Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-11-08
naiscella
Rudolph, the Page.

Inc CITY OF lreVes, winch grccta the eye OF
the traveller who wends his way up the charm
ing Moselle, has its legends as well as any
other place, great or small in Germany, and
one Of the most striking is that which we are
about to relate.
The Elector Of Treves, a prince Of great
valor, but lofty aud proud notions, was
widower, with one child-a daughter Editha
was about eighteen at the time the War of the
Peasants broke out-that terrible insurrection
which shook Germany to its very centre aud
was contemporaneous with the reformation.
The young damsel was fashioned in one Of ma
tures most charming moulds, and the fame Of
her loveliness had been waited to every court /
in the German empire. Many princes made
overturos to the clector for her nd--princes
with whom an alliance considering the COM
parative insgnGcancc Of the Electors domin.
ions and revenues, was to be eagerly courted.
But rumor reached the Electors ears that
Frederick, the Archdukc of Austria had seen |
his daughters portrait, and had become enam-
ored Of the fair original. The Archduke was
very young, aud report declared him to be
handsome aud amabe; the Elector, therefore, |
entertained high hopes, aud accordingly re-
turned eyasve answers to the suitors for his /
daughters hand
But no proposals came from the Archduke. |
Time wore on Editha was now eighteen, and
the elector feared that he had dallod too long
with these princely suitors, in the hope Of OBJ. |
tanning oyortures from the heir to the throne
Of the German empire. The Peasants lnsur.
rection broke out, and the Eector Of Treves
was appointed generalissimo Of the imperial
forces that we're levied for its suppression.
The princes Of Germany Aocked to Treyes
with their contingent auxiiaries to ioin the
army and dukes aud marpraves, superior in
rank and fortune to the Elector, willingly
admitted him as their chief. in consequence
of his known courage and tried experience
Amongst these princes we're the suitors for
the fair hand Of Editha and on the eve Of
the march of the army for the seat of the
civil contention, the Eector, now despairinr
of receiving any overtures from the Archduke,
, declared aloud in the presence of the assem-
bed chiefs, that Of all his daughters suitors,
, he who conducted himself best in the approach
, ing conflict should receive her hand
Editha heard this, and turned pale and
tears bedimmed the eyes which cast glance
= of tenderness on young page who stood be-
! hind the Elector of Trevos. The handsome
,
flush of pride, as he returned the aifectionate
; look of the princess. Perhaps he was prond
< of having won that heart which so many great
= lords and sovereign potentates had striven in
o vain to possess.
Rudolph, the young page, had been about
" three or four months in the service of the
d Eector, who had listened to tale of woe and
d orphan sorrow which the youth had narrated to
him when he applied to be admitted in his SER
vice--a tale that had gained its object From
= the very moment that Rudolph set foot with
: in the princely dwelling at Treves, he had
II won all hearts by his amiabiity, his tai
= ent and his beauty and Editha had not
IS remained insensible to his merits The young
e couple loved, and their VOWS were plighted in
J. secret.
fl But strange to say, Rudolph's eyes were
n scarcely moistened with a tear, when, on
u the evening before the Army marched, he
c, took leave of Editha in a stolen interview on
e, the terrace of the palace. He kissed her
1t hand, spoke words Of hope, while she wept
ie bitterly.
Why do you weep, my Editha ?" he ex-
u claimed, gazing iondy on her beauteous coun-
Mt tenance
TX " Dost thou ask me why weep Rudolph,
asked the Princess reproachiully, wher
t. thou thyself didst hear the pledge my fathel
or gave to the princes who collected beneath biz
ot banner 7"
I'd 81 heard all" said Rudolph.
ii You heard all-and it causes you NJ
at emotion!" murmured Editha.
None; for | have every hope still, an
to swered the page.
e. Hope J" cried Editha, irantlcally, " re
y member that my father IS inexorable in hi
ct determination
y, 80 long as thou lowest me, dearest Edl
tha, | fear nothing. Woudst thou wed an
er other Y
ao On, no--no :! returned the lovely glrl
ty are not our VOWS plighted and dost tho
is' think | Will violate mine Sooner Will
l. devote my lie to thee humble as thou arr
oil than to either OF those princes, poweriu
though they be
sy "Then Providence will not desert US" ex
lat claimed hudolph, rapturousy kissing he
hand. farewell, farewell; when we NEE
Ia' again we shall be happy
The page darted away from the frlnces
IS and was soon out OF sight. The maiden r.
turned to her own apartment where she wei
and prayed-and prayed and wept by turn
until the dawn OF the morning glistened O
the points OF the spears and the bright he
NETS OF the warriors as they dehed from th
a. walls OF the town.
ioT Several days passed, and the army, und
the command Of the Elector OF Treyes, pu
lng sued the march. AT last they encounters
4, 70 the rebellious peasants in the memorable hel
n Of Feddersheim. The battle was terriblei Il