New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1857-01-19
The Emperor and Robber.
A STORY OF THE RHINE.

he had celestial vision he was aware OF the pre-
sence of an angel from heaven, who, sailing down
ward on bis broad bright pinions lighted incontnent
| at his bedside.
| "Karl" spoke the messenger of Cod in tones ike
| the music of.a windharp through summer grove,
arise equip thee, and arm, and go forth and steal.
It is the will of the Lord that thou go forth out Of thy
| palace yea this very night and steal some of thy
neighbor's goods larry not to obey this command,
or life and throne MAJ not long abide With thee Thus
| says the Omnipotent."
The angel waved its pinions, and soon lost in
| rosy.colored light.
The angel appears second and third time be.
fore the bewldered and unwilling monarch can per-
| suade himself that the vision ia from God, and
that the command OF the celestial missionary must be
| obeyed.
| 1t was one of those lovely, late autumn nights,
which seems to fall with such fondness the beanti
| full banks of the Rhine. The scene was one that no
land which lies beneath the could sGrpass in sheer
loveliness, and which few on the wide earth could
equal or even approach And in this scene, and under
that sky, stood the mighty emperor Of the westthe
ruler of the European worda reluctant wanderer for
one of the worst purposes robbery.
"God help me-" he exclaimed, wringng his hands
in an agony Of grief and shame, and bitterness OF
| spirit; " God help me! where shall go?''
He threw the rens on the neck Of his noble steed
which turned about to the thick, dark, pine forest
which stretched along the of the palace of 1nge
| helm toward the shores Of the Maize and the pious
monarch, looking on the circumstance direct in
terposon of Providence, pursued without delay the
| path thus pointed out to him.
On he rode, without interruption, and was shortly
buried in the shadows of the gloomy wood. He en-
countered no one on his way and the expectation of
meeting fellow creature was speedily lost in deep
| meditation on the matter Of his journey
But, as he proceeded, he was followed, unawares,
by mounted man, who came by cross path from
the recesses Of the forest. And, ere the Emperor
heard Or saw aught to indicate the presence Of
companion, knight, armed to the teeth, had refined
up within few PAGES of him under cover Of clump
OF trees A brief parley and bloody battle ensues
between the Emperor and The stranger but it ends in
fha Iirany IF 1ofta
You have won,- cried the rider fnish-my
life is yours "
"By my fathers grave" qloth Charlemagne,
' but you a stout fellow 70 fight with
"My life is yours, were the only words the dis
conited warrior spoke /" take it, an We will
Nay. nay" resumed the good-natured monarch
{" that may not be- What boots your life to me-
at is now worth naught,' said his opponent
sadly, L am beaten man,
Bah, bah y quickly interposed Charlemagne,
''awav with melancholy! Your life is your own.
And now tell me who You are whittier you are going
and what is your business in the forest this night!
The stranger paused as if to consider, but it was
only for moment. The next instant he drew him
sell up to his full height aud said: Is
| 81 am Elbegast!'
Charlemagne was astonished surprise and joy
overpowered him: he was now to meet the accom-
plishment Of his wish.
Would you more p continued the outlaw q Ny
story is long one not told pleasant to listen
to. | was once rich and noble | am now an out
cast, robbed of my lands and inheritance by
- Enough, enough cried the monarch. /" But
say, where are your companions? Fame speaks of
your followers as powerful force.
I'VE are twelve" announced Elbegast, Z" and no
more ; but fame sticks not at talsehood.'
" Proceed" quoth Charlemagne
" ! was forth foray this night he continued
but meeting you, thought to rid myself of spy.
The Emperor, God bless him. :" is no friend Of mine
and wist not you were his emissary. Now you know
all
" Well met my friend spoke the Emperor, "we
met, and happily too. l am bound on the same
business
+" Your name y asked Elbegast. .. .-
''Nay, that is too much to ask of your victor re
piled Charlemagne, g but believe yourself safe will
me- You shall know all about it in due time
g Be it as you wislt,' sighed the sorrowul robbel
81 ! am at your feet
And now continued the Emperor, where sIla
we go? for you must bear company lam wor
~ to rob every body that comes in my way, rich {
u poor well or ilnaught is sacred with me- the shrir
g in the church or the Golfer of the mi.er. heed
complaints know no SYMPATHY have no rcspe
for persons. So let US go somewhere, for am hal
up YOU shall have the half
They proceed in company to the castle of EggeriC
Won Eggermonde, who had married Charemagne
sister, and the robber effects breach in the wall.
Elbegast quickly entered the aperture, and after
short absence returned with as much gold and sv
as he could carry in large sack. So deXterous al
rapid had he BEEN that the monarch scarcely MISS
him from his side when he was again in his presen
loaded with booty.
"And now quoth the Emperor % let US jog o
We have as much as VIC may conveniently carry
Nay, nay said Ebegast, d" an be it your wi
I would fain enter here once more
Charlemagne look inquringly, and the robber pr
ceeded
+, Within the chamber where sleeps Eggerich vc
10 Eggcunonde and his excellent the Emperor
siser-stands the noblest caparison for steed in til
known world. 1t is saddle and housing, with b
and bride to boot, all of the bright, red gold. Tha
would have this night ere we go.
And why that Z" have we not enough already?'
Because it is hung all oyer.with hundred swee
bells, and makes beautiful music with every breath
:. ing of the wind. would fain try my skill il
and willingly would peril my life to obtain prize.
q wilful man will have his way quoth the mon
arch good humoredy "even be it as We list
> Once more they parted, the robber reenterng tn
aperture.
The rolber comes back in a rage, for he has over
heard a conversation between the lord of TIL
castle and his wife, in which he discloses to her
e taorous design against the life of her brother Chal
ID emagne.
Is Murder my own dear brother!" exclaimed the a
# most petIilied lady. Murder your sovereign-you
. benefactor-your friend! Rather would | see yo
IS hung by the neck from gibbet than that DEAR dea
brother should die at your hands, 0, my husband,
er warn you against the deed It cannot prospersha
1t not even though betray ye myself"
=: Peace, woman" shouted the brutal ASSASSIN
re Take that for thy reward and be silent
So saying he snote her the fair face in sue
q sort that the red blood gushed from her mouth an
N nostris and she fell senseless the bed Elbegast
heart rose within him as he witnessed this cruel ar
n unmauy act, but he himself quite in the toll
Mt he could not then avenge himself on the monste
is Crawling, however, close to the side of the couch
which that lady lay, he held out his glove to reee
in the blood as it flowed copousy from her overhangir
N head
+ The Emperor, tired of waiting inactive so long
III the cold greeted his companion rather roughly VIII,
in he appeared.
n How now?" quoth he q why is this? Am
IT to be kept in waiting by you? By my fathers gray
ID it may not be will my fathers son endure it
~ Nay, brother interposed the robber depreca
w. ingy hear me in that which have to say, for it
10 OF much moment to greater than You or me-
ID And he proceeded to state to the monarch all
~, had heard and seen.
:" w. 'God be praised !" thought his imperial lstent
{" | now why it is that the angel was mperati
n. with me. Honor and glory and praise unto Him tn
in liveth forever for He has watched over the life
If His humblest servant this blessed night"
at They parted. Charlcmagne never stopped n
y stayed until lie once more within the walls
- ngclhcim, secure in its inmost chamber. Elbegl
with heavy heart, wenIed his way slowly to l
pr hiding place in the thick pine forest.
H. The council was convened before the first rays
nd the rising sun had kissed the topmost peaks OF Il
q, distant Tunus mountains. The paodins Of the En-
pv pre were all present. The Emperor entered I'll
~ chamber in which they sat- and they and all pc
' ceived that lie had something of Importance TO con
10 municate to them. He commenced his recital. Ii
nm told them of his dream, and they raised their ey
rIe to heaven he told them of his encounter with I'll
l., ,,