Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-07-15

any thing She had pity for the poor, and
she thought it was no sin to give poor beg
gar-woman penny, or an old man glass
of beer. But when Peter one day observ-
ed it, he spoke with an angry look, and rude
voice, why do you spend my wealth on
ragamufiins and vagabonds Did you bring
any thing in the house that you can give a
way? A soup could not be warmed with
your fathers beggar's staff, and yet you
throw money away like princess. If l see
you do it again, you shall feel the weight Of
my hand.
The fair Lisbeth wept in her chamber at
the hard temper of her husband, and she Of
ten wished herself at home in the poor hut
of her father she would far rather have been
there than to live with the rich but misery
Peter; ah, if she had known that he had
marble heart, and could not love either her
self, or any one else, she woudsnot have
been so much surprised. But when she was
sitting at her door, and beggar passed by
and took off his hat, and began to tell his
story, she closed her eyes, that she need not
behold his misery, and held her hand, which
she Involuntary put into her pocket for
penny, shut tight. For this reason it came
to pass that the fair Lisbeth was blamed all
through the forest, and people said she was
still more misery than Peter Munk.
But one day Lisbeth was sitting before
the house door spinning and humming a
tune, for she felt gay, because the weather
was fair, and master Peter had ridden out
across the field. Now there came along an
old man carrying heavy sack, and she
heard him coughing at distance. She
looked with compassion toward him, and
thought what pity that such little old
man should have to bear such heavy bur-
den.
Meantime, the old man came slowly and
breathing heavily along, and when he came
opposite madam Lisbeth he almost sunk I'M
der the weight of his sack. ooh, have
mercy upon me, good lady," said he, and
reach me only a cup of water" said the lit
tie man; 81 cannot go any farther, must
die miserably."
" But you should not carry such heavy
burden in your old age" said Lisbeth.
"Ah, is it not on account of my poverty,
and to gain mouthful of bread, that 1 la
Dor as porter" replied he, "but such a
rich lady as you are, does not know the
pains of poverty; and how good draught
of water tastes when one is SO heated"
On hearing this she entered the house,
took pitcher from the shelf and filled it
with water, yet as she was going towards
him, and saw how feeble the old man look
ed as he sat YEARLY upon his sack, she re-
membered that her husband was not at home,
so she put down her pitcher of water, took
a cup and filled it with wine, took with it
good loaf of bread, and carried it to the old
man. "A drop of wine may be better for
you than water, you are so old, poor man,
but do not drink too fast, and eat some bread
with it," 49,
The old man looked at her with surprise,
his eyes filled with tears, he drank and said,
81 have grown old, but have seen but few
persons who have been so kind, and have
bestowed their bounty so mildly and pleas
antly as you have done, Madam Lisbeth but
it will be well with you for it, upon earth.
and so kind heart will not 90 unreward-
ed"
" No, and you shall have your reward up.
on the spot" cried furious voice, and on
looking round they saw master Peter, his
face as red as fire.
"And is this the way you pour out my
best wine for beggars, and offer my own sill
yer cup to street walkers. Take your re-
ward for it.
Poor Lisbeth fell at his feet and prayed
for forgiveness, but his stony heart had no
mercy, he brandished the whip which he held
in his hand, and struck so hard on her fair
forehead with the wooden handle of it, that
she sank without life into the arms of the
old man. When Peter saw this, he repen-
ted on the spot of his wickedness, and stoop-
ed down to see whether life still remained
in her, but the little man spoke in well
known voice, "Give yourself no trouble
goldman Peter, she was the fairest and sweet
est flower in the Black Forest, but you have
torn it up and never will you see it bloom a.
gain"
Then all the blood fled from Peters
cheeks, and he said, "And was it then you,
Mr.. Glass man? Now what is done is done,
and it must be so, but hope you will not
bring me to trial for murder"
" Miserable man." answered the little
Glass man, "what good would it do me to
see your mortal covering brought to the gal
lows? 1t is not earthly judgments that you
need to fear, but others more severe, for
you have sold your soul to wickedness."
"And if have sold my heart" cried Pc
ter, no one is to blame for it but you and
your decetful treasure wicked spirit, you
led me to ruin, and l was driven to seek
help elsewhere (; yours is all the fault"
But scarcely had he said this when the
little Glass man grew and increased, and
became tall and broad, and his eyes looked
as large as a soup plate, and his mouth like
hot oven, and flames came out of it, Pc
ter threw himself upon his knees and his
stony heart did not prevent him from feel
ing his limbs tremble like an aspen leaf
The wood spirit took him as if with eagles
claws by the neck, twirled him round like
dry leaf in whirlwind, threw him ON the
ground, and made his bones snap.
Earth-worm," cried he in voice like
thunder, | could crush you if would,
for you have spoken against the Lord of the
forest but on account of this dead woman
who has given me food and drink, l give
you eight days respite. If you do not re-
pent | will return and break every bone in
your body, and 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 10 discover whether there was