The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-07-27
From the old German Legend of Der Kynast u
THE FATAL vow.

close of the fourteenth century, that one
of the strongest castles in the north
eastern part of Bohemia seemed the
scene of unwonted activity. On three
sides the castle looked down a deep
precipice, broken into narrow chasms
whose unfathomable abysses no eye
could penetrate. But in front, beyond
the drawbridge, the road wound up q
rocky activity, passable not snly for
horsemen, but even the heavy wains OF
that period.
On this particular morning the whole
country seemed to have sent its inhab-
itants in continuous stream over the
drawbridge and into the court yard OF
the castle. Men with heavy jack boots,
and the half soldier, half peasant
dress of that rude age, and women with
the peaked caps, silver ornaments, and
customary gala costume of the ''Bauer
frau" The Teutonic phlegm was evi-
IDENTIFY moved by some unwonted excite
ment, for the deep gutturals rose with
deafening noise, and the very warders
on the walls ceased their pacing to and
fro. and looked down into the court
ward with q longing desire to desert
their posts, and find out the cause oi
this strange clamor.
"By St. Berthold," cried the white
bearded sepeschal, as he made his ap-
pearance ut the portal, 81 will make
NV wand whistle over your shoulders II
We DO not cease this din. What mean
We, malapert Bnayes, to pour into the
castle as if it were the 'weinhaus' down
wonder in the villagei What has hap
penedi What seek yer
ave seek speech with the Countess
Cunigunde, and that now, Fatner
Edric,n said one of the sturdy peasants,
striding forward. owe have private
matters to lay before her"
The speaker by his dress and manner
was evidently the leader Of the crowd
who had huddled together at the words
of the angry seneschal.
"Holy mother Of God" he cried, his
beard actually quiyering with iudigna.
ton at this further audacity. " Dost
thou not know, Rudolph Hanneman,
that the Countess has seen no one since
our lord her father God receive him)
met his terrible fatei And comest thou
here, knave, backed by these myrm-
dons, to intrude thy 'pitifnl 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 missing 60 back
90 back thy lady is not at the beck OF
her vassals."
"She is the Chateleine for all that,
good Edric,r said the speaker, doggedly,
" and sworn to do justice. If you turn
us out of the castle, we know right
well where to 90 for what We want :
and with q jerk of his thumb the speak
or indicated the direction of a neigh
boring castle whose owner only needed
the shadow of an excuse for approach
ing the rich domains of the unprotected
Countess.
Even in those times had severa blows
been struck at the infallibility of the
feudal tyranny. The battle of Meaux
and other conflicts had put down the
worst features of the Jacquerie in Eu-
rope, but there was still ground swell
of existence to undue exactiOns. Edric
paused helplessly, afraid by his impru'
dence to peril his mistress's interests,
and equally afraid to venture into the
naughty Countess's presence, with re.
quest so much opposed to her explicit
orders,
"Canst thou not tell me, good Ru-
dolph, thy demand" he said; "my lady
is in sore affection, 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 ! will only
take to the audience four or five of my
companions. Hasten, Father Edric, fol
time presses" ls's
The seneschal departed like q man
forced to an unwelcome task, and in a
few minutes returned with q still more
bated look, and motioned them to en-
ter.
Six of the crowd separating them.
selves from the rest, followed him
through narrow entrances and long,
low halls, until opening a heavy door
he ushered them into the presence of the
Countess Cunigunde.
The room was hung by heavy black
drapery that swept the floor and partly
ebscured the light of the high, narrow,
gothic windows. At the furthest end
of the apartment, under canopy also
the same monrning hue, sat the lady
her long black veil and funeral garments
forming strong contrast to the vivid
golden hue of her hair, that according
to the custom of the noble German
maidens, hung unbound far below heI
waist. The regal brow, the flashing
violet eyes, the mantling color of heI
cheek and the perfect mouth, with lis
ssornful curve, were as instinct with
pride as the naughty poise of her head
and the impatient tone with which she
received the humble obeisance of hel
serfs. .-
"What now, churls r. she said, "whai
means this insolent intrusion on my
privaeyi Can ye not even give me q
week to lament your lord ~ Z,
"Honored lady," said Rudolph, with
deep inclination, "it is because We dc
lament him SO bitterly that We are
driven into your presence. Duke YolkC
has made raid into our northern lands
land killed and taken prisoners the men