The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1868-07-04

which, with It's high and gloomy battle
ments, seemed to pierce the very clouds.
Its dungeon and keeper were said TO be
the strongest in Germany, and indeed, il
was so, for it could be only accessible
from one point, which was narrow path,
where but one man could walk at time.
The owner and Governor of this castillo.
ted fortress was Sir John Virrinich, a
naughty, overbearing man, subject at
times, to fits Of the most violent passions.
which ut one time, led him to commit a
crime OF the most horrible nature. which
formed the legend connected with the
old ruins that now stand gazing gloomily,
as it were, upon the passing steamboats,
bearing parties OF tourists up the Rhine.
Sir John was widower, his wife hay-
ing died of broken heart, after giving
birth to adaughter three years after mar.
riage. This daughter, tho Lady lsadore,
though treated severely By her father,
grew up with all the beauty which en-.
lfauces the fair sex within man's eye
She had lover what young girl of sew
enteen has not He was Captain of the
Guards belonging to the Castle; young
man of low birth, though gifted with
fiue education and some personal beauty,
which together with his skill and powers
IN the time Of war. had won hiui the
name of " The falchion." He was in.
deed worthy Of the maiden's admiration
Marce. Van Schrotter, for such was his
name-with his laurels fresh on his brow
was invited to Court, and while there,
saw and became enamored Of the Lady
lsadore. who was then with her father,
ATTENDING Court for the first time. Sir
John pleased with Marcel, offered him
the captainey in his guards, which was
then vacant, and he, 10 be near the Lady
OF bis heart, accepted the Office, aud he
was soon Installed within the castle walls
The Lady Isadorc, after hearing her
father speak of his feats Of arms, be.
came interested in him, and having by
lchauce met him several times while tax.
ing her morning walks upon the parapct,
the interest ripcued into love, aud they
silently bctrothed themselves 10 each 9th.
or aud were happy So things stood
twhen, Que evening, Sir John invited
Marcel TO take supper with them. The
meal was spread within the left wing Of
the castle, in lofty ball, the walls of
which were decorated with ancient suits
of arms, while the panels between were
all hung with the we'll dressed head and
horns of sturdy deer. At one end OF
the hall, ret deep within the wall, was a
capacious fire. place. we'll filled with oak
en- logs, which, as the nights were chilly,
Sir john had ordered the servants 10
light, aud it pow threw cheerful light
upon the table and lis surroundings.
At bountifully spread board were
seated SIR John. Marcel and the Lady
lsadorc the supper was over and the
wine circulated freely around. Ladies
were not so chary of It's use in those
days. And the old knight, made merry
by the copius draughts OF Rhenish hc
had used To wash down his food, cracked
his jokes, sang and laughed as only an
old man and soldier can laugh. At
last, perceiving that the fire, which ere
now was burning checrfully had nearly
disappeared, he asked Marcel TO rouse il
up; he, willing TO oblige, arose, but find
Il ing nothing wherewith to rake the ashes,
drew his sword. and with il coaxed the
stubborn fire to blaze.
At the moment he heard his name
called 10 tones of thunder By Sir John !;
forgetting that he had been called, lcav-
ing his sword still in the FIRE. he ad.
vanccd toward Sir John. There he
stood, clutching his daughter tightly by
the arm. his face all distorted BY passion
Sirran!" he cried as Marcel ap.
/ preached, "dost thou love n,y daughter!"
Marcel did not reply, but looked at
Lady lsadore. She, alas Poor girl hav-
ing never seen him in a merry mood be-
forc-while Marcel was engaged in ar
ranging the fire-she told her father of
his love for her, and asked him to give
his consent to their marriage. The re-
suit was mentioned above.
"Sirrah y shouted the enraged lord,
" canst thou not speak Answer me !;
dost thou love my daughterY"
The young man, boldly confronting
him replied:
Sir, l love your daughter-we are
betrothed"
All the fury that ever entered into the
soul of man was combined in Sir Johns
soul. He felt at his belt for the dagger
he usually wore, he had laid it aside
when about sitting down to supper; he
looked around for some weapon with
with which to kill Marcel; his gaze rest
ed. on Marcel's sword, which rested in
the fire, the blade Of which was nearly a
red hue; in his blind fury he thought
not of its heat, but rushing upon Marcel
was about to plunge it in his body, when
Isadore threw herself before her lover
aud received the fiery blade IN her own
pure breast Sir John gazed but for one
moment on the scene, and then, with the
blood gushing from his mouth and nos
trils, fell to the floor.
4 When the retainers entered about an
hour alter, they found father and daughter
dead, and Marcel gibbering maniac
The servants removed him to safe asy-
lum, where he shortly after died. The
bodies of the father and daughter were
buried among their ancestors in the chap
ell, and masses were said for the repose of
their soul; but yet they did not rest, for
often at night they are seen, the daughter
pursuing the father, and making the
most hidcous lamentations. Such is the
legend of Ehlenbnrgh. If you go there
now you will find remaining of that once
lofty pile but old gray ruins.
Let cynics say what they will, man
is not vindictiye. Hero for years we