The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1860-05-04

thyself my penitent, the leader of our
forces will postpone thy execution long
enough, at least, to enable me 10 admin
lister the sacraments and give thee abso-
lution.'
DO not think me profaue. good faith
err" answered hhrendt, 'if ! tell thee
that the only sacrament l crave is one
kiss from the lips Of the lovely Countess,
which, methinks. is slight enough ac-
llnowledreraent for the husband / have
given her. Nevertheless. ] VIII not exact
even that. Donnea-wetter," he cried. IN
terrupting himself, Il don't know what
is como over me, ] must have mistaken
myself all this while, for truly feel as
benevolent as a saint
My SON" said the Bishop. comUas-
sionately, my heart ycarns t. admiUlstor
to thee the consultations Of religion. 90
smooth for thee the passage e .he world
whittier thou art going"
Nay, Bishop. | need no ocousalatiou.-
| feel as bIthe rs a bridegroom. There
is nothing require 10 smooth the way.
save, peIShance, one o. ;ie Ai-scs slokc
of. For the rest am content enough
Do I look frightened? What do you sup.
pose I want? 10 grow old and die a. stra@
death. and to bc week or l..aatH ahlA7t
y
tossing. and turning, and -roauir.. as@
caepin- for breath. What is life %i.Ha:l;
love and wine and 2 good aTrctlt
ready my stomach is out of orlbe
do not sleep well of nights. sa OF
the whole concern. Bishop. . s' e@l truly
thankful to y,ur friends ssor-s condcr
that thev have come &C. ~ss tit. and
to give the occasion -s l1ttje '.s..t ID pleas
art excitement. Si,E' saeu... vsgr glasses
are empty: tt~s@ ri ..:a.. Jtr another
toast" So .sesN. Gin Ea.s Ggcal itatCd
the last re.e..,s:g5.fs ith,.a :'e rcuicni-h-
ing the e!=.ga@. eTsl.tt,.s % at o. dIaugLt.
Vt iIs.s 1s7os,se 81 I. e1assG-ej e!"mor Of
cries alsl shou}s.-@f.uz Sod with the clash
3f agnss- n;,s5ftss.aasss fg<im below: the sound
oT feet hare 2sa8ss5ss9sthc staircase succeed
ed. At.ssgsfs7 3asg<flg al cn the door. and
demanded of Gdigelheycr. who had just
ussueeE ghe is'ddinE in front OF the apart
ineut thv <3tusc OF the di>tuI bancc.
'-il.n cr,my are forcing the gate.
.,y.-s, a,s =; ihe butler. lantin@ for breath:
..and ii number Of them lavc in some
way got into the castle and are pCurin"
up from the cellars"
y meant to have spared them 50 much
trouble" answered the Baron. Go down
and let the great gate be thrown open at
once and say TO the leaders that if they
Will ascend TO the roof they shall behold
a sight worth seeing Gowith him Bishop,
| pray YOU, and see that my orders are
obeycd. Speak a word also to your broth
er of fSchreckcnsweicen on behalf OF these
poor varlets OF mine who suffered already
enough at my hands without being pun
ished by my enemies. And so farewell,
Bishop. As for YOU. Countess, ! have n
desire that you should see how Ahrendt
the cruel makes an end. and will beg
the favor of your company to the roof.
The Countess. pale and trembling. knew
not how to refuse, or evade the Baron =
request, and wondering what was to sue
ceed. allowed him to assist her up the
great staircase. until they had gained the
castle-roof, where the servant still stood,
holding tlo coal black steed, who by his
restless movements and straining eyes.
seemed conscious of his singular posi-
ton.
"Hark," said Ahrendt. as the harsh
sound of the great gate turning upon It's
rusty hinges reached their ears, the
enemy are admitted" And he sprang
into the saddle and turned the head Of
his horse towards the batticmcnt OF the
castle overlooking the river.
The next moment footsteps were heard
approaching, and the Bishop of Fetter
Rlndbratcn, followed by the alchymist
and several leaders Of the hostile forces
issued forth upon them. and an eYcla-
maton Of surprise burst simultaneously
from the whole party. at the sight Of
the Baron. mounted upon his steod, full
! w compari.oned as itfor a journey.
"Baron," said n captain Of lanzhnccts
advancing toward him, yield thyself my
! prisoner"
"Stand back moment, / pray thee,
replied Ahrendt, YOU perceive that !
! have no choice but to yield. I would
| fain. however. enjoy one moro cup OF
wine as a freeman. Have patience. good
sir, until my butler brings it me- and
he waved his hand to Schiemann, who
departed mechanically upon his errand
"Ahrendt." said the aichyEiist. "
have power to save thee, and will do so
Dismount therefore, and give over til!
wicked purpose
NAY, brother, though we sucked a
the same breast our natures are different
You cannot understand me or my ideas
answered the Baron. Il must die as
have lived. it is but q single cup Of wine
| require to crown my felicity, and thai
YOU will not gludge me. Stand back,
FRIEND" he added. addressing the ot(ice1
of the lanzllnectS, "DonnerSchlag brook
not the handling Of strangers"
Schicmann now reappeared bearing ;
fagon Of wine. which he handed to hi
master. The latter drank it Oft at ;
draught.
Now, then" he cried, as he tosse,
the iiagon 10 the ground, "ye shall So
what an end one makes who despisos
straw death" With these words, h
drove the spurs into the GaaIls OF III
horse, and rode linn straight ut the bat
Elements. In three hounds the nobl
stccd had gained the base OF the para
net. Turning halfway in his saddle
the Baron waved his hand to the pal
and awestrCken group, which sioo
tlaushNcd like statues, with their gaz
riveted upon horse and rider. One toucI
of the spur and one pull of the rein
and Black DonneIschlag has taken tn
fatal leap, clearing the parapet with
mighty bound. For Il second. horse am
man hung poised and motionless in mi
air, standing out in black lines agains
the blue of the sky. The Baron still sa
erect and firm. with his head throw
back and his right hand grasping the ur
slackened reins, when they sank from
view behind the parapet.
As soon as the spectators could recove
from their stupor, they rushed to til
battlements and looked down. So stron
had been the impulse and so bold tn
leap. that clearing the whole rocky Gle
cliyity, the horse and rider. still marve
lousy retaining an upright position
alighted in the river. where they disaJ
peared from view. No cry or sound O
terror or agony had assembled from hors
or man; and neither was ever seen agair
God have mercy on his sinful soull