Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-07-15
Rosa Of Tdnnenburu.
A Story Begun by n Father and
Ended by a Daughter.


-? Story Begun by Father and 8
Ended by a Daughter.
.-:s.-.s.s:-.-.s. .-.-..-.-.y.s.-. .y:s:-:,:s..
The castle of Tanncnburg was like
all castles Of its time. strongly forti-
lied and surrounded lay high walls and
Il deep moat. In an upper room. one
warm summer day. Rosa and her ia
thcr sal together. The knight had just
come home from the wars. badly
wounded. AMI Rosa. a fair haired girl
of IL. 81; 10y him working over her
gayly colorcd tapestry.
Father" she said. tell me the story
of how you got the chain round Your
neck
Rosa had heard the story Il hundred
times before now. hut she E"vcr tired
of hearing il any more than the old
knight of telling IL.
When | WAS "a page nj court" began
the knight. Stroking his long. gray
beard "a great tournament WAS given
in honor of Il French prince who came
10 visit the emperor. There | saw your
was she that she was elected to bc the
queen of beauty. and was To give the
prize. u golden chain. IL 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 10 the chagrin of the
young baron of Odcnwald. who op-
| L. IN II
was. like myself. II Suitor for the hand
of the queen of beauty. aud when |
finally won her for my bri,,c he swore
that lie would have revenge on me
But" interrupted Rosa. his castle
is only H. miles from us. and he has
done us no harm yet
Yes" answered her father: that
WAS many years ago. and he has now
Il young wife and two children. but
he still hates me bitterly. and
\ loud clamor in the courtyard inter
ruptcd the story and on loo ing ont Of
the window To their CONSERVATION they
saw the very man they We're speaking
Of the baron of Odeuwald. and his
soldiers marching up 10 the castle
doors. The knights soldiers were still
ut the wars. and the few old men left
To guard the castle had been easily
ovcrpowcrcd 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 and ordered his
men To bind and carry off the wounded
AMI helpless knight of Tanncnbur.. In
vain were toS:lS tears and prayers.
The unfortunate knight was hurried
oil. Rosa turned out of the castle.
which WAS looted and then lockc,. M.
AMI the poor girl left weeping and
diScouSolaic.
All night she wandered through the
dark pine forest till she came to a
charcoal burners hut where she was
taken in and kindly treated DAYS
passed by. AMI Rosa longrd to see her
father once more AMI perhaps help
him to escape. Accordingly one day
she stained her face with brown berry
juice. changed her own pretty dress
Tor Il peasants coarse cotton gown.
ana with Il large basket of mushrooms
| on her arm started of for the castle
of Odcnwald.
I'll" sentinel. seeing only u harmless
little peasant girl. let her pass over
The drawbrilgc and through the cas-
Tie gates. She walked up Ia the por-
tcr'> lodge. where The portcr's wife
stood in the doorway scolding her
children. The baron of odcnwald was
extremely fond Of mushrooms. and the
hasketful was soon bought and paid
for 10y the poricr'S wife
VIII You not stay with me and help
me look after the children and cook
The food for the priSoncrs:' she asked
after Il few moments chat with Rosa.
Il need II young. strong girl like you.
ana | will give you Il new dress every
year if 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 portcr'S wife cook the most I'M
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
she would have To take the prisoners
food To them besides cooking il.
No. indeed" replied his wife
There are mur1crcrS AMI thieves in
those cells. and | will not go near
them"
Let me GO begged Rosa. Il will
do II for YOU
Very we'll" said the porter. rather
surprised 1T her request; come with
me AMI | will show you how to unlock
the doors
Together they went down Il winding
flight Of stone steps. opened door
heavily holicd and barred and down
long. dark corridor dimly lighted 10y
the portcr'S lantern. on one side We're
small stone cells. behind whose iron
| graiings wild. cruel faces CLEANED in
the light of the passing lantern. Hid
.ouS oaths and fearful laughter follow
ed them. and Rosa Shrank. frightened,
20 the portcrS side.
DO YOU fear thcm:" he said. They
.annoi possibly escape. This man. how
ever is good and gentle. aud YOU can
~ right into his cell lie S'nppcd in
font of one of the gratingS and held
M his lantern. ItoS;l'S heart beat fast
aud bud. There ou n wrctchcd heap
uf stra@ lay her father. asleep pare
and cmaciatcd She longrd To call to
him. but remembered that she must he
silent before the porter. and they left
him sleeping and walked back through
the long corridor. holting the heavy
door behind them.
The next day Rosa took into the priS-
"ncrS the bowls of unappetizing soup.
pushed one under every grating and
finally came to her fathers cell. Tn.
! locking his door. she pushed in AMI
knclt by the sick mans side. Father.
father she cried. Rosa" exclaimed
the knight. recognizing his daughter i'm
| spite of the brown stain ana rougl
dress. He took her in his arms and
together they wcpt over their terrible
miSfortuncS. Then Rosa told her FL
ther all her adventures since she had
been carried or. until the sound ii the