The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-12-17

my regiment was picketed outside in
the courtyard. They listened to me in
silence, but the back of the prince
bowed more and more. as though the
burden which weighed upon it was
greater than his strength. He looked
around with haggard eyes.
I'VE have heard a Frenchman speak
for France" he said. Let us have a
German speak for Germany"
The folks glanced at each other and
whispered to their neighbors. MY
speech had. as l think, had its effect,
and no man wished to be the first to
commit himself in the eyes of the en-
peror. The princess looked around her
with blazing eyes and her clear voice
broke the silence.
is woman to give this Frenchman
his answer" she cried. "Is II nos
sible that among the night-riders of
Lutzow there is none who can use his
tongue as well as his saber?"
over went a table with a crash. and n
young man had bounded upon one of
the chairs. He had the face of one in
spired, pale. eager, with Wild hawk eyes
ana tangled hair His sword hung
straight from his side and his riding
boots were brown with mire.
1T Is Korner!" the people cried .It
Is young Korner. the poet! Ah, he will
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
or dead heroes. But then verse after
verse rang like trumpet call. It was
OF the Germany Of now. the Germany
which had been taken unawares and
overthrown, but which was up again,
and swapping the bonds upon her giant
limbs. What was life that one should
covet 1t? What was glorious death that
ore should shun 1t? The mother, the
great mother, was calling, Her sigh
was in the night wind. She was crying
to 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 I
and France and the emperor! They lid
not shout-the people-they howled
They were uc on the chairs and the
tables. They were raving, sobbing, the
tears running down their faces Kor-
| ner had sprung from the chair. and his
| comrades were around him with their
| sabers in the air. A flush had come in
to the pale face Of the prince, and nc
| arose from his throne.
Col Gerard" said he, "you have
heard the answer which you are to cary
| to your emperor. The die is cast. my
children. Your prince and you must
stand or fall togetner"
He bowed to sliow that all was over
and the people, with a shout, made for
| the door to cary the 'idings into the
town. For my own part. had done al
that brave man might. ana ! was NJ,
sorry to be carr:cl cut amid the stream
Why should I iiIEer In the pniars?
| had my answer e'"l must carry l.. such
as It was. I wished neither to see IIoi
nor it's people agail until / entered nj
the head of van guard turned from
t.,e throng then q md walked silently an
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 ostlel
when suddenly my two arms were seized
from behind. There were hands at my
wrists and at my throat and 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 II is.'
"Sling It over his head"
| felt the cold coil of leather tighter
round my neck. An ostler with stable
lantern had come out and was gazing OF
the scene. In its dim light saw sterr
faces breaking everywhere through thu
gloom. with the black caps and darl
cloaks of the night riders.
what would you do with him, cap
tain?" cried a voice.
Hang him at the palace gate"
| "An ambassador"
"Yes. an ambassador without papers. ;
But the princew
| tut, man, do you not zee that tn,
prince will then be committed to oul
side? He will be beyond hope Of for
giveness. At present he may swim,
round tomorrow as he has done before
He may eat his words, but dead hus
sar is more than he can explain"
mo. no. Won Strclitz. we cannot d.
II" said another voice. as
Can we not? I will show you that!'
And there came a jerk on the bridl,
which nearly pulled me to the ground
At the same instant q sword fiashes
and the leather was cut through within
two inches Of my neck.
'By heavens. Korner. this Il rani
mutiny," cried the captain. "You ma,
hang yourself before you are through