Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-01-31
The Beggar BOy Of Lucerue

More than half a century ago, before the walls
we're punt about the old city ofLucerne, certain
to conquer 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 gla-
ciers that bolt and bar the glories of the Alp
land. They have bounded over barren rocks,
sprinkled the moss and and heather above the
realm OF beast and bird, leaped fearless down
the black DEVILS Gorge, dashed over and
around the powders with which the giants used
to play, and so ever on and ever down have held
their course, till the Wonderlake, the lake of
the -Four Cantons, has received the painting flu
gitives. She has washed them clean of the
earth-tnt with which they were born. Her
depths, the color of daiEtiest robins egg, quiet
y hide the wonderers' imPerfections and send
them on their way, clad in their purity, loudly
singing their untranslated song. Down BY the
bed of the Reuss there stood an old arcade, di m
and obscure, fit place for murderOus council.
Here the scarlet sleeved conspirators met in the
darkness OF the night After much consultation
it was finally determined that with the swords
and dsggers 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 mission one
or the noblemen discovers poor boy lying upon
bench in the darkness of a corner. He Is only
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 listened to the
treacherous plot and determined TO reveal it as
soon as he could escape undiscovered. But sud-
denly he Is seized by the desperate men. They
declare that they will instantly kill him. The
sword is raised, but the boy, wild with terror,
entreats their mercy, and promises he will new
er reveal TO any man what he has heard. Believ-
ing the promise, with many threats they let him
go.
Out into the darkness the boy dashes. He sees
far OF the light in cot of village butcher, and
hastens toward it, There is careless feasting
and merriment here, and a group of men are
telling stories of daring in the olden time. The
boy, with brsathless haste, rushes into the room.
The tears are rolling down his cheeks. He looks
not into the face OF any one, but hurries to the
great stone stove and cries:
go stove what have promised never TO tell
to any man, ! must quickly tell to thee. dear :,
good stove! ] wa compelled 10 swear; but list
en- well, while show TO you the danger OF the
beloved city. The murderers are Fastening
even now TO STAY the rulers, and to coma uer
Lucerne once more. They"
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 conspi
rators are seized and fastened to justice. The
foes of the good town are driven out with
strong hand, and Lucerne is free.
They sought for the child whose loyal cunning
had saved them, but they never found him.
Even TO this day the Switzers tell the story with
admiring gratitude 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 aud artifice OF
the n ma beggar boy Of kucerne?-Heorb