The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-03-25
rhe Regaar Roy Of Luccrne

More thar a half century ago, before
the walls were built about the old city OF
Lucerne, certain Austrian nobemen formed
great conspiracy to conquer town and
land for Hapsburg. Now, the emerald-green
waters Of the Reuss flowed swiftly past the
town. They have had long journey
from their home among the awful glaciers
that bolt and bar the glories of the Alp
land. They have bounded over barren
rocks, sprinkled the moss 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 couIse, till the
Wonderlake,. the lake of the -Four Cantons,
has received the painting fugitives. She
has washed them clean of the earth-tmt
with which they were born. Her depths,
the color of daintiest robins egg, quietly
hide the wonderers' imperfections and send
them on their way, clad in their purity, loud
" singing their nntranslated song. Down by
the bed Of the Reuss there stood an old
arcade, dim and obscure. fit place for muir
derous council. Here the scarlet-sleeved
conspirators met in the darkness of the
night After much consultation, it was
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 mission
one of the noblemen discovers poor boy
living upon bench in the darkness of O
corner. He is only beggar boy, and he
has no home, no friends. So the hand Of
~ 1 ~, ,x1o
Il veil of night, had led him here to guard
the town. lie had listened to the Preacher.
GUS plot and determined to reveal it a;
soon as he could escape undiscovered. Blu,
suddenly he lsseized 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, anc
promises he will never reveal to any man
what he has heard. Believing the promise,
with many threats they let him go.
Out in the darkness the boy dashes. He
sees far off the light in cot of a 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 breath
less haste, rushes into the room. The
tears are rolling down his cheeks. He
looks not into the face of any one. but hur.
ries to the great stone stove and cries:
80 stove! what have promised never
to tell to any man, | must quickly tell to
the! o dear. good stove! | was compelled
to swear but listen well, while show tt
you the danger of the beloved city. The
mnrderers are fastening even now to Stay
the rulers and to conquer Lucerne onc'
more. They"
But on.y the stove is there to bear thu
story Of the bright, sly boy. The strong
men have quickly taken the alarm; yer,
soon the conspirators are seized and hast
ened to justice. The foes of the good tow
are driven out with a strong hand, ant
Lucerne is lee.
They sought for the child whose loya
cunning had saved them, but they neve
found him. Even to this day the Switzers
tell the story with admirng gratitude in
their tones, but no man knows his name
The senseless stove that heard the warnin,
is still preserved in the old hall where thu
butchers guild. was wont to meet.
What think you of the bravery an(
artifice of the nameless beggar boy o
Lucerne? -H Hearth and Home.