The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-10-04
OUR STORY TELLER.
A HUNGARIAN TRADITION.

they mirror their stern ana solemn |
beauty in the clear waters of the Waag, |
linked together in long chain, like the
giant guardians Of the fair valley at |
their feet, may be seen detached and
sterile rock, almost inaccessible, totally |
devoid of vegetation, and levelled by |
the rapid river, which hurries from be- |
meath its heavy shadows to dance again |
in brightness in the sunlight beyond.
The Count Stibor was as brave as he |
was highborn, and riches had poured in !
upon him, until he had become one of !
the wealthest mobiles in the empire. 1t
chanced that one day he hunted with
great retinue among the mountain fast
nesses, and glorious was the report of
the gallant hunt. The light.footed
chamois and antlered deer, the fierce
wolf and the grizzly bear, were alike
laid low, when, as the sun was about to
set, he formed his temporary encamp-
ment on the pleasant bank of the Waag,
Just where, on the opposite side of the
channel, the lone and precipitous rock
we have described turned aside the
glancing waters.
The heart of Stibor was merry, for
the sport had gone well throughout the
day, and when his rude tent was raised,
the savory steam of the vension and the
sparkles of the wine-cup frightened his
humor, and he listened, with a smile
upon his lips, to the light sallies of the
Joyous company, as they talked over his
fortunes in the chase.
"Hear me-" said the magnificent
noble, during transient pause in the
conversation. 81 seem to be the only
hunter of the day to whom the sport
has been without blemish. 1T is true
that all your misfortunes are light
enough, but will cast no shadow upon
my Joy; and, therefore, TO compensate
you for these alleged mishaps, each of
you is free TO form a wish, and, if it be
within my power TO grant it, l pledge
my knightly word that it shall be full
filed.
A murmur of admiration ran through
the astonished circle, and the work of
ambition soon began. Gold was the first
thing asked for-for avarice is ever the
most greedy of all passions, and then re-
venge upon my enemy-for human
nature will often sacrifice personal gain
to vengance, and then power-authority
rule over their fellowmen: the darling
occupation and privilege of poor, weak,
self-misiudging mortals. In short, there
was no boon within the reach of reason
which had not been asked and promised
when the eye of Stibor fell upon his
Jester, who was standing apart playing
with the tassels of his vest, apparently
uninterested in the subject which haC
made all around him eager and excited
"And thou, knave," said the noble
"hast thou nothing to ask? Thou mus
bestir thyself, or thy master will hav'
little to give"
Fear not, fear not" replied the fool
the claimants have been courteous, fo
they have not touched upon that POI
tion of thy possessions which l covet
They have demanded gold, blood, dc
minion, the power to enjoy themselve
and to render others wretched; they ar
welcome to all they want. 1 ask onl
for stones"
A loud laugh came through the circle
"Stones, Betzkop echoed the aston
ished Stibor. "Thou shalt have ther
to thy hearts content, where and
what shape thou wilt"
Il take thee at thy word, Count St
Dor. / will have them yonder on til
crest of the bold rock that stands OIL
like a braggart, daring the foot of mai
and in the shape of agood castle,
which l may hold my own, should nee
Dty WAS Jut uDlOOktu-lOT ICDIy.
"Thou hast lost thy chance, Betzko
cried a voice, amid the universal merr
ment that ensued. "Not even Stib(
can accomplish thy desire"
"Who dare to say that Stibor can nj
grant it, if such be his will ?'' demande
the chieftain, in voice of thunder,
he rose proudly from the earth whe
he had been seated on a couch of skin
:" The castle of Betzko shall be built"
And it was built; and within a year
festival was held there, and the mob
became enamored of his own creatio
for it was beautiful in its strength, al
the fair danes admired its courtly ha
as much as the warriors priced its sol
walls and its commanding towers. Al
then Count Stibor bought the ro
fortress from his jester with gold, al
made it the chief place of his aboC
and he feasted there with his guests, al
made merry with music and dances, u
til it seemed as though life was to beif
him one long festival. Men often wa
over the spot which afterward opens
bury them.
Little by little the habit of self-ind
gence grew upon the luxurious mob
yet still he loved the chase beyond
else on earth, and his dogs were of t
heetest and finest breeds.
He was one day at the table, 81
rounded by the richest viands and
rarest wines, when one of his favor
hounds entered the hall bowling w
pain, and dragging after him his woul
ed foot, which dropped blood as
moved along. Terror seized upon I
hearts of the vassals, even before
rage of their lord burst forth, and WI
-. Il 4
vowed vengeance against the wret
who had dared thus to mutilate an a
NAL that he valued.
An aged slave flung himself at
feet.
mercy, my lord, mercyp he
claimed, piteously. "I have served J
faithfully for years; my beard is g
with time, and my life has been one
hardship. Have mercy upon me,
he flew upon me and would have Il
me had not defended myself agai
his fury. / might have destroyed h
but / sought only to preserve mys
Have mercy upon my weaknessp
The angry chieftain, however, hee'
not the anguish of his gray hairs, .
pointing to low balcony, which
tended across the window of the ap;
ment, and hung over the precipice,
commanded that the wretched old Il
should be flung from thence into
river which flowed beneath, as an
ample to those caitiffs who valued Il
own worthless lives above those of
noble hounds.
As the miserable tools of an imperi
will we're dragging the unhappy vic
TO his fate, he raised his voice