The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-11-29

every Swiss ready to appear openly with arms as soon as fires vn the hillz procalm that the two burgs have fall. en. That leaves only Gesler of UrI to dispose of; but be Is the most danger ous of all Even if driven out he will
 remain q menace. It will hardly hs
 safe to let him escape alive"
 Be 1t for the men of UrI to decide his fata'' said the rest Now let us | go before the dawn betrays us. and de- part to rouse the people to be ready for the stroke for freedom :" The conspirators parted as they had
 come. Quietly they went through their cantons. over mountains and through
 valleys, into busy towns and into ione- ly gorges and passed the word from
 one free man to another. They feared
 neither treason nor premature betray-
 al: for everywhere men clasped their
 hands and swore silence and loyalty to
 death
 While the four eantons still lay thus apparently supine and crushed UIrtch von Rudenz rode in the suite of Ges-
 Ter and wooed Bertha von Bruneek
 At last. during a hunt he succeeded fin
 speaking to her quite alone and com
 fessed his love. 1,
 To his arnazement. she drew herself
 up and asked: M Dare you speak to me of love and @1ttH NAAA0 yO4 ufb LdtNflEhb 10 your nearest duty? You, the slave of Aus tria, who have sold yourself to the oppressor of your people7"
 Passionately sine told him that she, who was not Swiss. though her .es- tates were Swiss, loved his people while he was willing to betray them. My heart bieeds for this patient. strong race said she. Each day I learn to honor it more. And you-you who should assist your country. would prepare eternal servitude for iti You would drive liberty from it's last stronghold on the earth! Alas! That should have to despise one whom I would that I could honor and iove"'
 Bertha! BeRthai" exclaimed Ulft@h You show me the greatest prize only to thrust me into despair"
 No" said she. T wish to awake the noble soul that Is slumbering in your breast. Arise and fight for your landP'
 How can I escape the moose that I have so wickedly put around my neck" he groaned.
 Cut 1t! Cut 1t like a man!' said Der tha. Whatever the cost. cleave to your peopler'
 At this point they were interrupted by the arrival of the hunting party. Gesler, as usual, rode surrounded by pikemen. With him was his master of the horse. the hated Rudolph der Harras. Bertha and Rudenz joined him at his gesture and the troop rode into Altorf.
 As they approached the open place where the hat had been raised. they heard loud shouts. through which rose the yells of the guards whom Gesler had posted there: Riot, Rebellionl To 
 Squirting his horse. Gesler hurried his. men to the scene. Wilhelm Tell, his cross-bow hanging over his shoul- der. and his little son Walther by his side. was in the hands Of the guard. Since the hat had been hung there not a Swiss had come near the place The entire population had made a long de- tour rather than bow to the hated sym boL' Nobody had approached it except women and children. who had stopped at a little distance to mock the guards.
 Therefore when Tell passed that way in moment of forgetfulless, the sol diers seized him eagerly as soon as they had made sure that he had failed to give the demanded salute. Walther Fuerst, Stauffacher and others had tried to rescue him, but Tell had begged them to be calm and was moving away quietly with the guards when Gesler arrived.
 To his angry inquiry. Tell answered, with dignity but respectfully, that he had passed the hat by chance and not with forethought. T beg for pardon" said he, "and will not offend again :"
 Gesler looked at him silently for some little time. Then he spoke. They say that you are master of the cross bow, Tell and that you can easily out sh oot all of your country's archers."
 That is true. my lord" eagerly erica young Walther. Father can cut an apple from the tree at a hundred pacss.'
 'Is that your boy. Tell?'' asked Ges- Ter. How many more have your
 "one other son, my lord" replied the archer.
 And which do you love most7" ask cd Gesler, with a covert smile. '"rhis one? Well. Tell, since you can cut the apple from the tree at one hundred You shall sh oot an apple from the boys head but. Tell. let me counsel you to hit 1t at the first attempt. for, if you fall, you shall lose youR life"
 A cry of horror burst from the crowd. My lord, my lord" exclaimed Tell, what frightful deed do you think I am capable off No. mol You cannot mean it, gracious sir!'
 You shall shoot the apple from your sons head" repeated Gesler. 'T will ItP'
 Aim with my cross-bow at the be- loved head of my sony" Tell held out his hands. T will die frst!"
 You will shoot, or you will die. and your son shall die with you"
 Bertha von Bruneck dismounted and stoppad bafors GAslaX- "oh. gracious.