Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-07-15

Rosa Of Tdnnenbur0.
A Story Begun by a Father anC
Ended by a Daughter.

s? A Story Begun by a Father and g
. Ended by a Daughter.
The castle of Tanncnburg was like
all castles of It's time. strongly forti-
tied and surrounded by high walls and
Il deep meat. In an upper room, one
warm summer day. Rosa and her IA
4 ihcr sat together The knight had just
come home from the wars. badly
wounded. and Rosa. II fair haired girl
of IL. 81; hy 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 but she never tired
Of hearing ii any more than the old
knight of telling il.
When | WAS II pa@" AT court" began
the knight. s,rokilg his long. gray
beard. "a great Tournaments was given
in honor of 4 French prince who came
to visit the emperor There saw your
mother for the first time and 81 lovely
was she that she was elected to bc the
queen of beauty. and was To give the
| prize. u 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 clagrin OF the
young baron Of Odcnwald. who op-
posed me iicrccly in the tourney. lie
was. like myself. II Suitur for the hand
of the queen Of beauty. and when
finally won her for my briuc he Swore
that he would have revenge on me-"
But. interrupted Rosa. his castle
is only II miles from us. and he has
done tiS no harm vet
Yes answered her father: that
WAS many years ago. and he has now
Il young wife AMI two children. but
he still hates me bitterly. and
\ loud clamor in the courtyard inter
ruptcd the story. and on loo ing out Of
the window to their CONSERVATION they
saw the very man they were speaking
! of. the baron Of rdenwald. and his
soldiers marching up To- the castle
doors The knights soldiers were. still
nj the wars. and the few oil men left
Ia guard the castle had been easily
oVcrpowercd 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 I" bind and carry off the wounded
and helpless knight of Tanncnburg In
vain were RoS:l'S tears and prayers
| The unfortunate knight was hurried
off. Rosa turned out of the castle.
which WIS looted ana then lnckc,. I'M.
and the poor girl left weeping and
diSconSolatc
All night she wandered through the
/ dark pine forest till She came to a
charcoal burners hui. where she was
taken in and kindly treated bays
passed 10y. and Rosa longrd la see her
father one" more AMI perhaps help
| him To escape. Accordingly one day
she stained her face with brown berry
juice changed her own pretty dress
for 4 peasants coarse cotton gown.
and with a large basket of mushrooms
on her arm started OF for the castle
Of odcnwald.
Til" sentinel. seeing only u harmless
little peasant girl. let her pass over
the wbridgc and through the cas-
/ tie gates. She walked up Ia the por-
tcr's lodge. where the portcrS wife
stood in the doorway scolding her
children. The baron Of odenwald WAS
extremely fond of mushrooms. aud the
haSkctful WAS soon bought and paid
for by the porter'S wife.
| "Nill YOU not stay with me and help
me look after the children and cook
| the food for the pri>oncrS:' She asked
| after u few moments chat with Rosa.
Il need Il young. strong girl like you.
AMI will give You 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
| lhc morning dress the children help
the portcrS wife cook the most I'M
Savory soup for the prisoners of the
castle and lo many things. One day
the porter came To his wife and told
her that he was obliged To- 90 away
with the baron for some days and that
she would have To take the prisoners
| food 10 them bcsidcS cooking it,
NO. indeed replied his wife.
There are mur,lererS and thieves in
those cells. and | will not 20 near
them
Let me 20" begged Rosa. Il will
do II for YOU.
Very we'll" said the porter. rather
surprised 1T her request, come with
me and will show you how To unlock
| the doors.
Together they went down a winding
flight Of stone steps. opened Il door
| heavily holIed and barred and down a
long dark corridor dimly lighted hy
the portcr'S lantern. ON one side We're
small Stnn" cells. behind whose iron
graiingS wild cruel faces CLEANED in
the light of the paSSin: lantern. Hid
ous oathS and fearful laughter follow
pd them and Rosa Shrank. frightened.
10 the portcr'S side.
''lpo You fear tlIcm:" he said. They
.annoi possibly escape. This man. how
ever is good and gentle. and you can
| 20 right into his cell. He S'oppcd in
Font of o;Ic of the gratin"S and held
| M his lantern I,nSa'S heart beat fast
aud lDud. There on n wrctchrd heap
of stra% lay her father. asleep paic
and cmaciatcd. She longcd To call To-
| him. but remembered that She must bc
silent before the porter. and they left
him sleeping and walked back through
the long corridor boiling the heavy
door behind them.
The next day Rosa took into the priS
uncrS the bowls OF unappctiZing soup.
pushed one under every grating and
| finally came To her fathers cell. Tn
locking his door. she pushed in and
| knclt by the sick mans side. Father,
father" She cried. Rosa exclaimed
the knight recognizing his daughter in
| spite of the brown stain and rougl
| dress He took her in his arms and
together they wcpt over their terrible
miSfortuncS Then Rosa told her "a
ther all her adventures since She had
been carried or until The sound of th"