Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-06-03

same direction, they agreed to perform tine
rest of their journey together; and that
| they might do it the more leisurely, set oil
from Wurtzburg at an early hour, the
Count having gwen directions for his re-
tinue to follow and overtake him.
They beguiled their wayfaring with recol-
| lections of their military scenes and ad-
ventures but the Count was apt to be
little tedious, now and then, about the
reputed charms of his bride, and the felicity
that awaited him.
In this way they had entered among the
mountains OF the Odenwald, and were
traversing one of its most lonely and thick
ly.wooded passes. 1t is well known that
/ the forests OF Germany have always been
/ az much infested by robbers as It's castles
/ by specters and, at this time, the
/ former we're particularly numerous, from
| the hordes of disbanded soldiers wander
! ing about the country. 1t will not appear
extraordinary, therefore, that the caya-
hers were attacked by a gang OF these
stragglers in the depth OF the forest. They
| defended themselves with bravery, but
were nearly oyerpowered when the Counts
retinue arrived to their assistance. At
! sight OF them the robbers fed, but not I'M
I'll the Count had received mortal wound.
| He was slowly and carefully conveyed
back to the city OF Wurtzburg and frlar
summoned from neighboring convent,
who was famous for his skill in administer
ing TO both soul and body but half OF his
skill was supeItiuous the moments OF the
unfortunate Count were numbered.
With his dying breath he entreated his
friend to repair instantly to the castle OF
Landshort, and explain the fatal cause OF
his not keeping his appointment with his
bride. Though not the most ardent OF
lovers, he was one OF the most punctilious
of men, and appeared earnestly solicitOus
that this mission should be speedily and
courteously executed "Unless this is
done" said he, 81 shall not sleep quietly
in my grave p He repeated these last
words with peculiar selemnity. a re-
quest, al moment so impressive, aa-
mitted no hesitation. Starkenfaust en-
deavored to soothe HIM to calmness,
promised faithfully to execute his wish,
and gave him his hand in solemn
pledge. The dying man pressed 1t IN &C.
acknowledgement, but sson lapsed into dellrl-
um-raved about his bride-his engage
ment-his plighted word ordered his
horse, that he might ride to the castle of
Landshort and expired in the fancied act
of vaulting into the saddle.
Starkenfaust bestowed sigh, and SOL
diers tear, on the untimely fate of his
comrade and then pondered on the awk-
ward mission he had undertaken. His
heart was heavy and his head perplexed ;
for he was to present himself an unbidden
guest among hostile people, and to damp
.+I, Il 70 &ha,r
hopes. Still there were fatal whisperings
of curiosity in his bosom to see this far
famed beauty Of katzenellenbogen, so eau
tioasly shut up from the world for he was
a passionate admirer OF the sex, and there
was dash of eccentricity and enterprise
in his character that made him fond OF all
singular adventure.
Previous to his departure he made all
due arrangements with the holy fraternity
OF the convent for the funeral solemnities
of his friend, who was to be buried in the
cathedral of Wurtzburg, near some of his
illustrious relatives !; and the mourning
retinue of the Count took charge OF his re.
mains.
1t Is now high time we should return to
the ancient family of katzenellenbogen,
who were impatient for their guest, and
still more for their dinner and to the
worthy little Baron whom we left airing
himself on the watch.tower.
Night closed in, but still no guest ar.
rived. The Baron descended from the
tower in despair. The banquet, which had
been delayed from hour to hour, could no
longer be postponed. The meats were al
ready overdone the cook in an agony
and the whole household had the look of
garrison that had been reduced by famine.
The Baron was obliged reluctantly to give
orders for the feast without the presence
of the guest. All were seated at table, and
Just on the point OF commencing, when the
sound of horn from without the gate gave
notice OF the approach of stranger. An
other long blast filled the old courts of the
castle with its echoes, and was answered
by the warder from the walls. The Baron
fastened to receive his future son in.law.
The drawbridge had been let down, and
the stranger was before the gate. He was
tall, gallant cavalier, mounted on black
steed. His countensnce was pale, but
he had beaming romantic eye, and an
air of stately melancholy. The Baron
was a little mortified that he
should have come in this simple, soil
tary style. His dignity Tor moment was
rutfied, and he felt disposed to consider 1t
want of proper respect for the important
occasion, and the important family with
which he was to be connected. He, how
ever, pacitied himself with the conclusion,
that it must have been youthful Impotence
which had induced him thus to spur on
sooner than his attendants.
81 am sorry," said the stranger, "to
break in upon you thus unreasonable"
Here the Baron interrupted him with
world of compliments and greetings for,
to tell the truth, he prided himself upon
his courtesy and his eloquence. The stran.
ger attempted, once or twice, to stem the
torrent of words, but in vain, so he bowed
his head and suffered it to flow on. By
the time the Baron had come to pause,
they had reached the inner court Of the
castle and the stranger was again about
to speak, when he was once more inter
rupted by the appearance of the female
part of the family, leading forth the shrink
ing and blushing bride. He gazed on her
for moment as one entranced it seemed
as if his whole soul beamed forth in
the gaze, and rested upon that lovely
form. Ore of tine maiden aunts whispered
something in his ear she made an effort to
speak her moist blue eye was timidly
raised; gave shy glance of inquiry on the
stranger; and was cast again to the ground
The words died away but there was a
sweet smile playing about her lips, and
soft dimple of the cheek, that showed her
glance had not been unsatisfactory. 1t
was impossible for girl of the fond age of
eighteen, highly predisposed for love and
matrimony, not to be pleased with SO
gallant cavalier.
The late hour at which the guest had ar
rived left no time for parley. The Baron
was peremptory, and deferred all particular
conversation until the morning, and led the
way to the untasted banquet.
1t was served up in the great hall of the
castle. Around the walls hung the hard
favored portraits of the heroes OF the house
of Katzenellenbogen, and the trophies
which they had gained in the field and in
the chase. Hacked corslets, splintered
jousting- and tattered banners were
mingled with the spoils of sylvan warfare;
the Jaws of the wolf, and The tusks of the
boar prinned horribly among cross. bows