Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1899-10-06

gentle voice 10 hr sun huA alAtI u w
tie the old man said again:
Ibid you not hear how some one On
the mountain called cut: Wheel.
Charger II came distinctly through
the storm. But shortly before our
Slgebald fell be gave just such cry"
III you wish 20 Kill me with fear aud
anguish" said his wife. "or 10 rob me
OF my reason. keep ON with such words.
IL viii take very little more"
So the old man held his peace and
kept his thoughts. which Were many
aud strange. In his own breast. The
wonderful tumulI ceased also or was
lost iu other valleys. and toward
morning the old people fell asleep.
The bright sunlight shonc again over
the mountains, the dame was already
seated AT her diStaff. and the Knight
was going out To hoe and spade his lit
tie patch nj the door and said:
''It Is wonderful how the riddles and
ghostly happenings of the night, when
once they have forced themselves into
a mans brain. refuse to 20 tu rest
again. dreamed until bright day
light Of the harvest festival rs We used
to celebrate II in happier days at our
old home
How strange" interrupted the
dame. Il also dreamed of II. The
peasants came to the courtyard of the
castle with shining scythcS. their wives
and daughters bearing their rakes, tlrl
with many ribbons. The harvest crown
shore brilliantly in the blue of the
bright summer day. and, alas. before II
walked my dear, dear boy as young
child. wound round and round with 4
chain Of blue corntlOwcrS, a beautiful
wreath like that of Il bridegroom on his
head and great red flower on his
breast. And | knew the red flower
we'll"
She bowed her head, and the knight,
to turn her thoughts from the death
wound of her only son, said:
THE singing was the most wonder
full to me. Even after | awokc | still
heard the solemn hymn which the
band had sung. and at this moment
seem to hear il over the mountains,
coming nearer and nearer down the
wooded slope. Indeed, now that
open the door, the sound seems 10
come more plainly"
The dame heard II also and rose IN
speechless astouishmcnt to step out
side the door, leaning on her husbands
arm, to look for the cause of the unaC.
customed noise, embroidered Ivy the
cheerful morning beams which gildcd
the trees and the dewy grass under
them, but still more embroidered hy
the rcvcrcnt character of the hymn
which came steadily nearer. Shawms
and reed pipes mingled with the sing,
ing.
As the elderly couple stood at the
door they could see, through the trunks
of the bccChCs, a crowd of people with
cleaning sCythcs in their hands; some
however. had also naked halberds and
spears.
"Ah, heavens cried the dame 1T
is not yet harvest time. And why dc
they come thus, with song and rcjoic.
ing? See how red the morning sun
shines on their Scythcs."
Him. There must have been n era e
moving somewhere" muttrr"d the
knight. He knew the red on the bare
steel far too we'll to take II. ~ did his
wife, for the reflection Of the morning
sun.
Meanwhile the peasants had formed
semiCirCle around the venerable "a =
and out from their ranks. between III,
sCythcs and lanCcs which they hranu.
ishcd as they finished their song step
ped Diotwina with radiant face. s..
went up to the astonished couple and
said:
He who goes early to prayer finds
good fruit. Here at the edge of the
wood these heroes met me, and they
wish that you hear the tidingS from
my lips, They have rccOnquercd your
castle. The country is free. the op
preSSor is dead"
The old knight stared around him
as il he had again fallen into tn,
dreams of the previous night. Then the
oldest Of the armed peasants approach
ed, a venerable Craybcard. like his mas.
ter, and, taking the spade and hoe
gently from his hand. he placed In
their stead an ancient silver staff, in
laid with gold, which ICuthOlds fore.
i,,,,
mortal and which had now been rr
captured with the other family relies
Then the circle of men raised great
shout Of joy repeating Diotwina'
words, The country is free. The op,
preSsOr is dead" over and over anG
striking their weapons against one
another so that they clanked iuhilant
ly,
ut is all true" said the old peasant
to the still incrcdulous pair. "Eoul
brothers son, Richard. has returned
from the crusade, my llcgc. and has
brought these wonderful things 10 pass
since yesterday evening, when he first
showed himself here. He must have
hhbNu INV VIZ an lUIStNl lDI our Dit
rightful master, for he spoke to US SC
that we felt compelled to take ur
scythe and spear for you as il it were
n necessary act, which had long beer
decided upon. and even the hcsitatlnl
ones among lis believed that it could
not be otherwise. Then the storm bells
rang, the battle fires flared up on the
mountains, we assembled hastily and
were as hastily organized in tlghtine
array by the young champion and
marvelously inspired by his speech
We swsrmed up and down through
the valleys wherever the baron's re-
tainerS were to be seen. Finally VIC
stOrmed the castle, and the baron, IN
desperation, fell on his sword. The
young conqucror led us toward YOU
until we had nearly reached here, thcr
he Gallopcd back to the castle to make
ready for your reception. If YOU viii
be pleased to let us escort You thithcr
we have with us three gentle well