The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1848-09-05
OLD WIsDOM MI.

2 The fairest in the rich and fertile province Of
Alsace. The verdant pasturages which sur
round this little town are waiered by the
river Bruche, and scattered hamlets and
highly cultivated fields diversity the scene,
whilst the bold Inouiainrange of the Vos-
ges lend certain grandeur to its aspect
The landscape, alternately rural and wild,
arrests our attention each moment by some
fresh contrast Beyond these meadows
spangled with fowers-these golden corn
fields and blooming orchards mountains
appear in the distance, covered with their
dark pine woods, which cast gloomy shad-
ow over the valley beneath; and yet this
sombre back ground serves only as setting
10 the landscape--a cheerful character pre-
dominates throughout. The hamlets are
white and gis,emng, the little gardens care
fully kept, and the road shady and pleasant.
Here and there may be seen little ways;de
INNS used, not so much as resting places
for the way sfarer, as points Of rendezvous
for the neigh coring peasanfry, where the
young men meet TO form plans for amuse-
ment, the middle-aged 10 escape from some
domestic care, and the more advanced in,
years 10 renew the remembranccs of their
youth.
Several guests were seated on bench at
The door of one of these rustic 'avorns, and
their bosterous merriment proved that the
glass had not circulated in vain. The en-
terlainer who might easily be recognized by
the care he took 10 replenish the glasses of
his companions, was young man in the
heyday of lie, but whose furrowed counte-
nance indicated the indulgence of violent
passions. His dress marked him ont as be-
ing less of peasant than of a workman--
He had just called for bottle Of cherry
brandy, with which TO regale his companions,
when one of the party, looking up the road,
exclaimed, Bring another glass here, my
friends; here is Father Solomon!"
"The Old Anab aplisl!" was re-echoed
on every side.
"Oh! let us make room for him, by oil
MEANS" said the giver Of the treat. ~
nusl have glass with Old Wlsdom!"
The newcomer, whose approach had been
thus hailed, was man far advanced in life.
wearing the grave apd antique garh which is
peculiar, in those parts 10 the sect OF Ana
baptiss. He walked with firm step, which
denoted neither haste nor slolhfulness, lean
ing The while on staff formed of knotled
vine. His counlenance was venerable, and
vet full of cheer'rnees. AS soon as he
came within hearing, all the guests began to
call to him 10 Join them, and the master ol
the entertainment rose and advanced TO meet
him.
Good day 10 you, Andrew" said the old
man in a friendly tone ; and good-day TO you,
Stephen, and all of you. Is it here, then,
my friends, that you pray to God on the Sab
bath day."
"And you, Father Solomon" inquired
Stephens; g frol1, what church are you com
ing here through the meadows?"
III am coming from. the greatest OF all
earthly temples, my children; even fom that
whose incense is the perfume of the mead
uws, and whose music IS the harmonious
voice of all creation"
"That is TO say, you are coming from
your fields" replied Andrew. "Well, SIT
down there now, good father, and tell US
whether your wheat looks well f"
"Tell me, first Of all, how you happen to
be in the country nowen replied the old
man, as he seated himself at the place that
had been left vacant for him. How long
has Mr.. Riter's mill been able TO get on
without youy"
"What are Ritter and his mill 10 me? "ex-
claimed Andrew, whose countenance dark.
encd at Il is question. 81 care as much
abou, them as | do about what is passing in
the moon :"
Have YOU quarrcled with your master, my
son?n inquired the Anabaptist.
81 have no longer any master, Father
Solomon" hastily replied the young work
man. III left the mill yesterday; and may
il, benceforih, have noihiug 10 grind, unless
it be old Ritter himself never Will IL nave
crushed worse grain"
He then began to recount TO the old man
the long list of grievances which had finally
led 10 Lis leaving the mill, Of which he had
been, for len years, the director-mingng
his narrative with lmprecations against the
owner. whom he accused Of the bas est In
gratitude.
The old Anabaptist listened TRANQUILITY to
the whole recital, and then calmly replied,
- 6 You have drunk the wine of anger, An
drew, aud you see all your masters fapl's
double. Al you have now said only ac-
i ouaints me with one fact--that you are out
Of place." i,
aAnd do you think that am the one
most embarrassed by thai?" inquired An
drew. ASK old Ritter what he thinks
abou, il; see half his mills stopped, and ev-
ory day that they stand still robs him OF Ill
,v crowns--ihat is, of fifty pieces of his
desh. The old miser will fall sick Of vexa-
u !. e., Il aCnra he is rnined And that is