American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-01-03
The Beggar Boy of Lucerne.

MORE than half century ago, before
the walls were built about the old city
of LucernC, certain Austrian nOblemen
formed a great conspiracy to conquer the
town and land for Hapsburg. Now the
emerald-green waters of the Reuss flowed
swiftly past the town. They have had a
long Journey from their home among the
awful glaciers that bolt and bar the glories
of the Alpland. They have bounded over
barren rocks, sprinkled the moss and
heather above the realm of beast and
bird, leaped fcarlessly down the black
DEVILS Gorge, dashed over and around
the boulders with which giants used to
play, and so ever on and ever down have
held their course, till the wonder Lake,
the Lake of the Four Cantons, has re-
ceived the painting fugitives. She has
washed them clean of the earth-tint with
which they were born. Her depths, the
color of daintiest robins egg, quietly hide
the wanderers imperfections and send
them on their way, glad in their purity,
loudly singing their untranslated song.
Down by the bed of the Reuss there stood
an old arcade, dim and obscure, fit place
for murderous council. Here the scarlet
sleeved cOnspratorS met in the darkness
of the night. After much consultation it
was finally determined that with the
swords and daggers with which they
were armed the Mayor and Councillors
of the city should be slain. Before day
shall break the doomed town shall be in
their power.
Silently starting on their deadly mis-
sion, one Of the noblemen discovers
poor boy lying upon a bench in the dark
ness of corner. He is only a beggar
boy, and he has no home, no friends. SO
the hand of the heavenly watcher, whose
glances pierce the veil of night, had led
him here to guard the town. He had lis
tened to the treacherous plot, and deter
mined to reveal it as soon as he could
escape undiscovered. But suddenly he is
seized by the desperate men. They de-
clare that they will instantly kill him.
The sword is raised, but the boy, wild
with terror, entreats their mercy, and
promises he will never reveal to any man
what he has heard. Believing the prom
Use, with n.any threats they let him go.
Out into the darkness the boy dashes.
He sees far off the light in the cot of Il
village butcher, and hastens toward it.
There is careless feaSting and merri-
ment here, and group of men are telling
stories of daring in the olden time. The
boy, with breathless haste, rushes into
the room. He looks not into the face of
any one, but hurries to the great stone
stove, and cries:
80 stove! what l have promised never
to tell to any man l must quickly tell to
thee! o, dear, good stove, l was
compelled to swear; but listen well
while l show to you the danger of the
beloved city. The murderers are
fastening even now to Stay the rulers
and to conquer Lucerne once more.
They-!n
But only the stove is there to hear
the story of the bright. sly boy. The
strong men have quickly taken the
alarm very soon the conspirators are
seized and Mastered to justice. The
foes of the good town are driven out
with strong hand and still Lucerne is
free.
They sought for the child whose loyal
cunning had saved them, but they never
found him. Even to this day the Swift
ers tell the story with admiring graft
tude in their tones, but no man knows
his name. The senseless stove that heard
the warning is still preserved in the old
hall where the butchers guild was wont
to meet.
What think you of the bravery and
artifice of the nameless beggar boy of
Lucerne ?-Uedrth and Home