The mountain Democrat., 1864-01-09

| Wlue auu OeeE tney VIII pay He well lot
it; but how shall get there? See, Born,
| will give you one of these gold pieces,
if you will show me the path, which leads
up the mountain, of which you spoke
yesterday. Will you2'
With increased attention Born had lis
tened; his eye hung penctratingly on the
strangers features.
You will betray it to the eHenyv
Sielert smiled cunningly. Be no fool
now, Born And if that really were my
intention, what thenS Come, come, we
shall make the business together. shall
mediate with the French, and fix the re-
ward, and | promise you, they will give
u, so much that neither you nor l will
ever have to work again
The cheeks OF the shepherd redeemed,
the veins on his forehead swclled, storm
worked in his bosom.
Now speak, pressed Sielert.
IL shall-I-Show the path to those
id French p cried Born, whose voice
was still choked by the rising rage.
We'll, why not if you are we'll paid
for it and that III warrant
Rascal = cried the shepherd, violently
interruptlng the tetnpter, and sciZing him
with violence. Thou rascal! bctray
my own country, the life Of my sons for
gold? Go to the hell you deserve, trail
tor and with a strength that astonishcd
even himself, the old man hurled him
down the steep.
The traitor rolled down, head-over-
heels, but his involuntary flight was
checked by the bushes; he gathered him
self up and, foaming with rage, ran to-.
wards the old man. But the latter had
raised his shepherds crook, and would
not have heSitated to knock down his as
sallant. Siclert dared not attack him.
You shall pay for this cried he aDgrily,
and ha tened down the hill.
Think of your own life, you will end
it on the gallows,' cried the old man after
him.
His simple, righteous mind could not
comprehend such wickclness. He sat
down and leaned his head on his hand
How was it possible that one could be-
come traitor to his own country? lie
thought Of his own wife and daughter
lie had not seen them for a long time -
They were still unhurt, for the enemy
had not yet crossed the Saaie--yonder
hills were still unoccupicd. But what
would become Of them if the French car
ried the day? No, it could not be, i.
must not
lie had abandoned himself to his med
itations, it might be for more than an
honr, when he was aroused by the sound
of footsteps. Several French soldiers ap-
preached, and Sielert also appeared in the
distance. A sad forbodiEg arose within
hin. He sprang to his feet in terror
Should he flee? His old limbs would not
carry him far. Should he defend himself?
Firmly almost convulsivcly, he grasped
his staif-this would have been foolish
ness indeed He remained standing
where he was-apparently calm. The
soldiers surrounded him, aud one of them
commanded him in broken German to
follow him.
'Whither:' inquired Born, whose calm
ness and composure had partially re-
turned.
TO the Marshal was the reply.
Born hesitated. What did he want OF
/ EiInI Were his fears to be realized?
Has this fellow led you hi,her?' asked
ie, pointing to Sielert. He was answered
in the affirmative. There remained no
! further doubt-he wes required to show
! the secret path. His head grew giddy.-
Should he refuse to follow? His hands
We're still unfcttcrcd yet this was fool
ishncss. Silently, with sad, (orehoding
heart, he followed the soldiers. They
walked quickly over the mountains. Sic
lcrt waited until they overlook him then
he went along with them.
| have promised to pay YOU said he
to Born; they know how to open your
mouth in order 10 possess themselves Of
your secret
The old man remained silent. He hard,
ly heard what Sielert said. An inner
voice called to him This is hard walk
for thee! Show the path, or thou wilt
bring misfortune upon thyself and thy
beloved ones. Show it cie they compel
thee by cruel force !! But he rpbuked
the tempter in his heart, saying: no one
can force thee! Violence may open thy
mouth, but it can never force out the Sc
cret from thy heart.
When they had aSccnded the Land
grafrnberg, the soldiers led him directly
to the headquarters Of Marshal LanncS.
The Marshal studied the features Of the
shepherd tor moment, and then asked
hun whether be really knew. as he had
told Sielert, a secret path upon which
horses and cannon could be transported
to that hight
| do, said Born, calmly.
Then show US the path, and you shall
have a larger reward than you have even
thought possible
Born remained silent
will you show US the path 2
NO! replied the shepherd, in dcci
ded tone. 1t would be acting wicked'y
against my own countrymcn.'
You will not?' cried the Marshall
Do you think I cannot find the way
without yon? 1t is only that wish to
find it to-day
Il will not betray it. replied Born.
You will not?' cried the Marshall
You dare to brave mes' Do you think
cannot compel you?'
No one can compel me-
NO? | will show you whether can
or not. The result Of battle shall not
depend upon thy will. you will show
me the ways large reward shall be yours
if not, you shall die. Now, decide
Born remained silent.
Il am in earnest! Defy me and thou
shalt surely die.'
The features of the cid man had growr
perccptibly pale. He trembled, and fol
, a moment his knees threatened to give
way under him he thought of his Wifi
and children, but he soon recovered hi:
t selfcommand, and. with firm voice said