl, my master. Hush !
he dies. Come !.,and taking the horses
bride he led him on. -
Now they seemed to be entering be-
meath an arch, the way sounded hollow
like bridge, now the hoofs rang on a
pavement, and alighting at sign from
The groom, he entered wide, gloomy
hall, whose sole occupant was an old Sc.
neschal, wringing his hands over the dy-
lug embers on the hearth, and the groom
re.apearing, took him by the hand, and
led him, in the dark, up long flights,
through echoing corridors and suites Of
rooms. AT last opening one other door,
heleft him, and Conrad found himself
standing in room at first equally dusty
and gloomy, but soon appearing sufficient
ly robbed Of blackness 10 present every
object in false, grey light, by means OF
holy candle burning in far corner.--
Stretched on low stone pallet, lay a
man, who though past his youth, would
have been in the prime of manhood, if not
thus lying wasted and dying of pain. A
long figure, and though so shrunken that
the former armor ratified and clashed up.
on him, yet still persisently clad in it,
while his bare head lay on a block oil
stone, with the helmet beside it.
"ThOu art come," said he, in deep,
hollow voice.
"And thou meetest two accounts al
once" said Conrad, not less deep and
stern, as he advanced with a quick and
naughty tread.
The dying man moved uneasily, on the
hard stone and steel Of his bed.
Penance enough, Conrad of Swabia,
without taunt Of !hine," said he.
Conrad looked down, with folded arms
on the man below = contending emotions
were at variance within him-the fierce
revenge Of manifold injuries, the christian
pity that prompted forgiveness. HI
was 10 face, in few moments, q sterner
judge than Conrad.
Let us 60 back with the lord of Swa
bia two years. during which this dying
man had worked him bitter teen. VIZ
shall see Conrad the Knight. in his frs
battle, fearless, skilful, and bearing a way
the palm from elder knights, whose bra
very could not be contested. We shal
see the leader of the enemy his opponent
horse 10 horse, man to man, his guantle
seiSlng the others corselet; already hi
sword flashes in the air above him. A:
it descends, all Germany will be rid o
tormentor whose raids have given rist
to perpetual warfare, when tie Baror
Stahl, close by his side, at the instant
with devilish treachery, ferceIy lunge
rConrad's horse, who leapng up in pain
falls over, crushing the almost victoriou.
rider, and rolls in agony upon him, Will,
the enemy escaped. But the guile Of tn,
Baron did not SO effectually ruin Conrad
AZ be meant il should, for the Duke o
Pomerania who had observed his valor