Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1858-03-18
fan,ilp QDirtlf.
FEMALE COURAGE;
THE r M HEROINE.

and pierced through every ~crevice OF o
little road side inn situated between
Hornburgh and Rotweit, on the frontier
of the Duchy Ct Baden.
Two travellers, driven by the bad wealth
err to the shelter of this humble hosiery,
were forgetting their hunger and weari-
ness in the comforts Of q hearty repast of
smoked beef. The Kissing and roaring
of a large stove contrasted agreeably in
the travellers ears with the loud moaning
of the North without, and disposed them
still more to the enjoyment Of the good
things within.
The inn-keeper and his wife had, for
their own domestic, a young girl of Ba-
den whom they had brought up from child
hood. Krettle, for such was her name.
was a host herself; house keeper and
maid to her mistress, cook in the kitchen,
valet d~e-chambre to the stray visitants in
the one best room, and groom in the sta
ble-the hardy, active, and good humored
German girl fulfilled all the duties usual
ly shared by a large establishment Of ser.
wants.
Ten o'clock struck, and the travellers
having finished their supper, drew nearer
to the group which had collected around
the stove. Father Hoffkirch; the minis
ter, their host, and some nelghbors who
had entered by chance. The converse
ton turned on the fearful and murderous
events of which the n%eighboring forest has
been the scene, and each one had his sto
nv to tell, surprising the rest in horror.
Father Hoffkirch was among the first in
terrifying his audience by the recital Of
different adventures, all more or less trag
ical. The worthy father had just finished
a horrible story Of robbers-quite a chefd
Queer in it's way. The scene OF the legend
was a little more than a gun shot from
the inn door; it was a tradition, unfor
tunately, but an ancient gibbet, which
still remained on the identical spot, gave
to the narration an air OF gloomy veraci-
ty. which no one dared to question:
This place was in truth made formidable
throughout the province as being, it was
said, the redevouus of a troop of banditti,
who held there every night their mystic
rious meetings. All the guests were still
under the influence of the terror which
the story Of Father Hoffkirch had caused,
when one of the travellers before mention
ed offered to bet two ducats that no one
dared to set off that moment to the fatal
spot, and trdce with charcoal o cross on
the gibbet. The very idea of such a
proposition increased the fear of the com
pany. A long silence was then their On
ly reply. Suddenly the young Krettle,
who was quietly spinning in one corner,
rose up and excepted the bet, asking her
masters consent at the same time. He
and the wife at first refused, alleging
the loneliness of the place, in case Of dan.
ger, but the fearless damsel persisted; and
was at last suffered to depart.
Krettle only requested that the inn
door should be left open until her return;
and taking a piece Of charcoal. to prove
on the morrow that she had really visited
the spot, she walked towards the gibbet.
When close beside it, she started, fancy
ing she heard a noise; however, after a
moment Of hesitation, she stepped forward
ready to take to fight at the least dan
ger. The noise was renewed. Krettle
listened intently, and the sound of a
horses foot struck upon her ear. Her
terror prevented her at first from
seeing how near it was to her;
but the next moment she perceived that
the object Of her fear was fastened to the
gibbet itself. She took courage, darted
forward and traced the cross. At the
same instant the report Of a pistol show
ed her that she had been noticed. By a
movement swift as thought she unloosed
the horse, leaped on the saddle, and fed
like lightning. She was pursued; but re
doubling her speed, she reached the inn
yard. called out to them to close the gate,
and tainted away, When the brave girl
recovered, she told her story, and was
warmly congratulated on her courage
and presence Of mind. All admired the
horse which was Of striking beauty. 4
small leather valise was attached to its
saddle; Father Hofkirch would not suf.
fer it to be opened, except in the presence
of the burgemaster-
On the morrow, which was Sunday, the
inn-keeper, his wife, their guests, all set
out to the neighboring town, where they
intended, after service, to acquaint the
~burgomaster with the last evenings ad-
venture. Krett'e left sole guardian Of
the house, was advised not to admit any
one until her masters return. Many a
young girl would have trembled at being
left in such a situation; but this young
servant maid, having the party disappear
fearlessly set about her household duties
singing with a light heart and a clear
voice some pious hymn which her kind
mistress had taught her.
In hour had scarcely passed, when
there came a knock to the outer door; it
was a traveller on horseback, who asked
leave to rest for a little while. Krettle
at first refused; but on the promise of
the cavalier that he would only breakfast
and depart, she agreed to admit him; be-
sides, 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 a long
time examining and admiring the noble
steed which had arrived the previous eve
ming in a manner so unexpected. While
breakfasting, he asked many questions
about the inn and its owners; inquired
whose horse it was, that had attracted
his attention so much; acted so successful
ly, that the poor girl innocent Of all de-
ceit, told him her late adventure, and en-
ded by confessing that she was all alone.
She felt immediately a vague sense of hav
ing committed some i%mprudence, for the
stranger listened to her with singular at
t~ention. and seemed to take n creafer in