Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1863-09-08
CRIMSON CLOAK:
LEGEND OF THE MOS Ellie
BY GEORGE L. AIKEN.

We had been boating on the waters Of
the blue Moseile," few miles above the
quaint old city of COblentz, wbere it ming
les irs waters with the stOried Rhine.
Our guide had pointed out many locali-
ties aud dilated upon their beauty and ssn
sOciations, having little history of each
to relate.
One place in particular, q lovely spot.
attracted our attention, which he described
as the fsVorite haunt of rObber who had
Oeen known by the euphonious title of
Crimson Cloak"
The story of this robber, which he told
ne, have thought worthy Of repetition -
1t was told in loose, diJointed manner,
as we f1Oated leisurely oyer the blue waters
of the MoseIle, ia the presence of the local.
ity where the events had TRANSFERRED, and it
required no great strearcb of the imagina-
ton to reanimate the departed robber and
fancy that you saw bis crimson cloak
cleaning amid the green foliage that firing
cd the bank. Avoiding the rambling man
ner of the guide. / will give the story as
succinctiy as possible.
A private soldier named Vilmar, of an
infantry regiment, which fUrDed part of
the garrison Of CobeniE, for come trifling
| hundred lasbes. This was years ago
when the Prussisn service was much more
severe thaD at present
The soldier tall, 6ne.looking young
fellow, whose only fault was reck lsssuess,
of an undaunted courage. which had
been proved in numerous engagements, re-
csived his punishment unfiinchingly. with
dogged submission.
Beading and almost senseless. he was
conveyed to his quarters, bis teeth set, and
q look Of fixed resolution upon his face.
From that day his nature changed, and
from gay, merry-hearted youth, who
thought only of the present moment and
its joys, he turned to a morOse and sullen
man, brooding over an injury too deep &c
be forgiven or forgotten.
One night, cries for help were heard is.
suing from the apartment Of Colonel Hack
enburg. and on Fastening to his assistance
and forcing his door. which was found tC
be locked, the colonel was discovered to BE-
weltering in his blood.
And assassin had entered the window
whilst he was sleeping, reused him from
his slumbPr, bade him look him 10 the face
and then stabbed him 10 dozen placec
with bsyonet, and fed as he had come
The colonel had just strength enough t
disclose few particulars and the name o
the assassin, and then expired.
You lave guessed it. The assassin wa
Vilmsr-the soldier he had condemned Il
the lash.
The Rubicon OF crime once crossed, Vii
mer could not return, he must 60 on il
the evil career he had chosen. He becam
Q rotber. Gradually he associated himseI
with other desperate characters, aud be
came their leader. As type, probably
of the saDguiDsry nature of bis occupation
he ware long crimson cloak 10 all his q
petitions. This circumstance gave rise t
the title be bore.
The band of Crimson Cloak increased il
numbers until it became the TERROR of th
surrounding country, and o large militar
force was concentrated at Coblentz for th
express purpose of its suppression.
General Count Won OVe:stein, and oil
veteran who had served under the Grea
Frederick, was entrusted with the CON
mand of the expedition. He eetablishe
his headquarters at Coblentz, briDgin
with him the only pledge of his lost coun
ess, lovely girl OF eighteen.
Fredolina Won 0veI stein soon becam
the belle of Coblentz. The young scion O
the nobility We'd with each other 10 thei
attentions to the blue eyed beiress of th
old general; and these attentions were NO
lessensd by the fact that she bore the It'll,
and wore on her fair brow the coronet, {
countess"
Her residence had grown from days [
weeks in the city Of Coblentz, and promit
ed to extend TO an indefinite period, fC
the campaign against Crimson Cloak wa
net brought to such Q speedy close as he
been anticipated. The wiley robber he
concealed his band among the numerou
Businesses 10 the Leiehborhood, alvey
avoiding On encounter with the troops,
n whose approach he Was always spprise
" the peasants, who acted 40 bis spie
10 many 40 act Of kindness having endeare
friends.
4 The kings troops were continual
u securing the country without finding 90
. trace OF Crimson Cloak or his band, an
then when al bed become quiet and 4
robbers were thought 10 be far awav. II
. country was startled by some daring rol
berry almost within the city limits. AZ Ia
old Overstein would swear an awful strir
II of oaths, in high Dutch, twist his long "a.
mOussaches, and order fresh pursuit.
The pretty Fredolina shUddered as %.