Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1858-06-16


small leather valice was attached to its sad
die; Father Hofkirch would not suffer it to
be opened except in the presence of the bur-
gomaster,
On the morrow, which was Sunday. the
his wife, their guests. all set out
to the neighbor.ug town, where they ipten-
ded, after the service, to acquaint the burgo-
master with the last evenings adventure
krcttel. left sole guardian of tie house, was
advised not to admit any one until her mas
.er's return Many young girl would have
trembled at being left in such situation, but
this young servant maid having watched the
party disappear. fearlessly set about her
household duties, singing with 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 Oh horseback, who asked leave to
rest n little. Krettel at first refused; but on
the promise of the cavalier that he would only
breakfast aud depart, she agreed to admit
him; besides, the man was well dressed and
alone, so there seemed little to fear from him
The stranger wished himself to take his horse
to the stable, and remained long time ex-
amining and admiring the noble steed which
had arrived the previous evening in manner
so unexpected. While breakfasting he asked
many questions about the inn and It's 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 committed some imprudence, for
the stranger listened to her with singular
attention, aud seemed to take greater inter
est than simple curiosity.
The breakfast was prolonged to its utmost
length; at last after few unimportant ques-
tons the traveller desired the servant girl to
bring him bottle OF wine. Krettcl rose to
obey; bat 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 pot at this critical moment. When
they had reached the foot of the steps she
suddenly extinguished the light, and stood UP
against the wall; the man, muttering impre-
cations advanced few steps, groping his
way. Krettel, profiting by this movement,
remounted the steps agile and noiseless, closed
the door OF the pretended traveller, and then
bar,caded herself securely in an upper cham
there to await her masters arrival.
Krettel had not been many minutes escon
ced in her retreat when fresh knocking re-
sounded at the inn door, aud she perceived
two i'll looking men who asked her what hat
! become of traveller who had been there ,
| short time before. From their description o
his appearance. the young girl Immediately
discovered that the person sought for was tn
person whom she had locked ir the cellar
nevertheless, she thought it most prudent t.
make 20 admission On the subject. On re
fusing their request to open the door. th'
two men threatened to scale the wall. Th
poor gnl trembleu with fear; her courage wa
nigh deserting her; for she knew they coul'
easily accomplish their project by means @
the iron bars fixed to the windows of th
lower story. In this perplexity Krette
looked around her, and her eyes fell on
musket which hung fiom the wall. relic @
her masters younger days. She seized
and pointed the muzzle out of the window
and clied out that she would fire on the frs
man who attempted to ascend.
The two robbers, for such they were, coul
no longer be ted-struck dumb at tn
sight of fire arms when expecting no resist
tance, they had brought no weapons. an
confounded by such intrepidity, went ava
uttering the most fearful menaces, and VOW
ing to return in greater force. In spite of he
fear our heroine remained firm at her pos
An hour passed away in this critical position
at last the girl perceived her master and hi
friends coming in sight accompanied BY th
burgomaster and some officers,
The brave Krettel rushed to the door, an
her fear amounting almost to despair. CAV
place to the livlest joy. To the wonder an
admiration of all, she related what had hap
pened; the burgomaster especially lavishe
on her the warmest praise for her heroic con
duct. The officers went in search of .h
robber whom Krettel had imprisoned with g
much address and presence of mud, Afte
q sharp resistance, be was bound and secured
and soon after recognized as the chief of
band of robbers who had for some time sprea
terror over the country. His men. wander
/ ing about without captain were quickly tt
! ken or dinrerssd