Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1858-04-09
THE WEAVER OF NAUNBURG
the Triuniplis OG 1IcekneSs.
CHAPTER V.

fresh in the remembrance Of the Naum
burghers, when Wolfs children one fine
morning set off to school. They wer,
joined on the way By other school fellows
and, by the time they reached the market
place, they formed quite troop Of boy:
and girls. Here was fountain which
poured its clear waters into large trough
around which another troop of children
was standing, with their eyes fixed upon
something on the ground. 1t was stran ge
spare-looking man, who sat leaning bis
back agaius, the lower part Of the water
trough. His cap was pushed back on hi:
head, aud his straight, yellow hair fell
over his sunburnt forehead, which was
disfgured by a deep, purple scar. AnO-
ther scar extended from the corner of his
mouth to his ear, and indicated pretty
plainly that his profession was not Of the
most peaceful description. His dress con
sisted OF doublet of coarse brown cloth
and dirty deer-skin hose, with short boots
on his feet A stout broadsword-a sign,
in those days, Of free man-hung by his
side. He appeared to have sunk down
beside the water-trough in great exhaus-
ton or serious illness. His mouth was
half open and he painted for breath, and a
deadly paleness overspread his weather,
beaten countenance But what most
plainly betrayed how much he was suffer.
ing. was iha frad and si---J oppression
Of his deeply sunken eyes.
The children looked upon the stranger
with mixture Of curiosity and fear A
low murmur ran through the youthful cir.
Gle, but not one of the children either ad-
dressed sympathising question to the
sick man, or ventured to offer him any
assistance.
"The strange man lying there" said
little girl to the newcomers, "wan,ed to
60 up the steps to the water.trough, but
staggered and fell down. Whether be
wanted to drink or to wash himself, l do
Lot know"
On hearing this, Erwin hastily ran up
the steps, aud, taking his leather cap from
head, he turned it inside out and held it
under the spout, till it was filed to the
his primitive drinking cup 20 the stranger,
be was caught hold Of and held back By
half dozen hands.
"Stop ~ cried the children in horror
and boy put his mouth close to Erwin's
ear and whispered-"It is A HrssITE y
"a Hussite - exclaimed Erwin, with
sudden start, spilling all the water out of
bis cap.
"Yes, Hustle repeated the boy.
"Stein said so, and be knows the Hussltes
well. He has often stood opposed TO
them, and seen their faces"
"a Hussite :" said Erwin again, shaking
himself, and staring in horror at the man
eater, as they had been taug ht to consider
them.
"Poor man." said Martin: Erwin's bro
ther, II am sorry for him too. See, En-
win, how be looks at Us, and raises his
hand to his mouth, as if he wanted to
drink Who knows whether Stein spoke
true? will ask the man whether he
really is Hussite or not"
"Oh, be will not confess it, said boy
"But l will ask him SO that he must
answer me-" cried Martin. He approach.
ed the stranger, and said slowly in loud
voice: "Are you Christian Do you
believe in Jesus, the crucifed Son Of
God 2"
The supposed Hussite nodded his head
feebly, and with some effort.
"S;ein was wrong cried Martin, tri-
umphan,ly, "sive me your cap, Erwin ii
is already wet. We may give the poor
man some water to drink"
None of the children now made any op-
position, as Martin gave the water to the
stranger, who eagerly swallowed the re-
freshing draught, and thanked the boy
with grateful look that went to bis heart,
and encouraged him to further help.
care you hungry too?' he asked the
soldier, drawing piece Of bread-his
breakfas,-out Of his pocket and Offering
it to him.
"Here are few juniper-berries," said
Erwin, putting some into the mans hand ;
"chew them, if you feel i'll; they will do
you good
Compassion now overcame the other
children's fear aud adherence Of the sup
posed enemy, and they crowded round him
with contributions of food Of various kinds;
when suddenly they heard voice behind
them, exclaiming-"What are you doing
there, children? Away with you from
the sretch-;he Hussite ~
"You are mistaken, Stein, said Erwin:
"the strange man there is no Hussite.
Ny brother Martin has questioned him"
"Pooh :" replied the drummer "do not
1 know his Bohemian face, with the