Windham County Democrat. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1836-1853, 1845-10-02
THE GoLDMAKER,s VILLAGE.

This simple story is translation from "Das
Goldmac her Dorf," of Heinrich Zschokke, at
present popular writer in Germany, whose pen
is devoted to cause which we have espouscd-
the improvement of the humber classes Of soci-
city. The story is slightly abridged; and TO "a
dapt it to the apprehension, as we'll as TO excite
the sympathies of English readers, some OF the
descriptions and sentiments have been necessa-
rily altered or modified. In other respects the
chdke simplicity of the original remains. 1t
is not the design of the publishers of this Maya
zine to make it a tale bearer, yet 1.-The Goldma-
ker's village" is so good, and wthal founded on
actual occurrences, that we have been induced
to give il to our readers. Ii will be concluded
in our next number. We believe it may be
read by all classes with much profit and pleas
ure.-Fom. Nag.
Oswald from the his native vllagethc miller
tells his story
ONE fine summer afternoon, good many
years ago, the outdoor loterers of Godenthal
who we're lstlessly spending their time beneath
the shade of the bushy lime trees which over
hung the village street, had their attention
drawn TO stranger who making his way to-
wards them. 'Fall, well-made, and dressed in
gray coat with a knapsack on his back and
sword at his side, he was evidently no ordinary
wanderer. He looked so formidable with a
large scar on his brow, and black moustache
under his nose, that the children shrunk aside
from him as he passed up the village. The shout
which some Of them raised, brought several old
women to the doors, and these soon recognized
the stranger "Here is Oswald again" they ey-
claimed "who went for a soldier years ago."
crowd was soon collected round the way
farer, who was kindly greeted by all his old
friends and acquaintances, every one inqulring
ho hal racida Them
To these inquiries Oswald announced that, tired
Of,the life of soldier he had given up the mill
tary profession, and intended 10 remain for the
rest Of his days in the village Of Goldenha
Pleased with the intelligence, and DESTROYS oil
gathering an account of our heros life, number
of persons asked him to retire 10 a tavern with
them for little friendly chat; but this invitation
he respectfully declined, and asked them by
whom his fathers house was now inhabited
The miller, who had taken of the house
and land left by Oswalds father TO his son, nov
came forward and said that few days oni.
would be required TO make the house ready TO
its new inmate and, in the mean time, he shoult
have pleasure of entertaining Oswald at the mill
This kind invitation was accepted, and, allie
spending a few days with the sensible and hospi
table miller, the retired soldier took possession G
his own house
For some time Oswald was so busily engage
in making repairs aud improvements on his prem
ises, that he had no time to besow on nercours
with his neighbors, whose amusements we're am
thing but agreeable to him. In consequence {
this neglect, the villagers began TO cherish ba
suspicious against the new settler, and to max
remarks on his conduct. They said they cou
not understand the man-his foreign travel Ina
made him churlish and unsocial-constant
ioiing or reading, he did not seem to have m
ment to spare for all occasional sip at the VII
hask-a strange thing, indeed, for an old soldI
not to take ass.
Possessing naturally much good sense, whi'
had been greatly improved by experience in 4
busting life which he had led, and also sou
choice reading, Oswald possessed opinions on '
rious subjects considerably different from tho
of his old village companions, whose proceedln
were not at all 10 his mind. A yearning Tor I
scenes Of his infancy had brought him back
Goldenthal, which he loved with all lis shortco
ings and errors. 1t greyed him on looki
through the village, and learning something
its history, to discover that it had been Tor sol
years declining in its prosperity, and was now
an exceedingly bad condition. Formerly
could boast of not a few respectable men in GO
circumstances, persons who could credltably ia
a lead in Affairs; with considerable NUM-
who, though not rich, were yet industrious
removed above poverty And what ditierer
now! Except the miller, the tavern-keept
and two or three farmers, the people were &c
rally worse than poor for they were in dc