Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-04-02

TIE SPECTRE BRIDEGROOM.
BY WASHINGTON IRVING.
CONTINUED from Yesterday


CONTINUED from Yesterday
As the route of the friends lay in the
same direction they agreed to perform the
rest of their journey together; and that
thew might do it more leisurely. set
off from Wurtzburg at an early hour,
the Count having given directions for his
retinue to follow and overtake him.
They beguiled their wayfaring with rec
objections of their military scenes and ad-
ventures; but the Count was apt to be a
little tedious, now and then, about the re-
puted 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
thickly wooded passes. it is well known
that the forests of Germany have always
been as much infested with robbers as its
castles bv spectres; and at this time the
former were particularly numerous. from
the bordes of dsbanded soldiers wander
ing about the country. 1t will not ap-
pear extraordinary, therefore. that the
cavaliers were attacked by gang of these
stragglers, in the midst of the forest.
They defended themselves with bravery,
but we're nearly overpowered when the
Counts retinue arrived to their assistance.
At sight of them the robbers fled, but not
until the Count had received a mortal
wound. He was slowly and carefully con-
veyed back to the city OF Wurtzburg, and
friar summoned from neighboring con-
vent, who was famous for his skill in ad-
ministering to both soul and body. But
half of his skill was supertluous; the mo-
ments 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 ct
lovers, he was one of the most punctilli-
Gus of men, and appeared earnestly solic-
itous that this mission should be speedily
and courteously executed. ''Unless this
is DONE" said he. 81 shall not sleep quiet
ly in my gravep' He repeated these
last words with peculiar solemnity. A
request, al moment SO impressive, adj
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 diving man pressed it in acknowledge
ment, but soon lapsed into delirium-raved
about his bride-his engagements-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 a SOL
dier's 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 unbid-
den guest among hostile people, and to
damp their festivi,y with tidings fatal
to their hopes. Still there were certain
whisperings of curiosity in his bosom to
see this tar famed beauty of Katzenellen-
began, so cautiously shut up from the
world; for he was passionate admirer
of the sex, and there was dash of eccen-
tricity 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 solemn.
ties of his friend who was to be buried in
Tit CdtlcuI dt VI w utdI SOlnt VI
his illustrious relatives; and the mourning
retinue of the Count took charge of his
remains.
1t is now high time that we should re.
turn to the ancient family of KetZenelen.
bogen, who were impatient tor their guest
and still more tor their dinner; and to the
worthy little Baron. whom we left airing
himself on the watch-tower.
Night closed in, but still no guests ar
rived The Baron descended from the
tower in despair. The banquet which had
been delayed from hour to hour, could nc
longer be postponed. The meats were
already overdone; the cook in an agony
and the whole household mad look oil
garrison that had been reduced by
| famine. The Baron was obliged re-
luctantlv to give orders for the feast with
out the presence of the guests. 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. Another long
blast filled the old courts of the castle
with its echoes, and was answered by the
warder from the walls. The Baron has
tened to receive his future son-in-law.
The drawbridge had been let down, and
the stranger was before the gate He
was a tall, gallant cavalier. mounted on a
black steed. His countenance 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, solitary style. His
dignity for a moment was ruffled. and he
felt disposed TO consider it a want of pro-
per respect for the important occasion and
the important family with which he was
to be connected. He pacifed himself,
however, with the conclusion that it must
have been youthful lmpatience which had
induced him to spur on sooner than his
attendants.
II am sorry" said the stranger" tc
break in upon you thus unreasonabiv-''
Here the Baron interrupted him with a
world of compliments and greetings; tor
to tell the truth, he prided himself upon
his courtesy and his eloquence. The
stranger 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 a pause, they had reached the
inner door OF the castle; and the stran.
ger was again about to speak, when he
was once more interrupted by the appear
ance of the female part of the family
leading forth the shrinking and blushing
bride. He gazed on her for a moment a:
one entranced; it seemed as if his whole