The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-07-31

down to sec whether lifo still remained in
der, hut the little man spoke in II well known
voice, "Give yourself no trouble goldman
Peter, she was the fiiirest and sweetest
flower ia the BncE Forest, but you have
Torn il up and never will you see il bloom a.
gain"
Yhen dIltheblood fled from Peters cheeks
and he snid, "And was it then You, MIR Guss
man {? Now what is done is done, aud il
must hc so, 'but hope you will not bring nc
TO trial for murder"
"MiseraDie man." answered the little Glass
man, "what good would il do me to see your
mortal covering brought TO the gnlows? Ii
is not earthly Judgements that you need 10
fear, but others more severe, for you have sold
your soul to wickedness."
"And i'll have sold my heart" cried Pc
ter, "no one is 10 blame for it but you md
your deccitful tronsure wicked spirit, you led
, INC to ruin, aud was driven TO seek help
3. elsewhere; yours is all the fault."
But scarcely had he said this when the
- little Glnss nlnu grew and increased, and be-
came tall and broad, and his eyes looked as
large rs a soup plate, and his mouth like
hot oven, and Hames came out of il. Peter
threw himself upon his knees and his stony
- heart did not prevent him from feeling his
rlmbs tromble like an aspen leaf. The wood
spirit took him as with eagle's claws by the
neck, twrled him round like dry leaf in
whrlwnd, threw him on the ground, and
made his bones snap.
"Earth- worm" cried he in voice like
thunder, 81 could crush you if wonli, for
you have spoken against the Lord Of the
forest but on account of this dead woman
who has given me food and drink, give you
eight days respite. If you do not repent
will return and break every bone in your
body; aud you shall go hence in your Sins"
1t was already evening, when some men
passing by, saw rich Peter Munk lying on
the ground. They turned him over and over
and tried TO discover whether there was
breath in him, but fora long time they sought
in vain AT last one of them went into the
house and brought ont water and sprinlled
him. Then Peter drew long breath, sigh
ed, opened his eyes, looked for long
time about him, aud asked after Lisbeth
but no one had seen her. He thanked the
men for their assistance, went into his house
and looked about, but his wife Lisbeth was
not to be found in the palor or the cellar,
and what he had thought to be n trighttul
dreun, was the bitter truth.
While he was now all alone, strange
thoughts came over him; he feared nothing,
for his heart was cold but when lie remenl-
.bered the death of his wife, his own death
came before his mind and how burdened he
should so away, heavily laden with the tears
Nfthe poor, with thousand of their curses,
which could not soften his heart with the
griefof the poor creatures whom he had hunt
ed off with his dogs, burdened with the silent
despair of his mother. and with the blood of
the good, the beautiful Lisbeth. And what
account could he give 10 the old man, her
father, when he came and asked, where is |
my daughter, your wife? How would he
answer another question to which all woods,
all seas, all mountains, would listen? How
would lac answer for the life ola fellow crea- |
turc, OF his wife?
IN the night, dreams troubled him, and ev-
cry moment he was awaked by soft voice
which cried out to him, "Peter, make
myself warm heart" and when he awoke
he closed his eyes quickly again, for the voice
must surely be that OF his Lisbeth, who gave
him this warning.
uay ,rrnif 1iiy'ne&t hgnt I'VE or SIX tunes he
heard the well known voice whispering in
his ears, "Peter, make yourselfa warm heart"
He felt no repentance that he had killed her,
but when he told people that his wife had
gone journey, he always thought to himself
where is shejourneyng.
Six days he passed in this manner, and
every night he heard this voice, and all the
time he thought ofthe wood spirit and his
fearful threat. But on the seventh morning
he sprang from his bed and cried, "now will
see whether can make myselfa warm heart
for the stupid stone in my breast makes my
life tedious and empty" lie dressed him
selfin his Sunday clothes, mounted his horse,
and rode to the pine forest.
In the pine wood, where the trees stood
closer, he dismountcd, tied his horse, md
proceeded with quick pace 10 the top of the
hill, and when he came before the thick pines |
he stood still and said.
sob thou whose treasure is in the green
pine wood, many hundred years old art thou,
thine is all the land, all the pine trees are
thine, but to no one dost thou ever show thy |
self, but the happy children who are born
on Sunday"
Thenthe little glass man came out, but
dark and sad; he had on n little coat of black |
glass, aud a long mourning band floated from
his hat, and Peter knew well for whom he |
wore mourning.
"What will you have, Peter MunL?" said
he with harsh voice.
81 have one wish more of the three you
promised me, master treasure keeper" said |
Peter, his eyes cast down.
"Can hearts of stone still wish;" said the |
other, "you have every thing your wretched
spirit needs, and can hardly fulfill your wish |
"You promised me three wishes, have |
one remaining to name."
81 can refuse it, ifit is foolish replied the |
wood spirit, "hut go on, will hear what you
have to say"
-"Thcn take away this dead stone and give
me my living heart" Peter.
"Did make bargain with you?" said the
little glass man, Gam Dutch Michael, who
gave you riches and n cold heart? You
must seek your heart of him."
"Ah, he will never give it back to me-"
said Peter, sadly.
81 pity you, bad ms you are" said the little
man, after some consideration. "But be-
cause YOUR wish is not foolish cannot re-