Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1858-04-16

/, oen' heIe Wy tuo cltlLenS VI NaumDurS, u
plead with you for mercy and forbearanc,
towards our town. You will doubtless
"Mercy7 Forbearance interrupted
Prokop; "did you show mercy and for.
bearance to Huss p
allow could we do So" returned Wolf
"when VIC never knew him, nor even saw
him Y'
"But one from your town joined the as
sembly at Constance,in the decision which
condemned him to the flames"
"llow can whole town be answcrablc
for the conduct Of one among its inhabit
ants ?" asked Wolf gently. "Besides this
the individual of whom you speak ha:
been dead many years, and has had nc
successor"
"Be that as it may" answered Prokop
"the fire which so cruelty consumed oul
noble Huss will not be quenched until the
dwellings Of his murderers, with all their
inhabitants, are reduced to dust and ashes
Grimma, Zeitz, Altenburg, and Crossen
have already become beacons of our righ,
teous vengeancc,a and Naumburg shall share
the same fate"
"May venture to remind you, Herr
Prokop," said the undauntcd Wolf, chow,
for the sake Of ten righteous men, the
city of Sodom would have been spared ?
And will you, for the sin of one man, de-
vote large town to destruction Merci-
full and long suffering is our heavenly Fa-
ther-patient, and Of great goodness Im-
itate him, Herr Prokop, and you will show
yourself his child"
"The Almighty acts IH one way, aud
sinful man in another" said Prokop. alt
is not to be expected Or required of men
to show divine mercy and forbearance."
alt is said of john Huss, replied Wolf,
"that he compassiouated a peasant who
brought faggot to feed tho flames which
consumed him. Compassionate US in like
manner, and do not destroy u.s."
"Who, are you, man, with your ready
tongue? You speak the language we hear
from our own preachers, and yet l fud
you among the enemy"
at is but simple linen weaver that
stands before you," answered Wolf; "and
if ! can thus speak boldly to you, i. is help
from above that gives me strength and
courage"
'If you do not believe my friends
words, Herr Prokop," said Muller, who
Maall&sTT, Mal l&TT taEO 'ias jaaeT Ii. ...s!f: NOSES
Ufo !" continued the schoolmastcr, raising
his voice, and looking searchingly around,
eff you are near, and can hear the words
of your uncle, oh !! plead with your com.
mander for your unhappy native town"
"Spare yourself the trouble Of speak.
ing" said Prokop, sternly, "and learn my
will. You shall remain here in tho camp
this night, and carly tomorrow you shall
be eye-witnesses of the judgment we shall
inaict upon your city. Take these three
men," continued Prokop, addressing the
soldiers, "and guard them closely" And
ne turned away to join his companions.
"Mercy mercy mercy " cried schelle
10 deplorablo voice, falling on his knees
before him.
"Away with him !" said Prokop, impa-
tiently waving his hand and sehelle was
roughly seized and led away with his COM
panions.
CHAPTER VIII.
It was a warm summer night The
earth lay in deep repose. Not so either
the Naumbergcrs or their assailants. In
the town, terror and anxiety banishsd
sleep from every eye; and in the camp
commotion and hustle prevailed through
out the whole of the light. In the midst
of the tumult, our three friends sat in
mournful anticipation of the horrors of the
morrow, when they were to behold the de-
struction Of their town, the slaug ghter Of
their families, and the annihilation Of all
their earthly happiness. Wolf aud Null
ler sat silently absorbed in painful medi-
tation Schelle on the contrary was fran
tic with terror. He threw himself upon
the ground and howled like wild beast,
heaping threats upon the heads Of his en-
emies, who, happily for him, did not uu-
derstand word be said
Wolf raised his eyes TO the heavens,
where tho stars were shining in silent
beauty. And above those signs Of almighty
power and majesty, lie knew that there
reigued mercifui and gracious God, the
All-wise Disposer Of events, who does not
willingly afflics or grieve the children of
men. Wolf had boldly met the pestilence,
regarding it as coming directly from the
hand of God. On the ruin which the will
of men was about to bring upon Naum-
burg, he could not look with the same
tranquil resignation. He tried to pray
that the bitter cup might pass away from
him but his thoughts were confused and
distracted, and he was obliged to lay aside
" Il