The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-07-10
THE FATAL uoW+

SSAei Va SA IL Iuot, ny -hlS ul
B. Williams, for the New Orleans
Ilmes:]
It was bright morning, toward
the close of the fourteenth century,
that one Of the strongest castles in
the North eastern part of Bohemia
seemed the scene of unwonted activ-
ity. On three sides the castle looked
down deep precipice, broken into
narrow chasms, whose unfathomable
abysses no eye could penetrate. But
In front, beyond the bridge, the
road wound up rocky acclivity,
passable not only for horsemen, but
even the heavy wains of that period.
On this particular morning, the
whole country seemed to have sent
its inhabitants in a continuous stream
over the draw-bridge and into tie
courtyard of the castle. Men with
heavy jack boots, and the half-sol-
dier, half-peasant dress of that rude
age, and women with the peaked
caps, silver ornaments, and customa-
ry gala costume of the "Bauer frau"
The Teutonic phlegm was evidently
moved by some unwonted excite
ment, for the deep gutturals rose
with deafening noise, and the very
warders on the walls ceased their
pacings to and fro, and looked down
in the courtyard with longing de-
sire to desert their posts, and find
ont the cause of this strange clamor.
"By st. Berthold," cried the white
bearded seneschal, as he made his
appearance OF the portal, "I will
make my wand whistle over your
shoulders if ye do not cease this din.
What mean ye, malapert knaves. to
pour into the castle as if it was the
'weinhaus' down yonder in the vii
lage? What has happened? What
seek ye?"
"We seek speech with the Countess
Cunigunde, and that now, Father
Edric," said one of the sturdy pea
SAINTS, striding forward. eve have
private matters to lay before her
The speaker, by his dress and man
ner, was evidently the leader of the
crowd who had huddled together ut
the words of the angry senescl.ul.
"Holy Mother Of God!" he cried,
his beard actually quivcring with in
dignation at This further audacity.
''Dost thou not know, Rudolph Han
neman, that the Countess has seen nc
one since our lord her father (God
receive him) met his terrible fate?
And contest thou here, knave, backed
by these myrmidons, to intrude thy
pitiful troubles upon her SORROWS?
What seekest thou? Whose bull is
caught by the horns in his neighbor's
hedge, or whose herd has come up
with some swine missing? Go back
go back! thy lady is not at the beck
of her vassals."
''She is the Chateleine for I'll that,
good Edric," said the speaker, dog
gedly, "and sworn to do justice. If
you turn us out of the castle, we
know right we'll where to go for what
we want" and with a jerk of his
thumb, the speaker indicated the di-
rection of neighboring castle, whose
owner only needed the shadow of an
excuse for appropriating the rich do
mains of the unprotected Countess.
Even in those times had severe
blows been already struck at the in
fallibility of the feudal tyranny. The
battle of Meax and other conflicts
had put down the worst features of
the Jacquerie in Europe. but there
was still ground swell of resistance
to undue exactions Edric paused
helplessly, afraid by his imprudence
to peril his mistress interests, and
equally afraid to venture into the
naughty Countess presence, with q
request so much opposed to her ex-
plicit orders.
"Canst thou not tell me, good Ru-
dolph, thy demand?" he said; "my
lady is in sore affliction, and thou
knowest, worthy friend, that she has
the hasty temper of the deceased
Baron"
"No," said Rudolph; eve must lay
the matter before her. But L will
only take to the audience four or five
of my companions. Hasten, Tlther
Edric, for time presses.
The soneschal departed like n man
forced to an unwelcome task, and in
o few minutes returned, with still
more baited look, and motioned them
to enter.
Six of the crowd separating them
selves from the rest, followed him
through narrow entrances and long,
low halls, until opening o heavy door
ne ushered them into the presence of
the Countess Cunigunde.
The room was hung by heavy black
V.A1 n n