Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1878-11-23


l would bostow a great favor upon Won.
Here will take this May wreath from
my anointed head, and place it upon
yours; and this afternoon l will take
you over to Rheinfelden, where nv no.
Bile consort Elizabeth is, and introduce
you to her. Is not that great favor.
my noble nephew"
"No, your Majesty, / care not for
your May wreath, nor for an introduc.
ton to her Majesty, but the only favor
I ask of you is to restore to me INV
Swiss territories which you unjustly
withhold from me-" said JOannes.
gloomily.
Heavensi" laughed Albert; "don't
talk politics to me here Come, come.
nephew, have some more wine, and then
get ready for the trip to Rheinfelden."
For a moment Joannes of Suabia fix
ed his eyes with the expression of Vi
per upon his uncle. Then he arose
from the table, bowed to Albert deeply.
and hurried out of the dining-hall. He
rejoined his friends in the other room.
81 hope you bring us favorable
news" said Won Wart.
"No," cried Joannes of Suabia, livid
with rage, "the worst possible news do
l bring. What do you think? MY in
famous uncle made fun of me when
told him what wanted. Then he ask
ed me to get ready to accompany him
to Rheinfelden to see his wife. Yes"
he added, in 4 terrible tone of voice al
will accompany him, but only to kill
him.
"Oh, no." cried Won Wart deprecat-
ingly.
ayes, yes" cried the other knights,
rafting their heavy swords.
Fright, right, my friends!" cried
Joannes of Swabia. "You shall &C.
company me. But mind you, when we
get near the river bank l shall ride
ahead with my uncle alone. Then you
come up from behind and hack his
shoulders. But 1 must run my sword
through his wicked heart"
"Where will all this end?" sighed
the thoughtful Won Wart.
An hour later Albert of Austria was
brutally murdered, as the plotters had
agreed. Won Palm, Won Eschenbach
and Won Tegernfeld attacked him from
behind, and inflicted grievous wounds
upon him.
"Joannes, nephew, help me! help
mel" cried Albert, despairingly.
"Yes, l will help you!" roared JOAN
mes, and he buried his sword in his
uncle's heart.
Albert of Austria sank from his horse.
He was dying. His assassins fled in
dismay. Only now did they realize the
heinous character of the crime they had
committed.
An old beggar woman had witnessed
the terrible scene from behind neigh
boring tree. She hurried up to the dy-
ing man and put his head into her lap.
Thus died the eldest son of the EN-
peror Rudolph of Hapsburg.
A few minutes later the escort of Al
bert arrived, and active steps were
taken for the pursuit of the murderers.
But the latter made good their escape.
Albert's cOnsort, Elizabeth, a naturally
cruel woman, revenged her husbands
death in the most shocking manner.
She had all the servants and peasants
of the four knights arrested and brutally
put to death. At length Won Wart was
caught Elizabeth had him broken on
the wheel and then exposed on the
Schindanger at Winterthui. Won Warts
young wife gave her wretched husband
the most touching proofs of marital
love and fidelity.
Horrible to say, the unfortunate
knight survived three days and three
nights.
She was with him during all those
agonizing hours. She drove away the
birds of prey that came to feast upon
his quivering flesh; she constantly
his parched lips.
Noble German poets have immortal
lied the name of this good, heroic de-
voted wife, Gertrude Won Wart.