The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-06-19
THE C0N0UEROR.
BY EDWARD y. WOOD.

For the Constitution.
Orders were given in a rapid, hurried man
ner; sentincls were placed in a compact body
about tie royal stronghold, and dashing horse
men, arrayed in gittering armor and weapons
of defense, galloped hither and thither to pro-
tect the weaker points
But the Enemy drew silently nearer!
Hours Of darkness came On--no moon shone
to give aid to the faithful band, whose watch
ful eyes were alert to every sound-stars had
hid their Flashing eyes behind a sombre bank
Of clouds, and tic desolate dimness Of the earth
argued strongly in favor of the stern and re-
lentless fury of the advancing force Mid
night came and a change of forces was made,
new defenders, whose strength and cunning
could be relied upon, took the place Of the
weaiied ones, who had faithfully withstood the
vigil Of the first watch. The night passed on,
and quiet still reigned, broken only by the
ceasell tread of watchnen and the dull clank
OF sabred horsemen.
A faint glow in the east told the armed host
that the night was passed, and still the royal
fortress was secure no rude shout Of the even
ing had wakened the Silly air Of the dark
hours, and a sigh of relief came from stern lips
as the first rays Of the sun gilded the palace
dome and spires
Higher in the skies arose the sun and brighter
seemed the prospects of escape, but the quick
eyes of bearded warriors did not lose any of
their watchfulness, for at any moment the
dreaded end might come.
Couriers arrived and departed from the
palace, unmolested, yet subjected to the grim
inspection of scar bedecked heroes, whose
motto had long been, "None are friends
until proven So" The day adj
vanced slowly; the muffled chimes
OF distant tower rang out the hour as ten.
Wearied leaders nervously strobe from point
to point, speaking in low, hurried tones to the
guards.
What words did he use that should cause
those bronzed faces to pale?
Surely it was not fear that made those lips
to culver, and eyes droop to hide a plaintive
tear that was almost born within their depths?
No, it was not fear that caused these sturdy
forms to tremble, for death had been faced
too often to make one particle OF color leave
thgbrave faces.
Again the silvery voice of the chimes ring
out past ton--Oh, specter grim and fear
full, how long viii you keep us in dread sus-
pense, with the silent movements Of your
forces?
The stiffness that now settles over the earth
is appalling; men gaze at each other in mute
despair, and no sign of relief is seen, slowly
the minute hand of the sobbing clock crawls to-
ward the hour of eleven, and breathles8ly the
armed and mounted horde awaits its move
ment,
Are they expecting words of command to
march and engage the enemy before his at
tack?
There is buzzing sound and slowly the
hour of eleven is rung out.
A shiver passes over the watchers, and dread
chill of fear freezes the battled tried blood of
these brave men, Suddenly there is cry
from the palace, and startled horscmen arouse
from their lethargy and dash to the gates, Civ
ing orders quickly and sternly to gnard all en-
frances closely.
But, alas! too late, the enemy has entered
while the watchers were inert, and captured
the life so dear to them ALL
Death was the conqueror, and as a bereaved
nation sohs in distress, they can but acl5nowl-
edge that this enemy is too terrible for them
Frederick was dead