The Penn's Grove record., 1883-12-15

motioning the commander to come
with him. Without a word the fear
less Herr Won s.. drew on his clothes,
and, taking up a light and putting the
pistols in his belt, followed his strange
conductor, wondering how the interest
ng adventure would end. They con-
tinued through many passages and
numberless rooms, until at last, pass
ing through an arched vault whose soft,
yielding bottom caused the dragon
more than once to think of pitfalls,
they entered a monstrous so dark
that for awhile the commander could
see nothing. Soon, by the aid of his
candle, he distinguished quiet forms
about him, then found that he was in
the company of more than a hundred
men, all masked like the ehain-bearing
s'rammer." One of the number, who
appeared to be in command, presently
stepped forward and said to him:
"You are bold, mein herr, to in
wade this castle. Are you aware that
your life Is In our hands, and that no
one who is so foolhardy IS to enter this
place ever returns from it ?"
Herr Won S. quietly heard the man
out, then coolly answered
81 fear nothing l have looked into
the eyes of death too often to be fright
ened by anything this world can show"
With a smile he continued: 81 may
as well tell you, too, that / have order
ed my men, in the event of my not
appearing at a certain window Of this
at 7 o'clock tomorrow morning,
to search for me. So, If you do your
usual very h~ospitable act tonight, you
may expect to hear the walls of this
old building rafting down about your
ears in the morning"
These fearless words had the intend
ed effect. The masked captain hesitat-
ed for a moment. completely d~umbfound-
ed at the words so unusual for aprlsoner
in his hands. Then he withdrew and
called his men together at some dis
lance from where Herr Won s.. stood.
There a was quiet conversation between
them, and opinions were frequently ex-
pressed, but in an undertone. In ten
minutes the leader returned again to
the prisoner and said:
"After what l deem sufficient de-
liberation, we have arrived at this con-
~clusion !; If you will take a solemn oath
never to divulge the slightest part Of
what you have witnessed here tonight
no matter what may happen you, then
you will be allowed to return to your
room and finish your sleep, and will
not be molested further. / need not
mention the alternative"
The officer considered how little
credit there would be in his disappear
ing from his friends, and what small
satisfaction there would be for him,
even if his men did find his dead body
the next day ; so he willingly took the
oath of secrecy, and was led back
through the many intricate passage
ways to his room.
1t is not hard to imagine the thoughts
of the townspeople. Every n who
learned that the commander had gone
to the castle for the night was sure the
last of him had been seen Sill he was
a brave, bold man, and this fact made
the slightest doubt in their minds-just
enough to cause them to glance anx-
iously toward the castle window in the
morning. Crowds were gathered In
places where the window could be seen,
none expecting to behold what all were
waiting for ; or, if any did expect to
see the man again, they wisely saved
themselves from riidcule by keeping
the thought quiet. At last seven
O'Clock struck, and almost at the same
time arose a deafen1ng "Hurrah
Hurrahl" Everybody cheered, and
the drums and trumpets of the soldiers
helped to swell the awful noise. Every
eye was turned ON that castle window
and there was the commander, his baby
stretched far out, and his arms per-
forming graceful military salutes.
Herr Won S. was, indeed, a hero.
Not only had he valiantly aided In con-
quering the French, but now, all alone,
he had overcome in one night a castle
full of evil spirits that had held full
sway for years
Time sped on, and years had passed
since this adventure, and Herr Won s.
had retired from service and was living
quietly in his private house. Early one
morning the hall bell rang loudly. A
servant opened the door, and found a
strange man outside, holding by the
bride a spirited, ~coal-black horse-a
most beautiful and aoble-looking ami
NAL. AS the servant appeared the
stranger said :
81 have been instructed to deliver to
Commander Won s. this steed and this
small box" at the same time putting
the rein into the servants hand, and
giving him a little ebony casket.
"Who shall 1 tell my master sent
them ?'' asked the servant.
"He will know that when he reads
this letter." replied the stranger, TAX
ing a sealed note from his pocket and
giving it to the servant. Then the man
turned away and o o disappeared.
The servant gave the horse into the
groom's charge, then delivered the box
and letter TO his master.
The excommander was greatly sur
prised, and his long-suffering curiosity
was at last satisfied when he had read
the following:
"SIR COMMANDER We have left
this country forever. As a token of
our gratitude for the noble manner In
which you have kept your oath and
guarded our secret, pray accept the
contents of this casket. / also present
to you my faithful horse. A nobler
animal never breathed. 1 give him to