The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-03-07
THE STORY OF HENRIETTA RHENSE.
From TTnsleu's Magazine.

From Tinsley's Magazine.
Just outside the small town of Stauffen-
helm stands the Schloss Weissbach, rath-
er pretentious looking place, with grounds
laid out in the French fashion, and inclos-
ed on the side next the town, by a high
wall. There are few people who enter
osity is not aroused by the appearance of
an octagonal odd-looking building which
stands within the grounds, and is only
separated from the rest of the town by
this wall. 1t is too big to be mausoleum.
1t cannot be house for the domestics of
the Schloss, for apparently it has no VIII
dows. Besides, while the Schless itself is
kept in perfect order, and inhabited by a
French family who bought it some few
years ago, this peculiar-looking building
has seemingly been allowed to fall into de-
cay. Was there murder committed In
that solitary circular unwindowed house,
which stands all by itsolf at the extremity
of the grounds, holding no communication
with the Schloss above?
Doubtless there were murders of every
grade of atrocity committed, in this build
ing; but they were histrionic murders. AT
one time these octagonal walls enclosed all
the manifold life of a theatre; and If you
ask the people of Stauffenheim how it be-
fell that theatrs-far too big to belong to
a private house-came to be placed IN the
grounds of the Schloss Weissbach, they
will tell you the story of Henrietta Rhense
At one time this octagonal building was
the Stadt Theatre of Stauffenheim. There
was no big wall round it then, for the
grounds of the Schloss came down to
small piece of waste land, which was used
for various purposes by the managers OF
the theatre. There was, it is true, small
private gate leading out of the grounds, by
which the Count Otto Won Engelhardt, who
owned the Schloss, and his friends could, If
they were in hurry, slip over to the thea
tire without going round by the streets.
But there were duties required of the own
er of the Schloss, and, although this short
cut would have saved the Count much
trouble, it was expected Of him that, when
he deigned to visit the theatre, he should
drive round and up to the door in his heavy
French carriage, with all its appurtenances
and servants.
The Count Otto was young man, whose
parents had died when he was boy. He
H., of h
life pretty much in his own hands, and he
spent it in manner that seemed sufficient
ly strange in the eyes of the simple towns
folk of Stauffenheim. For, instead of
figuring at the Grand Dukes court, where
his birth, position, wealth, and personal
endowments would have made him con-
spicuous, be chose to live the life of
student and a recluse in this small and re-
his own class-they were poets, and writ
ers, and such people, who were of like
habits with himself, and scarcely fit COM
pany for a Count. He professed, for ex
ample, to think more of a young man call
ed Schiller, who had just written play
called the Robbers" than of the greut
Wehlgemuth, who had written History Of
the Church that was recommend by all the
priests, and who was great friend of the
Grand Dukes. Indeed, Count Otto was
not nearly so popular as his father had
been-the old Count, whose youthful dare
devil deeds in love and wine were still
talked over and joked about. The Count
Otto was naughty and reserved. Good
looking as he was himself-for he had
Sta. ELY bearing, and a handsome face, with
plenty of brown curls, and light-blue
eve-the prettest girl in Stauffenheim
might pass before him without receiving
second glance from him. When he sat in
his box in the theatre land he went thither
nretty often he seldom withdrew his eyes
from the stage; and, when he did, they
wandered in absolute indifference over the
faces around him. He was now getting on
toward thirty, and the people of Stauffen-
gheim said he would never marry-he was
800 much given over to his books, and his
Studies, and his correspondence with poor
authors in various parts of the country.
This was the state of affairs when the
manager of the little Stadt Theatre an
4inounced the Forthcoming production OF
, feerse which had achieved great populari-
ty ia Vienna. That sert of entertainment
LAS not very common then, nor had it
acquired the marvellous resources that are
J now drawn upon for pantomimes, extrava-
sanzas and burlesques; while, with the new
awakening of German literature, the peo-
pie were crying for national theatre and
native plays, and were disposed to look
with disfavor on anything OF French
origin. However, this fserie had been
great success in Vienna; and the manager
at Stauffenheim had not only imported the
piece, but had also engaged the services OF
the principal actress in it. Fraulein
Rhense. Great preparations were made for
the production of the piece, and the towns
folk looked forward to something particu-
larry fine.
1t was not to be expected that Count
Englehardt should come to see piece of
j6eFB, CoHSlstiuB CHlSHJ VI SoiSOo"'
scenery, Masks music, and magical trans
formations. Indeed, the manager had sent
messenger to the Count, to ask if the box
which belonged by right to the Schloss
might be offered to the burgermeister of
the town. The manager was. surprised to
hear, in reply, that the Count and small
party would honor the theatre with their
presence on the first night of the new piece
There was little comedy to precede the
feerie, and during it's progress, the Count
and two other gentlemen appeared. Count
Otto seemed to be in rather merrier mood
than usual, and paid much more attention
to the remarks of his companions than to
the remainder of the comedy.
The plot of the fserte was sort of allie
CORY, apparently designed to introduce as
many different scenes as possible. 1t rep
resented the adventures of a young Prin-
cess, who, somehow or other, has forsaken
her first love, and wanders about in search