Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-04-18
0blo' ! Statesman.
THE CASTLE OF GRlEFENSTEIN.
A GERMAN LEGEND.

1t was happy time for the peasantry
of Neuberg when their brave Duke,
Henry I, passed through his dominions.
He was on his way, accompanied by his
consort Hedwig and their children, with
numerous retinue of followers, to visit
his burg of Lehrborg, built by. his re-
nowned father, Duke Boleslaus. While
he stopped day or two to rest from the
fatigues of the travel, his subjects from
the neighborhood came to petition favors
and redress, from various grievances, for
they knew the good will of their sover-
eign, and thought his power almost
boundless, --.s.-e..-
Among the petitioners was an old herds
man, whose name was Wolfgang. To
the gracious enquiry of the Dukerespect-
ing his wants, he was answered that the
whole country was tormented with con-
dor, that took off the greatest part Of the
hocks, and even MANNED oxen at the
plow. The bird had a nest somewhere
and young ones, and when these We're
grown, children, and perhaps men and
women, would not be safe from 4ts ra-
pacity. "Take compassion upon US, gra-
cious Lord" prayed the herdsman, "com-
mand your soldiers to slay the condor
and destroy its nest.'
"Where has the bird its eyrie2" asked
the Duke.
81 know not" answered the herdsman,
'but, methinks, it is beneath the Rail-
.enberg.''
The Duke gave immediate orders
that the bird of prey should be hunted
and killed with its young. The whole
country was in motion the knights
were eager to fulfill their lords com
mand and gain renown by the slaughter
of so destructive foe to the herdsmen.
But the condor seemed to defy them.
Sheep disappeared daily, as if by magic.
Only at intervals could the bird be seen,
soaring upon outspread wings at so vast
height that no arrow could reach it
The peasants mourned, and the baff1ed
warriors murmered at their want of sue
cess. Meanwhile Schafhold, the son of
Wolfgang, youth of aspiring spirit, but
little inclined, as his father often COM
planned, to the. herdsman's labor, had
been curiously watching the knights, ap-
parently charmed with their braveappar-
ell and armor, and following at a distance
those who were nearest the Duke, and
though in humble garb many high born
cavalier might have envied the noble
and graceful form and the majestic beau
ty of his countenance. Nature had gifted
him with matchless perfection of person;
his mien was not that of peasant but
of free born noble-for which, indeed
he was noted throughout the cauntry.
AS the Duke with his train entered
the castle where he was lodged, young
Schaffhold passed mournfully along the
mountain side under the shadow of pro
jecting rocks. He had not gone fal
when his steps Were arrested. At few
PAGES distance young and beautiful wo
man, richly dressed, lay sleeping upon
the ground, her fair cheek rested on hel
hand, her soft brown hair, unclasped
followed the waving line of her figure
So exquisite was this image of beauty
that the young herdsman stood gazing
at her several minutes, unable to remove
his eyes; suddenly, however, he started
forward, he saw viper of the most
poisonous kind glide swiftly over the
moss toward the head of the sleeping
girl. Schaffhold sprang forward in time
to strike the reptile dead with his staff
The noise awoke the young girl, when
seeing the snake, she started up with q
cry of horror. The next instant, com.
pretending the danger from which she
had escaped, she turned with look Of
gratitude to him who had saved her
At the next instant voice called from
the thicket, princess Rubeta
81 am here" answered the young girl
and Schaff hold at once knew her rank
She was the eldest daughter of the
Duke.
| With a heavy heart he turned away
and was out of sight when the servants
came to the spot. The Princess walked
on to the castle, and no sooner was il
known what had befallen her than the
young pages and attendant fastened tc
her. But no traces of the youth who hat
rendered her this signal service could b.
discovered. That day before sunset tn,
peasantry were assembled in holida,
attire, decorated with ribbons and flow
ers, to appear before the Duke and hi
family. All the herdsmen except Schaff
hold were there, and the eyes of tn
Princess sought only him. When sh
found him not she sighed, and tears file