Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-07-20
THE VILLAGE GARRISON.
A CAPTIVATING war sEE1cE

!
CAPTIVATING WAR sEEICE
4 ..-..-
1t happened, in the course of the thirty
years war that Gonsalvo de Cordoya. wht
commanded the Spanish troops ,her
overruuning the Palatinate. found il nee
essary to possess himself of a little wailet
village called 0gersheim; that Law in hi,
way. On the first intelligence ot his ap
prosch, ali the inhabitants fled to Man
hem; and when Gonsalvo AT length drev
near an / summoned the place to surren
der, there remained within the walls only
poor shepherd and his wife, the latter
of whom, having that very morning
brought little infant into this world OF
misery, was unable 10 leave her he'd; and
her husband, of course. remnined with
her
The anxiety and distress of the poor
man may be more easily imagined thar
described. Fortunately. however. he pos
sessed both courage and shrewdness, and
on the spur of the moment, hethought
himself of scheme TO give his wife and
baby chance to escape. whici after EN-
bracing them both he hastened 10 PM in
to execution
The inhabitants. having run "if in a
tremendous hurry, had left almost all
their property at his disposal; 80 he had
no difficulty in finding what was requisite
for his purpose. namely. Il complete
change of dress. Having FIRST 4ccoutered
his lower man in military guise. lac tossed
away his shepherds hat, which he re
placed with a huge helmet. n world too
wide" he buckled a long sword 10 his
side. threw goodly cloak over his shoul-
der. struck two enormous pistols in his
belt, and putting on boots, so thick in the
soies and high in the heels that they li!:-
ed him high above the ground. he fasten-
ed Ia them a pair of those prodigious
jingling spurs which were the fashion of
the times. Thus accouterrd. he forth
with betook himself 10 the walls. and
leaning with pompous air on his sword,
he listened coolly to the herald who adj
vanced to summon the village 10 SUR
render -
Friend" said our hero, rs soon as the
herald had concluded his speech, tell
your commander that though have not
made up my mind 10 surrender at all
may possibly be induced to do so. progi-
ded be agrees to the following conditions:
First, the garrison must be allowed TO
march out with military honors. Second.
the lives and property of the inhabitants
must be protected. Third, they must be
left TO enjoy the free exercise Of the Prot
estani religion"
The herald Immediately replied that
such preposlerons conditions could not
for a moment be listened to; adding, that
the garrison was known to be weak, and
concluded by again demanding the in
slant surrender of the place
MY good friend, answered the shep-
herd, do not be too rash. advise you
to inform your general from ME, that
nothing but my desire 10 avoid blooished
could make me think of surrendering on
any terms whatever; and please to add,
that il he does not choose to agree to
those already stated, he viii gain posses
sion of the town only at the point of the
sword; for l assure you, on the word of an
honest man and christian, as on the
honor of a gentleman, that the garrison
has lately received a reinforcement he
little dreams Of" -...
So saying, the shepherd lighted his pipe
and puffed away with an air of the most
Donchalance Confounded
by his appearance of boldness and securi-
ty, the herald thought it prudent to re-
turn and state to Gonsalvo the demands
which mad been made. The Spanish
general, deceived by this show of resist.
ance and being unwilling to waste either
men or time in reducing this paltry town.
to agree to the conditions offer
ed, and followed by his troops approached
the gates. This lenient determination
was announced by the herald 10 the shep--
herd, who only vouchsafed to say in re
ply, Il find your commander man of
some sense" He then left the walls, let
down the draw bridge, deliberately open
ed the gates, and allowed the Spanish
troops to pour into the town. Surprised
at seeing no one in the streets but
strange looking fellow. whose caricature
of military costume hung upon him like
patchwork. Gonsalvo began to suspect
and seizing the shepherd, de-
manded to know where the garrison was.
eff your highness will follow me. will
show you" answered the rustic.
Keep by my stirrup, then" exclaimed
Gonsalyo; land on the least symptom
that you mean to betray me, shall send
a bullet through your heart"
Agreed" said our friend. Follow
me, Spaniard for l assure you, on the
word of an honest man and a Christian,
as well as on the honor Of d gentleman,
that the garrison will offer yOu no in
Jury"
He then placed himself by Gonsalyo's
stirrup, and, followed by the troops. pass
ed through several silent and deserted
streets till at length turning into a mar
lana hn efnrnal Ia1.,ra l,dl--
ing house, and having prevailed on Com
boy beside her.
Noble General, he said, pointing to
the former, "this is our garrison; and TAX
ing his infant son in his arms, "this is the
of which / told you."
Aware now of the real state of matters,
the absurdity and cleverness of the trick
moved even Spanish gravity. and Gonsal-
20 gave free course to his mirth. Then,
taking of a rich gold chain which decora- I
ted his own person, he passed it round
The neck of the infant
Permit me TO offer this mark of my
he said, good naturedly. for the /
valiant garrison of 0gersheim. By the !
hand of soldier l envy you the posses
non of such reinforcement; and you /
must let me present you with this purse
1f gold for the need of this recruit"
He then kissed the delighted mother .
md her boy, and quilted the house, leay- I
ng the shepherd to boast OF the success :
'f his stratagem.
lFrom the New FORK Herald.
An Adventurous EOyageF.
At the foot of Grand street, East river, /
nav be seen the hrio Vision Cant Dom |