Litchfield enquirer., 1880-04-29

to crawl out of Nurnberg Tetzel and Men gel sent away large cargo of valuable goods, but the caravan was waylaid, and person, recognized by his comrades as the dead Eppelein, said gayly: I've have the 8, S,OOO gnlden and more; now l go for my kiss. Hide about here and wait my return, in case should bring friends from Nurnberg with me-"
 The wedding feast of Agnes and of Ulrich was merry and was splendid. Ulrich said it was double festival, and celebration both his marriage and Eppelein's death. Do not be too sure Of that" said venerable old man among the guests. ''I hear that Eppelein has been seen again."
 Now the bride, who was curious and anx- ious, went to the venerable old man to inquire further, when suddenly, to her surprise, she was passlonatelY embraced and heartily kissed Of went white wig and beard, and the rest of the disguise; out famed bright keen sword. and the guest, no longer old, cried, 'I have had my money, l have had my kiss! I am Eppelein! After me, who lists to folow!" lie sprang upon his horse, Snd rode thunder ing over the bridge at the Frauenthor. Then there was mounting in hot haste, and the en- ragged Ulrich and the Nurnbergers rode. as they might. after the bride-kisser Eppelein kept ahead, but did not ride 30 fast as usual. Presently he whistled and from copse and shaw came forth the Wolf and the riders of Dramaus. Eppelein tied Ulrich to his horse, gave him in charge of two Knechts, and said, ''Sir Bridegroom we shall soon meet at Trameysl. 1 always keep my word. You will know Eppelein again" Then Eppelein returned to the joy of fierce fight The Nurn- bergers retired sorely discounted, but Ulrich remained Eppelein's prisoner.
 The next day Eppelein wrote in stately fashion tO the Rnth If fha hv F.H city of Nurnberg. He said two friends of theirs, Dr. Rehm and Ulrich Mendel, were OF a visit to him; but, though the sir at Dra- maus was good, both seemed rather to pine for Nurnberg, and would gladly return home, which they could do SO soon as the praise worthy free city aforesaid should have paid for them little ransom of 1, 900 gold guilden. This ransom Nurnberg paid forthwith, and recovered her citizens; but Eppelen had hls kiss, his glory, and his gain.
 And now you shall hear the story of Eppe- ielns great leap such, as, perhaps. no other horse and rider ever took
 There was certain Jew in Nurnberg called Elias, who, like Isaac of York, dealt, among other things, in armor and in horses. Now this Jew had for sale certain matChcss horse said to be the best in all Germany; but there was one objection to the peerless grey, that is, he was SO wild and fierce that no man could mount and ride him. The Burggraf wanted the horse, and Eppelein, you may be sure, who could ride any horse, wanted such an one sorely.
 Elias sold the horse to the Burggraf for twenty gold gulden, but when Eppelein made offers for the steed, plan of treachery oc- cured to the cunning Jew and he offered, for 2,OOO gulden, to deliver Eppeein into the hands of the Nurnbergers. The Jew reasoned we'll, becaused Eppelein was SO fond of a good horse, that he forgot his usual caution. So Elias said he would bring the gallant gray to Forcheim, that Eppelein might see the horse and Eppelein went there eagerly and unattend- ed At Forcheim, Eppelein did not find the horse, but he found an ambush of Nurnherg Lanzknechts, who succeeded in seizing Eppe- lein, and in carrying the great Raubritter se- curely bound into Nurnberg that is, to cer- tain death. He was borne into the city on the shoulders of the spearmen, and the mol which had always pictured Eppelen as kind of terrible devil, was surprised to see hand some cavalier, gay, confident, bold. Eppelein knew hls danger well; but he kept his wits about him, looked around him Especially at the city walls), and maintained cheerful, dehonair demeanor.
 Eppeleip was taken before the Burggraf, who, with Burgermeister, Rath, patrcians, soldiers, and much people about him, sat on horseback in the great wide Schlosspaz or open ground below the Burg of Nurnberg
 'Eppelein of Gailingen," said the Burggraf sternly, we have caught you at last; and for your many misdeeds you must prepare to die the death :"
 "Burggraf," replied Eppelein gayly, "I love life as well as any man, and don't think that shall die to day"
 Then Elias, the Jew, stood forward. With spiteful glee and deep malice, he told the story of his treachery he claimed the ,, 900 gulden, and the payment for his horse
 "Sursgraf." said Eppeein may see this horse before l die? l am accounted d goUta rider, as you know, and it may chance that could tame d horse that none other can ride!
 Agreed :" cried the Burggraf "Aud you, Eppelein, shall decide whether 1 am to pay this Jew for devils horse that no man can ride, Bring forth the horse!"
 And the horse was brought, snortlng and stamping, and f0aming into the open space. Several grooms led him, and they were all afraid of hlm.
 Eppelein looked at the gray with born horseman's joy. Never had he seen such force and fire; such spirit, strength and speed; and then the creature was SO beautiful. "The very horse for mel" thought Eppelien. land will have him, tool"
 Mount, if thou darest, Eppelein !' said the Burggraf. 'Unbind him. Knechts, and lead him to the horse."
 And then they saw strange thlng Eppe- lein showed no fear; he patted and strOked the horse, which seemed to know his master, and suffered Eppelein to approach and touch him. In a moment Eppelen had hold of bridie and of mane. and with one vault, he sat firmly in the saddle. The horse neighed, and plunged, and kicked, but Eppelen sat as if the two had been moulded in one casting. Erect and fair, the cavalier kept his seat and the wild horse leaping high into the air in furious bounds, flew round and round in cir cles, which Ehpeein took care to widen. The people drew back, and suddenly Eppeleiu. seeing the way clear, headed the horse fnr the city wall, struck him with the spurs, and at one wild leap cleared wall and moat, and stood safe outside Nurnberg!
 The Burggraf could not restrain his admira- tion; but the astonished soldiers soon rushed to the wall, threw spears and discharged cross bows at the mocking horseman, who sat. laughing and jeering at them, on the horse that he alone could ride ''I can throw a spear better than you" cried Eppelein, as he snatched one out of the ground and hurled it you need not pay for the horse. 1 alone can ride him And you need not pay the Jew for my capture, for 1 am not captured--I am Eppelein! Ade!"
 And he turned and fled like the wind. Nev- CT had he felt such horse beneath him. Is was not long before he was safe in Dramaus; having acquired g matchless horse that he alone could master and use.
 And that wild horse became as celebrated Franconia as was his yet wilder rider, Eppelein Yon 4ailinSen.
 But the traitor Jew came badly of. He was not paid for Eppeein, or for the horse, but he was banished from Nurnberg on pain of death, and fell into the hands of Eppelein.
 ''You7 have we'll deserved death at my hands!" said Eppelein with dark scowl. but fear not, Elias, will be merciful You shall have safe conduct, and ride into Nurnberg as my messenger. Bring out the wild boari''
 And Eppelein, wrote letter. to the Burg graf and tied it to Elias, and the Knechts tied Elias to the wild boar. They prodded the, beast with their spears, and drove it toward Nurnberg and sO amid the loud laughter of