River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-10-31
JOANNES OF SUABIA.

burgh, and one OF It's very best rulers,
died, he was succeeded By his son Albert,
who was widely different from his faith
er. Avaricious, perfdious and graphing,
Albert was mean enough to deprive his
nephew, the young duke Of Suabia, Of his
Swiss estates, the principal castle Of
which, Kyburg. had been one of the En-
peror Rudolph's favorite summer resorts.
l. would be difficult 20 imagine a more
picturesque place than Castle Ky burg.
1t was erected at tie beginning Of the
middle ages on a wooded hill, rising
abruptly to q height Of 600 feet, on the
banks of the Toess river, enc of the wild
est mountain torrents in Switzerland
That hill is surrounded by densely-wood
ed mountains, which impart to the land
scape a most romantic aspect. To-day a
pert of Castle Kyburg is in ruins, but an
other part has been restored by its pres
ent wealthy proprietor, who has convert
ed the slope into paradise of flowers
and shrubbery, and who takes pride in
showing TO tourists the cosy bay window
from which the Emperor, Rudolph, fire.
quentiy gazed upon the lovely panorama
that extended before his eyes.
Everything there now breathed peace and
tranquility, but such was not the case iii
frequently the scene Of bloodshed and |
other violent deeds. Especially horrible
was the tragedy that was enacted here on
May day, in the year 1903.
At an early hour in the afternoon OF
that day, five young knights of the most
disguised appearance, were engaged in |
an animated conversation in a room ad-
joining the dining hall of the castle. These |
fbz In n
Joanncs, the grandson of Rudolph the |
First, and the Knights Won Palm, Won |
Eshenbac, Won Wart and Won Tegernfeld, !
the dukes devoted friends. Every now |
and then the noise of merry carousal |
that was held by Albert Of Hapsburg and |
large number of distinguished guests, |
fell upon their ears, and every moment
the intense indignation, which evidently |
filled them, seemed to increase.
My uncle is a william a robert eX- |
claimed the young duke OF Suabia. "Ail |
this splendid country belongs TO me, an
he withholds it from me with his lies and |
tergiversations! Oh if Lis father, my |
noble ancestor, Rudolph Of Hampsburg,
were alive, be would Kill his rascally eld-
est son for all his internal meanness."
He ought to be killedn said Won
Tegernfeld, in q sombre tone of voice.
Il will Stay him :" exclaimed Won Palm.
Don't deprive me of the pleasure OF
putting a bloody end to the crowned rob
ber's existence said the duke, with
terrible glance toward the dining hall. 1
Won Wart interposed. He was some
what older than his companions. His
face was that Of most intellectual, ania-
BILE man.
"For heavens sake, Sir Duke" he said
impressivelv, 'do nothing rash. The con
sequences might be dreadful. Speak |
once more about your Swiss inheritance |
to your uncle He is just now in the best
of humor."
For a moment the duke hesitated; then
he said:
YES, l will speak once more to him |
about it. Wait for ne here, my good |
and trusty friends. / shall not belong" |
He opened the door and entered the |
dining-hall. 1t was a vast and curious
Iy fitted up apartment. Albert sat at the
head of the long table, which was cover
ed with huge TASKS and stone Jars from
which he and his guests slipped the most
generous wines of that period. When
Albert caught sight of his young nephew
he shouted to him:
ooh, you sober young man! Quick,
step this way. Here is a chair, and mere
goblet filled with splendid old Burgun-
DIV. Drink my health in a bumper!
Joannes of Suabia eyed his uncle for a
few moments with a curious expression
circumference; theh he said with forced
smile:
II will gladly drink your health, your
majesty, if you will bestow favor, a
great favor, upon me"
"Certainly, my noble nephew laugh
ed Albert.
The young duke quaffed the goblet in
his uncles honor. Then he seated him
self Dy Albert's side.
II told you nephew said Albert, be-
fore Joannes was able to speak, 81 hat |
would bestow great favor upon you.
Here, l will take this May wreath from
my anointed head, and place it upon
yours; and this afternoon / will take you
over to Rheninfelden, where my noble
consort Elizabeth is, and introduce YOU
to her. Is not that great favor, my
noble nephew"
mo, your majesty, it is not replied
Joannes, knitting his brow.
at is netl" cried Albert, laughing.
mo, your majesty, care not for your
May wreath, nor for an introduction to
her majesty, but the only favor ask Of
you is to restore to me my Swiss territor-
les which you unjust!y Withhold from me-"
said Joannes, glOomily.
"Heavens!@ laughed Albert, don't talk
politics 10 me here. Cons, come, nephew
have some more wine, and then get ready
for the trip to Rheinfelden.'
For a moment Joannes of Suabia fixed
his eyes with an expression of viper up
on his uncle. Then he arose from the
table, bowed to Albert deep.y, and bur
ried out of the dining hall. He rejolned
his friends in the other room.
81 hope you bring US favorable news"
said Won Wart.
NO" cried Soannes of Suabia, livid
with rage. 1.-THE worst possible news do
bring. What do you thinkl My infa-
NOUS uncle made fun of me when l told
him what wanted Then he asked me
to get ready to accompany him to RhGjn-
felden to see his wife. "Yes, he added III
q terrible tone Of voice, u will accom-
pany him, but only to kill him.
"Oh, no. cried Won Vert, deprecaf-
ngly.
''Yes, yes.' cried the other knights,
rafting their heavy swords.
"Right, right, my friends - cried joan
me- But mind YOU, when we get near
the river bank | shall ride ahead with
NV uncle alone. Then you come up
from behind and hack his shoulders. But
must run my sword through his wicked
heart"
"Where will ali this endl' sighed the
thoughtful Won Wart.
An hour later Albert Of Austria wa!
brutality murdered, SIS the piotters had
agreed. Won Palm, Won Eschenbach
and Won Tegernfeld attacked him from
behind, and inflicted grievous wound:
upon him.
"Joannes, nephew, help me. hetp me :
cried Albert, desp&iringIy.
'Yes, will help your reared Josnnes
and he buried his sword in his uncle
heart.
Albert of Austria sank from his horse
He was dying. His assassins fed in dis
may. Only now did they realize the he
inous character OF the crime they haC
committed.
An old beggar woman had witnessed
the terrible scene from behind a neigh