The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-10-09
Mistsllanrons.
Translated from tas GERMAN for the Journal.
Castle Sheurendorf.

IfuasfdfdJFOW tte bu"dh JV "f SV"Noa
Castle Sheurendorf.
In secluded valley OF the lower Rhine
country stand the ruins OF an ancient
castle, so old that even tradition has for
gotten when it was built. Nothing re-
mains Of it now but few archways, por-
tions of massive walls, and the lower story
OF two round towers. Bits ofwood-work
adhering in the walls here and there,
show that its final destruction was by lire,
which did its work most thoroughly
Yet even in its present ruined condition,
il NAV easily be- seen that the builders of
it designed it TOR long and strenuous
service; and though battered and fallen,
though the ivy climbs over its crumbling
towers. knitting its curious fingers between
the acknowledgements, though its founda-
tons cape with many mouths, as IT IN
wearnc>s OF long warfare, yet unless man
comes in to hasten its doom, il bids fair
to DEFY another hundred years before tin-
ally yielding up the ghost. The ancient
moat is merely little grassy hollow,
scarcely deep enough for child to hide
i'm. and of course every trace of its draw
bridge was gone long ago. Thcarchway
OF the principal gate may still he seen III
one OF the remaining towers, but IN II
very precarious condition, and no one
hut u gypsy, or a school-boy in hunt of
birds nests. wouldventurctopa pass through.
There is something about this oil cas-
tie which makes it uncomfortable for ner-
yous people TO pass near 1t after nlghtiall,
though, rs far rs | have heard, this is no
| fault OF lis own, for it is rs quiet and
peaceful an old ruin MS exists anywhere,
but mainly on account OF certain very
ancient traditions of terrible cructics en-
acted in its subterrancan dungeons. Ii is
even said by those who have ycnturcd in,
/ that there are deep pits within the enclo-
sure of its walls, and dark archways lead
f. ing into the solid rock, and that If one
only stavs live minutes in one OF these,
he will see sights enough 10 freeze his
blood with horror; which | dare say is
| the truth. But the phenomenon is not
confined to old castle pits. Any large
gloomy cellar will be rs good for such
experiments. But the wilderness of the
rum contributes 10 the feeling, while sto,
rics of crimes committed there since !,
was last inhabited. make the sight OF 1t
more dreadful to the pcasantry than Il
murdcrcr's bier by night. y handful o
cold would not hribc the poorest oftlicm
to venture near it, except during broad
daylight. lie would see ghost in every
white stone, and the shaking of the ivy
would sound like voices OF the dead, ol
the rustic of shrouds. Yet after all, it il
a harmless old ruin. Children might
gather flowers at its feet, and the laborcl
lind a cool retreat in its shadows during
his noon-day meal. Like many maj
and woman in this queer world OF ours
it must suffer on account of the nisdccd
OF Others with whom il has been connect
ed. Poor, lonely old castle.
There are times indeed when one can
not help thinking it must be happy; n
when the IVY puts forth It's tender shoots
and the young leaves talk and play togeth
er in the warm, sweet light OF May an,
June. How they checker Its old side
with playful shadows, and bring the sol
: winds to whisper round itscorners. Th
, birds build by scores within it, and kcel
lit lively for at least three months out Q
T every year. And certainly ! do no
know of loylier haunting spot for
poet, on clear night in June. Myste
ricus whispcriugs everywhere around
coming and going, like sighs from the oil
vanished ages. Fantastic visions OF some
thing-you may not see what-playin
, in the chinks oi the ruined walls, whcr
= the moonlight strikes. And over nj
: like the ivy, hangs dreamy sense {
long AGO, with Il thousand stories and Ii
cends tluttcring forth like leaves
Wouldst like one Of those leaves! Her
it is, dear reader. pluckcd expressly tc
tuN Htotiheaaoh'
Q \ little less than hundred years az
: this old castle was iuhabitcdby the chous,
j hold oi Baron Shcurcndorf, worth
: member OF that large class oil Gcrma
Q mobiles whose titles by much outweis
Il their purses. Partly Oh account OF h
!. poverty, and partly from his natural di
/, position, the Baron lived in strict retir
ment, never visiting his neighborS az
: rarely seeing them at his castle. ii
u domestic affair, since the death of h
wife, had been under the charge Of b
only daughter, Madeleine, beautiful gii
p and Just rs good as she was beautiful, an
q who, at the date OF our story, Was ju
n entering her eighteenth year. Many
;. manly heart grew faint at thought OF he
and gladly would have laid itself, al
half Of il possessed, at her feet, for OF
smile or one word from her lips. But {
s. many hearts made sorrowful only ol
IT was made glad; and as fortune Won
T. have it, the youth who bore that hca