The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-12-16

| DTOkt lDt
'Is a woman to give this Frenchman
his answer" she cried. as Il pos
| sible that among the night-riders of
Lutzow there is none who can use his
tongue as well as his saber"
over went table with a crash. and a
young man had bounded upon one of
the chairs. lie had the face of one in
spired, pale, eager, with wild-hawl1 eyes
and tangled hair. His sword hung
straight from his side and his riding
boots were brown with mire.
ut is korner!" the people cried. 1T
is young Korner, the poet! All, he win
sing, he will sing"
And he sang! 1t was soft at first and
dreamy, telling of old Germany, the
mother of nations, of the rich, warm
plains, and the gray cities, and the fame
of dead heroes. put then verse after
verse rang like trumpet call. ltwas of
the Germany of now, the Germany which
had been taken unawares and over
thrown, but which was up again, and
swapping the bonds upon her giant
limbs. What was life that one should
one should shttn il The mother the
great mother, was calling. Her sigh
was i'm the night wind. She was crying
70 her own children for help. Would
they come? Would they come? Would
they come?
All, that terrible song, the spirit face
and the ringing voice! Where were /
and France and the emperor! They did
not shout-the people-they howled.
| They were up on the chairs and the
| tables. They were raving, sobbing, the
tears running down their faces. Kor-
HeF had sprung from the chair. and his
comrades were around him with their
sabers in the air. A flush had come into
the pale face of the prince, and he arose
from his throne.
"Col. Gerard" said he, you have
heard the answerwhich you are to carry
TO your emperor. The die is cast, my
children. Your prince and you must
stand or fall together"
He bowed to show that all was over,
and the people, with n shout, made for
the door to carry the tidings into the
town. For my own part, had done all
that brave man might, and was not
sorry TO be carried out amid the stream.
Why should lnger in the palace? L
had my answer and must carry it, such
as il was. / wished neither to see Hof
nor it's people again, until l entered at
the head of a vanguard. / turned from
the throng then and walked silently and
sadly in the direction in which they had
led the mare.
1t was dark down there by the stables
and / was peering round for the ostler
when suddenly my two arms were seized
from behind. There were hands at my
wrists and at my throat and l felt the
cold muzzle of a pistol under my ear.
"Keep your Lips closed. you French
dog" whispered fierce voice. I'VE have
him, captain"
"Have you the bridle?"
'Here IL is"
"Sling il over his head"
felt the cold coil OF leather tighten
round my neck. An ostler with n stable
lantern had come out and was gazing on
the scene. In it's dim light l saw stern
faces breaking everywhere through the
gloom, with the black caps and dark
sloals of the night riders.
What would you do with him, cap
tan?" cried n voice.
"Hang him at the palace gate"
AN ambassador"
"Yes, an ambassador without pa
pcrs."
"But the princeY"
"Tut, man, do you not sec that the
prince will then be committed 10 our
side? lie will he beyond hope OF for
giveness. At present he may swing
round tomorrow MS he has done before.
lie may ent his words, but . dead hus-
sar is more than he can explain"
NO. no. Won Strelitz, we cannot do
it," said another voice.
"Can we not2 | will show you thati"
And there came a jerk on the bride
which nearly pulled me 10 the ground.
AT the same instant sword flashed
and the leather was cut through within
two inches of my neck.
"By heavens. Korncr. this is rank
mutiny." cried the captain. "You may
hang yourself before you are through
with it."
Il have drawn my sword rs a soldier
and not as n brigand." said the young
poet. "lllood may dim its blade. but
never dishonor. Comrades. will YOU
stand by and sec this French gcntle-
man mishandledg"
\ dozen sabcss flew from their
sheaths; ~ was evident that my friends
and my foes were about equally bale
nnccd. But The angry voices and the
gicam Of steel had brought the folks
l rvlaaipg from all parts.