Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1850-01-24
SELECTED STORY.
THE MYSTERIOUS FLOWER /;
4 OK III
# THE MAID OF LUSATIA.
nr MRS +. n ELICIT.

,
NJ A4r years since, q well dressed travel
ler, About thirty years Of age. sat in the par
lor Of the inn, in the small hamlet .of Neu-
iohn$dorf in the province Of Lusatia 1t
was blot yet sunset, ami the golden light
bathkd the richly wooded mountains enclo-
sing 1.-The landscape, of which tile windows
commanded d view A stream that wan
derea through the valley, could be seen
hashIng at intervals between the trees on its
margin, or bordering meadow Of yerdure
Close to the foot of the mountain, itIexpand-
I'd into small lakclet that lay in deep -sha7
dow, Projecting the sombrc green Of the fir
and pine treos-its CLASSY surface rippled
continually BY the fishing boats that @sho.
to and fro, giving animation to scene Of
calm and picturesque beauty
title stranger leaned forward thoughtful
IyinEhis scat near the window, and looked
forth; but he seemed 10 have. little enjoy
ment of the quiet loycliucss Of the landscape
He liad visited in fact, all the countries of
Europe remarkable for romantic scenery -
He Was traveller for pleasure, or rather to
escape from himself one of those restless
beings who find relief from ennui only in
continual change of place He had heard
much Of the beauty Of ItusatiaI it wonld not
do I'd pass itbysin his tpur but It's charms
already pallcd upon bis taste.
!. Lucas" said he to- his attendant, who
just then entered, :" Shall leave here to-
morrow
Tomorrow and JET NJ onsicur lc Comte
has bot seen all the wonders Of thcregionn
"~What arc they9H asked tic stranger
-SawRing.
1 4 There Is spot in tile lake which they
say Is bottomless whirlpool on the other
side of the mountain, where men, venturing
to battle, have been swallowed up and a
wizard tree, scarce league hence, Of which
HildItalcs are told But the greatest curl
dsitg Of all is tie SchalEsteia"
7 What Is that ~
= Docs Monsieur note yonder conieal rock
risi1 e from the midst Of the wood 1t
crowns the summit of a mountain just be-
hind that we see close tIhand Within that
nouptain-so rumor says-a treasure lies
buried
I "a treasured !" #IH
Hhy-for thousand years it has lain
there. The spot is marked by 4 strange
flower, that grows and Perishes in q night.
The only night in the year in which it blooms
is the eve of St john
'sA curious tradition, in soothi
! "It is believed throughout the country,
that he who finds that flower, and he alone,
is destined to possess the treasurer
z Hem il not tonight the eve Of St.
John ~
GTt is.'
FAndthe mo6ais full, Why not search
for the flower, and dig for the treasure, Lu-
cas r.
II. Monsieur is pleased to jest know n5t
one flower from another"
SWELL, then, l will 60 myself ] am aux.
ious to know if there be really any plant pc
ealiar to this season, whose growth could
have originated so peculiar superstition y
/. Z M onsicur has rare taste in flowers
4 True, Lucas, andin philosophy. A walk
in The moonlight cannot be hurtful at mid
summer, and it viii Be something to think
Of Should aover any rare plant--a
specimen for the nuseum in BerllA, shall
have thanks for il, al least Order supper
carly =
Iii the most shaded part of the valley =
some miles from the hamlet, stood small
hut, in front Of garden carefully eultiya
It'd, but 50 limited in extcut as To show the
poverty Of the owsler About the humble
dwelling were eyidepces of taste, md love
Of tile beautiful. Avine had been trained
10 al ID cover part Of the rude building
and ltwined ingraeeful NFcaths, mingled with
roses around the easement. A little piece
\ of ground before the door was literally q
Wilderness Of flowers A large oak tree on
one side sheltered Inc cottage from the sun
at npon, and added its share of picturesque
beauty.
i AS the last beams Of sunlight faded from
the mountain tops, weary looking man
coarsely attired, returned from the forest
bearing bis axe and armful Of wood lie en-
tered The cottage, and seated himself, wi
ping bis forehead, and complaining bitterly
of fatigue; while the dame, with care on
her brow, was busted III preparing the eve
ming meal This consisted Of coarse brown
bread and salt, few wild fruits, and pitch
Or Of water from the spring. But those
who partork of the frugal repast had lone
been used 70 no better fare The man drew
his scat, in silence, 10 the table, and ate
gIapting now and then At The door, IS if be
expected some one
Where is RosWitha n he asked 1t length
peeyishly Why comes she not f'1
! viii call her presently answered The
dame She was spinning but now:-and
belize, hath not yer finished Der task.
When the meal was ended, the dame wen
out y seek her daughter. s few PAGES from