Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-08-02
Ill.
COUNT sANDoRF.

III.
COUNT sANDoRF.
The Magyars settled In Hungary to-
wards the end OF the ninth century Of the
Christian era. They form third of the
populatiOn-more than five millions in
number. Whence they came-Spain,
Egypt, or Central Asia, whether they are
descended from the Huns Of Attila or the
Fln1s Of the NOrth--is a disputed ques-
ton, and is of little consequence One
thing is very obvious, that they are
neither Sclaves or Germans, and have no
desire to become so.
They still speak their old language
! language soft and musical, lending itself
/ to all the charm of poetical cadence, less
| rich than the German, but more concise,
more energetic; language which be-
| tween the fourteen and sixteenth centu.
ries took the place OF Latin in the laws
and edicts, and became the national
\ tongue.
1t was on Jan. 81, 1899, that the Treaty
Of Carlowitz gave Hungary and Transvl-
/ Yania to Austria. Twenty years after
wards the Pragmatic Sanction solemnly
declared that the States of Austria-Hun-
| gary were thenceforth indlvisible. In
| default of son the daughter was to sue
coed 20 the crown according to the rule OF
| primogeniture. And ii was in accordance
| Theresa assembled the throne of her father,
Charles VI, the last OF the male line OF
the House OF Austria.
The HunRarians had TO Yield to supe-
rior force; but hundred and fifty years
afterwards people were still to be met
with amongst all ranks OF society who re-
fused to acknowledge either the PrRg-
matte Sanction or the Treaty OF CarlOwitz.
At the time this story opens there was a
nj OIL VIII WI
might be summed up In these two senti-
ments, the hatred of everything German,
and the hope of giving his country her
ancient independence. Although still
| young. he had known Kossuth, and al
! though his birth and education kept him
/ apart from him on important political
| questions, he could not fail to admire the
| patriots nobility of heart.
Count Matthias Sandorf lived in one OF
/ the counties of Transylvania, In the dis
| trict of Fagaras. His old castle was Of
| feudal origin. Built on one OF the north
ern spurs Of the Eastern Carpathians,
which form the frontier between Transyl-
vania and Wallachia, the castle rose amid
the rugged scenery in all its savage pride
"a stronghold that conspirators could
defend to the last.
The neighbOring mines, rich in iron and
copper ore, and carefully worked, yielded
a considerable income to the owner of the
/ Castle OF ATtenak. The estate comprised
part of the district OF Fagaras, and the
| population exceeded 1900, who, all of
| them, tOwnsfOlk and couatryfolk, took
pains to show that for Count SandOrf they
felt an untiring devotion and an un-
| bounded gratitude for the constant good
he had done in the country. This castle
was the object OF particular attention on
the part of the Cbancery Of Hungary at
| Vienna, for the ideas of the master Of
Artenak were known in high quarters,
and anxiety was felt about them, al
though no anxiety was betrayed about
him.
Sandorf was then In his Both year. He
was rather above the middle height, and
Of great muscular strength. A we'll
shaped, noble-lOoking head rose above his
broad, powerful shoulders. or rather
dark complexion, and square in feature,
his face was OF the pure Magyar type.
| The quickneSs of his movements, the de-
cisiOn Of his speech, the firm, calm look OF
his eyes, the constant smile on his lips.
that unmistakable sign Of good nature, a
certain playfulness of gesture and speech
all went TO show an open, generous dis
position. 1t has been said that there are
many resemblances between the French
and Magyar characters. Sandorf was a
living proof OF the truth OF this ObserYa-
ton.
One OF his most striking peculiarities is
worth noting. Although Count SandOrf
was careless enough Of what concerned
only himself, and would pass lightly over
any injury which affected him alone, he
bad never forgiven, and never would for
give an Ofiense Of which his friends were
the victims. He had in the highest degree
the spirit Of justice and hatred Of perfidy
and hence possessed a sort OF impersOna
applicability, being by no means enc OF
those who leave all punishment in this
world TO heaven.
Matthias sandorf had been highly edu-
Gated. Instead OF connnlng himself TO the
life OF leisure his fortune opened out 10
him, he had onergeucally followed his
tastes, and been led 10 the study OF medl-
cine and the physical sciences. He would
have made an excellent doctor, had the
necessities Of life forced him % look after
the sick. He was content 10 be a chemist
In high repute amongst the learned. The
University Of Pesth, ths Academy OF
Sciences at Presburg, the Royal school Of
Mines az Chemnitz, and the Normal
School at Temeaoar, had all counted him
among their most asslduous pupils. Ills
studious lite had improved and inteDsi-
fed bis natural gifts. In short, he was a
man In the fullest acceptatiOn OF the
term. And he was held 20 be so by all
who knew him, aud more especially by his
professors ~ the dlutfeht SCHOOLS huu
universities, who continued their interest
IN him as his friends.
Formerly the Castle OF Artenak, then.
had been all gayety, life. and movement
On this rugged ridge OF the Carpathlans
the Transylyanian hunters had held their
meetings. Expeditions, many and dan
gerous, were organized, In which Count
SandOrf sought employment for those in-
stincts OF battle which he could not
crafty on the field Of politics. He kept
himself out Of the political stream, watcn-
ing closely the course OF events. he
seemed only 10 care about a life spent
between his studies and the indulgencies
that his fortune allowed him.
To those days the Countess Rena oandOrf
was atlll alive. She was the soul OF these
parties az Arionak. Fifteen months be-
fore This history begins, death had struck
her IN the pride Of her youth and beauty,
and an that WAS left Of her was a little
girl, who was now two Years old