New Ulm weekly review., 1886-12-22

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mand Of Nils Rautzen, and formed &
strong fortress in the northwestern
part Of the feud Bohus, as it was situ-
ated on q high rock whose walls slop-
ed down to the gloomy Bullsr sea.
In the ancient hall was great merri-
ment on Christmas eve. Alongside
the extended tables, which divided the
great hall in halves, sat in unconcern-
ed tranquility superiors and subordin-
ates between each other, from the
chief to the william. The tables groan-
ed under the weight of the dishes, the
Christmas pig, with an apple between
the white teeth, occupying the place
OF honor. AS a rampant OF wagons,
this emperor of the table was sur
rounded by all that the house, forest,
field and water could profer, and
along the table were set up as out
posts mighty drinking. horns, foaming
with mead and wine.
The squires smirked in their sleeves,
and at signal from the chief OF the
castle they commenced to beat up the
outer works, consisting of pastry and
lighter dishes. The first attack was
ended and the second commenced upon
the drinking horns, and when these
with united power were taken by storm
the way was open to the centre-the
Christmas pig. Thus the evening
passed with jest and song and bout
until the watchman's horn sounded
the beginning of the first holyday of
Christendom.
The laughter subsided, the jokes ceas-
ed and the already lifted drinking bowls
were set down. All eyes were turned
toward the curate of the castle, who, at
the first blast Of the trumpet, stood
to his feet and after IL low prayer was
about to administer the benediction.
These iron hands formerly propagat-
ing death were folded, the tongues
used to discharging curses and impre-
cations, now moved to stammer forth
in the Christmas morning, "Gloria in
excelsis Deo," "Glory be to God in the
highest"
Scarcely had the lips opened to
speak the second commendation,
"Pax IN terris," on earth peace, when
the door was thrown violently open
and one of the guards from the sea-
shore, pale as death, rushed in, and
dropping his spear to the floor fell at
the feet of the monk, grasping his
knees and crying in terror:
"Help me! save me! The wraiths Of
the dead are coming this way over the
frozen sea. Holy brother! it is aimed
at me! confess | will! alas! the phan-
toms are floating above the ice, white
as this"
Fear and dread whitened every face
Only RautZen and the curat remained
calm. The first exclaimed in vexation,
"Out with the drunken hare! After
the feast he shall receive his pnnish-
ment."
"Requiescat in pace, requiescat in
pacen'
Suddenly there was a great tumult,
the door was forced open, spectral
looking flock in long white cloaks,
from under which the polished steel
armours appeared, rushed into the
hall.
1nfuriated the Danish warriors
rushed over the unprepared defenders
Of the castle. The table was upset,
aud blood and wine in a horrid com
pound bespattered the floor, the dead
and dying.
During this scene two persons con-
fronted each other in the upper end Of
the hall. Apparently calm they stood,
as two pillars. Only their flashing
eyes betrayed the emotions of the in
ner man, and no word made it's way
from their lips. The uproar subsided,
and now the two chieftains commenced
the combat with their swords Pressed
down to the left Of the hall by the
Danes, Rautzen pulled the tower door
open and dashed up stairs. From
there he defended himself for long
time from the enemies below, until
perceivlng that all hope OF rescue was
lost, he threw himself down on the
frozen sea.
Thus Olsborg came into the posses
sion Of Otto Rud. But he had broken
the peace of the blessed Christmas
time, and for him happiness no more
would bloom; and not even the gentle
hand Of love could obliterate this
gloomy reminesence.
Many years had elapsed and the name
of Otto Rud had shone brightly dur
ing the wars of Christian II.
1t was in the month of December.
The snow was lying in soft whitaness
on the peaks of the Alps, drawing it.
self in broad or narrow bands down
to the little Bavarian valley, where
a brownish greensward yet evinced the
southern cline. Jammed in be-
tween two mountain slopes lay
a building surrounded by small out
houses and stables 1t was the
constructed for travellers
by the pious Fathers in the adjacent
abbey. Every wayfarer here found
refuge and the needed nursing.
The pallid sun of Christmas. eve was
about TO hide itself behind the high
top, when a group Of three
persons approached the charitable in
The one was a pilgrim,
Judging from his worn-out mantle held
together around the waist by a rope,
and hv the naked feet. Onlv nrotected