Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-09-03
BRAVERY AND DEVOTION.

Some ten or fifteen miles beyond the
mountains, in the immediate vicinity of
Trieste, over among the rugged passes of
the Carnic Alps, there is small hamlet
of huntsmen's dwellings, and among
them. though somewhat isolated, is a
sort of rough inn which used to serve as
wassail house for travellers on their
wav to and from Laybach. 1t was a
cold. blustry evening in March, and,
though there was no storm, yet the
blasts as they came sweeping and whist
ling, whirling and bowling down the
mountain sides failed not to drive the
people to the cheer of the fireside.
Within the bar-room of this humble
inn were collected half dozen of the
Alpine hunters, who passed the mug and
tankard with good zest, now breaking
into happy chorus, and anon lending
willing ear to tale and joke, while
near to the blazing fire sat two men,
strangers in the place, who had arrived
lust at nightfall and engaged entertain
ment and rest for the night.
These two travellers looked not much
like common men, but there was
something about their countenances that
attracted more than one passing atten-
ton from the hunters. They did not be-
have as honest men would be supposed
to behave; for in all their movements
there was an evident aim to escape OBJ
servation. They had horses in the sta
BILE, and were provided with large travel
ing-sacks, which sacks were either en-
tirely or nearly empty Ever and anon
one or more of the hunters would cast
furtive glance toward the strangers, and
once or twice they endeavored to draw
the twain into conversation but the two
men persisted in remaining by them
selves, and ere long they retired to the
room which had been allotted to them.
Marcelline," said one of the hunters,
a middle aged man, addressing bloom
ing maiden who stood behind the bar,
"does Altzorf return to-night?"
"No, sir" replied the girl; she comes
not till the morrow."
"And has your master left you alone?"
asked the hunter.
"Oh, no; Altzorf has left Lubin with
me-"
"But Lubin is only a boy-a mere
lad"
"Well, what of that" replied Marcel
line, looking with somewhat inquisitive
glance at the hunter.
ooh, nothing" said the man, endeavor-
ing to hide as much as possible the fears
or suspicious he entertained; "on1y /
do not exactly like the looks of those two
men whom you have just shown to their
rooms"
Several hunters Immediately conceded
with this opinion, but Marcelline laughed
at their suspicious.
"What an ideal" she said. "Why,
what do you take them for?"
at is not impossible that they are rob-
bers," returned the first speaker.
"Ha, hai'' laughed Marcelline. "Rob-
bers in such place as this! Let's see.
There are about twenty groschens in the
drawer and | have exactly seventeen
keutzers in my little box upstairs. What
place for robbers! My master took all
the money with him to Trieste save that
l have mentioned"
"Marcelline," said the first hunter who
had spoken, as he stepped forward and
bent his head over the bar, do you
know if your master received in trust
large wooden box from an old monk
who lately went to the convent of st.
Cecila?"
"Yes, he received such one," replied
the maiden, "and it is even now locked
up in his strong room"
That box contains the massive silver
plate and ornaments of his convent. The
monk left it till his return
well, it's not likely that these men
can have heard of that" Marcelline re-
piled, betraying slight surprise at the
knowledge she had just received; land
If they had they would not surely dare to
rob the house"
II don't know about that" returned
the hunter Even in large cities these
robberies take place. You had better let
either Justin or Roland remain in the
house tonight"
"Oh, no, had rather not-folks would
talk" uttered the maiden, as she looked
with deep blush upon two fair youths
among the hunters who had thus been
designated to her.
Marcelline remained firm in her deter
mination to accept of no assistance, or
rather guard, from the hunters, and ere
long they departed to their several homes.
The maiden was left alone in the bar
room, and as she found herself thus soli-
tary she could not repress the fear that
came over her
Half an hour passed away, and Lubin
came in from the stable Marcelline, how
ever, said nothing TO him Of what had
TRANSFERRED, but only requested him to be
In readiness to respond to her summons
IN case she should have occasion to call
MN during the nlght Inc boy went up
TO his bed, and once more the maiden was
left alone.
Nothing broke the stiffness Of the
night save the blasts that howled among
the Alps, and for half an hour longer
she sat by the fast-decaying embers OF
The fireplace. The maiden thought sure
~ that if the strangers meditated harm
they would have been ere this CT the
move; and with the throbbing heart OF
her fear-laden bosom somewhat quoted
she raked up the embers upon the hearth,
extinguished the lamp that hung above
the bar, and then taking her candle she
started for her room.
Marcelline had passed through the
narrow entry, ascended the stairs, and
mad her hand upon the latch of her own
aoor when she was confronted by one OF
her stranger guests.