The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1873-08-19
Se1ert Story.
THE DEATH DUNGEON.
By JOSEPH E BADGER, JR.

! LID OUhIh DUNOEOAN'
e., 5Bf JOSEPH E BADGER, JR. a..ed
On beautiful starlit evening a tall
form was pacing slowly to and fro be
meath the clusi ering boughs of a large
. tree, ever and anon pausing, as hearken-
ing for an expected, footstep, or to peer
keenly through the dense shadows cast
by the. surrounding, trees. A dark cloak
enveloped his farms gbut long, curling,
Hooks. that fell around his shoulders, sur
mounted by slouch hat, in whiea wav-
ed snowy plume, secured by a flashing
Level, proclaimed him Norman
Again he paused ,and as o white gfeam
met bis gaze, he bounded forward, mur-
murirg:e y a sr9a s7saa .8ji5 sE-
| '.Elwartha, my darling, at last! I be-
4 gan to fear thou vert not coming"
/ eyes, Hubert, l have just been able to
leave7the castle" returned the maiden,
shyly releasing herself from her lovers
embrace. '.But Hubert,7I feel assured
that father suspects our meettlg in Sc
cret, and should he learn where, and dis
cover you his anger would be terrible
Indeed qf. rtass sd Js h8T.l
Then, dearest, must see him on the
morrow, and ask him openly for this fair
little hand. Surely he will not say me
Inay.naiyr5 .ej.aaaza .ru,lsT
wsaAh, Hubert, would that I.could think
so, but you krow not my father, or his
deadly hatred of all that is Norman. He
has vowed, time and again that the blood
Iof Wodelbrod should never mingle
with that of our oppressors, and dearly
as he loves me, he would sooner lay me
dead at his feet than see me the bride OF
one of your race" Eli aIa.od l5a04a
"And tor this, mere whim, thou wilt
give me up2 Surely thyloye for me is
greatn' bitterly cried the youth, wrap
ping his cloak about him and turning
"Hubertw in reproachful tone, and
a hand was placed lightly upon his
shoulder. "You wrong me, have told
you that love2you, and that love will
last until DEATH a 13 .ds1c
"Forgiye me, Elwartha II knew not
whatd' spoke But you said that our
meetings must cease" s. alI
5l"Fur time they must; until my fa-
theirs, suspicious are ended.'t cfa
'Elwartha, Twill call upon thy father
on the morrow, and demand of him your
hand in marriage. surely his answer
will I IS a
} "This is his answer, proud Norman p
said hoarse voice, as cloak was cast
over the youths head, and he was cast
heavily to the ground. "How do yor
, relish it ?" .e &: ,a
',Spare him, father-spare him! He
} never did you harm !" H
3 "Peace. girl; get thee gone Hereware
1 conduct the maiden to idle castle, and se'
l that she is fastened within her room,
s and Elwartha was led away, weeping ant
. praying for her lovers life.
o The young Norman was now bount
7 and gagged :; then two stalwart men lift
2 ed him from The ground. and following
3 the Saxon1leader, they entered the for
9 est. In short time they we're at th,
4 large, gloomy looking Castle of Wodel
7 brod, the Saxon, Franklin, who ordered
y the warder to lead the way, 10 the dun
= geon under the moat A strong ston
( cell was reached, and after the captiv,
/ was placed within it, upon pile of mol
4 dy straw, Wodelbrod dismissed his .atten
4 dants. e.a7, ..s-sfs re e.Se5I,
: He stood for a few moments gain;
upon the youth, with deep scowl Of. ha
tired. resting upon his saturnine features
His expression changed and his eye
lgleamed with vindictiye, JOY, as he llrl. nut
htered: a3 SIS .g;cac ,if,s > a. u4et
,"Ha! ha! proud Frederick de- Gro
, lteau, have my revenge, now, and 'tyi
90 hard but | cause you to.suffer 50 m
lofy the, pangs You inflicted upon, me
Then removing the gag he, aresumed;-
! "Well, Norman, how dost thou relis
the sequel 10 thy scourtship?" ?";e.- y74a.
! "By the cross,old man, thou shalt ru
this Net. Net even yquIbeing the father 2
[Elwartba. SHALL! I.s.. 3a.,t t.a,fos.
e "Dog mention not that name to me-
Hest thou taste the temper Of my knife!
Iangrily interrupted the Saxon. s,,.s,
''Ay! thou showest thy manhood nov
to threaten a bound man. Were m
hands free thou wouldst not dare .spea
: So" sueered Hubert.
n. "By my soul, thou, speakest bravel.
, and were it not for one. thing, woul
ie cen test thy boasted skill.'
:" "And that, s-tsoa fearesti"g
d "Boy, know that Wodelbrod Of Aurtl
Is burg, fears no living man or thing
Sc would have revenge upon thy father,a
Ms through thee will reach, him. " Z &
= my father, what harm hath he dol
ne tbee?" is''' p FS'3
:, Listen, boy. Ten years since, n
Gu eldest boy, Aldred, the bfavest boy tn
re ever welded spear or sword was met |
~ your father and q band of, Norman ge
\ tlemcn- Heaven save the mark wi
sc we're disappointed in the chase, and
a. they condescehded TO hunt Sanons Y
curses on their heads! THEY attack,
'h the little band, and though the Sun,
- sriRe fought bravely-fought until th'
y were hacked to pieces-all were kill
p save my noble Aldred, and he, sore
,s' wounded, was carried TO your father
ne castle, and the count knew that he W
MS wealthy, and though he sc6rned o
ny race, be loved the Saxon gold. But n
OF son was trhe-else he were none of n
on blooa-and would not confess
'e- "TIIen the tortures were applied. u
eS my son, my noble Aldred, was torture
Joint by joint his fingers were torn 8
ia Isnpder; bis. eyes were burned out-b
us lstill he would not Yield Then his tong
y was torn 'out, and he was cast into o c
hlilled with poisonous adders and toac
land there he died What mattered it
Woldebrod hissed through his clench
~ teeth. "ife was only a Saxon-oNly
he Saroar ''t
e" For moment he was silent, then in
cold, stern voice, he resumed:
u.