The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1864-08-17
THE CASTLE OF H0ENSTEEN

The time at which this tale commences
was towards the latter part of the four
teenth century, when eacn baron ruled
his own stronghold with absolute sway,
not only over his immediate vassels, but
also over the peaceful tlaVeler. whom he
stopped, robbed or murdered, without
being In dread Of any other punishment
than that inflicted by his own conscience,
aud which in general was easily appeased
by present to his coniessor, or the offer
ing of wax candle or q pettlcoat to the
Virgin, who generally occupied snug
corner of lis castle chapel At this
time, then, those old and scarcely percep
tible ruins that You may perceive about
half way up the mountain, formed the
magnificent castle of the proud Baron of
Hohenstien, who Acknowledged no laws
but the dictates Of his own inclination,
and these, if his vasseB spoke true, were
not always confined to Vie strict rule Of
right. lie exacted strict obebience from
every one around him, aud those who
had the hardhood to disobey him once,
seldom did SO u second time. +
The baron had an only son, in every
respect the opposite TO his father. Ulnc
possessed heart feelingly alive to ali
.ar g,ntle influences of humanity; he
Va one OF those who would turn aside to
1,old ljuriug the worm that crawled in
nlS path. Yet differing as he did 10
most things from his "inexorable sire" "
the stern baron loved him more than
everything else; but his love did not
slew itself in the usual way.
The great hall Of the castle was illu-
minated by hundred lamps, hung
around the walls IN every variety of
shape ana the shields of all the ilustri,
Gus house of Hohenstien were each sur.
rounded by laurel wreath, in which the
parti coIored lamps were placed and
there all the magnates of the land were
gathered to behold the wedding of Ulric
with the naughty daughter of the yet
laughter Baron Eichnherz. The COB,
let passes round and all cares seem to be
forgotten, and if the heart is sad the face
does not betray it.
"The gay dance of bounding beautys train.
Linked grace and harmony in happiest chain"
Old Time, even seemed to grow young
again, and lie fed with unnoticed wing
Yet amidst all this joy, if the vassals
spoke true, there was at least one heart
that did not beat In unison to that gay
measure and that was Ulric's, on whom
his fathers eye often turned with an in
explicable meaning
Uric left the hall with an expression
ef anguish on his pale, handsome face.
He stood at the private postern gate, ar
rayed in his costly wedding dress, and
gazed out into the night. The dark
clouds were scuddiug along before the
gale, which was whisting dismaly thro'
the battlements, forming a great contrast
to the scene within. "Yes yes," be
cit must be done now or new
err" and be then sprang down the cliff
and soon reached the bottom, where now
you may perceive the ruins of rather a
large village. The inhabitants were all
at that late hour asleep, and Uric passed
on unseen till he came to suall but
neat cottage, which belonged to the wid,
ow of distant relation of the baron's g.
whose husband had been executed for
treason, and all his estates con6scated
This small cottage had been given to her
and her ouly daughter by the baron, and
here Uric, during his fathers absence
at the chase or in the carousals at the
neighboring castle, spent the greater por-
tion of his idle time He knocked at
small latticed window. The noise was
probably drowned in the stcrm, for he
received no answer; so putting his face
close to the easement, he said:
"Leiba. dearest Leiba. it is IT,
The easement was opened, and Uric
sprang into the room, -
"Are you ready, dearest ?" be said.
Leiba threw herself into bis arms, and