The New Orleans crescent., 1868-03-15

open door through the c0ngregetlsn, straight n
to the altar. TIE song of devotion passed fire
isto dumb astonishmeDt, and thea into viii
scream. But not long did Count Ernest enjoy HI
outrage. For, as the spurred horse trod on tn
steps Of the altar lol its four shoes fell OF, and
sank down together with its rider. ln perpetua
remembrance of this event, the four horse, shoe
were nailed to the church door, where they re
mained fer ages, an object OF wonder, on accoan
OF their size and Of that awful catastrophe.
Traditions OF ths Hars.
"Ho, bring me horse - Count Ernest cried,
"The better the day, the less the slnl
To the mobiles drinking match III ride,
And the golden chain1 win."
Bright shone the sun on that Sabbath morn,
And sweet on the wings Of the balmy air
To his ears the sound OF bells was borne,
That called the people to prayer.
And as he rode down the village street,
Under the lindens that met O'erhead,
He passed q crowd of wOrshipers neat,
And thusto himself he said:
To the dolts who toll in shop and field
Well may the priest chant pious mass,
To Bacchus alone the knee IN yield.
Where his bri9ming beakers pass.
Z" When was the drinker could vie with met
The better the day, the less the sin
!, lord OF tins drinking match will be,
And this golden prize will win."
Right in the middle Of Enick town,
Known every where for its rare old wine,
Stands the antique hostel. high and brown
"Z,m Scltcaizen Adler" lis sign.
Over the door Of the honored inn.
Between two towering poplar trees,
Swings the double eagle, black and grim,
And creaks in the morning breeze.
Within the door, as Count Ernest passed,
1.-THE more the sin the better the day
As though two trumpets had blown blast,
He heard the grim eagle say.
Little be Needed the warning there,
1.-The better the day, the less the sinl "
He said, as be climbed the broad stone stair
10 the grand hall Of the inn.
Writ on the walls OF the paneled hail.
Each portrait under and battle scene,
Was a line that told the story all,
And hersldic shields between.
Why did the count, as he stepped within,
Read. in each line that he knew well,
+" The better the day, the more the sin /"
Let his startled conscience tell.
He rubbed his eyes, and he turned away
To join the revelers In the hall,
At table, wbereon the gold chain lay,
But staggered as like tofall;
For, Iol as he looked, he saw the chain
Entwist aud twine till he read once more,
In its glittering folds, the warning plain,
That thrice had been given before.
He sDatched it up-and he flung it down
What devil possessed that golden chain?
Il writbed and writhed till il settled down
In the self-same words again.
A deadly pallor his face o'erspread,
Like stone he stood-they rushed to his side;
" Count Ernest Won X Kettenberg, art thou dead,
Or art thou aliyei" they cried.
"see here is the red, red wine, good count
Ills the oldest and best in the inn;
Its rose to thy ashen cheek viii mount
Come, now shall the match begin"
They soothed bis fears, his color returned
With every draught Of the blood red wine,
BE drank the deeper that memory burned
With the impress Of that line.
All day they drank, till the sun withdrew
His last soft beam from the quiet land;
OF the many who came were left but few
Count Ernest alone could stand.
Among the slumberers on the floor,
Not one to dispute his right was there;
He seized the chain, passed out at the door,
And reeled down the broad stone stair.
Four stalwart men set him on his steed
One touch OF the spur, q tightened rein,
He dashed down the street with lightning speed
On his neck the golden chain.
Better thou never bad'st seen this day,
Or touched, Count Ernest the sparkling bowl
Fer ell the masses the priests may say
Cannot save thy sinful SOUL
Nearing the church OF ST. Nicholas,
He heard the tones Of its solemn bell,
And the voices in the evening mass
Upbone on the organ swell.
What frenzy possessed his daring soull
He spurred his steed through the open door
The hymn was hushed, and the organ roll,
But the bell tolled as before.
Down the central aisle he urged his steed,
Where shOne the altar, ablaze with light
A reckless rider, shrinking steed,
And the people dumb With fright.
When ol as he reached the altar stair,
Wide opened the marble floor in twain,
And swallowed both steed aud rider were,
Nor ever were seen again.
-Four shoes of horse, found on the floor,
All that was leftin the church, they say
Beneath these words are nailed to the door:
Keep holy the sabbath day." H.