The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1858-03-10

inn-keeper, his wife, their guests, all set out
to the neighboring town, where they intend
ded, after service, to acquaint the burgomas-
ter with the last evenings adventure. Krel.
tel, left sole guardian of the house. was ad
vised not TO admit any one until her masters
return. Many a young girl would have
trembled at being left in such situation,
but this young servant-maid having watch
ed the party disappear, iearlessly 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 door, it was
| traveller on horseback, who asked leave 10
rest little Krettel at first refused: but on
the promise OF the cavalier that he would
Only breakfast and depart, she agreed 10 ad-
init him besides, the man was well dress
ed and alone, SO there seemed little 10 fear
from him. The stranger wished himself TO
take his horse 10 the stable, and remained
long time examining and admiring the noble
steed which had arrived the previous even
ing in manner so unexpected. While
breakiasting he asked many questions about
the inn and its owner; inquired whose horse
| it was that had attracted his attention so
much and in short acted so successfully,
that the poor girl, innocent of all deceit,
told him of her late adventure, and ended
| by confessing that she was all alone. She
felt Immediately vague sense of having
commtten some imprudence, for the stran-
ger listened 10 her with singular attention,
and seemed TO take a great interest than
simple curiosity.
The breakfast was prolonged 10 its almost
length ; at last after few unimportant ques-
tions the traveller desired the servant girl to
bring him bottle of wine. krettel rose TO
| obey; but on reaching the cellar, found that
the stranger had followed her, and turning
round she saw the glitter of pistol handle
through his vest. Her presence of mind
failed her not at this critical moment. When
they had reached the foot of the steps she
quickly eNtinguished the light, and stood up
against the wall the man, mutering i'm
precautions advanced few steps, cropping
his way. Krettel, profiting by his move
ment, remounted the steps agile and noise
less, closed the door on the pretended trav-
| eler, and then barricaded herself securely
in an upper chamber, there TO await her
masters arrival.
Krettel had not been many minutes es-
consced IN her retreat when a fresh knock
ing resounded at the inn-door, aud she
perceived two i'll looking men who asked
her what had become Of Il traveller who had
been there short time before. From their
description OF his appearance, the young
girl Immediately discovered that the person
sought for was the person whom she had
locked i'll the sellar; nevertheless, she
thought it most prudent 10 make no admiss-
ion on the subject. On refusing their request
10 open the door, the two men threatened to
scale the wall The poor girl trembIed with
fear; her courage was nigh deserving her
for she knew they could easily accomplish
their project by means of the iron bars fixed
10 the windows of the lower story. In this
perplexity Krettel looked around her, and
her eyes fell on a musket which hung from
the wall, a relic of her masters younger
days. She seized it and pointed the muzzle
out of the window, and cried out that she
would fire on the first man who attempted
to ascend.
The two robbers, for such they Were,
could no longer be doubted-struck dumb
at the sight of fire arms when expecting no
resistance, they had brought no weapons,
and confounded by such inlrepidity, went
away uuering the most fearful menaces, and
vowing to return in greater force. In spite
of her fear our heroine remained firm at
her post. An hour passed away in this crit
ical position at last the girl perceived her
master and his friends coming in sight ac.
companied by the burgomaster and some
officers.
The brave Kreuel rushed to the door, and
her fear amounting almost to. dispair, gave
place 10 the liveliest joy. To the wonder
and admiration of all, she related what had
happened; the burgomaster especially law
ished on her the warmest praise of her he
roic conduct. The officers went in search of
the robber whom Krettel had imprisoned
with so much addressand presence ofmind.
After sharp resistance, he was bound and
secured and soon recognized as the CHIEF
of band of robbers who had for some time
spread terror over the country. His men
wandering about without captain were
quickly taken or dispersed.
The burgomaster decided that the horse,
and the valise, which contained great
number of gold pieces, should be given TO
young Kreuel whose courage had so power
fnlly contributed to rid the country of BAN
ditt's who had infested il for SO long time.
w A lady inquired at one of our dry
goods stores the other day for whale
bone The gentleman in attendance pro-
dueed bundle after bundle, as the fair custo-
mer successfully rejected the article submit
ted for her inspection. The whalebone was
to short by several feet for the purpose de-
sired. But the clerk, not 10 be outdone,
made another search through the store, in
hope of discovering the article of tho requi-
red longitude. He was. unsuccessful, and
''broke" his chagrin TO the lady in polite