Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-04-02

centuries you VIII be the leading naClOn OF
the universe"
"Amen!'7
The Southern province Of what was dur
ing two centuries and a half the republic.
and now since half "a century the kingdom
of the Netherlands, is North Braband.
Bois-le- due and Breda are it's chief strong
holds. The population belongs to the Ro-
man Catholic Church, and is a connecting
link between the Hollanders and the more
cosmopolitan Belgians.
In the eighty years contest for freedom
from Spanish tyranny the Northern pro-
vince struggled hard to keep their domin-
ion in North Braband, and MANY were the
battles which Prince Maurice of Orange
fought on its extensive plains. But Bots
le-duc and Breda had early fallen into the
hands of freemen, and it is the way in
which BreGa came to be stronghold OF
Netherlandish freedom which is the sub
ject of this historical sketch.
There was great rejoicing in the Golden
Lion, large and well-provided tavern, for
in those days the modern palatial hotels
were unknown, the travellers few, and the
wayfarer was but too glad to find hospital
ity in the most humble inn. And that OF
Karl Voigt was among the very best; its
drinking-hall was large, and when the
table was spread ON a festive occasion like
this, the guests sitting comfortably in their
high-backed chairs. wine and beer served
round by watchful attendants, and Isabel,
daughter of the host, experimenting with
dignifed grace, the passers by used to loi-
ter and listen to the mirtb and song, drop
in and order pot of beer or glass of Rhen-
ish wine, join in the laugh, applaud the
wit and criticize the more or less political
illusions.
Among the passers by on this occasion,
was one who, by his appearance, would
command respect. Of dark complexion,
with heavy beard and moustache, his gilt
tering eyes toon i'll the merry scene, and
at last rested on the stately maiden who,
with smile somewhat sarcastic, seemed
to sweep over the whole assemblage and
with tie fire of lightning to answer the
gaze of our passers by, who had stopped.
With arms acl osS his broad chest, he. Hans
Viering. leaned against the entrance, his
broad trimmed hat with dark feather leav-
| ing little to be seen of his countenance but
the sharp, quick, moving eyes The still
etto was safe at his side, and Judging from
| those eyes, it would be unsafe to provoke
| it's unsheathing. His dress was simple,
and much wOrn-scmewllatO of the military
cut. To those who, standing near, whis-
pered some words to him, he answered by
a significant shrug of his broad shoulders;
then, following the gliding steps Of the
presiding maiden, he would now and then,
with nervous grasp, twist his long NOUS
tache, as one who knew whom he watched
and why he watched. Loader and louder
was the talk at the festive table. Spanish
was the Ian uage; now and then only was
word Of Flemish heard. for the only
guests were nearly all the officers of the
NATIVES Of the Spanish garrison. A few
of theiH were natives of the Southern pro-
vinces, which, as yet, were under Spanish
dominion.
Antwerp had been captured by the royal
troops = Antwerp, the stronghold of the
Schelde. the second city in commercial i'm
portance to Amsterdam. The Prince OF
Parma had done great thing. 'sHurrah
for the Prince of Parma!''
! The glasses we're filled and emptied. and
| filled again. Louder and louder became
the talk, and Don Jose Espanil, the COM
mandant of the garrison, who until no"
had maintained certain presidential Dig
nifty. repeated with boisterous clamor'
''Hurrah for the Prince! and thousand
hurrahs for Donna Isabel ~ The eyes OF
Hans Tiering shot fire at tho mention Of