The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-11-29

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were all one family. Ulrieh no longer OBJ
served the old customs nor associated on
terms of equality with the free people as
his ancestors had done. He spent his
time at Gesler's court and was account
ed apostate and traitor by the men Of
Uri.
Zurich, Ulrich," said the old Freiherr
solemnly, leave not the cause of thy
land. There hang my shield and helmet
that will go with me into my grave; and
must 1 think as I draw my last breath
that you wait only for my eyes to close
before you go to yonder interlopers to
beg from Austria as a gift these lands of
mine that I have owned as a free menu"
Rudenz turned away without word.
Unhappy man." said his uncle, 81
know what draws you. Conceal it as you
will What tempts you to the imperial
service is the lure of the Lady Bertha of
Bruneck. You would win her by desert
ing your country. Deceive yourself not
They show you the bride TO make you
theirs, but she will not be for you"
U1rich turned away silently and rode to
Altorf to Geslers court. The old man,
looking after him. exclaimed: What do
I here in earth2 My time lies underground.
Well, ah well, for him who need no longer
live with the new!'
That night a great darkness lay over
the lake. The Ruetli lay hidden in i'm
penetrable gloom. High mountains rose
in inky shadows around It, and above
their highest shoulders CLEANED, pale and
eternal SHOWS of the still higher peaks
Out of the vast shadows there came,
moving like shadows themselves, the men
whom the three leaders had called to the
Ruetli One by one they entered the open
place and whispered the pass words
Friends of the land" The bravest and
best of the four cantons were there:
Struth Won Winkeiried, Rosselmann, the
dauntless pastor of Uri; the giant man
known far and wide as the Steer of Uri;
Walter Fuerst, Stauffacher and Melch-
thai.
| AS the counsel was declared open one
| of the men of Schwytz pointed out to the
lake. The moon was rising, and a great
moonbow stood over the smooth waters.
"A wonderous sign" said Klaus Won der
| Flue. mot many men live who have seen
sight like that"
| Melchthal made the first report He
| had crept over glaciers and hidden In
chasms to escape the projects men.
| Everywhere he found the country wild
with rage against the Austrians, and
everywhere men shook him by the hand
and wept with him for the wickedness
that had been done to his father with
their hard hands they tore old rusty
weapons from their walls" said he, land
swore to follow Walther Fuerst and
| Weaver Stauffacher wherever they might
command. In every valley, on every
mountain peak the hearts of the people
are with us and they await the word.
Disguised as a pilgrim, entered even
the burg of Sarnem. Judge now, oh! my
friends, whether I love my land or not L
| saw the castellan-I saw my enemy, and 1
did not kill him.
you have done WELL" said the Stauf-
facher. LET us now follow the ancient
| laws of our nation. Erect the swords of
authority that we may act with right as
the representatives of our people" :
Two swords were brought and planted
upright in the ground. The 80 men formed
close ring around them. They took
hands, and Stauffacher said:
ut is no new league that we found be-
| meath this sky. We never bowed our
knees to princes. All that we ever grant
ed to the Emperor was armed help We
followed the imperial banner and fought
It's battles. We accompanied him in arms
| and helped to put the crown of the Ro-
man empire on his head. At home we
| ruled ourselves, permitting the Emperor
| to judge only in cases of life and DEATH
and then only through a nobleman whom
we called in and who judged for us I'M
der the open sky. We stand for land, for
wives, for children, with our swordsp
| The old pastor now raised his voice:
Before you seize the sword reflectl You
| can make peace with Austria by one
word Acknowledge her supreme author
ity-"
That is the counsel of traitorp cried
the rugged Winkelreid.
WHO Speaks Of surrender to Austria"
exclaimed Melchthal, shall be outlaw
and no man shall give him shelter. Let
that be our first law
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