Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1871-03-24
9Aiseellamp.
Rudolph the Page.

as well as any other place, great or small
in Germany and one Of the M ost strik.
ing is that which we are about to relate.
The Elector Of Treves, a prince of
great valor, but of lofty and proud no.
tions, was a widower, and possessed one
child-a daughter. Editha was about
eighteen at the time VIXEN the War Of
the Peasants broke out-that terrible in.
surrection which shook Germany to its
very centre, and was contemporaneous
with the Reformation. The young
damsel was fashioned in one Of Natures
most charming mould and the fame OF
her loveliness had been waited to every
in the German empire. Many
princes made overtures to the Elector for
her hand-princes with whom an alli-
ance, considering the insignifcance of
the Electors dominions and revenues,
were TO be eagerly courted. But ru.
NOR had reached the Electors ears that
Frederick, the Arch-duke of Austria,
had seen his daughters portrait, and
had become enamOred of the fair origin
al. The Archduke was very young, and
report declared him to be handsome and
amiable the Elector therefore entertain
ed high hopes, and accordingly returned
evasive answers TO the numerous suitors
for his daughters hand
But no proposals came from the Arch
duke. Time wore on Editha was now
eighteen, and the Elector feared he had
dallied too long with those princely suit.
oIs, in the hope of obtaining overtures
from the heir to the throne of the Ger
man Empire. The Peasants Insurrec-
tion broke out, and the Elector of Treves
was appointed generalissimo of the i'm
perial forces that were levied for its sup
preston.
The princes of Germany hocked to
Treves, with their contingent auxiliaries
to join the army; aud dukes and mar.
graves superior in rank and fortune to
the Elector, willingly admitted him as
their chief, in consequence of his known
courage and tried experience Amongst
those princes were suitors for the fair
hand of Editha and, on the eve of the
march of the army for the seat of The
civil contension, the Elector, now de-
spairing of receiving any overtures from
the Archduke, declared aloud, in the
presence of the assembled chiefs, that of
all bis daughters suitors. he who con-
ducte / himself best in the approaching
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 behind the Elector of Treves.
The handsome countenance of the page
was animated with a flush of pride as
he returned the afectonate look of the
princess. Perhaps he was proud Of hav-
ing won that heart which so many great
lords and sovereign potentates had striv-
en- in vain to possess.
Rudolph, the young page, had been
about three or four months in the service
Of the Elector, who had, listened to
tale of woe and orphan sorrow which
the youth had narrated TO him when be
applied to be admitted into the service
"a tale that had gained its object. From
the first moment that Rudolph set foot
within the princely dwelling at Treves,
had he won all hearts by his amiability,
his talents, and his beauty and Editha
had not remained insensible to his mer-
its. The young couple loved, and their
VOWS were plighted in secret.
But strange to say, Rudolph's eyes
were scarcely moistened with a tear,
when on the eve before the army march
ed, he took leave of Editha, in stolen
interview on the terrace of the palace.
He kissed her hand and spoke words of
hope, while she wept bitterly.
"Why do you weep, my Editha?" he
exclaimed, gazing fondly on her beau
teous countenance.
"Dost thou ask me why / weep, Ru-
dolpb," asked the Princess, reproachful-
ly, when thou thyself didst hear the
pledge which my father gave this even
ing to the princes who have collected be-
meath his 6anner?'
al heard ALL said Rudolph.
"You heard all-and it causes you no
emotion !" murmured Editha.
"None; for have every hope still"
answered the page.
Hope" cried Editha frantically =
" remember that my father is stern and
;nexorable in his determination"
$50 long as thou lowest me, dearest
Editha, fear nothing. Wouldst thou
wed another?'
"Oh, no-no," returned the lovely
girl, "are not our VOWS plighted +? and
dost thou think / will violate mine p
Sooner will devote my life to thee, hum