The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1878-03-19
/, THE
Fiddler Of Schwalbach.
An IMPROBABLE STORY FROM THE GER
MAN.

A great many years ago there was q foot
sore pedestrian toiiing along one of the roads
of the beautiful valley that lies between the
rivers Rhine and LRun. He evidently was
making his waytowards the village of Schwal-
bach, for once or twice he mentioned he
name to his Young son, who trudged by his
side carrying a bundle ON the end Of a stick
across his shoulder. The man was about
fifty years OF age, aud was dressed in the
common garb OF the country. Over his back,
concealed in q linen bag, he carried a violin.
while his right hand grasped q heayy cudgel.
The sun had neariyset when he entered the
suburbs OF the town, and halted before the
door Of the small inn, which displayed . con-
spicuous sign on which was depicted a white
hon. Entering hi announcing himself Us
Carl Stiebel, and the boy as Ludewig, they
were served with supper, and Immediately
afterwardswent to sleep in the room assigned
them, for they were very weary.
In the days of which l am writing Schwal-
bachhad not attained tothe dignity Of a toau.
although it WINS rulod by q Mayor, a proud
and imperious man named Seefeld.
In conformity with the law, the following
day Carl Stiebel. attended by his son, went
before the Mayor, gave bis name and age, 10.
gether with tina! Of his son, and stating Tie
places he had latelyvisited in his journey lug,
declared his intention of becoming q resident
"a LII NAAakOs a AZ ~ '+~f 49,
the young and beautiful daughter OF tie
Mayor, came into her fathers office, and steul-
ing quietly up behind his chair, glanced tim
Idly ut Ludewig. The latter was q remark
ably handsome youth, and, perhaps, Agnes
Thought SO, for she frequently bent her blue
eyes upon him, while lac. conscious that he
WAS the object of her attention, blushed untl
his face was crimson.
In due season Carl Stiebel rented acottage,
and went there 10 live. At first the ~reighh1rs
did not appear to be very friendly, bu, after
4 WHILE, whenit was understood mat he Wai
worth q little money lat least enough to sup.
port him with frugRlity) the people boz "a
1rop in upon him, and sometimes ace.pl.da
,-ut u, his board. Among those who called 1t
Oarl's cottage was the parish priest. He had
Tor some time noticed Ludewig at mass, but
hadnever observed hisfather accompanying;
10 1t was his duty, as well as his pleasure, to
understand if he was TO be numbered among
ais flock. Carl received him courteously, set
before him some good wine and pipes, and
Lfter listening a~ttentiyely to the good mans
lisoourseuponthe necessityof persons attend
ing strictly TO their religious duties, assured
ihe priest that, as he had his own views upon
The subject of religion, and they, perhaps,
being peculiar, he should abstain altogether
from attending church. In fact, he had not
been ina place of worshipsince he was O small
ad. He did not influence his son, however;
be believed in every ono following the die
tates of conscience. Thu lad had been taught
by his mother (who, by-the-by, was dead to
go to mass, and he never had offered any OPP
position, though he thought one could pray
as well in his hut as in the grandest temple
aver constructed by the art of man. The
priest frowned when he heard these h%eretical
expressions, and warning Carl of his peril,
departed, saying he would call again soon and
resume the conversation. He kept his word.
but all his efforts to induce the stubborn sin
ner to appear at church utterly failed, and so
hewas compelled to denounce Carl SIiebel rs
man who was to be avoided by eli good
Christians.
The Remuneration had very little effect,
however, for Carls fame as n musician soon
spread over the village, and his house was
constantly surrounded by the nelghbors to
listen to the sounds of his violin. They even
went SO far as to invite him to their houses,
and he brought his fiddle, and merry were
the dances they had. There was no resisting
the tunes he played. Prudes and spinsters ut
first refused to yield to the spell, but rs they
listened, their resolutions wayered, and rs
their feet involuntarilybe began keeping time TO
the measure, they fnRllywent into the dance
with all the vigor and pleasure of their
natures. CarIs music even moved the grny.
haired grandparents, and as they, too, Joined
in the dance, it really seemed to restore youth
TO their old Hmbs. was II any wonder, then.
that Carl Stiebel became popular?
Time flew away, and Ludewig was now q
fine young man. Tn priest, who had ever
taken a great interest in him, was his warm
friend, and frequently had him at his house
as his guest. Ludewig was preparing him
self tobe a sculptor, andhad already executed
some very creditable work for one who lad
only commenced the art.
He had become intimate with Agnes, the
pretty daughter of the naughty Mayor, and
was very much in love with her while she,
enamored Of his handsome face andgreat in
telligence, regarded him with more than or
binary favor. The only thing which dis
turbed her mind when thinking of LudeNig.
was the fact that the priest bad declared her
Lover sfather outsidethe pale of the Chm ch,
because he professed hereticnl opinions, and
the Mayor and the priest being close,friends,
the former had espoused his PASTORS views on
the subject, and never failed to declare that
Carl Stiobelwas @ man who might if he lived
long enough, become daDgerousto the morals
OF Schwalbach.
Now, the Mayor of Seefeld was ly no
means q righteous person. He had the Gun.
ming TO conceal much which would not have
borne the calm. clesr scrutiny of honest men.
He was harsh, avaricious andsometimes cruel
in theadministraton of justice, aud frequent.
ly punished the people severely for trlling
offences. They could always purchase par
don, however, by presenting him with brides.
His riRor went so faron one occasion thntthe
Inhabitants unable to pay their yearly tax.
were reused to O pitch of fury and surround
ed lis house. which they wereaboutto burn.
Just then Carl Stiebel appeared on the scene
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