Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1896-07-09
THE RAVEN.

The Count Stibor was as brave as he
was highborn, and riches had poured in
upon him until he had become one Of
the wealthiest mobiles i'll the empire. Ii
chanced that one day he hunted with a
great retinue among the mountain fast
nesses, and glorious was the sport Of
that gallant hunt The light footed
chamois, the antlered deer, the fierce
wolf, and the grizzly bear We're alike
laid low When the sun was about
to set, he formed his temporary encamp-
ment on the pleasant bank Of the Waag,
just where, on the opposite side of the
channel, a lone and precipitous rock
turned aside the glancing waters.
The heart Of Stibor was merry, for
the sport had gone well throughout the
day, and when his rude tents We're
raised, the savory steam of the venison
and the sparkle of the wine cup bright
ened his humor, and he listened, with
a 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 deer
had taken another direction; a second
that he had not missed a certain shot !;
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
a cup Of honey.
"Hear me, ;" said the magnificent
noble, during a transient pause i'll the
conversation. II seem to be the only
hunter Of the day to whom the sport has
been without a blemish. 1t 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 wish, and if it be
within my power to grant it, pledge
my word that it shall be fulfilled. 7
"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 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. +"
Fear not, fear not, replied the fool.
''The claimants have been courteous, for
they have not touched upon that portion
of thy possessions which l 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, BetZkol'' echoed the astonished
Stibor. "'Thou shalt have them to thy
hearts content, where and in what
shape thou wilt. Y
II 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, y was the unlocked for reply.
Thou hast lost thy chance, Betzko, F"
cried 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 chicftain i'll Voice Of thunder as he
rose proudly from the earth " here lie
had been seated cn a couch of skins
"The castle of Betzko shall be builtP'
And it was built, and within year
a festival was he III there, and the noble
| became enmored Of his own creation,
for it was beautiful i'll 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 clief place of his abode
and he feasttd 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
dulgence grew upon the luxurious noble.
Yet still he loved the chase beyond all