The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-12-29
Rosa Of TdnncnburO.
A Story Begun by Father and
Ended by a Daughter.
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The castle of Tannenburg was like
all castles of it's time, strongly forti-
fed and surrounded by high walls and
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, a 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 a hundred
times before now, but she never tired
of hearing it any more than the old
knight of telling it.
'When | was page at court" began
the knight. strolling his long, gray
beard, "a great tournament was given
in honor of a 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, golden chain, to the victor.
loved her from the moment | saw her,
and her beauty gave me such strength
and daring that l 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 10 miles from us, and he has
done US no harm yet"
Eyes" 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
overpowered 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
| and helpless knight of Tannenburg. Ii
| vain were ROsa's tears and prayers
| The unfortunate knight was hurried
| Off, Rosa turned out of the castle
| which was looted and then locked up
and the poor girl left weeping an(
| discOnsolate.
| ALI night she wandered through tn,
dark pine forest till she came to
charcoal burners hut, where she wal
taken in and kindly treated. Day
passed by, and Rosa longed to see he
father once more and perhaps he'll
him to escape. Accordingly one da,
she stained her face with brown berr,
for a peasants coarse cotton gown
and with a large basket of mushroom
on her arm started off for the castl
Of Odenwald.
The sentinel, seeing only a Harmless
little peasant girl. let her pass owe
the drawblidge and through the cas-
tie gates. She walked up to the poi
ter's lodge, where the porter's wifi
stood in the doorway scolding he
children. The baron of Odenwald wa
extremely fond of mushrooms, and tn
basketful was soon bought and pai
for by the porter's wife.
"Wil you not stay with me and hel
me look after the children and coo
the food for the prisoners?" she aske
after a few moments chat with Ross
II need young. strong girl like yol
and l will give you a new dress ever
year if yor will stay"
: Rosa accepted the offer eagerly, an
her duties, none too light, began tha
very day. She had to light the fire
the morning, dress the children, hel
the porter's wife cook the most III
savory soup for the prisoners of I'll
castle and do many things. One da
= the porter came to his wife and tol
her that he was obliged to go ava
with the baron for some days and tn,
she would have to take the prisoner
food to them besides cooking it.
mo, indeed" replied his wifi
There are murderers and thieves
those cells. and l will not go ne;
them"
Let me CO." begged Rosa. 81 vi
do it for you"
Every well,' said the porter, rath'
surprised at her request; come wi
me and | will show you how to unlot
the doors"
Together they went down windi1
flight of stone steps, opened do
heavily boiled and barred and down
long, dark corridor dimly lighted
the porter's lantern. On one side we
= small stone cells, behind whose irt
gratings wild, cruel faces cleaned
the light of the passing lantern. Hi
eous oaths and fearful laughter folio
ed them, and Rosa shrank, frightene
TO the pOrter's side.
"Do you fear thcm?' he said. 9Th
y; cannot possibly escape. This man, ho
~ ever, is good and gentle, and you C;
D. go right into his cell" He stopped
u u front of one of the gratings and he
up his lantern. Rosa's heart beat fa
and llud There on q Wretched he