Smyrna times., 1881-09-07
The Margrays's Ride.
AN OLD LEGEND OF A GERMAN CASTLE


Many years ago, ON the river Rhine, in
Germany, stood a lofty castle, the birth
place and property of noble maiden,
wealthy, beautiful and proud. Living
alone in its vast hills, and hearing her
own praises sounded from morning until
night, by the servants and yassaIs who
surrounded her, Lady Eleanor Won Al
leyne grew every day more vain of her
graces and her charms, more weary of the
dull and dreary life she led.
When summer came, she roved as a
huntress through the fields and forests,
giving chase to the wild boars and other
game; never fearing the 6ercest of ami
mails, and never sparing the weakest.
She slept on the hard ground, laughed at
hunger and fatigue, and her aim was sure
and steady. But even this excitement
failed her after time, and she tired of
the woods as she had tired of her castle
walls.
Returning home more beautiful and
proud than ever, crowds of suitors came
to seek her hand; some desirOus of her
rich possessions, but many more enrap-
tured with her grace and loyeliness. The
Lady Eleanora, indifferent 70. them all,
but ambitions to see how much they
would venture ON to win her, coldly re-
piled to each aud every one that she
would marry no man who had not ridden
around the summit of the lofty tower that
rose from the centre of her castle. This
tower was crowned with battlements, and
far beneath it yawned the mighty rocks
and sharp-beeuing crags upon which the
castle was built.
1t was madness TO think of forcing a
horse around the narrow ledge of stone
that jutted out into the air, when single
false step would send both man and beast
headlong to certain death. But one young
German knight, infamed with love, and
careless of the peril he ran, resolved to
risk his life in the attempt.
| Carefully he led his steed up the many
winding steps of the tower, until he reach
ed the summit and came out upon the
parapet; when, springing on his back, he
began the perilous ride. The horse went
forward few steps, then, trembling with
terror, stopped and turned his eyes pitt.
fully to his masters face, as though mutely
asking why he had been brought into such
danger. The young Margraye patted hii
neck and soOthed him, urging him gently
on. obedient to the end, the poor animaj
went few steps farther, stumbled, re
covered himself, stumbled agaIn on the
sharp stones, and with one piercing peigf
fell crashing over the parapet, carrying
with him his rider, whose bleeding corps,
was picked UP from the rough cFags below
But the Lady EIeanora, unmoyed with
pity, and thinking only of the beauty tha
could spur men on TO death like this
!, looked coldly on the white face and fall
hair dabbled with blood, and said mock
ingly TO those around her: eahtos
"He at least will never try the leal
Iagaip," '1 &. E. saa a' 'a ~
Others came, however, and attempte,
the perilous ride, with no better success
until as the legend tells us, thirty-six mel
; and horses had been flung from the para
pet and met their death below.
Then o year passed by, and neithe
baron nor knight appeared as suitors 70
the lady's hand, until one day she CLIMBS
= to the parapet, and looked scornfull
around ut the Deserted courtyard. + /.
"Seei'' she laughed, s'the towards hav
wisely left me here alone, Are the day
I. Of chivalry past, or do the brave knight
tremble to wear woman's chain, that |
the German land there Ia NO one left wh
9, dares claim me for q bride 2 ebE
Now the story of the lady. Eleanora
cruelty, Of her beauty and Of hen, scorr
~ reached the ears OF the gallant MaFgray
Gondiber, handsomest and brsyest of th
German chivalry. Far off In Metz h