Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-01-21

Z
consumed by restless spirit, which could on
ly be gratified by wicked actions, Gesler made
himself still more miserable by tormenting
those who were in his power. Trembling at
the very name of Liberty, wolf shudders
at the whisting of the arrows which the hum
ters send after him, he resolved, he vowed, to
destroy this empty name. Allowing his infa
nous soldiers TO glut themselves with crime,
he himself gave them example of rapine,
murder, and the most horrid insult.
''1n vain did the people complain; their
murmurs were punished guilt. Virtue af-
frighted- hid herself in the interior of the cot
tages. The laborer cursed the ground for Civ
ing to his toll an abundant harvest, which he
must never reap. The old. rejoicing in their
feebleness, which promised them that death
would soon come to their release, Joined their
prayers TO those of their sons, that they might
not survive them. In short, the vcTg of mis-
cry was extended like funeral Grape over the
three Cantons by the cruel hand of Gesler
from the instant of whose arrival, Tell had
foreseen the wretchedness to which his coun-
try would be brought. Without letting Melc-
tai know his thoughts; without alarming his
family, Tells great soul prepared itself, not to
suffer slavery, but to rescue his county
Grimes grew more common; the three Can
tons, struck with fear, lay trembling at the feet
of Gesler. Tell trembed not; he was not
surprised. He watched the crimes OF the ty-
rant with the same eye with which he was ac-
customed to observe on the rocks the bramble
armed with its thorns. And when his ardent
friend Melctal poured forth his indignation in
his presence, Tell heard him without reply.
He shed no tears, nor did a single change of
countenance betray mis- secret project. He es-
teemed his friend. and was certain of his hon
or, but he diStrusted his impatience, and dared
not yet confide to him the purpose of his soul.
He resolved to conceal his design from him till
the moment of execution, moment which he
knew must soon arrive He grew stern and
thoughtful; spent long days without cmbr;i-
cling his child or behOlding his wife. He rose
even before his usual time; harnessed his
team, led them into the field, and guided the
plough with an unsteady hand often he drop
ed his whip; and suddenly stopping IN the
middle of an ilI-traced fnrrow, his head hung
down on his breast. while his eyes were fixed
on the ground. In this thoughtful posture he
stood, scarcely breathing, considering the
power of the tyrant. and his own feeble means
of opposing him. On the one hand. he had to
weige the cruel Gesler, SURF )nnded by his
creatures, and armed by boundIess power; on
the other, poor laborer determined to be
fiee.H
One day as his friend Mclctal. with his aged
father, were engaged in their fields, an Aus
trian soldier rode up and attempted to unyokc
the oxen and drive them off. This So enraged
Melctal that he secured a stick and attacked
the soldier so vigorously that he took TO fight.
After he gone. the aged Melctal became
alarmed for the safety of his son, AID urged
him TO fly to secret passes in the mountains
until Geslcr's Indignation at the treatment his
soldier had received. shOuld he over. The old
mans son complied, but scarcely had he de
parted when body of soldiery came TO seize
upon him. Finding that he was hed. they
dragged off the old man to the presence of
Geslcr. The tyrant enlcavored to force him
10 reveal the hiding place of his son, but un
able to accomplish his purpose, and enraged
the old mans eyes to be burned ont with red
hot irons. The ruthless act was done, and the
blind Melctal then driven ont of the palace.
His grand daughter had followed him, and
awaiting without the palace gates, and when
she her aged sire, thus mutllated, she
fastened to guide his steps up the mountains
to his hut.
When this news REACHED Tell his Indignation
knew no bounds. He felt that delay only aug
mented the SufcringS of his countrymen, and
that the time had arrived TO strike the blow
for freedom, which he had been so long medi-
tating. Gemmi WAS Immediately despatched
with secret instructions to Melctal in his con-
cealment in the mountains, while Tell himself
departed for Schwitz, for the purpose of con-
ferrfng with his confederate, Werner.
a plan was soon cOnSummated between them
and a large pile Of arms, which had been col
lected in Verner's cottage, was secretly dis
tributcd among the friends of their cause.
IUey IncU TtD1lTeu ~ the CdNC vi pIu'ils
where MeIcta had been sgnificd to meet them.
Within the cave they met, and ere they de-
parted, the details of their plan were all ar
ranged, and they took solemn VOW to cease
not in their efforts until Switzerland were free.
Melctal. Werner, and Il fast friend called Furst,
were each to assemble what men they could
and hold thcrh in readiness. Meanwhile, Tell
was to repair to Altorif, and observing favor
able opportunity for the attack, he was to COM
municate the signal to his friends by firing
large pile of wood and straw, which he shouid
have in readiness on the mountain top. When
their conference was ended, each departed on
his especial mission.
Meanwhile as Gemmi was returning from de-
livcring his message to Melctal, he was over
taken by a traveller, who desired the boy to
guide him to Altorff. The boy compiled, but
OF, the way, in answer to some queries OF the
traveller he evinccd that indomitablc love Of
freedom which so characterized his father, that
the traveller in Surp: Use demanded to know his
fathers name. The boy, suspecting treach-
cry, refused to inform him. But when they
came to Altorff: guard of the city approach
ed the traveller, when he ordered the arrest OF
the boy revealing himself as Gesler. The ty-
rant had become so enraged at the spirit of the
boy, and so alarmed al the thought that II the
children of the mountaineerS manifested such
an independence Of feeling, the fathers must
he men to be feared and crushed, he resolved
to arrest Gemmi, and hold him in confinement
until his parent should appear to claim him.
The boy was dragged into the fortress and
thrown into prison.
Alarmed at that spirit of freedom which in
the hardy monntaineers he found so difhcuit
TO subdue he hit upon plan to test who were
the refractory spirits of the country. For this
nurnose he ordered Sarnem, his lieutenant, TO
take long pole, place Gesler's hat upon it,
and to proceed frcm village to village, in all
,,Iaces compelling the people to bow down and