The mountain Democrat., 1863-02-28

INV Ndu yOu say kudtV AauGSt VI
chatelaines, when you know that the hap.
piness of each of US is dependent upon
your good VIII Responded one of the
gallants.
And added the Major Won Eulenber.
ger, q somewhat more sedate admirer,
you yourself, madame, must not forget
that you are living under the spell of the
famous Alvensleben ring. II you were to
lose it, who knows what might happen
Alter sehutSt ven Thorheit nicht,
(age is no preservative against folly) Il
see.' answered the beauty, pertly tossing
her head. DO you think am such an
idiot as really to believe in this silly story
of the ring? thought my sentiments
were better known, and to prove to you
now free from superstition | am She
ran into the room, through the open fold.
ing doors, hastily unlocked q casket with
a small golden key which hung from her
neck chain, and swiftly returning, made
comical low curtesy TO the circle of
gentlemen, and, with graceful move
ment, flung what she had down into the
rushing river at her feet. There she
cried exultingly-'t there goes the token
Of old superstition, which has too long
been treasured in our family there goes
the famous ring, and may the Alvensle
bens evermore depend upon themselves
for their good luck and posperity.'
"The act was greeted with bravoes and
warm expressions of admiration at the
strength Of mind she had exhibited, bv
the young officers, whose only wish was
to flattcr and please the star of the day
yet some in their hearts disapprovcd, 9TH
ers felt as if blank had fallen on their
spirits, and though outwardly merry, the
party separated with far less jovia feel.
ings than they had ever before experienc.
ed within the walls of Randau.
"Six weeks afterwards, this laughing,
scoffing beauty was bent low in sadness
and sorrow. She had in that short time
lost her husband and her three sons, all OF
whom were suddenly called off by q viru-
lent sever
II is not known whether she connect
ed this sad bereavement with her impru-
dent act, but probably her naughty scep-
ticism received a shock, for she renounced
the world, and ever after led life of sor-
row and seclusion. Thus ended the Red
line of the Alvenslebens.
"The members Of the Black line, shock
ed by this sad occurrence, and fearful lest
some accident might cause the loss of Sc
! small an object as the third part of ring
had it melted among other gold, and
moulded into a goblet, OF 'Pokal, which
the sole survivors Of that line still pos
sess. Their star, however, has fallen, ant
from the prosperous and numerous family
which then hourished, and was in posses
sion Of nearly half the province of Magdc
burg, but two descendants in mddlne
circumstances now exist. The last mem
Der of Importance of that line, was the
li,hly esteemed Minister of State under
Frederick William Ill, Count Albert Al
vensleben. who died at so late period u.
1858.
1.-The members of the White line have
been the wisest of the three they still
carefully preserve among the family ar
chives in their Castle of Erxleben, neal
Magdeburg, their precious share of the
little dwarf's present. This family il
! amongst the most highly esteemed and
beloved Of the old noblesse of Prussia
highly favored and truly loved by theiI
monarch, many Of them still hold import
ant offices iD the army and state, and tht
White line still counts thirty CT forty
members"
1t was not without regret that we broke
up the circle round the coffee table; theS,
and other tales had made US forget the
flight Of time, and if they have for mo
ment amused my readers, | am richly re.
paid for the slight trouble of transcribine
them.