Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1858-03-20
I7EH.AlE COURAGE.
TIE GERMAN HEROINE.

or November, Z sllgHb r'lo", HinSicu witt
slect, was wAirled about by the wind, ant
pierced through every crevice Of littl,
road side inn situate between Kornherg an(
Rotweit, Oh the frontier Of the Duchy Q
Baden.
4 Two travellers, driven by the bad wealth
Ter to the shelter Of this humble hosiery
were forgetting their hunger and weari
ness in the comforts Of hearty repast o
smoked beef. The Kissing and roaring Of q
large stove contrasted agreeaby in the trav-
elers' ears with the loud moaning Of the
North wind without, and disposed them
still more to the enjoyment of the good
things within.
4 The inn-keeper and bis wife had, fol
their own domestic, a young girl Of Baden
when they had brought up from childhood
Krcttrel, for such was her name, was hos
in herself; househceper and maid to hcl
mistress, cook in the kitchen, valet-decham
bre to the stray visitauts in the one best
room, and groom in the stable the hardy
active and good humored German girl full
filled al the duties usually shared by large
|ostablish Of servants.
Fen o'clock struck, and the travellers
having finished their supper, drew nearer
!! to the group which had collected around the
stove. Father lIofkirch, the minister,
their host and some neighbors who had en-
tered by chance. TAe conversation turned
on the fearful and murdercns events, Of
which the neighboriug forest had been the
jscene, and each one had his own story ta
tell, surprising the rest in horror. Father
(, HofFkirch was among the foremost in terri
flying his audience BY the recital Of differ
ems adventures, ali more or less tragical. =
The worthy had just FIJI he'd horrible
story Of robbcrs-qu;te chiefG uuure iii
its way, The scoue Of tie legend was little
more than gun shot from the inn door it
was tradition, unfortunately, but an an
cieEt gibbct, which still remained on the
identical spot, gave to the narration a
gloomy yeracity, which no one dared to
question. This place was, il truth, made
! formidable throughout the province as be-
! ing, it was said, the rendezvous of a troop
! Of banditti, who held there every night their
mysterious meetings All the guests were
ssill under the influence Of tho terror which
the story Of Father onkirch had caused
! when Que Of the travellers before mentioned
offered to bet two ducats that no one dared
| to set Of at that moment to Cue fatal spot,
and trace with charcoal cross Oil the glib
bet The very idea Of such a proposition
Increased the fear Of the company. A long
silence was then their only reply. Sudden
| " the young krettcl, who was quietly
spinning in corner, arose up aud accepted
the bet, asking her masters consent at the
same time. Ho aud his good wife at first
refused alleging the loneliness Of the place
lin the case of danger, but the fearless dam
SCI persisted aud was at last suffered to de-
part.
krcttel only requested that tho inn door
Iehould he left open until Der return; and
taking piece Of charcoal to prove on the
morrow that she really had visited the spot,
tshe walked towards the gibbet When
close beside it, she started, fancying she
i heard noise; however, after moment of
hesitation, she stepped forward, ready to
| take to flight at once. The noise was re-
|newed. krcttcl listened intently, and the
sound of horsc's foot struck upon her ear.
Her terrier prevented her at FIRST from see
| ing how near it was TO her; but the next
moment she perceived the object Of her fear
was fastened TO the gib0ct itself. She took
courage, dafted forward. azsd traced the
teross At the same instant the -rs'port Of a
pistol showed her thai she had been noti-
iced BY q movement swift as thought, she
unloosed the horse, leapsd on the saddle,
and fed Ike lightning She was pursued,
but rebuilding her speed, she reached the
inn yard, called out to them to close the
gate, and tainted away When the brave
girl recovered, she told her story, and was
warmly congratulated on her courage and
presence Of mind. All admired the horse
which was Of striking beauty. A small
leather valise was attached to til saddle ;
Father HoGkirch would not suffer it to be
Opened except in the presence ofthe bur
gomaster.
On the morrow, which was Sunday, the
inn keeper. his wife and their guests, all
set out to the neighboring town, where they
intended. after service, to acquaint the bur-
gomaster with the last evenings adventure.
krettel, left sole guardian Of the house,
was advised not to admit any enc until her
masters return. Many young girl would
have trembled at being lgftin such stua-
ton, but this young maid servant having
watched the party disappear, fearlessly set
about her household duties, singing with a
| light heart and clear voice some pious hymn
which her kind mistress had taught her.
| An hour had scarcely elapsed, when
there came knock at the outer door, it was
traveller On horseback, who asked lease to
rest q little. Krettel at first refused but
on the promise Of the cavalier that he would
only breakfast and depart, she agreed to adj
nit him, besides, the man was well dress d
and alone, so there, seemed little cefear
from him. The stranger wished himself to
take his horse to the stable, and remained
long time examining and adm'ring the
noble steed which had arrived the previous
tfevening in manner so unexpected
While breakfasting he asked many ques-
tions about the inn and its owner (; inquired
whose horse it was shat had attracted his at
tention SO much /; and, in short, acted So
successfully that the poor girl, innocent of
Ideccit, told him of her late adventure, and
ended by confessing that she was all alone.
She felt immediately vague sense Of hav-
ling committed some imprudence. for the
stranger listened to her with singular at
tention, and seemed to take greater interest
than simple curiosity.
G., Inn (ro1 tn IT'S NtNl