Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1858-04-23
THE WEAVER OF NAUMBURG
the Triumphs of Neekness.
CHAPTER IN.

Although Mrs Wolf had comfor.ei her
self with the hope that the other mother:
of Naumburg would not allow their chill
dTen to 60 out to the enemy, yet she could
not feel easy about it. Her fears increas
ed as she heard loud cries and lamenta
tons proceeding from the neighboring
houses, and saw through the windows tha,
all the children we're being washed and
combed, and dressed in white In the
midst Of her sorrow, however, she did not
neglect to make her children as clean and
nice as she possibly could. She washed
and wiped their faces, hands, and feet, as
carefully as if they were going to attend a
festival and chose the newest, whitest.
and smootbest shifts out Of her store, tax
ing care that the girls dresses and boys
troTsers should not appear below the hem
OF the shirt. She combed and brushed
and oiled their hair, and made it bright
and shining. This occupation soothed her
grief aud diverted her thoughts for time;
but when at length all the eight children
were made ready, and stood before her
clean and rosy and smiling, in their sim.
pie white dresses, her sorrow burst forth
afresh with greater violence than before.
"Nust let you 60 out to the enemy"
she cried, in accents of despair. "Must l
allow you to be led like innocent lambs to
the slaughter! But who is to lead you E!
Surely no one who has children Of bis
own
81 am to lead them," said Wolf, sadly.
"Iou," exclaimed his wife, turning
quickly towards him-"you again Then
am with one stroke to be made childless
and widow! Is that justice? Is that
charity"
ave must lay down even our lives for
the BRETHREN" replied Wolf, gently bu.
firmly. "Happs should 1 think myself,if
my life could purchase those Of my chill.
dren and my citizens But, bark .
the time is up. We must go.'
The drum was now heard in the street:
not as usual in bold, defiant tone, but fee.
bic and unsteady, for Stein was drumming
with trembling hands aud beating heart.
From time to time be let the drum-stick
fall, exclaiming aloud, 81 am summouipg
my my @ poor dear e6lIife66:: ::-.bh that terrible
enemy" And then be began drumming
again as furiously as if be were dealing
his blows upon the Hussites themselves,
until his feelings once more overcsme him,
and his hands refused their office.
The children poured out Of the houses
on all sides at the sound Of the drum, ,and,
followed BY their weeping mothers, took
their way to the large square before the
council-house, filling the lanes and streets
as they passed along. But, whilst their .
mothers were sobbing and wringing their
hands, and their fathers. in vain attempt
ing to repress their tears, the children
looked about them without fear, nodding
and smiling to their playfellows as they
Joined the procession, and seemed quite
eager to commence their enterprise. Then,
when all were assembled together, what
variety of aspect did they present! Black
eyes and blue and grey were there, and
hair Of all shades of fa1en, brown, and
black. Children of all ages and sizes too;
they were indeed an interesting sight.
Those Of the citizens who could not find
room in the market place, had crowded
into the houses that overlooked it, and at
all the windows were seen the smiling
faces of the infant children, who, from
their extreme youth, were unable to ac-
company their brothers and sisters; and
behind them their unhappy sorroWing
mothers.
Beside the wide staircase in front Of the
council house, Muller, the schoolmaster,
had found spot to stand in. He carried
in his arms his little johanna, who looked
longingly upon the crowd Of eager child
rem below.
"Dear father" she said, kissing him,
and clasping her arms lovingly round his
neck, "pray let me 60 with them. Since
the strange doctor put that plaster to my
leg, it has become great deal stronger,
Only let me try to walk upon it"
any child, you know not what you ask, p"
said Muller, in an agitated voice. "should
your first walk be to death? Alas per-
haps we all have but couple of hours
more to live"
The burgber-master now appeared on
the steps before the council-house, attend
ed By the other councillors. Here they
all knelt down together; the assembled
children did the same, and the men and
women who were present. deathlike
stiffness spread over the multitude, whilst
Wolf prayed with fervency and eloqucnce
for Gods mercy upon the helpless lambs
to be sent forth, as we'll as for all the in
habitants Of Naumburg. And at the con.
clusiOn of his ardent supplicasion, all the
people joined ir heartfelt Amen.