Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1859-08-30
Original Storm.
Written for the Tribune.
L Ii E vi ISTERIOUS MAIDEN
OF THE
DARK BATTLE-FIELD.
BY FLO r A .

BY FLORA.
AT the time our story begins, the Prus-
sIans and Danes were at war. For many
years there had been quarrel between
the two nations, on account of a certain
province over which they both claimed
jurisdiction, although unjustly on the part
of Prussia. Yet she continued to cling to
It in her naughty pride, as something
wh h would betray weakness to Yield
For years the Prussian emissaries had
labored. by bribes of gold and princely
honors, to tempt the officers Of the prov
ince to revolt from their connections with
the Danes and become a vice royalty of a
/ more powerful kingdom and at length
the Governor yielded 10 the dazzling
temptations, and with treasonous hand
raised the flag Of the enemy over the bat
Elements where SO lately aoaIed the colors
Of bis own native land.
Il was with feelings Of chagrin and NOR
lifcalion that the Danish sovereign re-
ceiyed the news of the base surrender of
his garrison. for oIouc he was unable
10 cope with the superior power of the
Prussans.
In these straightened circumstances his
ouly hope was to appeal to the sympathy of
his old allies, the Swedes, who for years
had fought side BY side with the fearless
Danes, for mutual protection and con-
quest nor was ii in vain, now, when as
! siStance was needed in indicating the
honor cf friend.
4 The Swedish King Immediately dis
patched the required regiment, and ac-
companying them was the necessary quota
/ of cavalry, to the command Of which Ma
/ jor Halstein was appointed, being brave
and trustworthy young officer. It would
1 be useless to follow the transportation and
march Of the troops. They arrived in
safety, and were Joined by their fellow
+ soldiers, the fierce and warlike Danes
/ The campaign was long one; often they
had met the enemy on the field Of battle
much blood had been shed, and many
stout forms had been borne along the
stream of cruel war. and many brave
hearts which had beat high for the hon
ors of the battle field, had ceased to pul-
safe in their hfeless corpses. As yet the
war was heightened OUT and seemed of
doubtful issue, whilst the soldiery were
becoming impatient of delay.
During their encampment in a small
hamlet near the borders Of the enemy's
country, there appeared one day IN the
tent of Major Halstein, a young Swiss
girl, who, having escaped the cruelty of
hard master among the mountains of her
native land, had flown TO the protection of
strangers in a strange land. There was
wild interesting beauty IN her pale fea-
lures which won the sympathy and affec-
tions of all,-and made her appearance
welcome among the hardy soldiery. A
kind of mystery was thrown around her,
and from the first their superstitious i'm
aginaGons beheld a guardian spirit in the
form Of the young Swiss maiden.
She seemed fondly attached TO the
young cavalry officer, whose noble COM
passion would not allow him to cast away
the poor helpless being who clung to him
for protection and seemed only to Hrc in
las presence.
Yet the dignity of MS office and name
forbade any nearer relation. She asked
no better treatment than to pluck the
crumbs from his table, and repose upon
the grassy carpet by the side of his war
horse.
Thus passed away weeks, while the
soldiery pIned away in sluggish inactisi-
"; but at length change came IN the
tide of war; the enemy's troops had ad-
vanced within few miles of the encamp-
/ ment. and orders had been received from