The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1868-04-21
MISCELLANY.
A Fortress Taken by Chimney sweep.


Switzerland, and of course / did not
omit to ascend the famous Konigstein.-
My guide was telling me about the va
rious prisoners who had passed long years
of captivity within the walls, when we
found ourselves on the spot where the no.
torious alchemist Klettenburg paid with
his life for having deceived his prince.
'And here is also the place where, in
March last, the chimney sweeper got into
the fortress said my guide.
On hearing this | eagerly stepped TO
the breastwork, and gazed down into the
valley below then, turning TO the guide,
said But how is this possible ! How
could any one Chamber up this steep rocks'
well, sir, it appears incredible to us
answered the man, but, nevertheless, il
is fact. Look, there in that cleft he
managed to climb up, and after resting
himself on the crag you see just below
the breastwork, he got safely in. And
he did all this in full daylight
Again looked below, and the sight
made my blood run cold. We were on
the east side, facing the village of Kon-
igstein and the Elbe, where the precipice
is about 400 feet high, and then rocks
less steep form the base Of the mountain,
giving the fortress total elevation OF
400 feet. AS I looked at the wall OF
rock it was difficult to believe that any
one really could have performed the feat.
Ten years later, on my road frem Pra-
que, | was steaming down the river to
wards the Saxon capital, and as Konigs
TEN came in view ! thought of the chin
ney-swccper's extraordinary ascent
stepped To the side of the vessel, and
measured with my eye ,hc enormous
hight OF the rock. A young man was
standing near me, and AS he seemed to
be looking with interest at tho fortress
turned TO him and asked him whether he
thought 1t within the bounds of possbili-
ty that any one could get up that rock
except by the usual path
'Why shouldn't he replied the young
man. Ten years ago, myself had a
try at it,
Astonished at this, examined sly
companion more closely. HIS figure was
small, but powerfully built, and he np.
peared TO me about thirty years of age.
At first thought he could not have un.
derstood what | was speaking abnut, and
explained that | meant the rock OF
Konigstcin, but he quickly said, -
Yes, | know; and, from where we
ale now, can show you the cleft in
which | climbed up
which you climbed up!' stammcred.
DO you mean TO say, then, that you
were the very chimney-sweeper. WHO
Indeed, am the very man. smiled
my companion, 'and if you would like n
heyr all about it, shall have great pleas.
ure in telling you
OF course gratefully accepted the of.
fer; so drawing our deck-,tools together,
we lighted fresh cigars, and he began the
story -
Il don't think need tell you much
about my apprentice and journeymanship
Tor all chmncp sweepers are wild and
yentnresOme young rascals 80 suffice il
to say, that | was one of the widest. aud
surpassed sll my companions in foolhard,
tricks always pleased my masters II,
far as doing my work went; but my mad
pranks had II different effect, and conss
quently | never remained long in ont
place. 1t happened then in 1913, when
about eighteen years old, that | was out
OF employment My parents had lately
died, and | found that if did not wish
TO starve should have to look out quickl,
for fresh work. Just then the Saxon,
Bohemian Railway was being made, anC
was lucky enough to get engaged on tn,
line near the village Of Konigstein,
Il arrived on the Saturday, quite pen
nlless, and as my work was only to begin
on the Monday, had no idea how t,
exist in the meantime. After mucl
trouble, however, | managed to arrang,
with the innkeeper, in consideration o
my giving my passport into his keeping
for shake down in the stable and some
thing to eat for supper When awok,
next morning the bells were already ring
ing for church, My first thoughts wer
how l WAS to get The day over Into tn
inn parlor dared not go, for | had moth
ing to pay with, so l sauntered out int
the open air to see what the country wa
like. Before me stood the majestic for
tress, which Of course Immediately at
tracted my attention, and | started Of
towards it. asked some people WHOM
! met whether could go into the fortress
and the answer was that if had a frien
inside might, but if not, | must pay
thaler admission. But had neither on
nor the other, so contenting myself wit
the view of the exterior, | turned fror
the path and wandered up the lower par
OF the rock. After some time, foun
myself on what they call the patrols walk
which runs round the foot of the dee
sandstone rock, on which the fortre. il
self is built. As you may sec from here
it is the east side, and the steepest par
of the rock
Il stood and looked up at the wall Q
rock above me, and whilst so doing,
conversation that had taken place durin
my apprenticeship between my maste
and an assistant occurred to my mind
They were talking about Konigstein, an
the assistant said that. in his opinion,