Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-10-04
PART 1.
CHAPTER I.

: ~ landscape; on Inc right, un-
dulating, richly wooded
heights, the advance guard of noun.
tain range in the background; on the
left, green, softly-rounded uplands.
which in England would be called
"downs." furrowed at intervals by
small, shallow ravines, and sprinkled
with dwellings-some of the better
sort-each with its surrounding Of
trees and cultivation.
Away sup the river, where it emerged
from the hills, stood lofty mass Of
rock, crowned by n gray Schoss, and
at its foot clustered the houses of
small town, the capital Of the district.
BY the river side, at the embouchure
Of one of the ravines just mentioned,
the mixed timber and brick built cot.
tages Of village were gathered.
And beyond, the dry stony road led
on uphill to residence of some pre-
tension, plentifully shaded by beech
and sweet linden trees. opening on
well-tended garden, and surrounded
by the fields. yards, and belongings
Of "Gut or farm.
All slept TRANQUILITY in the golden
haze of early autumn's noontide heat.
The bees hummed as contcntedly,
tho myriads Of the insect world fitted
and danced merrlly as If no such curse
as war darkened the earth.
River. trees, hills, flowers-all fair
to see.
"All save the spirit of man was divine"
In the little village of Bergfell, how.
ever, that spirit was much perturbed.
1t would be more accurate to say the
spirit Of woman was sOrCly veNcd
for, save young boys and aged carles
scarce any men were left IN the Saxon
villages during that unhappy summer
of 1866, when the little kingdom kept
faith with Austria so truly, fought sc
CALAMITY, and blcd so freely in the
fatal fight of Koniggratz.
The poor, hard working creatures
too disturbed to follow their usual
avocations, clustered round the White
Pigeon Gasthof and the trough from
which the horses drank, talking to
gether, vaguely wondering when the
march of the victorious Prussians
would cease.
Already two divisions had tasted the
enforced hospitality of the village. and
q fourth infiction was expected.
True, the Herr Gerichtsamtmann.
the great man Of the ncighbOrhood,
who always entered into their joys and
troubles. assured them that certain
indemnification would be given in re-
payment; but that 'certain' seemed to
the Bergfelderins very uncertain ana
distant, whereas the actual Prussian,
gobbling up, was terribly real and
present.
Above, in the Gerichtsamtmann's
pleasant home, under the shady lin
dens, care and sorrow were also pre-
dominant
In the cool, parque'd salon, with its
highly polished, inlaid, brass handled
commodes, Schranks, and writing ta-
bles; its straight backed chairs, and
comfortable Lchnstuhle; its wicker
stands of flowers, and principal table
with red cover and the invarable
snowy, satiny, damask cloth or large
napkin laid diamond-wiSe over the
centre; and standing before the sofa,
on which is the seat Of honor, an el.
derly lady in black, a white lace hand.
kerchief tied loosely over her soft
gray hair, was walking slowly to and
fro before the open windows and glass
door which led to the veranda aad gar.
Den.
Her face was careworn, and a world
Of anxious thought lay in the dark
eyes, still so soft and bright
She paused by the door for a mo-
ment, as the sound Of young voices
came from the garden beneath, but
her busy fingers took no rest from theil
habitual, perhaps soothing, occupa'
ton; and, with eyes and thoughts faI
away, Frau Gherings deft fingers
knitted on.
A knock at the door Of the salon
failed to rouse her; second, more
SluTply uuIlluIolcIcu, vi CIV bCl uttSh
ton, and before she had well uttered
"Herein,' an old man, who might be
gardener, butler, coachman. or little
Of all. came and stood twisting his car
about, while he said, with some embar'
vassment:
"a Prussian Hussar wants to speak
with our master"
'He has ridden to the town, Hans
You must speak with the soldier your
SELF" said the lady with sigh.
"Do not forget to tell him that we
can take but few horses, as the last
party billeted here left SO many be-
hind to recover.
"They are still heTo, are they not,
Hans"
Eyes, Frau Amtmann." he replied,
"some of them are still good for little
or nothing"
ut has been a bad business alto
gether."
With a respectful bow be withdrew
Hans called his mistress; he re-
turned and stood in the doorway.
"Be civil to these people, Hans.
"The war Is over; tho sooner the
breach Is healed the better; besides