Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-05-30
The Robber AxeIvoId.

Martin, or harvest-home, always q Joyous
and merry holiday, and which, on this &C.
casion, was kept with more than the Gus
fomary pomp and rejoicing, on account of
the presence of Prince Yusuf, the governor
of that province, who presided over the fes-
tival
The prince was young man and very
popular. He had lately married a fair
bride, who was as much beloved for her
goodness as she was admired for her beauty,
and this sweet lady rode by his side, when
he arrived at the village, attended by his
usual retinue. The church and all the shrines
were gaily decorated, and the villagers we're
out in their holiday attire, which rivaled the
bright costumes of the mountaineers, and
the gay uniforms of the soldiers from Tifiis,
who had crowded to the village to take part
IN the harvest festival and do honor to the
prince and princess.
1t was cheerful and pleasing scene, and
the noble visitors seemed gratifed by the
warmth of the welcome they received. But
it was observed that the princess looked pale
and agitated, and the prince explained that
she had been disturbed by an idle rumor
which had reached her ears, to the effect
that Axelvold, famous robber, had been
lately seen in the neighborhood of this vii
lge.
On hearing this, the intendent, or chief
magistrate of the village, made answer:
81 fear, my lord, that this rumor is not
without foundation; but I beg that her
highness, the princess, will not allow it to
trouble her, for there is not the slightest
danger Bold as he is, AxelVold would
never venture to enter the village at such a
time as this"
Although it would be fortunate thing
for US and for all the country if he should
do So" said another of the leading villagers,
"for we could not fail to capture him, and
so gain great renown, besides securing the
price which is set upon his head"
"By the holy saint whose feast we keep
today" cried third, 81 only wish he
would take it into his head to pay us a
visit"
"No, no, my friend, exclaimed the
princess, with a shudder. "Do not wish
for such a thing, for they tell wild stories of
this reckless outlaw, and we know not what
he might be bold enough to do.
1t was true enough that Axelvold, the
robber, was credited with many deeds as
daring as this which had been suggested.
His history was known to every one. He
had formerly been small trader at Tifis,
and very well reputed for honest industry
but he fell IN love, and it CHANGED, unhap-
ply, that the maiden of his choice was
slave, and her owner, wealthy noble, re-
fused to part with her, except for price SO
high that the lover had not the means to pay
it. However, he did not give way to des-
pair, but obtained promise from the noble
that he should have the girl if, in years
time, he could raise the amount which was
demanded for her freedom.
He then set manfully to work, toiling
night and day, with the most extraordinary
patience and energy, and to such good pur-
pose that, at the end of the year he was able
to offer the noble the exorbitant price for
the freedom of lama, and claim the fulfill
ment of his promise
But the treacherous noble declined to keep
his word, and declared his intention Of mar
rying the girl to another man, who was also
his serf Axelvold demonstrated, entreated,
and finally, such was his love for lama, Of
.fered himself to become the slave of her
owner if she might only be his wife.
Even this was refused, and then in des-
peration, Axelvold returned to his humble
home, gathered together what little he had
that was valuable, and fed to the noun
tains, carrying off with him the lady of his
love.
The powerful noble, with body of his
serfs, pursued and captured the runaway
lovers. Axelyold was cast into prison, and
lama was married to his rival.
After long imprisonment, during which
he was subjected to the most cruel treat
ment, Axelvold managed to escape, and
once more sought refuge in the mountains,
bitter, disappointed and reyengeful man.
He turned robber, gathered around him
desperate band of outlaws like himself, and
became the scourge of the roads leading
to Tiiis.
His daring and audacity soon made his
name q terror. No carriage nor caravan
could escape him; but, like most celebrated
robbers, he was also famed for certain
generosity. Re spared the poorer trav-
elers, while he plundered the rich ones with
out mercy.
He discovered that lama was widow,
her husband having died when she had
been most unhappy and unwilling wife for
only few weeks; and making bold de-
scent into the very streets of Tifis, he car
ried her off, for the second time, almost
from under her masters eyes, and bore her
away to his mountain fastness, to be rob-
ber's bride.
A large reward was offered for the cap.