The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1876-10-07

4 LEGEND OF THE HAETl MOUNTAINS

4
Not far from the terrible mountains
of the Broken, and in the very centre
of the hills of the Hartz, is seen YER
dant and level strip of land, seeming
like an emerald gem set by the hand OF
nature amid the savage heights around.
It is not far from the little town CT
Aschersleben, the inhabitants OF which
love to tell the following legend:
AGES ago the blooming daughters OF
the neighboring burghers were in the
habit Of assembling on q Summers
evening. when the weather was fine, to
eniov one another's society in this en-
chanting vale, during which the dance
was never forgotten. Besides, 1t was
the custom for all young brides. on the
day before their nuptials, to meet here
the playmates of their childish years.
whose circle they were about to quit
forever. and Join in a parting dance,
along with the bordering tenants of the
well-known scene.
A party happened to have met here
previous to wedding. and were on the
point OF escorting home the rich and
beautiful betrothed, late on a clear
moonlight night, with all the mirthful
triumph of dancing, innocent gayety and
song. Not the whole of the guests.
however, were destined to reach their
homes.
Two of the most beautiful maidens
Disappeared; and, Notwithstanding the
most active exertions on the part OF their
friends and relatives, no trace OF them
could I've discovered; their seats re-
NAMED that night vacant in the domes-
tic circle; within few hours all was
confusion, no less among the parents
than in the surrounding abodes. Many
weeping ewes were kept awake; their
lovers swore the deadliest revenge, for
they found reason to suspect that under
the veil of night grievous wrong had
been premeditated. and perhaps accom-
plished, which left them nothing but
the hope Of revenge. -.
And in part their fears were we'll
grounded. Some domestics in the ser
vice of the lord Of Arnstein, becoming
acquainted with the hour Of the intend
ed festival, had the audacity, for the
purpose of amusing themselves and in
dulging their masters propensities, to
lie concealed in an adjacent thieket.
Under cover of the night, they sue
ceeded in selling upon two Of the dane
ers. who, happening to stray from their
companions, had approached nearest to
them, and they were instantly conveyed,
amid the shouts of surrounding revelry
and rejoicing, unheard. into the neigh
boring Hartz mountains, until fit time
should occur to convey them to Their
Intimate destination in Raubberg.
Scarcely had the sun streaked the
horizon on the following morning, wher
a number of the citizens, whose anxiety
had kept them awake. were assembled
before their doors in order to advise
with the suffering parents on the bes
measures to be adopted. Soon they
learned that a secret messenger, who
had been dispatched upon some privat1.
affair. and was returning ere day. reaI
over the mountains, had heard sufficien
to prove the forcible abduction OF tht
Young women. although he had los
track of the robbers.
The magistrate, upon this, being made
acquainted with the facts, instantly 20
licsted . meeting of the relatives OF tn
abducted parties, along with oil the 81
ders of the place. The chief part o
the assembly were for instantly arm'nt