The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-12-08
: :
RUDOLPH.
BY II. z. II HARRINGToS

BY II. z. HARRINGToS.
/ Switzerland, by the prowess Of he
sons had been wholly freed. Bu
Appenzell, a neigbboring province
had not been partner in that glori
Gus league, and her children still frown
ed beneath the lash of oppression
! The Abbot of St. Gall was their ha
ted lord-taxes were heaped upol
them, and the cruelty and oppression
of his menials, pressed the CALLING
chain into their already fostering
flesh.
1t was in vain to plead poverty, oil
hope TO eyade the burden; for the
lerocious dogs were let loose on the
unwilling and the wages of tyranny
were stepped in blood.
But there are lands whose very
breath is freedom, and such was
Appenzell The winds that blow
over her valleys from her heaven.
piercing mountains have no taint OF
slavery-the SHOWS that glisten on
heir Jagged peaks, AID the glaciers
that sleep on their bosoms, are stain.
less forever; and stainless too, are
he hearts hat are bathed 10 those
rowing winds-tetterless the feet that
tread the snow track, and climb the
slippery ice hill. Appenzel bore af.
liction long; but when the grave OF
The dead was violated, and the gar
inents that iilial love had robed the
clay Of parent, were stripped from
The corps by fiendish rapacity, it was
tine for acting. By one bloodless
effort the Abbot of St. Gall was ex-
pellad from the scene of his iniquitv.
The ten imperial towns Of Suabia
were the abbot's close allies; and in
an ecstasy Of rage and apprehension
at this bold uprising of those whom
he had regarded as brutes, to be
seofied at and trampled upon, be
called upon them for their mighty
aid.
1t was granted and on the morn
ing of day in May, 1903, brilliant
array of proud souled chivalry, that
was but the van of we'll appointed
army on foot, numbering thousands
IN its ranks crossed the Linsenbuhel,
and with braying trumpe,s and lofty
hope, marched for the height of
Voeglinseck. But Appenzell was
wide awake She had called upon
the Swiss confederacy for aid and
though Schwyz alone grasped her Of
fered hand, and sent three hundred
brave men to help her, yet two hun
dred volunteers from Garis. and the
men of Appenzell, with their good al
lies, found themselves two thousand
strong-twO thousand peasants
against six thousand war trained
veterans--but those peasants were
from the mountains of switzerland.
Watcbmen were on the cliffs, and
when they came, fire answered fire
from cliff to cliff in alarm, one en-
brace If wives and children, aud the
Appenzellers were ready. Eighty
posted themselves so as to command
the hollow way, while their allies
were stationed in wood. On came
the cavalry in warlike array They
pass now within the shadows of the
narrow pass, where the very loneli-
ness suggests danger-they grasp
with 6rmer clench their friendly
blades and spur their proud horses
hard
But now shot makes the echoes
ring; and the ambushed eighty hurl
stones on them from their sings, and
wound them with their lances while
the men of Glaris and Schwyz sally
out from the thickets, rush upon
them in flank and lash them into con
fusion. But "on I, on :" though death
be threatening from every tree, aud
every overhanging crqg, and oa they
60 ia desperate conflict aud almos,
desperate loss They reach the crag
at last, but there outpours the whole
force of Appengell like mountain
torrent.
What could the Suabians do, be-
striding fiery chargers on the craggy
height, with foemen all around ?
Back back !" shouts the leader, in
in very pity Tor his gallant troop, and
turning short, they gallop madly
down. "Thc day is lost.r flies from
rank to rank-tbey waver, they hesi-
tate, they halt. Glad moment for
Appenzell. They charge upon them
and as ihsy Gy along the hollow, slay
Them as if it were but play. Alas
for the glory Of tho ten imperial
towns. the allies of The Abbot OF St.
Gall Six hundred cavaliers mangled
in the pass, and who shall number
the nohler dead
Many Of the most experienced
soldiers and the trustiest citizens Of
the imperial towns had perishsd in
this coDlict, which then withdrew
their support from the cruel Abbot of
ST. Gall; for they could not afford
to make widows of more wives and
leave more children fatherless. In
this extremity be resolved to bestir
the lion of Austria, that if its echo
ing roar did not scatter fear through
the peasant horde, i,s angry gripe
should be his revenge. So he assail-
ed the Duke Frederick with earnest
and persuasive appeals. to muster
men asd Gght 10 bis own, if not in
the Abbot's behalf He prevailed
Fearful Of the loss Of his seignories
in the Higher Alps, should the Ap-
penzellers prove victorious, be called
out powerful force, which, iormed
in two divisions, marched for the con-
tested ground the one upon Arbon,
and the other upon St. Gall. The
SKY looks black for Appenze |.
Twas gladstone day for Wer-