Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1884-08-07
AT THE STROKE OF TWELVE.


The old. hald-hezded. wrinkle-faccd
vztchman who walks np and down the
broad stone terrnce in front Of the Ber-
In University. hns many \ quaint and
romantic story 10 tell 10 the wavfarer
WHO VIII take the tine and patience to
hotter IN his presence
chaneed 70 fail IN with this peculiar
cid fellow during my travel through
Eur0pe some Eve years ago. I fell an
easy victim % his tongue-wiles. and in
the end Il was my fortune TO listen to
one ot his most romantic 5-trns-
The incidents which he 50 faithfully
portrayed. with 4 telling minuteneSs as
20 detail and tho Ike. c.uug 10 me
throughout my entire continental triD.
and. even as sit here now, in nv home
IN Americx NAM miles SWAY frsm
the immediate l0caiitF connected with
tie uatcnmsn's story. the oufl' mes. the
shadows. the features. are yet fresh in
mind.
Il would. however. be tires0me for
me. ns web as yourself. dear reader, 70
repeat the story word for word As Il
Was told % me / viii endearor to give
y0C the no-e particular parts. and
leave 10 your imagination the task Of
filing In The outlines. which are as fol-
lows.
Herman Van Berg was known as the
leader Of the While Caps They were
> jolly lot Of feI0ws. these White Caps.
uh7 backed mp their assertions with
swords points. either for study. drink
ing bouts ~ the gardens below, love in
cidesIts. or more serious QUESTIONS of
merit pertaining to daeling Affairs
Grerchen Grouse was the only child
of the rich brewer in the c:tr down
there Al, Iuf she was a maid % set
1nen's hearts on IRE, 70 cause them 10
put on the bncklef Of chsvalry, ari do
battle for one sweet smile from her fair
fac1-
She was TIE belle OF the occasion
citker a the gay and festive ball. OF
The skating rink. 6retcken's handsome
form ard bewitching face were the first
objects Of attraction
Lzuy fieree and blo0dy conflict had
been fought for the maids sake: many
y suifor had been laid low Il the foil :
point Yet no victor could boast that
be had wnn Gretchen's hand She. who /
lad caused 50 much blood 20 be shed.
E0uio su.h Il very horror from the man
who came aud laid the laurels OF his
triumph before her.
AWAY from me your hand. for IL is
Eai1ed with blood Your heart I can
no1 sccspt Il is black with the crime |
which hangs over your he'd
Those wcre her words when the /
victor kneeIed at her throne Of beauty,
and sued Tor one sweet smile for loves /
own sake.
Finally il became a wide spread belief |
xmong tbs students of the University |
that Gretchen Grouse was a lOveless /
woman They had fought one another.
spilled blood without stint, and she had /
denied fhe;r suits ever.
Then Herman Won Berg came. How
shall describe hin2 The fs;nt powers
cf descriptive lore belonging 10 an oil /
~3tchman viii not ss.fisce 70 portray
thc mobility which was his. both bv
right q birth as well as the general
rh1rzcfer-si ics Of his nature.
A 4urm 0f an Apollo. features betting
some grand KNIGHT Of the age of Crn-
sade. wealth OF yeilowish golden hair.
Sowing away from 4 broad. white brow.
rut after the model Of classical hero.
He was tE0-and-fwenfv years Of are
r1en he first made his enfree here.
before the facnlfy. He made trends
<herevex be wsnf; and enemies IS
rcIL Men Of the stamp Of Herman
Yea Berg are born to win friends