Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1888-01-11
COUNT sASDoRF.


the Firms Of the North-is a disputed
question, and IL of little consequence
One thing is very obvious, that they are
neither Sclaves nor Germans, and have
no desire 10 become 40.
They still speak their own language
a language soft and musical, lending
itself 10 all tine charm OF poetical ca
dencc, less rich than the German, but
more concise, more energetic; alanguage
which between the fourteenth and six
teenth centuries took the place Of Latin
In the laws and edicts, and became the
national tongue.
II was on tho 21st Of January, 1900.
that the treaty of Carlowitz gave Hun
gary and Transylvania 10 Austria Twen-
ty years afterwards the Pragmatic sane
ton solemlly declared that the States Of
Austria Hungary were thenceforth indi-
visible. In default of son the daughter
WIS 10 succeed 20 the crown according
30 the rule Of primogeniture. And it
was IN accordance with this new statute
that IN 1919 Maria Theresa assembled the
throne Of her father Charles VI, the
last Of the male line Of the House of
Austria.
The Hungarians had 10 yield TO su-
perior force but $50 years afterwards
people we're still TO be met with among
oil ranks Of society who refused to ac-
knowledge either the PIagmatio sanction
or the treaty OF Carlowitz.
At the time this story opens there was
q Magyar of high birth whose whole
life might be summed up in these two
sentiments-the hatred Of everything
German, and the hope OF giving his
country her ancient independence Al
though still young he had known Kos
suth. and although his birth and edu-
cation kept him apart from him on i'm
portnnt political questions he could not
fail TO admire the patriots nobility Of
heart
Count Matthias Sandorf lived in one
OF the counties of Pennsylvania in the
district Of FHgaras His old castle was
OF fcudal origin. But on one of the
northern spurs Of the Eastern Carpa-
thians which form the frontier between
Trpnsylvnnia and Wallachia, the castle
rose amid the rugged scenery in all its
savage pride-a stronghold that con-
spirators could defend to the last
The ncighboring mines, rich in iron
and copper ore, aud carefully worked.
yielded considerable income 90 tho
owner of the Castle of Artenak. Tie
estate comprised a part Of the district 81
Fagnfas. and the population exceeded
10000, who, OH Of them. townsfolk and
oOuntryiolk took pains to show that for
Count Sandorf they felt an untiring
devotion and an uuboundcd gratitude
for the constant good ne had done in the
country. This castle was the object Of
particular attention ON the part of the
Chancery Of Hungary NJ Vienna, for the
ideas of the master II ArtCnal were
known in high quarters, and anxiety
wasfclt about them. although no anxiety
was betrayed about him.
Sondorf was then in his thirty-sixth
year. He WIS rather above the middle
height and of great muscular strength.
A well shaped, noble looking head rose
above his broad. powerful shoulders.
OF rather dcrk complexion and square
In feature, his face was of the pure
Magyar type. The quickness of his
movements, the decision of his speech,
the firm. calm look of his eyes, the con-
slant smile on his lips. that unmistal-
able sign Of good nature, certain play
fulness Of gesture and speech-all went
90 show an open, generous disposition.
IL has been said that there are many re-
Hemblances between the French and
Magyar characters. Sandorf was a liv-
ing proof Of the truth Of this observa-
ton.
One Of his most striking peculiarities
isworth nothing Although Count San
dorf was careless enough or what con-
cerned only himself, and would pass
lightly over any injury which affected
him alone, he had never forgiven and
never would forgive an offence Of which
his friends were the victims. He had in
the highest degree the spirit Of Justice
and hatred of porhdy. and hence pos
sessed sort Of impersonal implacabil-
ity being by no means one of those who
leave all punishment in this world TO
Heaven.
Matthias Sandorf had been highly edu-
Gated. Instead of confirming himself to
the life Of leisure his fortune opened
out to him, he had cnergetically fol-
lowed his tastes and been led 10 the
study OF medicine and the physical sci
ences. he would have made an excel.
lens doctor had the necessities of life
forced him 30 look after the sick. He
was content 10 be chemist in high ro-
pute among the learned The Univor.
sity Of Pesth. the Academy Of Sciences
at Presburg. the Royal School Of Mines
OF Cnemnitz and the Normal School at
Temesour had oil counted him among
their most assiduOus pupils His studi-
Gus hio had improved and intensified
ms natural gifts IL short, he was a
man IN The inllest acceptation of the
term. And he was held to he 10 by all
who know him, and more especially by
ms professors in the different schools
anil universities, who continued their
interest in him "a his friends
Formerly the castle of Artenak. then.
had been all gayety. life and movement
On this rugged ridge Of the Carpathians
tho Tnnsylvanian hunters had held
their meetings Expeditions many aud
danf~rous. we're orgnnized. in which
Count Sandorf sought employment for
those instincts Of battle which he could
not crafty ON the iold Of politics He
kept himself out Of the political stream,
watching closely the course Of evenrs.
He seemed only 10 care about a life
spent between his studies and the in
dulgencos that his fortune allowed him.
Ia those days the Countess Rena San
dorf was still alive. She wns the soul of
these parties nc Artenak. Fifteen months
before this history begins death had
struck her in the pride of her youth and
beauty. and all that was left Of her was
little girl. who was now two years old
Count Sandorf felt the blow cruelty.
He was inconsolable The castle be-
came silent aud deserted From that
day, under the shadow OF profound
grief, its master lived M in n cloister
His whole life was centred in his child,
~.