Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-02-04

1t is not strange, then, that their gods
were supposed to be warlikc, or that they
should think that frost giants and evil
spirits were abroad in that frigid, storm
swept land.
Odin, the father Of all the gods, while
he possessed many attributes and was
patron of song and story, was particularly
distinguished for his martial spirit and
possessed marvellous spear, gungnir,
which was endowed with miraculous quail
tiles and which he always carried with
him. This wonderful spear was the handi.
work Of skillful smith, dwarf Of the
name of Dvalinz.
Among Odin's sons was one that had in
herited his fathers warlike spirit and
whose name was Tyr, god of war and
courage. One Of Tyr's most valuable pos
sessions was q sacred sword made by the
clever dwarf who had fashioned his fn-
theirs spear. The sword was hung in the
temple, where the first rays of the morn
ing sun caressed it's shining blade. 1t was
carefully guarded night and day, but in
spite of all precautions it mysteriously
disappeared.
There was CONSERVATION in Asagrd when
the loss was discovered, and immediate
search was made for the missing weapon.
A druidess, who possessed the gift of div.
nation, was consulted, and from her it
was learned that the Norns had decrccd
that whoever came into possession of the
sword should conquer tho world but
would eventually come to his death by It,
Tho druidcss, however, refused to disclose
the hiding place of the sword.
In the ancient city of Cologne, which
was founded by the Romans the project,
or governor of the province, sat one day
fcasting upon the choicest viands and
drinking of the richest wines Of his PROV
incc Vitellus was noted for his german
dizing proclivitics, and 1t was surprising
to those who knew him that he should be
selected for the honors that came to him.
AS no sat at his table surrounded by tho
convivial spirits of the citya servant came
to him saying that q stranger wished to
sec him upon u matter that would admit
OF no delay.
Reluctantly he left off his feasting to re-
ccive the visitor, tall, dignillod stranger,
who presented him with the sword of Tyr,
remarking that it would bring him great
honor and renown. He then saluted vi
tellius as emperor. Immediately those
present took up the cry Hail to tho en-
pcror!" and Vitcllius was elected emperor
of Rome
He at once proceeded toward Rome, the
capital of the empire, but pursued his
journey very leisurcly, paying much more
attention to fcasting than to marching.
One day, while in state of intoxication,
he left his sword, the sacred sword of Tyr,
unguardcd in one of the outer apartments
of his tent where it was observed by u
German soldier, who appropriated it, lcav-
ing in it's place u rusty weapon that he
had been carrying
VitelliuS was so absorbed with his feast
ing that he did not miss the sword until
after his arrival at Rome. Learning that
Vcspasian was marching toward the city
to dispute his claim to the throne, he
sought the sword, thinking to resist his
rival, but it had disappeared. Believing
this to be an omen of defeat, he sccrcted
himself in dark recess of his palace,
where he was found by the angry people
who had so recently declared him emperor
and was ANONYMOUSLY dragged forth and
hurried away to the foot of the Capitoline
hill The German soldier who had stolen
the sacred sword happened to arrive at the
same moment us the disgraced monarch,
and, drawing the sword, he cut off the
empcror's head with single stroke, full
filling the decree of the Norns that tho
sword should Stay its possessor.
The German soldier kept the sword
many years, fighting in many different
regiments and In various countries and
was always victorious. He became famous
on account Of his skill and power rs a
warrior and was greatly honored. At last
old age compelled him to give up his mar
tial pursuits, and he retired to private life,
still retaining in his possession the Won
derful sword.
Fearful lest it might be taken from him,
he buried it upon the banks of the river
Danube and built himself modest dwell
ing over the SPOT where the sword lay hid
den At last he died, and though his
friends begged him to disclose the hiding
place of the sword he refused, saying that,
though its posscssor might be able to con-
quer tho world, he could not escape the
curse Of death.
The sword, however, was not destined
to remain always hidden. Many years aft
err the death of the German soldier the
Hun leader Attila, with an army of in
yadcrs, passed along the Danube. AS they
approached the spot where had formerly
stood the Germans hut Attia noticed a
peasant ruefully examining his cows foot
and paused to inquire what was the mat
ter. The peasant told him that the COW
had cut her foot upon something that was
hidden in the tall grass,
They began a search, and soon found
the point of u sword sticking out of the
ground. The sword was unearthed, and
when Attila saw the fine workmanship he
knew that he had found the lost sword of
Tyr. 1t had not lost its luster or its Won
derful virtues by its long imprisonment In
the damp earth, for, from that day, victory
attended Attila in his encounters with the
enemy.
At last becoming surfclted with sue
cess, he determined to retire to private life,
but first he took for wife beautiful
princess, Ildito by name, whose father had
fallen in battle by his hand. The princess
had sworn to avonge her fathers death,
and she saw in her union with Attila an
opportunity to fulfill her vow.
At the feast that followed the wedding
Attila became intoxicated, and 1ldico,
stealthily obtaining the sword, slew him
rs he lay sleeping in his bed, again verify
ing the prophecy of the druidess.
Once more the sword disappeared and
was not again heard Of until the Duke of
Alva one Of Charles VS. generals, mys-
teriously obtained possession of 1t and by
Ats aid won the victory at the battle of
Muhlberg. After the battle the sword
again disappeared and has never since been
seen.-Arthur J. Bundick in Philadelphia
Times.