Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1896-06-19
THE RAVEN.

Z
HANGED that one day he hunted with
reat retinue among the mountain fast
esses, and glorious was the sport G.
hat gallant hunt The light foote,.
hamois, the antlered deer, the fierce
wolf, and the grizzly bear were alik
aid low. When the sun was abou
20 set, he formed his temporary encamp
nent on the pleasant bank of the Waag
Just where, on the opposite side of thu
channel, a lone and PERCEPTIONS roc:
5urned aside the glancing waters.
The heart of Stibor was merry, 70,
The sport had gone well throughout the
lay, and when his rude tents vera
raised, the savory steam of the venisol
and the sparkle of the wine cup bright
ened his humor, and he listened, with
smile upon his lip, to the light sallies
of the joyous company.
AS they talked idly of the days hunt
ing, however, one wished that the deel
had taken another direction; second
that he had not missed a certain shoti
a third that he had not lost his couteau
de chase in the underwood. In short,
there was not an individual among
them who had not some regret blended
with his triumph, like drop of gall in
d cup Of honey.
"Hear me-" said the magnificent
noble, during a transient pause i'll the
conversation. 81 seem to be the only
hunter of the day to whom the sport has
been without blemish. It is true that
all your misfortunes are light enough,
but will have no shadow cast upon my
own joy, and therefore to compensate
you for these alleged mishaps, each of
you is free to form a wish, and if it be
within my power to grant it, pledge
my word that it shall be fulfilled.
A murmur of admiration ran through
the astonished circle, and the work Of
ambition soon began. Gold was the first
thing asked for, for avarice is ever the
most greedy Of all passions, and then re-
venge upon an enemy, for human nature
will often sacrifice personal gain to
vengeance, and then power, authority,
rule over their fellow men, the darling
occupation and privilege of poor, weak,
self misjudging mortals. In short, there
was no boon within the reach of reason
which had not been asked and promised,
when the eye of Stibor fell upon his
jester, who was standing apart playing
with the tassels of his vest and appar-
emily quite uninterested in a subject
which had made all around him eager
and excited.
"And thou, knave," said the noble,
''hast thou nothing to ask? Thou must
bestir thyself, Or thy master will have
little left to give, if the game go on
thus. P"
Fear not, fear not, replied the fool
1.-THE claimants have been courteous, for
they have not touched upon that portion
of thy possessions which covet. They
have demanded gold, blood, domain, the
power to enjoy themselves, and to rem
der others wretched-they are welcome
to all they want. only ask for Stones
A loud laugh ran through the circle.
"Stones, Betzko!'' echoed the astonished
Stibor. ''Thou shalt have them to thy
hearts content, where and in what
shape thou wilt. -
81 take thee at thy word, Count Sti-
Dor. will have them yonder on the
crest of the bold rock that stands out
like braggart daring the foot of man,
and in the shape of a good castle in
which may hold my own, should need
be-, p" Was the unlocked for reply.
Thou hast lost thy chance, Betzko,"
cried a voice amid the universal merri-
ment that ensued. ''Not even Stibor can
accomplish thy desire. -
"Who dares to say that Stibor cannot
grant it, if such be his will?" demanded
the chieftain i'll voice Of thunder as he
rose proudly from the earth where he
had been seated on a couch Of skins.
'The castle of Betzko shall be built"
And it was built, and within year
q festival was held there, and the noble
became enamored Of his own creation,
for it was beautiful in its strength, and
the fair DANES admired its courtly halls
as much as the warriors priced its solid
walls and its commanding towers. And
thus Count Stibor bought off the rock
fortress from his jester with gold, and
made it the chief place of his abode.
and he Toasted there with his guests
and made merry with music and dances
until it seemed as though life was to be
for him one long festival Men often
walk over the spot which afterward
opens to bury them.
Little by little the habit of self in
diligence grew upon the luxurious noble
Yet still he loved the chase beyond all
else on earth, and his dogs We're Of the
feetest and finest breed
He was one day at table, surrounded
by the richest viands and the rarest
Wines when one of his fayorite hounds
entered tie hall bowling with pain and
dragging after him his wounded foot,
which dropped blood as he moved along.
Terror seized upon the hearts of the
vassals even before the rage of their lord
burst forth, and when it came terrible
was the storm, as he vowed vengeance
against the wretch who had dared thus
to mutiiate an animal that he valued.
An aged slaye flung himself at his
feet. mercy. my lord, mercyF' he ex-
claimed piteously. II have served you
faithfully for years, My beard is gray
with time, and my life has been one Of
hardship. Have mercy ON me, for he
flew upon me and would have torn me
had not defended myself against his
fury: Knight have destroyed him. but
! sought only to preserve myself. Have
mercy upon my weaknesst'
The angry chieftain, however. needed
not the anguish Of his gray hairs, and.
pointing to a Low balcony which ex-
tended across the window Of the apart
ment and hung over the preeipice, he
commanded that the wretched old man
should be flung from thence into the
river which flowed beneath as ala ex-
ample no those caitif2 sYho valued their
own worthless lives aboge those of his
noble hounds
As the SCRABBLE tools of an imperi-
uus will were {ir4sgng the unhappy vic
TIM to .ilisAf fate he raised his voice and
cursG3 yrant whom they served,
VI so-he summoned him