Georgia weekly telegraph, journal & messenger. (Macon, Ga.) 1880-188?, May 07, 1880, Image 1

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JOURNAL AND MESSENGER. CLISBY & JONES, Proprietors. THE FAMILY JOURNAL—NEWS—POLITICS—LITERATURE—AGRICULTURE—DOMESTIC NEWS, Etc.—PRICE $2.00 PER ANNUM. ESTABLISHED 1826- ‘ MACOIST, FRIDAY, MAY 7, 1880. VOLUME NO—LV KME SCHILDIIOOn. Der schiltren dbey vas poot in bed, All tucked oup for der nighdt; I (lakes mine pipe der mantel off, Und py der fireside prigbt I dinks aboudt vhen I ras young, Off inoder, who vas tead, Und bow at nighdt—like I do Hans— She tucked me or.p in ped. I mindt me off mine fader too, Und how he yoost to say, “Poor dov, you haf a hardt oldt row To lioe, und leedle blay!” I find me oudt dot id vas drue Vot mine oldt fader said, Vbile smooding dcWn my flaxen hair Und tucking me in ped.. Der oldt folks 1 Id vas like a dhream To slipeak off dhem like dot. Gretchen und I vas “oldt folks” now, Und haf two schiltren got! Ve lofes dhem more as nefer vas, Each leedle curly head, Und efry nighdt ve takes dhem oup Und tucks, dhem in dheir ped. Btidt dhen, somedimes, vhen I feels plue, Und all dings lonesome seem, I vish I vos dot poy again, Und dis vas all a dhream, I vant to kiss.mind moder vonce, Und vhen mine prayer was said, To haf my fader take me oup Und tuck me in mine ped. —Charles Fallen Adams in Harper's for May. ___ EPPELEIN VON£AILINGEN. The scene of our present sketch is laid in Germany; the action of our romantic drama—which is based partly on living legend, partly on the records of old chron- jefes and archives—plays itself chiefly in and around Nurnberg. The date is the fourteenth century. The state of Germany in that age was anarchic, chaotic. The Church, the Kai ser?, the Furalen, nay even the Imperial Free Cities—whereof there were then some hundred and six—were all in a rage of strain and storm, struggling to gether,each force opposedjto the other in a wild welter of discorded conflict. Out of the collision of these warring elements was pressed into life the order of llaubrit- ter, or Itobber-knights: men of birth who elected to live, in a lawless age, by saddle and by sword; who sought gain by mas terful spoliation, and strove for glory by despiteful deeds of arms. The Raubritter was a natural product of his land and liine. The younger and wilder nobles messed into the career—for such it then was—with joyous eagerness, and without much sense of shame or wrong—they may almost be called crusaders of crime; and, indeed, they very often sublimated their wild life with a strain of knightly daring and warrior-enterprise. Many of them Mere, naturally, mere coarse, common robbers, greedy and cruel; but there were some who surrounded the perilous avoca-, lion with chivalry, and ennobled it with romance. That one of the Raubritter who is the best type of the nobler sort— Eppeleiu von Gailingen forms the subject of the present narrative. .... , It is clear that Eppelem did not think his profession any disgrace. He was in- dirnaut at the misdeeds of Church and State, of Kaiser and of Pope. He always held himself to be an “honorable knight;” he never broke his knightly word; he was furious against the “slanderous tongues” that called his followers Staudenhecthte and Schnapphahne—“pikes-in-the-wood,” or “snatch-cocks.” t . . Bravest among the brave, he had a wis dom that could guide his valor to act in safety; he was capable of courtesy, gener osity, chivalry; he was always gentle to women; he had a keen wit and a humor ous power.pf strong sarcasm. There was also “the grace and versatility of the man.” He loved adventure, and courted danger for its own fierce sake. Early in the fourteenth century, the good knigbt, Arnold von Gailingen, was lord of the castles of Illesheim near Windsbeim, of Wald, nearGunzenhausen, of Trameysl (or Dramaus) near Mnggen- dorf, and of Gailingen, his Stammschloss, which latter was situated near Rothen- burg on the Tauber. His wife was named Apollonia, and he had two sons, one of whom was a monk at Wurzburg, while the other pursued the Kriegshandel, or trade of war, in far lands. The soldier- son, following his Irade of war, procured himself to be effectually killed in some of those far lands; so that Arnold’s two first born soms did not yield him an heir to his name, his honors and his castles. However, in or about the year 1311, the Frau Apollonia proposed to make her hus band once more a father. “If,” said the good lady, “my coming child be a girl, it shall be a nun; if a boy, he shall be a monk.” Father Isidores, the resident castle chaplain, warmly approved the pi ous resolution; and Arnold, his wife be ing weak, did not dissent. In deep win- •er, in the castle of Illesheim, Apollonia was safely delivered of a son. They called his name Apollonius, which means, being 'uterpreted, Eppelein; and this infant be came Eppelein of Gailingen and his lath er’s heir. The mother had a bad time, and the infant was at first, to all appear ance, rather weakly. “He will make a good monk,” they thought; and when they said this in the child’s hearing, he (as chronicles record) raised a great cry, kicked and threatened as if he were an gry at the very idea of becoming a monk. When Eppelein was christened, he, so soon as he felt the touch of water, uplifted a terrible shout that frightened all that b-'ard it; he nearly upset the christening vessel, and behaved so violently that all were astonished. In this line of conduct, however, Eppelein resembled the infant who afterward became the Emperor Wen zel, and who, when baptized in the St. Se- baldus church in Nurnberg, comported himself in the like uproarious manner. Arnold remarked, as he watched his child’s behavior, “I should almost doubt whether this boy will ever make a monk.” The little Eppelein soon ripened into a strong and sturdy boy. When he was about six years old, his great delight was to take down from the wall his father’s sword, and to swing it about. He tried to draw on his father’s heavy riding boots and spurs; and when Arnold rode out on • Black Adam,” the boy insisted upon rid ing in front of his father on the great war- horse. At ten, Eppelein could ride “Black Adam” almost better than his father. The bov never knew fear. He would catch wild, unbroken colts by the mane, swing himself on them, and gallop furious ly ’round the meadows; nor could the fiercest horse ever throw the boj. He sat as if he had been molten on to a horse. Arnold did not wish to pain bis wife, and, therefore, held liis tongue before her, but he was often beard to mutter, as he watched Eppelein, “They will never make a monk of that boy.” „ Himself an old Haudegen,the knight had a secret joy in his son’s strength and daring and nn- rnliness. Frau Apollonia was a weak and pious woman. Given such a lady of it, and the castle is like to be ruled by a priest; as, indeed, was the case with all Arnold's many castles, In which the Father Isido res, while maintaining a decent show of respect for the good knight, was practical ly almost supreme. Tne education and control of the young Eppelein were con fided to the priest, but without good re sults. Eppelein soon detected that the father was selfish and a hypocrite; and the boy rose in revolt against the priestly rule. Eppelein would obey only Arnold, who seldom interfered between priest and scholar; but, with a smile, let them fight it out between them, though Isidores was always complaining of the boy, and urg ing Arnold to punish him. The quarrels between Isidores and Eppelein became fierce and frequent; and the lad played his reverend tutor many evil tricks. One day, after some mischievous prauk, the incensed father, after calling Eppelein a “heilloser Gesell,” pulled the boy’s ears, receiving in return a blow which nearly knocked him down. “How can you hon or my father and mother,” asked Eppe lein, “when you take their son by the ears?” “A pretty monk you’ll make!” roared the enraged chaplain. Eppelein, who generalized too rapidly, conceived an unhappy dislike to the whole body of the cleigy. If monks or priests were coming to the castle, he took away the plank, or tree, by which they had to cross the river; when they reached the courtyard, he let loose all the great dogs of the castle, and fastened all the doors. Twice, when Isi dores went to the cellar, for purposes no doubt innocent in themselves and certain ly conducive to his comfort, Eppelein locked him in, and the father could only get out by frantic knockings and callings. On another occasion the boy glued to- S tber the leaves of the father’s breviary. idorus did not find out this trick for some day?, and the boy poiated out that the priest must have neglected his duties for at least that period. Arnold and Apol lonia were induced to scold Eppelein, who, in consequence, resolved to he further re venged upon Isidores, and accomplished his purpose in this wise. Eppelein began by upbraiding the fath er for setting his parents against him. “Verrechter Gesell!” shouted the angry priest; “if I did not know you to be the son of your pious mother, I should hold you to be an imp of Satan 1” «Ah p» returned Eppelein, “you abuse my mother, do you? Very well, you shall pay for that. I have a mind to line your cap with pitch.” “I’ll take care,” roared the father, “that you shall have no chance. You shan’t ret my cap into your mischievous hands, lee—I’ll put it on at once.” And he hastily did so. But Eppelein had been beforehand with him, and the cap was already lined with pitch. Isidores could put it oni but he could not get it off again. He roared for help, and they tried to pull off the cap, but it stuck fast, and the father’s howls were so piteous that they had to leave it where it was, and, indeed, it remained there for many a long day. Isidores carried his woes to the Lady Apollonia, and she urged her husband to interfere. Arnold was really angry; he had just put his foot into the stirrup of “Black Adam,” but he turned back, moved by his wife’s tears, and called to a Knecht to bring a stick. Eppelein wrenched the stick out of the man’s hand, ran downstairs, sprang upon “Black Ad am,” and rode away. He was then twelve or thirteen years old. When he reached the great wood near Trameysl, he dis mounted, and began (for he was a boy sti'l) to pick and eat bilberries. “Black Ad’am,” who was like a dog with Eppe lein, waited by and grazed contentedly. Presently Eppeleiu heard voices, and creeping through the brushwood, he saw a large band of riders, headed by his fath er’s chiefest enemy. He listened, and found that they were lying in wait for his father, intending to kill Arnold, and then to seize his castle. Noiselessly did Ep pelein return to his noble horse. He led “Black Adam” over the sand, in order that the horse’s hoofs might make no noise; then he remounted, and rode swift ly bade. On his road he met Arnold, mounted upon the chestnut, end told him all. Now when Isidores saw father and son ride into the courtyard, the good man’s heart swelled with joy, for he thought Eppelein had been caught, and was brought home for condigii punishment. However, it was another matter that nad brought the pair home, though Isidores did not yet know it. “Gottvergessenger Gaucli 1” he cried out to Eppelein. “Now you shall learn what it is to maltreat a holy man! You shall he locked up for days; you shall be—” “Silence!” cried Arnold, who.bad to think of more serious matters; and it was boot and saddle in the castle yard, where all the riders were soon mounting, under arms, while the castle prepared for a defense. Eppelein suggested that a Knecht should be sent out, disguised as a peas ant, should let himself be caught by the enemy, and should then tell them thet Arnold was away from Trameysl, and would not come home for many days. This was done. Arnold’s foes were oveijoyed. They postponed their attack until evening, and detained the sullen peasant to lead them in the dark to the castle—which he, unwillingly, did. Things did not, however, fall out quite as they had expected. Just as they reached Trameysl, Arnold, Eppelein and all the riders fell upon them from behind, and defeated the foe with such slaughter that only five remained alive. * This was Eppelcin’s first knightly deed of arms, but he did well and worshipfully, himself unhorsing and wounding two Lanzknechts. When the fight was over, said Arnold, as he wiped his sword on the mane of “Black Adam”—and lie said j; proudly, too—“that boy will never be a monk!” . , * . . Soma ten years rolled on, and Eppelem developed rapidly. He could keep his own counsel, and carry out life own will. He was feared and liked by the soldiers and the tenants. All said, “The lad had as much character as courage, and will come to be a puissant knight; but a monk —never!” One clay his father, Arnold, died; and shortly after, Frau Apollonia prepared to follow her husband. “Es fehlte ihr im und im Kopfe”—she suffered in the head and in the stomach—and the simple leechcraft of Isidores could not avail. He mixed and administered to the good lady, all the draughts that he knew of; but even this treatment did not help; and Apollonia died. So Eppelein became lord, and this was his first act of mastery: He sent for Isidores, and said: “You have caused me many a bitter hour. You set enmity between my parents and me; and more than all”—here Eppelem s an ger rose high—“you would have made a monk of me 1 All is ended between us. I am now master here, and you shall not remain another hour in my Jialls. Go. Now you may think that this was not pleasant for Isidores, who, as priem and protege of the lady of so many castles, had for long years borne sway and influence, had had an easy life, with free run of cel lar and buttery, and who saw himself turned out by the young lord, and rele gated to meagre fare and to some sort of work. So he pleaded, and offered to pray for Eppelein; who. however, remained in exorable. Then Isidores, who was of a heavenly temper, gave way to it, and emitted an impromptu commination ser vice, brief but Intense, which contained prophecies of evil and malignant denunci ations. This, also did not help, and the discomfitted priest left the halls of the young Knight of Gailingen. . Eppelein’s position was this: He was young, strong, proud, brave, eager for ad venture, desirous of glory. He had a heaity hatred of priests and Jews; he loathed hypocrisy; he had a knightly scorn of traders, of usurers, of money changers; and he held in contempt Bur- germeisters and town councils. Hence he determined to live by the saddle and the sword, i. e., to become a Raubitter, or robber-knight. Such a mau had not much of a career open to him in Eppe lein’s land and time. Of the sea he could know nothing. In the distracted, anarchic condition of Germany there were no po litical causes that could present a field for his energy and enterprise. He believed —or believed that he believed—that his pursuit was not unworthy of a knight fired by love of glory, and he embraced it with a serious joy. There was, in Eppe lein’s complex nature, a strong love of romance, of daring for its own sake; and he loved the right—as he understood the right. The new band soon made itself felt and known. No highway in Franconia could be traveled in safety, nor did it help that the traders engaged escorts of mercena ries. It soon appeared that the free imperial city of Nurnberg was the object of Eppe lein’s peculiar detestation. It was full of priests, Jews, traders, usurers, town- counselors—the people that' most he hated—and the city was very rich. What woe he wrought to Nurnberg, what scofis and mocks he put upon it, wo shall soon see. Above all his contemporaries of the sword, Eppelein soon made himself a distinctive Dame in the land. His dar ing, skill, generosity, romance, became the theme of general talk and popular ru mor. Hated by the classes that he hated, Eppelein was well loved of the common people. Never did he any harm or wrong to poor or simple folk; he often did good to them. Now, of Eppelein’s many exploits I can only relate a few. First, I will tell you of a pleasant adventure: “Es ist zu wissen,” as the quaint oid chronicles say, that there was then in Nurnberg a very wealthjfcburgher, Tetzel by name, who had one fair daughter that he loved passing well. Agnes was proud of her beauty and her wealth, scorned all her suitors, and declared that she would only marry a nobleman. Thereupon Eppelein wrote to the Rath, offering through them to Agnes his “ritterlich hochsteigenc hand.” He added that if Agnes should marry any Nurnberger he should levy a fine of 8,000 gold gulden upon the city, aud would, moreover, have a ki3S from the bride. Nurnberg answered angrily, but feared to let Agnes many any one. When her father had wished her to mar ry, Agnes would not; but when he wished her not to marry, the wilful beauty de cided to marry, and proceeded to fix he:* affections strongly upon one Ulrich Men del, a proper young fellow, though scarce ly quite attaining to Agnes’ original standard of nobility. However, from dread of Eppelein, the marriage of Agnes and Ulrich was postponed. Suddenly the news came to Nurnberg that Eppelein was sick unto death. He sent to the city for Dr. Rhem, the great physician, to whom Eppelein proposed a laige fee and a safe conduct. The Rath gladly sent the doctor to Trameysl, but intimated to Rehm before he started, that lie need not go out of his way to cure Eppelein. “ Dr. Rehm found his patient very weak and veiy red in the face. This latter symptom, however, Eppelein haa brought about by taking a mighty draught of strong wine. The doctor felt the sick man’s pulse, shook bis head, aud said: “You have the binning fever, and will probably die. You must repent of all your sins and prepare for death. Still I will see what 1 can do;” and he prepared a draught for the sick man. “Drink, Ep peleiu!” said Doctor Rehm. “Rascal!” cried the patient, springing out of bed; “do you think I don’t know what you mean? How little you know! I am quite well. You shall drink that draught your self; if it be poison, you will be served right; if it be harmless, it will do you no harm!” No help for it. The doctor made a wry face, but he drank. Then it occurred to Eppelein to make further experiments in medicine, and he mixed all Rehm’s drags into one daught, and made the doctor drink that. This nearly finished the wretched physician, who was, removed in a very uncomfortable condition. As Rehm had been sent to him, the news of Eppelein’s death was easily be lieved. A black flag floated over the cas tle, and traders began to crawl out of Nurnberg. Tetzel and Menzel sent away a large cargo of valuable goods, but the caravan was waylaid, and a person, recog nized by his comrades as the dead Eppe lein, said gayly: “We have the 8,000 gul den and more; now I go for my kiss. Hide about here and wait my return, in case I should bring friends from Nurnberg with me.” The wedding-feast of Agnes and of Ul rich was merry and was splendid. Ulrich said it was a double festival, and celebrat ed both his marriage and Eppelein’s death. “Do not be too sure of that,” said a venerable old man among the guests. “I hear that Eppelein has been seen again.” Now the bride, who was curious and anxious, went to the venerable old man to inquire further, when suddenly, to her surprise, she was passionately embraced and heartily kissed. Off went white wig and beard, and the rest of the disguise; out flamed a bright kqen sword, and the guest, no longer old, cried, “I have had my money, I have had my kiss! I am Ep peleiu! After me who lists to follow.” He sprang upon his horse, and rode thun dering over the bridge at the Frauenthor. Then there was mounting in hot haste, and the enraged Ulrich and the Number- gers rode as they might, after the bride, kisser. Eppelein kept ahead, but did not ride as fast as usual. Presently he whis tled, and from copse and shaw came forth the Wolf and the riders of Dramaus. Ep pelein tied Ulrich to his hoise, gave him in charge of two Kneclits, and said, “Sir Bridegroom, we shall soon meet at Trameysl. I always keep my word. You will know Eppelein again!” Then Eppe lein returned to the joy of fierce fight. The Nnmbeigers retired sorely discomfit ed, but Ulrich remained Eppelein’s pris oner. The next day Eppelein wrote in stately fashion to the Rath of the praiseworthy free city of Nurnberg. He said two friends of theirs, Dr. Rehm and Ulrich Mendel, were on a visit to him; but, though the air at Dramaus was good, both seemed rather to pine for Nurnberg, and would gladly return home, which they could do so soon as the praiseworthy free city aforesaid should have paid for them a little ransom of 4,000 gold gulden. This ransom Nurnberg paid forthwith, and re covered her citizens; hut Eppelein had his kiss, his glory, and his gain. And now you shall hear the story of Eppelein’s great leap for life; a leap such as perhaps,"no other horse and rider ever took. There was a certain Jew in Nurnberg, called Elia», who, like Isaac of York, dealt, among other things, in armor and in horses. Now this Jew had for sale a certain matchless horse, said to be the best in all Germany; but there was one objection to the peerless grey, that is, he was so wild and fierce that no man could mount and ride him. The Buiggraf wanted the horse, and Eppelein, you may be sure, who could ride any horse, wanted such an one sorely. Elias sold the horse to the Burggraf for twenty gold gulden, but when Eppfelein made offers for the steed, a plan of treach ery occurred to the cunning Jew, and he offered, for 2,000 gulden, to deliver Eppe lein into the hands of the Nurnbeigers. The Jew reasoned well, because Eppelein was so fond of a good horse, that he for got his usual caution. So Elias said he would bring the gallant gray to Forch-1 heim, that Eppelein might see the horse; | and Eppelein went there eagerly and un attended. At Forchbeim, Eppelein did not find the horse, but he found an ambush of Nurnberg Lanzknechts, who succeeded in seizing Eppelein, and in carrying the great Raubritter, securely hound, into Num- burg; that is, to certain death. He was borne into the city on the shoulders of the spearmen, and the mob, which had always pictured Eppeleiu as a kind of terrible devil, was surprised to see a handsome cavalier, gay, confident, bold. Eppelein knew his danger well; but he kept liis wits about him, looked ’round him (spe cially at the city walls,) and maintained a cheerful, debonair demeanor. Eppelein was taken before the Buiggraf, who, with Burgermeister, Rath, patri cians, soldiers, and much people about him, sat on horseback in the great wide Schlossplatz, or open ground below the btug of Nurnberg. “Eppelein of Gailingen,” said the Burggraf sternly, “we have caught you at last;- and for your many misdeeds you must prepare to die the death!’, “Burggraf,” replied Eppelein gayly, “I love life as well as any man, and I don’t think that I shall die to-day.” Then Elias, the Jew, stood forward, "With spiteful glee and deep malice, he told the story of his treachery; he claimed the 2,000 gulden, and the payment for his horse. “Burggraf,” said Eppelein, “may I see this horse before I die ? I am accounted a good rider as you know, and it may chance that I could tame a horse that none other can ride 1” “Agreed!” cried the Burggraf. “And you, Eppelein, shall decide whether I am to pay this Jew for a devil’s horse that no man can ride. Bring forth the horse 1” And the horse was brought, snorting, and stamping, and foaming into the open space. Several grooms led him, and they were all afraid of him. Eppeleiu looked at the gray with a born horseman’s joy. Never had he seen such force and fire; such spirit, strength and speed; and then the creature was so beautiful 1 “The - very horse for me 1” thought Eppelein, “and I will have him, too!” i “Mount, if thou darest, Eppelein!” said the Burggraf. “Unbind him, Knechts, and lead him to the horse!” And then they saw a strange thing. Eppelein showed no fear; he patted and stroked the horse, which seemed to know his master, and suffered Eppelein to ap proach and touch him. In a moment Ep pelein had hold of bridle and of mane, and with one vault, he sat firmly in the saddle. The horee neighed, and plunged and kicked, hut Eppelein sat as if the two had been moulded in one casting. Erect and fair, the cavalier kept his seat; and the wild horse, leaping high into the air, in furious bounds, flew round and round in circles, which Eppelein took care to widen. The people drew hack, and sud denly Eppelein, seeing the way clear, headed the horse for the city wail, struck him with the spurs, and at one wild leap cleared wall and moat, and stood safe outside Nurnberg! The Buiggraf could not restrain his ad miration; but the astonished soldiers soon rushed to the wall, threw spears and dis charged cross-bows at the mocking horse man, who sat, laughing and jeering at them, on the horse that he alone could ride. “I can throw a spear better than you I” cried Eppelein, as h<» snatched one out of the ground and hurled it through the arm ot the Jew Elias. “Burggraf, you need not pay for the horse. I alone can ride him! And you need not pay the Jew for my capture, for I am not cap tured—I am Eppelein 1 Ade 1” And he turned and fled like the wind. Never liad he felt such a horse beneath him. It was not long before he was safe in Dramaus, having acquired a matchless horse that he alone could master and could use. And that wild hone became as cele brated throughout Franconia as was his yet wilder rider, Eppelein von Gailingen. But the traitor Jew came badly off. Ho was not paid for Eppelein, or for the horse, but lie was banished from Num- berg on pain of death, and fell into the hands” of Eppelem. “You have well deserved death at my hands! said Eppelein with a dark scowl, “but fear not, Elias, I will he merciful. You shall have a safe conduct, and a ride into Nurnberg as my messenger. Bring out the wild boar!” And Eppelein wrote a letter to the Burggraf and tied it to Elias, and the Knechts tied Elias to the wild boar. They prodded the beast with their spears, and drove it toward Nurnberg; and so, amid the loud laughter of the wild followers of the Raubritter, Elias, who had caused Eppelein such a desperate ride, began an unpleasant ride on his own account. Ar rived in the city, more dead than alive, Elias yet duly delivered Eppelein’s letter. The knight of Gailingen stipulated for the Jew’s life, but added that he had more generosity and was a better Christian than the Numbergere were, for he bad spared tbe life of a man who had sold his life for a price. The letter ended, “You shall soon hear more from Eppelein.” Tbe Rath was sorely perplexed at this great threat, but they spared the life ot Elias, and the Jew escaped safely to his own people in Poland, Hungary or Bohe mia. And so .EUas vanishes from tbiK history, and the fame of Eppeleiu von Gailingen, and of liis wonderful horse, waxed even greater in the land. Love came to Eppelein, as it does to all He loved Kunigunde von Wurm- stein, the sister of his friend, “The Wolf.” Kunigunde was of noble birth, was beau tiful and high-hearted; but at first she re fused Eppelein, saying that his way of life was too dangerous, that she should al ways bo anxious, and might be left an un timely widow. All is fair in love, and Eppelein planned, without changing his way of life, to convince her of his reforma tion by extracting a marriage-gilt from Nurnberg. He wrote his request toahe free city, but the reply was that Nurnberg would not give him a spatz—a sparrow. He replied that if they would not give him a sparrow he would take their sing ing-birds. He rode disguised into Num- berg, entered the treasury, put their port able gold cups and the like into a sack, which he shook and rattled to “make the birds sing,” and rode safely off. When Kunigunde received her wedding present, she told Eppelein that if he had yielded to her request she would never have ac cepted him, that she loved his fame, aud admired his life of wild adventure. “Hencefortff,” said the lady, “your friends are my friends, and your foes are my foes.” So the twain married, in great splendor, at Dramaus. They were well suited to each other, and lived very hap- jlly. Kunigunde died in a few years, earing one son, Johannes, wl\o promised to become a second Eppelein, but was killed in a fight when quite young, fall ing with his face to the foe, and with all his wounds in front. It happened, in J343, that Numbeig was visited with the “black death,” ana with a terrible dearth and famine. The people were dying miserably of sickness and starvation, so that it was piteous to see and hear of. Now, there was a cer tain usurer who had bought great stores of corn, which he held feack that he might sell his stock-at #r. enormous profit when the poor people should he driven by hanger to pay any price. Had Eppelein known anything of political economy he would have recognized that such dealing was a natural and beautiful transaction; but he was ignorant of the “dismal science,” and what he did was this. First he himself warned the usurer, who denied having'any com, but when, a few days later, the usurer thought it safe to drive his com to Nurnbeig to market, Eppe lein’s riders seized the cargo and gave it away to the poor, starving people, who, indeed, loved “Eppa-Gaila” well—better than they loved Burggraf, or Burgermeis- ter, or Rath.. He interfered once to make the course of true love run. smooth. An old man, one Muffel, who was very rich, had got the consent of the parents ot a pretty girl, and the marriage was being forced on. Now this girl loved, and was loved by a nice young fellow, and Eppe- jein'interfered to help the lovers. He so frightened old Muffel that the hunks gave up the girl and the young lovers were happily married. —When the troubles in Nurnberg were at their height, the poor people, madden ed by misery and wasting with sickness, got hold of the idea that the Jews hac. poisoned tho welb, and then began a cru el persecution of the unhappy Israelites. Eppelein, I grieve to say, inflamed popu lar passions against his old enemies, the Jews, and he is partly to be blamed for the’ill-treatment to which they were sub jected. One day, riding near the city, Eppelein saw an unhappy Jew, one Jack- lein, followed by some citizens who wish ed to ill-use, or pferhaps kill tho Hebrew. Moved by some impulse of pity, Eppelein interfered. “Now that I have saved you, wliat will you do ?” asked Eppelein, and Jacklein begged frantically to be allowed to enter the knight’s service, and to live and die there. Something in the man’s manner touched Eppelein, who trusted in the Jew and granted his request. Jack lein was found astute and active; he was always eager and bitter whenever any thing was to be done to injure or insult Nurnberg. On the occasion of the BurggraPs marri age, Karl IV. honored the nuptials with his presence, and there were great feastings, mummings, and maskings, and Eppelein, you may be sure, in good disguise, was one of the gayest there. He rode in the cavalcade, and rode so well, “witching the world with noble horsemanship,” that people cried: “Why, that cavalier rides like Eppelein 1” And the -bride said to him: “How I should like to see that brave Eppelein 1” and he replied, “Fair lady, you shall see Eppelein, that I prom ise you. But you may see him and yet not know that it is Eppelein. Remember what I have said to you 1” The bride dropped her glove, and Ep pelein, returning it to her with knightly grace, asked her to ask the emperor to grant him two favors. She consented, and asked the emperor to do what the courteous stranger demanded, and Karl readily promised to do as the bride wish ed. Thereupon Eppelem and the em peror talked long together, and Karl was charmed with Eppelein’s bright, bold wit. Then Eppelein preferred his first request; it was that Karl would give a gold gulden to Hans von Lobenstein. Tbe emperor laughed lound and long. ! TIiou art a nobleman, though it may be a poor laid Karl.- “Tbe gold gulden shallbe'paid; bnt yet I have a mind to lay thee in the tower for thine audacious talk and bold request.” But the emperor could not do this, be cause he had given his royal word for the stranger’s safety. So Eppelein bowed and vanished, and shortly after the chamber- lain handed to the Kaiser a letter. It was from Eppelein, who said that a good Knecht should always, so far as possible, imitate his master; that he did, so far as lie could, imitate his emperor, who pawned and pledged cities and towns, took spoil, and sack and plunder wherev er he could seize them. The writer did the same thing also. He had pawned Numbeig to Hans von Lobenstein for a gold gulden, and was, for the information of the Kaiser and the bride—Eppeletm. Karl laughed rather grimly, but tbe fair lady knew that she bad seen Eppelein without knowing that be was Eppelein, and she thought with pleasure of the stately figure and bright face of the re nowned robber-knight. Jacklein, the Jew, was consumed with a fierce hatred of the oppressors of his race. He used Eppelem to obtain ven geance upon the Nurnbergers, and he meant then to use Nurnberg to be reveng ed upon Eppelein. He was the second Jew—Elias was the first—who treacher ously sought to betray the Raubritter. One day Jacklein stabbed Eppelein’s favorite horse, took another from the stables, and on it rode into Numbeig, and proposed a plan for Eppelein’s capture. The Rath listened to him and trusted him, so great wa3 Numberg’s hatred and dread of Eppelein. Jacklein denounced all Eppelein’s ad herents in the city, and these unfortunate persons disappeared into the Froschthnrm. At the cold feet of the Iron Virgin yawn ed a deep and dark oubliette. Eppelein was beside himself with rage, and swore to have • the life of the traitor, Jacklein. The Jew meanwhile vanished from the city, and the Rath began to sus pect his honesty. One day a man rushed into Nurnberg calling out that Eppelein was taken! What had really happened was this. Jacklein caused it to be intimated to Ep pelein that he, the Jew, was hidden in a certain village. Eppelein called for his horse, and with the two Bernheimers and four Knechts, rode off at once, bent blindly upon vengeance. Arrived at the village, Eppelein and his followers rode straight to the inn in which they expected to find Jacklein. The landlord, who was in the plot, asked them to hide themselves in the house till Jacklein, who was looked for every min ute, should arrive. So Eppelein fell into the wily Jew’s snare. ■While the Bernheimers and Eppelein sat drinkiDg in the inn, crowds of armed men gathered around the house, and they drew up nine wagons across the front of the door. Eppelein heard the sound and hnm of a mass of men, add he soon became aware of^the trap laid for him. The Bernheimers and the four Knechts tried to escape by the hack of the house, but they were surrounded by numbers and made prison ers. Eppelein mounted his horse—not, alas! the gray—and issued forth alone by the front gateway of the inn. The great crowd, which bristled with spears and swords, raised a shout when they saw the terrible Eppelein appear mounted be fore them. He saw his danger at a glance. Crying out “freedom or death! You shall not easily take EppelienF’he put his horse ‘at the wagons, hoping to cut his way through his foes. The horse sprang over eight of the wagons; but could not clear the ninth, and crushed down upon the pile. Then Eppelein on feot, with only his sword, stood facing that host of enemies. „They wanteito take him alive; he wished to die if he could not escape. The fight—Eppelein’s last fight—began. This.'man, alone amongst the crowd of enemies, did prodigies ef valor. He is ers stood upon the high scaffold in the I factor?” These become your masters, and market-place of Neumarkt. An enor- j every subject under you becomes demor- meus crowd raised upturned faces to the lofty platform. Nurnberg was defrauded of its show, and Neumarkt rejoiced in the horrible spectacle. The Bernheimers perished first, by the shearing sweep of the headsman’s broad blade, and then Eppelein was broken alive on or by the wheel. He refused the services of a priest. In his day of pride and power he had always been wont to say that “a man should live as a free and mighty hero, and should die without fear.” He had labored to live up to his theorem of life, and he certainly bore his death of slow agony with the calmest cour age. When the head was gone the members were not dangerous. Wolf von Wurm- stein succeeded to the command, but the dreaded band, which Eppelein had led so long and successfully, soon melted away. Some perished by the sword of the foe- man, others by the sword of the heads man. Many disappeared, and the high ways of Franconia were freed from the' terror of fhe great robber baud. So ended the wild life of the chivalrous criminal, the most* renowned robber- knight, .Eppelein von Gailingen Corn- hill. 0CMULGEE FARMERS’ CLUB. Annual Hay Meeting. Speeches, Picnic and Dancing. The Ocmulgee Farmers’^ Ciub held their annual May meeting at the club house, about ten miles from this city, yesterday. There were between four and five hundred in attendance, and the day passed off pleasantly with speaking, din ing and dancing. Colonel Thomas Har T deman was called upon and made one of his stirring little addresses, after which the appointed orator of the day, Rev.S. S. Sweet, took the stand. In compliance with the request, as published below, we reproduce the latter speech in full: Ocmulgee Farmers’ Club Room. May 1st, 1880. Bev. S. S. Sweet: Dear Sir:—In compliance with a resolution unanimous ly passed by the O. F. Club, of Howard district, Bibb county, the undersigned were appointed a committee, to request of you a copy of your beautiful andappropri ate address, delivered to-day at the dedica tion of our new Premium Hall. We desire others to enjoy the excellent repast to. which you treated us, and hope you will consent to its publication. In conclusion allow us personally to thank you, and sub scribe ourselves your friends. A. M. Lockett, W. D. Johnson, C. W. Howard, R. E. Bowman, J. W. Mybick, R. E - . Park. Howard District, BibrCo., Ga. May 1st, 18S0. Gentleirien: Mr Dear Sirs:—I think you attach more importance to the address than it' is entitled to. But if its publica tion wiil afford either profit or pleasure, it is at your command. Yours truly, S. S. Sweet. Ladies and Gentlemen: I find myself in a new role to-day in endeavoring to ad dress an agricultural community. My custom in past life, as many of you know, has been to select a text and discourse from that, often-, perhaps, with no other benefit than serving as a point of diverg ence. Nevertheless, true to the traditions of the fathers, I select a theme, and that theme will be “HOME IN THE COUNTRY.” There are many different kinds of coun- try homes. There is the sentimental home, which exists only in the poet’s brain, with its “creeping ivy and lowing herd.” Then, there is the ancient cabin home, with its mammoth lire place, and o’er it “A little round pole suspended by strings, Upon which hung the socks and a hun dred other things,” to tell us of the long, long ago. But my purpose is with the modem home to-day. Our homes should be well located. There is more in the location of the house on the farm than a casual observer would ever suppose. It is a matter that should be well considered, especially when we go to erect costly or permanent buildings. Health and convenience should be consulted. TLe whole beauty and symmetry of the farm has often been sadly marred by locating the buildings in the wrong place. Hundreds of people discover this fbet when it is too late to remedy the misfortune, and thier mistake becomes a source of annoyance through out a life-time. Again, our homes should be permanent. They should be something more than an abiding place merely. They should have all the sacred surroundings of a perma nent and fixed dwelling-place. There is deeply planted in the'human breast a love for the spot which we can call home. The hallowed associations that cluster around such a place, awaken the keenest and tenderest emotions of our be ing, and memory clings with the intensest tenacity to the merest trifle connected with it. But alas, in this feverish age, and in this restless country, there are hut few permanent homes. The majority of people seem only to be sojourners, tarry ing for a night. They intend to remain on the form only until, m their estima tion; they can do better, until they can change their vocation. This restlessness to seek a better country, and a different mode of life, has almost ruined and pau perized some of the loveliest sections of our grand 'old commonwealth. Men go abroad and are charmed with the beauty of English homes and French villas, for getting that right here, right in this com munity, just as lovely and attractive homes can be made as anywhere else on the face of the globe. The prin cipal reason why these English homes are so attractive is because they are permanent, they are entailed property and are to descend from sire to son perpetually. Every dollar that is spent, everything done to improve or adorn will be enjoyed by some member of the house hold. It never can fall into alien hands. If men would resolve in their minds to be farmers, and in locating their homes have it understood, this is for me and my off spring after me, the most beneficial results would follow; there would be a degree of permanency in their purposes as well as in their homes. These homes should be self-sustain ; ng. Every farm in Georgia ought to be an in dependent kingdom within itself and the fanner upon the throne guidine and con trolling all. . Its imports should be limit ed—its exports should always be in ex- Then the balance of gold would al cess, , ^ ways be within its own exchequer. The said to have-killed or mortally wounded j -means of defense would always be at twenty of his foes, but the fight was a I hand against the approach of every ene- fight of utter desperation; he fought, j my, and peace and prosperity would al- not for life, but for death, aud the ways abound. odds against him were too terrible. He j But when you depend upon others to was borne down, seized and bound, and furnish supplies you at once place your- carried away to Neumarkt. selves at great disadvantage; you surren- In the fight Eppelein had cloven Jack- j der your independence and r.ght- to con- lein through the skull. Ths fanatic of trol and thus become slaves instead of revenge perished by the sword of the mas- 1 freemen. What is the incentive that ter he had betrayed. I prompts activity in the conduct of the Tbe long career of success had come to average fanner in Georgia to-day ? It is a violent end. The Raubritter were con- ' not that he may provide future comforts demned to die; and on a fair summer and luxuries for bis household, but “how ! and forgetting the high destiny you morning Eppelein and the two Bernheim- can I meet my guano bills and satisfy my ' designed by God to attain, to be tbe alized, and you are compelled to submit to indignities from the meanest hireling in order to reimburse your master. This is to degrade eur manhood and lose all self respect. Farmers of Howard district, never become slaves. Be your own mas ter, rule your own kingdom. Your homes should be adorned and beautified, -fflstbetical taste is not incom patible with homo in the country, hut on the contrary it is most fitting. The first home with which earth wa3 ever blessed, and the most beautiful one with which earth was ever adorned was prepared and furnished by God himself amid the bowers of Eden. From the richness with which our Heavenly Father prepared and fur nished this Eden home, we may readily infer our duty in reference to our place of abode. It is bur imperative duty to make our homes lovely aud attractive. This can be done at comparatively little outlay,'and it is a work to which every member of the household can contribute. The planting of a shrub, the cultivation of a flower, the arranging of a walk in the yard, the construction of a gate, the white washing of a fence, the laying out of the garden, the framing of a vine, all contrib ute more or less to the attractiveness of the surroundings. And within, the ar ranging of the furniture, the decoration of the walls, the shading of the windows, and the tasteful display ofthe books and other table and mantel ornaments, all heighten the effect both to the eye and the mind, and enhances the pleasure of every member of the family. This can be done, however humble the cottage, or however common our homes may bo furnished. It is sot the texture so much, as the taste and neatness displayed in the arrrange- ment, the order and system that is mani fest m the working of the internal as well a3 the external affairs of the household. All this involves intelligence, energy and labor. Mental cultivation is as im portant to the farmer and his household as it is to any other class in the wide world. And the mau who does not afford all facilities up to the extent othis abili ty for the education of his offspring, is recreant to the trust God has confided to him. Higher education is not within the reach of all in any class or vocation; but if attained, nowhere can it more appro- ately employed than on the farm. I have two young friends farming to day in Georgia, who not only passed some of the best schools in this country, hut are graduates of one of the mo3t celebrated German Universities. They. And fanning both pleasant and re munerative. Their education is not in their way, but on the contraiy contributes to thair happiness and general prosperity. Many a man has proven himself a suc cessful farmer without an education, but with one he would have greatly increased his success. No achievement worthy of the name has ever been accomplished but by ener getic, persistent effort. Without labor no man can be prosperous or happy. It is a necessity of our being, and mental activi ty is the requirement of our Creator. God placed Adam in the garden to keep it and dress it. This requires intelligent action, and involves both physical and mental activity. The theory that labor is the badge of our humiliation and fall, is a grave mistake and utterly without foun dation. The pain and weariness of labor is that which constitutes the penalty of our transgression—not labor. Hereto fore, Adam had lived and labored without fatigue, henceforth he should only eat his bread by the sweat of his brow, and earth should yield her fruits in response to the most painful toil —this is tbe curse. So that labor is es sential to all success and to all happiness, as well. The blessedness of.labor is in the enjoyment of the fruits of our toil, and the rest that follows. And nowhere is it more sweet and enjoyable than in the country. The feverish excitement and hurry and noise incident to city life, dis turbs and robs us of that rest which our weary natures demand.. But in the quiet ness of the country home it comes with blessed influence, with recuperative power, and with benign benedictions. With all of the foregoing characteristics of a countiy home, that home would be incomplete still, without guileless hearts, cheerful countenances, amiable tempers and forgiving spirits, unity of purpose and harmony of action. These are the grand essentials, and that home that lacks these things, lacks the very vital essence of home—lacks just what the human frame work lacks when the indwelling soul is gone. In order to inspire our oflspring with a love of home, we must render home at tractive and lovely by the introduction of books, instruments Ur embellishments ne cessary to hold their affections. It should be to them tho most charming place on earth. It may not be the most elegant, but more in harmony with their sympathies and aspirations. Farm life should not be held up to them as a drudgery and a vo cation to be shunned, as unhappily it too often is, and that you continue in it merely because you cannot evade it; but let them know that it is one of the noblest of pro fessions, as it is, and heaven ordained, and that the very foundation of all pros perity in any State or country depends upon the prosperity of the farmer’s calling. J)o not teach your sons that you intend them for other vocations, but if the bent of their minds is to farming, teach them that is honorable, that it is the most inde pendent life, when properly appreciated and faithfully followed. This lesson must also be taught by ex ample as welt as by precept. Our chil dren must be impressed with the fact that ice love home, that we prefer its quietness and associations to. the cross-road grocery and its gossiping crowd; that its enjoy ments and pleasures are more palatable and to be desired than loafing around the streets of the city and bandying words with the pot-house politicians and irre pressible dead-beats. Therefore, the man who wilfully neg lects his home, forsakes the family circle and seeks enjoyment elsewhere, is guilty of a monstrous sin. No matter what may be his excuse he has no right to neglect his home, with which heaven has blessed him. And, ladies, upon you devolves the larg- er share of labor to make home truly lovely and attractive. In matters of adornment, in matters of home enjoyment, in matters of love and affection, yours is the respon sible station. By your gentleness and in dustry, you can sweeten every joy and heighten every pleasure that clusters around that sacred spot called home. In your bands the destiny of the nation has been placed, no matter how much the “lords of creation” may protest, and as mothers, you mould the characters ofthe world’s inhabitants. These contented homes—homes of beauty and refinement and plenty—are the fruitful nurseries of irtue, patriotism and honor, and it is where you reign enthroned as queen in every heart. Therefore, you cannot afford to be recreant to your duty, Out with, the untiring energy of an angel, you must watch the unfolding of those budding minds and give them proper di rection, and see that they have proper nourishment, for under your supervision they can be directed and molded into any shape. In this fertile soil of childhood should be planted the seeds of truth, of purity and of patriotism, for here aione these plants of virtue will grow and de- velope into vigorous life. Then do not neglect that home, that sacred retreat, were the ad mired butterfly of an hour, and seek praise and honor in fashion’s gay and giddy whirl, and prostitute the very gifts of loveliness with which heaven has en dowed you to render home attractive and. lovely.' “Home, sweet home” should bo tha burden of our song, and every heart as well, for there is no love lilqQ that which binds a man to the spot— “Where he learned to lisp his mother’s name, Land of his frolic youth, Land of his bridal eve, Land of his children—their birthplace And their grave.” Then when every farm in Georgia shall become an independent kingdom within itself, and when everything that is neces sary for the support and comfort ofthe in habitants of that kingdom is produced in the realm, and when Georgia nestles on her bosom, homes that have been made prosperous by economy, and beautiful and tasteful by the hand of woman, and en riched by the hand of the husbandman; and when ail these homes in Georgia shall have been made so bright, so cheer ful, so attractive, so lovely, that our off spring, wherever their wanderingfootsteps, may lead them, may, in their twilight med itations, shed tears at the recollections of the joys and attractions of their old country Lome, and in remembrance of the old • orchard trees planted by' their grandsires in the long, long ago. Then, and not until then, shall we have dis- chargeil our duty to our children, to our country, and to our God. But when this is accomplished, then we can join in the i ;rand matinee of praises to Him who hath jequeathed us so glorious an heritage. Mr. President and members of the Oc- mulgee Farmer's Club: I am here to day to congratulate you on the consumma tion of your laudab !e undertaking in the erection of this excellent and substantial hall. You have done well in preparing for the future wants and necessities of your association. May all of your enter prises, whether contending with your peers for a premium in the exhibitions of the State Agricultural Society, or in the more humble sphere of your district fair, be as successful as this one has proven to be. May this building remain for years to come as a monument to your intelligence, »nd yoiir industry, and your appreciation of the honorable calling in which you are engaged. May no evil befall it. May no misfortune, either by fire or storm rmite it. May no pestilence hover over it. May no wrangling among members degrade it. May no strife or bitterness be indulged in it. May no revelries or de baucheries dishonor it. May no fraud or sharp practice desecrate it. Bnt may this hall be devoted to agricul tural purposes, to the display of farm pro ducts, to the exhibition of the industries of the community, to the encouragement of every'department of farm life, to the encouragement of every rational and so cial enjoyment, to the cultivation of every virtue and social relation, ana io crcry in terest that affects the good ofthe commun ity. Personally, may every blessing of pros perity and peace attend you, may your rallies be covered over with corn, and tbo hills on every side he vocal with lowing herds. * May your sons he as plants grown up in their youth. May your daughters be as corner-stones polished after the similitude of a palace. May your garners ever bo full, affording all mannsr^of store. May your oxen be strong to labor, that there * be no breaking in to destroy nor going: out with spoil. Nay, may there he no com plaining in all your community. Happy is that people who are in such a case, and and may you he that happy people whoso God is the Lord. J. W. Renfroe for Treasurer. Athens' Chronicle: We have re ceived a circular letter announcing that Mr. J. W. Renfroe will become a candi date for State treasurer at the next elec tion. We suppose that they have been sent to all the other papers, with a view to eliciting the opinion ofthe press upon his candidacy. And we therefore unhes itatingly give ours. We shall not only vote against him, but shall endeavor to persuade our readers to do likewise. When we recall the narrow escape Mr. Renfroe made from disfran chisement, we are surprised that he has the face to come before the people and ask their suffrage. He will of course say that he was ac quitted before the court of impeachment, and that thereby his Innocence was vindi cated. As a matter of pure law, that i3 true—that judgment is final, and iira le gal sense he stands before the world un tarnished. But how is it morally ? Out of the forty-four Senators, the jury who tried his case, all but seventeen solemnly pronounced him guilty, and even those seventeen confessedly voted for his ac quittal on purely technical grounds. Tennyson a.t Lunch.—A recent Lon don letter says: I had the good fortune the other day to come upon Tennyson taking his chop and kidney at that hoqse, some three doors above the old Temple Bar, which he has made famous, “The Cock.” I had the curiosity to look for the “half a pint of port” in the poem, but I saw at the ' bard’s elbow no wine, fruity or crusted, but a plain pewter of stout, which the author of “Locksley Hall” discussed like any northern farmer of them all. He is aged and worn, and bent in the back,* with hollow chest; but I think these are rather the effects of a brooding habit of mind and body than the marks of physical de bility, for he looked toagh and muscular. Tennyson is not a beauty. Now, you must know that the head waiter, immortalized in. the poem, is still first Ganymede at the “Cock,'’ and it was fine to see him waiting on the Laureate. The man is tremen dously conscious of his distinction, and keeps watcliiug guests out of the comer of his eye to see if they are admiring him. His manner to Mr. Tennyson was delight ful., at once respectful and friendly—just as if he felt himself a partner in the work which has given the “Cock” a sort of lit erary reputation. —A famous London physician used to relate that he had long gone almost daily to the “Shades” near London bridge, to rest a while and drink & glass of wine from the wood. For many years he had taken it as a matter of course that he must not intrude on the privacy of tbe gentleman who, as it happened, invariably selected the next stall. But sympathy it self suggested a certain curiosity. One day the warmth of the weather and the generosity of the liquor broke the long speil, and raising his voice he said: “Sir, I have had the pleasure of taking my wine next to you now for twenty-seven years. May I venture to ask my friend’s name?” A hollow voice replied: “Sir, you’re a very impertinent fellow.” Such was tho rule of coffee house society in* tho3e days. —There is an actual discrimination, says the Herald, of between two ana three per cent, against banking capital in, New York, owing to State taxation. The consequence is that money is cheaper in Boston and Philadelphia than it Is in New York, giving an advantage to the mer chants of rival cities and enabling them to underbid New York m tbe transaction of business. Why should we thus drive away business to our rivals?