The Sauk Centre herald., 1899-07-06
Rosa Of Tannen6urO.
A Story Begun by Father and
Ended by a Daughter.

< Ended by a Daughter. q
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The castle of Tannenburg was like
all castles Of its time, strongly fOrti.
fed and surrounded by high walls and
q deep moat. In an upper room, one
warm summer day, Rosa and her IA
ther sat together. The knight had just
come home from the wars. badly
wounded, and Rosa, fair haired girl
Of II. sat by him working over her
gayly colored tapestry.
Father" she said. "tell me the story
of how you got the chain round your
neck"
Rosa had heard the story hundred
times before now. but she never tired
OF hearing it any more than the old
knight of telling it.
"When 1 was a page at court" began
the knight. stroking his long, gray
beard, "a great tournament was given
in honor Of French prince who came
to visit the emperor. There saw your
mother for the first time, and so lovely
was she that she was elected to be the
queen Of beauty, and was to give the
prize. a golden chain. to the victor.
loved her from the moment / saw her,
and her beauty gave me such strength
and daring that came out first in the
games. much to the chagrin Of the
young baron OF Odenwald, who op-
posed me fiercely in the tourney. He
was, like myself. suitor for the hand
Of the queen Of beauty. and when l
finally won her for my bride he swore
that he would have revenge on me-"
"But," interrupted Rosa, "his castle
is only Is miles from us, and he has
done us no harm yet"
"Yes." answered her father; "that
was many years. ago, and he has now
young wife and two children, but
he still hates me bitterly. and
A loud clamOr in the courtyard inter
rupted the story, and on looking out OF
the window to their CONSERVATION they
saw the very man they were speaking
Of, the baron Of Odenwald. and his
soldiers marching up to the castle
doors. The knights soldiers were still
at the wars. and the few old men left
to guard the castle had been easily
Overp0wered by the fierce baron.
Rosa screamed with terror. She
heard the tramp Of armed feet coming
up the stairs. In came the naughty
baron Of Odenwald aud ordered his
men to bind and carry Off the wounded
and helpless knight of Tannenburg. In
vain were Rosa's tears and prayers.
The unfortunate knight was hurried,
on, Rosa turned out Of the castle,
which was looted and then locked up,
and the poor giTi lett weeping and
disconsolate.
All night she wandered through the
dark pine forest till she came to q
charcoal burners hut, where she was
taken In and kindly treated Days
passed by, and Rosa longed to see her
father once more and perhaps help
him to escape. Accordingly one day
she stained her face with brown berry
juice, changed her own pretty dress
for peasants coarse cotton gown.
and with a large basket Of mushrooms
On her arm started off for the castle
Of Odenwald.
The sentinel, seeing only harmless
little peasant girl, let her pass OYER
the drawbridge and through the cas-
tie gates. She walked up, to the nor
ter's lodge, where the porters Wife
stood In the doorway scolding her
children. The baron of Odenwald was
extremely fond Of mushrooms, and the
basketful was soon bought and paid
for by the porter's wife.
"Wlll you not stay with me and heIp
me look after the children and cook
the food for the prisoners ?, she asked
after few moments chat with Rosa:
4 need young, strong girl like you,
and 1 will give you new dress every
year II you will stay"
Rosa accepted the offer eagerly. and
her duties. none too light, began that
very day. She had to light the fire in
the morning, dress the children. help
the porters wife cook the most un-
savory soup for the prisoners Of the
castle and do many things. One day
the porter came to his wife and told
her that he was obliged to go. away
with the baron for some days and that
shesw0uld have to take the prisoners
food to them besides cooking it.
mo. Indeed" replied his wife.
There are murderers and thieves in
those cells, and l win not go near
them" se
Let me co." begged Rosa. 81 will
do it for you"
"yery well" said the porter, rather
surprised at her request; "come with
me and | win show you how to unlock
the doors.
Together they went down winding
flight of stone steps, opened a door
heavily bolred and barred and down q
long. dark corridor dimIy lighted by
the porter's lantern On one side were
small stone cells, behind whose iron
gratings wild, cruel faces CLEANED In
the light Of the passing lantern. Hid
eous oaths and fearful laughter follow
ed them. and Rosa shrank., frightened,
to the Dorters side.
Do you fear them r be said. 'AThey
cannot possibly escape This map, how