The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-06-07
COUNT OTTO AND HIS BRIDE.
n GERMAN CHRISTMAS LEGEND.

|
J. Sterling Coyne, in q pleasant Christmas
article for the Christmas Supplement of the
London illustrated News, tells the quaint
legend from the German, dating as far back
as the seventeenth century
You may have observed the ruins of an old
cas- tie about half a league hence, on the road
TO Strasbnrg. There Is nothing remarkable in
them except the massive castle gate, above
which, deep sunk in the stone, and AS clearly
and sharply defined as ii executed but yester-
day is the i'm press of a email, delicate hand.
One of the early lords OF the castle was Count
0ttO Won Gorgas, q young, handsome and gal
LIANT Knight, whose sole delight was IN the tx
citing pleasures of the chasa. 80 devoted,
indeed. was he to his ftvorite pursuit
that love could find 10 entrance to his
heart, and the fairsst damsels sighed
in vain for II tender glance or soft
sueech from the insensiblH Young NimrOd.
Al length his indifference 10 the sex had be-
come so notorious that all the manRuyring
mothers on the banks OF the Rhine had given
no in despair the idea of securing him
-natch for their daughters; while the disap-
pointed maidens, in revenge Tor his insensl-
biity TO their charms, gave n@m the name OF
SteinherZg (stony hearted), by which he be-
came generally known. Inc Count, however,
only laughed at the anger Of the ladies, and
continued 10 kill with his own hand so much
raup that the retainers at the castle made II
n special condition on entering his service
that they should not be compelled to eAt ven
ison or wild boar hams more than four days i'll
the week One thTlS tmIS Eve mat count
Otto in honor of the festival, had ordered
battue iu the forest that then surrounded his
castle The sport was so exciting that at the
close OF the day he found himself, separated
from his followers, in a remote part OF the for
est close 10 q deep clear spring, known To the
country people as the Fairy Well. His hands
being stained with the blood OF slaught-
cred wild boars, he dismounted from his horse
10 wash them in the fountain. Although the
weather was cold, and a white frost lay upon
tn. dead leaves that covered the ground,
Count Ito found, to his surprise, the water
Of The well singulariy warm and pleasant
a delicious sensation seemed 10 run through
his veins, anG, plunging his arms deeper into
the limpid spring, he fancied he felt his right
baud ciasped by another small soft hand, aac
the gold ring which he wore gently drawn
from his finger Although ANNOYED by his
loss the Count thought the ring might have
accidentally slipped from his finger; but the
well being very deep ana the day fast closing
In, ne remOuuted his horse and rode back to
ms castle, resolving in the morning to have
the Fary's Well eInptied by his servants, lit
lie doubling that he should find his lost ring
at the bottom.
Count QUO did not feel his wonted alacrity
to slrep that night he lay awake and rest
less listening feverishly 10 the hcarse baying
OF the bandog III the courtyard until near
midnight when he distinctly heard the draw
bridge OF the castle lowered, and a few min
ntes afterwards sound OF us many little ieet
pattering up the stone stairs and in an adInIn-
ing chamber. Thea Il Wild strain OF music
came floating on the air, shooting sweet
mysterious thrill to his heart. Rising softly
from his bed, he hastily dressed himself; q
little bell sounded, his chamber door was
flung suddenly open, anu the stonisnec
Count passing into the hall, found himself IL
the midst of assemblaga of diminutiyt
but distinguished looking strangers OF both
sexes, who laughed, chatted, danced, and
sang without seeming In the least To notice
him In the centre Of the hall stood q
superb Christmas tree, from which Il null
titude OF variegated lights shed flood
of radiance through the apartment. Never
before had 4 ChrIstmas-tree borne such
fruits; Tor, instead OF toys and sweetmeats, the
branches were hung with diamond stars and
crosses, aigrettes and Tnbies and sapphiTes
baidriCks embroidered with Oriental pearls
and daggers mounted in gold and studded
with the Tarest gems, at which the Count
gazed without the power OF uttering word.
While still lost IN wonaer AT the scene, he
could not comprehend, there was q move
ment nj the END of the hall; the company re-
spectfully fell back To make way TOR new
comer' when suddenly, in the bright rays OF
the Christmas light, stood before Count Otto
a young female of dazzling beauty. Her
stature was small, like the other visitors
but she was exquisiteiy pr0portioned and
magnIlceDtly dressed, as for bail A bril-
liant diadem sparkled amongst her raven
lock rich point lace only half-veiled heI
snow hIte bosom, and Il dress OF rose colorec
silk sat close TO her slender figure, and fell ii
folds Just so low as TO reveal the neatest feei
aud ankles in the world; while her sleeves
were short enough 10 display beautiful arms
OF dazzling wilderness. The charming stran
ger showed no awkward timidity, fo
going straight up to the Count sh'
caught him by both hands, and in tn
sweetest of voices said Dear Otto, ar
come to return your visit" Al the same tim
she raised her right hand TO his lips, which
obliged him TO kiss ii without making any re
ply he felt spell bound, fascinated, and sut
Tered the beautiful stranger to draw him to
couch, where she placed herself at his side
while the guests amused themselves they
.4l.A md nj. -
All she lay almost liz his arms, on u sudden
heaven knows how-her lips met his and be
tore he could think about kissing them he hg,
0ose so.
Count Otto, like many other men who hav,
been placed IN similar circumstances, was los
from that moment my dear friend" sh
hsped gently in his ear. II have brought yol
Christmas present--that which you lost an
hardly hoped TO ind again see L bring il 4
Won. And, drawing IRON Eer bosom a Iii I'll
easse, set with ditmonds, she placed il in III
hands OF the Count, who, on opeuing a. 5iz
covered, TO his asJontshment the ring b
had lost In the forest Well. Carried AVA
by a feeling AS strange as 1t was irresistihi.
.ae Count pressed the casket, ana The
the lovely stranger, TO his bosom an.
hehualP murmured the maiden, who &C,
tainiy was not oppressed by maiden rsser v,
fon must excuse me narrating the par tie la
OF the Counts vehement wooing, and how
before they parted that night the enamor.
man bad offered his hand to his fair cues
Whieh she accepted on condition that
shp"tu promise never 10 pronounce the @oI
death In her presence. lie gave the n
CURED assurance, and the next day the IN a.
rage OF Count Otto Won Gorgas and ii
lovely Efnesiine-for was she ealied-rnae
him, as the romaneists OF the period sal
- the happest OF mortals.n As the your
Countess was handsome. Submissive and pr
digionsiy wealthy, they lived very happi
together for some years in their feudal cas- q
One dsy, however, IL CHANGED that they we
10 assist at grand tourney in the neighbo
hood. The Lady ErnesuIes paifray stot
IN waiting for her at the castle gate bu
being TOO much occupied In adjusting
new and becoming hsad.gear which b,
miIiiner had just brought home, she d
Isyed 20 long that the Count, who had bet