, 1861-07-25
William Tell.

The story Of William Tell has been made
known to the theatre-going world, but not ex-
ac,y in the unvarnshed, sententious way in
which the old chroniclers tell it. Tell, having
refused TO do homage to the "ducal hat, set
upon pole in the market place, is summoned
before the Governor:
Ordering Tells children to be sent for, the
Governor asked which Of them was most dear to
the father. Tell replied that they were all alike
dear to him; upon which Gessler selected boy
six years old, placed him several PAGES distant
from the group, in an open space Of ground, set
an apple on his head, and thus accosted the as
tonisned father:
"Tell. hear that you are marksman good
and true. You shall prove il before me by shoot
ing that apple off the head Of your child! Be
careful to strike the APPLE for should your llrst
shot miss, it shall cost you your life"
"For the sake Of God sir, I entreat you to
spare inc this trial." cried the horror. struck
Tell. "COnsider how unnatural it were to shoot
at my own dear son!"
The reply Of tho Governor was brief and
stern:
UNLESS you shoot the apple, you or your
child shall die! !"
Tell turned from the cold eyes and hard lips
Of the mercileSs man to the unseen presence Of
q merciful God, whom he implored to give his
hand iirmness in this dreadful moment. Taking
up his cross-bow, and fixing one arrow in it, he
placed another behind in his collar and then
drawing long breath, took his aim and shot
Tho arrow CLEFT the apple through the core, and
the chids head was untouched. GcsSlCr was
amazed at this feat Uf skill, on which he had not
reckoned, and did not withhold his applause, but
suddenly turned to Tell with the question:
Why did you place that other arrow in your
collar ~
Tell evaded the question at FIRST, but on re-.
ceiving promise that his life should be spared,
answered.:
"My lord, I will tell you the truth. Had
struck my child with one arrow, | would not
have missed you with the other"
Enragcd at this daring speech Gcsser ordered
his servants to seize and bind so dangerous a
rebel; whom, though pledged to save alive, he
vowed to punish with perpetual imprisonment.
Tell was accordingly handcuiIed, and led TO Flu.
ellen, a village still standing ut the head of the
beautiful Waldstadten or Lake Of Luccrne.
Here boat awaited him, and the Governor en-
tered, accompanied by small party Of servants.
Some Of them guarded the prisoner, while the
others managed the vessel; which was steered
for Brannun, on the SchwyZ coast Of the lake.
From thence the Governor proposed taking Tell
to the Castle Of Kussnacht, where a dungeon
was to be his doom Tor hfe
II was stormy winters day, and the clouds
hung heavily over the steep brow Of Righi, and
the jagged peaks Of thS, wild range of noun
tains, which the Swiss have named Mount Plate,
from leecnd that in one oC its d,sola,e tarns
the dcpoScd procuraior of Judge, aud reuirrsc.
tul judge of the Saviour, perisled Ly sclfmurd,r.
rhc blue waters of the lake were now dsrkencd.
aud heaSiug with the violence Of the wind and
whCa the boat reached Achscn, where the coast.
line curves, the stcrm was at such heisA; that
the crew became terrified. Tel al tbs time, a
strong aud g'od stcerSnan, was lying usclcss
with his hands hcand One cf GcsslcT's ser.
wants Ven,iTcd 10 a.k the GoyeinoI permission
10 riakt usC u Tells sSsstanCc. considering tht