New-York tribune., 1909-10-24
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gives voice to the happiness OF the heroine
and the triumph OF love and virtue. which
is the outcome Of the drama.
The first glimpse OF the drama reveals
al open space In q forest, and in II an inn
and target shooting range. Max, q young
assistant TO the Chief Forester of a
bohemian principality. is seated at a table
with mug Of beer before him, his face
and attitude the picture OF despondency.
Hard by huntsmen and others are grouped
around Kilian. young peasant, who fires
the last shot in contest of marksman-
ship as the scene is disclosed. He hits
OF the last remaining star on the target
and is noisily acclaimed Schutzenk6nig
Qling Of the Marksmen), and celebrated in
lusty song by the spectators, who decorate
the victor. and forming a procession bear
ing the trophies OF the match, march
around the glade.
As they pass Max they point their hn-
gers and jeer at him. Kiian Joins In the
sport until Max's fuming III humor can
brook the humiliation no longer; he leaps
up, Eeizes the lapel OF Kilian's coat and
draws his hunting knife. A deadly quarrel
seems imminent but is averted by the com
ing OF cuno. Chief Forester. and Caspar,
who, like Max, IS one OF the assistants.
To the reproaches OF Cuno, who sees the
mob surging around Max, Killan explains
that there WAS no I'll will In the mockery
Of Max, the crowd only following an ola
custom, which permitted the people to
make sport OF g contestant who failed to
hit the target and thus forfeited the right
90 make trial for the kingship.
Cuno is amazed that a mere peasant
should have defeated one OF his foresters,
and that one the affianced lover OF bis
law. would inherit his Office provided he
could prove his fitness for It by a trial
shot on the wedding day. That day had
been set for the morrow. How the custom
OF thus providing for the successorship
originated Cuno now relates in ansacr to
the questions OF ono OF the party.
HIS grandfather, also bearer Of the
name Cuno, had been one OF the rangers
OF the prince who ruled the dominion in
his day. Once upon a time, IN the course
OF G hunt the dogs started a stag who
bounded toward the party with a man
bound TO his back. II was thus that
poachers were sometimes punished. The
princes pity was stirred, and he promised
that whoever should shoot the stag with
out harming the man should receive the
office Of Chief Forester, 10 be hereditary
in HIS family, and the tenancy OF a hunt
ing lodge near by. Cuno. moved more by
pity than hope OF reward, attempted the
feat and succeeded. The prince kept his
promise, but on q suggestion that the old
hunter may have used charmed bullet he
made the hereditary succession contingent
upon the success Of trial shot.
Before telling the tale Cuno had warned
Max to have q care. for should he fail in
the trial shot on the morrow his consent
20 the marriage between him and Agathe
would be withdrawn Max had suspected
that his III luck for q month past during
which time he had brought home not
single trophy Of bird or beast, was due TO
some malign influence. the cause OF which
he was unable 70 fathom. He sings Of the
prowess and Joys that once were his
(l-ia: "Durch die Walder. durch die
Auen') but falls into a moody dread at
the thought that heaven has forsaken him
and given him over 10 the powers Of
darkness.
IL Is here that the sinister music men,