HILDA’S BETROTHAL

New Zealand Tablet, 15 April 1915, Page 7

HILDA’S BETROTHAL

Count Yon Switzer was lord of the far-famed municipality of Bresenberg, and last of the noble name ‘ Von Switzer.’ He had married late in life, and the union, though a very happy one, had been blessed with only one child, and that a girl, christened Hildagard, or Hilda, as she was mostly called. With the coming of Hilda's little life into the world that of her mother, always a frail, delicate creature, passed into the Great Beyond, and the babe was left to a father’s care. On that little frail creature he lavished all the love of a. deep, passionate nature. From a dainty child she grew into a beautiful woman- inheriting all her mother’s beauty an*d her father’s goodness of heart. in tier childhood they were playmates; but now, when she had entered into the maturity of womanhood, they were comrades, caring little for company or enjoyment, content with each other’s presence, their books, and their music. But enjoyment cannot live for ever, neither will joy endure for all time. Count Von Switzer was old already ; he was beginning to totter as he walked. His days on earth were numbered. Soon he would be forced to leave his handsome home and beautiful daughter and go the way where there can be no earthly arm to guide us. The thought worried him. How could he leave his daughter unprotected? The times were rough and there was much evil-doing in the land. Marrying or getting a husband for her had never before entered his bead. Now the thought was always with him. Where could lie. get a suitable husband?" Wealth and i titles were but secondary considerations. The husband for his Hilda must be brave,

honorable, and good of . heart, qualities hard to find in : those days. cb J ; -,y. ■■V. : . b..- V-b ■ There was his next neighbor, Baron' Weiss. V ' No! ' : v - A. V It was. a troublesome question, and one that required much thought. bv yv, At length he decided to send a messenger to each municipality where there was a marriageable lord, begging them come to Bresenberg as suitors for the hand of the Countess Hilda, v : : VANyV ir -bic' V But that was not all, for as they journteyed to Bresenbcrg they were to perform some deed of bravery and not by their titles or possession, but by that'deed would the choice be made. . - ' 'V Then it would be clearly shown who was worthy of being the husband of Hildagard Von Switzer, Countess of Bresneberg. At length' the time arrived, and for over a week nobles had been gathering from distant parts of the country. ' . Flags were flying, bands were playing, wine ran like water in the streets, all was glitter and splendor. i The people fairly went wild with happiness, for did it not mean the marriage of their beloved Countess ? A great platform was erected outside the palace that the people might all witness the betrothal. On a throne-like seat draped with purple the Count and his daughter were seated. „ How the people cheered when they saw them. Verily they were loved by all. As each lord or candidate stepped up to the platform a little boy dressed as a herald read-— first his rank, then his possessions, and lastly the deed of bravery that he performed as he journeyed to Bresenberg. The first in rank was Baron Weiss, Lord of - Weiss and Grossbcrg, owner of castles, houses, and land, and famous for his courage and daring, for as he journeyed to Bresenberg he rode through, the black forest and with his own hand slew three boars, the tusks of which he now presented to the Countess Hilda. The people cheered and shouted as Hilda, smiling and blushing, stepped forward and accepted them. The next in order was the jovial Count Werner. Nobody expected much bravery from him, for he was 100 indolent. He had noted himself because he had drank a barrel of beer in one afternoon, after which he fought a duel with the Lord of X., and was victorious. After much laughter he, too, took his seat. >. And so the list was read— until at length the herald was through. Then Count Switzer arose, and, taking his daughter’s hand, said : ‘ My lords and barons and neighbors,— l thank you all for your presence here and for the honor you have done me and mine by asking my daughter’s hand in marriage. ‘ It is with deep pleasure that I have listened to your deeds of bravery. As I listened my heart bounded, then sank ; bounded at your marvellous exploits, sank because I know that my days of joining you on the hunting field are over. ‘ You arc indeed a, gathering of men that any man might he proud to give his daughter to. 1 But, friends, as J listened I missed one from among you. TelU'me where is the Lord of Wicklestein? Is he not here? Came he not to grace my little gathering?’ Then a commotion arose. Where was the Lord of Wicklestein? Count Werner said that he had passed him on the road near Blenheims Surely he did not put such an indignity on . the lady as refusing to be present! A messenger was at once despatched, and in the meantime the merrymaking went on. The next day towards noon the messenger returned and they at once all gathered together to hear his news. And this is the word he brought As the Count of Wicklestein and his followers journeyed to Bresenberg they took a short cut through the hamlet of B. They were riding leisurely along; when they heard moans coming from the roadside. j-7 ; J A’.

My Lord of Wicklestein being ever charitable, at once drew rein and dismounting parted the bushes. a? There he saw an aged woman supported by a child about six years of age. f ’ She seemed to be suffering great agony, and as there was no house near by my lord lifted her to his horse and took her to the nearest hut, where he cared for her himself, while he sent his servant for a doctor, but she died before aid could reach her. Her malady was small-pox. That was the reason of ray lord’s absence. He would be present as soon as all danger of infection was passed. Would they wait for him? The answer from one and all was unanimous. Yes! The rule regarding the quarantine of a person brought in contact with an infectious disease was not as strict as it is in these days, so it was not long before the Lord of Wicklestein was able to join them. Once more the platform was erected. Once more the Count and his daughter were seated on it. But this time only one name was read, one list of lordly possessions, and no need of bravery or valor. Verily it was plain that he had no reason to expect the hand of the Countess. A deep silence fell on the people as the old Count arose. Without speaking or making the speech that all were waiting to hear, he motioned to my lord to come up on to the platform, and taking his daughter’s hand and that of the Count of Wicklestein, he joined the two together. ‘My friends,’ he said, turning to the people, the tears running down his withered checks, ' in the presence of you all T give ray daughter to the Lord of Wicklestein, for by his deed, not of braverv, but of goodness of heart, has ho shown himself to be a lord of generosity, a prince of charity, and worthy of being the husband of my beloved daughter, the Countess Hildagard Von Switzer. For he, who while on an errand of pleasure, stoops to raise the suffering and the aged, is indeed worthy of all the honor that can be conferred on him by his fellow-men. Let ns. now that we are all here together, celebrate their betrothal in royal and regal manner. Mv servants are yours, my house is yours—use them.’ Michigan Catholic.