Smyrna times., 1857-09-30


the wild mountain, youth appeared and silent
ly motioned Claus to follow him. He ascende
a fight of steps and passing through anethe
walled enclosure, came at last into larg'
court, perpendicular rocks immensely high
for walls, and rooted over with thick entan
clement of branches and vines, through which
the light came like sort of gloom. Here hi
found twelve stately and sedate knights en-
gagged in a game of nine-pins. Neither o
them spoke word. Peter was silently direct
ed to set up the pins.
Peters knees shook and knocked together a
first, and he hardly ventured to steal glance
at the grave looks, the long boards and sashed
doublets of the noble players. But growing
bold by degrees, he looked about him with q
firmer eye, aud finally made bold to drink Out
of large can that stood near by full of the
most fragrant wine. After this draught he felt
as if newly made; and whenever he began tn
grow tired again he knew where to find the
remedy. What was strange the eau remained
always just So full. But at last sleep overpow-
cred him.
On awaking he found himself lying in the
green enclosure where he had been accustomed
10 number his flock. lie rubbed his eyes lusti-
y but could see nothing of dog or goats, and
wondered to find the grass so high and to see
trees aud bushes which he had never observed
before Shaking his head, and completely lost
in bewildermeut, he began TO search for his
goats through all the by ways and passes where
he was accustomed 10 drive them every day !;
but not trace of them could he find. Finally
he descended the mountain towards Sttendort,
to inquire there after his flock.
AS he approached the city, Claus was sur.
prised to meet so many strangers differently
dressed nom what he was used to- and with
stranger manner Of speaking. He could not
guess why they stared SO when he asked after
their goats, and stroked their chins with such
an air. AT last, out Of very vexation, he did so
himself, and was surprised to find his beard
grown out to an enormous length, aud white as
snow. Surely, all the world is enchanted
and too," thought Pet.r, land yet there is
The old Kypphausen, which have just descend
ed, and here is Sittendorf, with its well known
houses and garden"
Shaking his head over the matter, Peter
Claus entered the town, and took the street that
led TO his own house. He found it Ill tumbllng
10 pieces, and on the grass iE front lay strange
hcrdsboy with lean and hungry looking dog,
that grinned and snapped its teeth when Peter
spoke to it. He entered the old dilapidated
passage. once closed by door, and found all
within so empty and decGying that he reeled
out again like drunken man, and called aloud
the names Of his wife and children. But none
heard, aud he received no answer except the
echo Of his voice.
great crowd Of women and children soon
gathered about the poor old man with long,
white beard, asking, all in breath, what he
was looking for. Feeling a little foolish TO be
caught asking for his wife and children right in
front OF his own house, Peter gave the first
name that came into mind. "Where is Karl
Steffens!" asked he. The neighbors were ST.
lent. and looked at each other as if they never
heard the name. At last, an old woman, catch
ing the sound, cried out that he had lived for n
dozen years where no living man could visit
him. Walter Meyer! God have mercy on
his souls" exclaimed an old crone, 4" for more
than fifteen years he has lived in the house
from which he shall never come out.
Peter shuddered as he recognized the ancient
dame. SO suddenly grown old, but he had no
heart to question farther. Just at this time a
young and lively woman pressed through the
crowd, with one child IN her arms and leading
another by the hand. All three seemed the
very image Of his wife. What is your name?"
he exclaimed. 1" Marie" And your father's!"
" Peter Claus, may God give him rest! II is
twenty years now sincc we sought for him day
and night on the Kypphausen, when the goats
came home without him; was then seven
years DID,"
The goatherd could restrain himself no Ion.
ger. 81 am Peter Claus and no otber!" he ex-
claimed, catching his grandson from his Gaugh-
ter's arms The crowd stood as if turned TO
stone, till one voice after another called out,
" Yes this is Peter Clans! welcome old neigh
Dor! welcome home, after twenty years!'
We give one more of these legends, hoping
that none of our young readers will fail to per.
ceiVe the fine moral it so prettily enforces. 1t
is called
The Wonder Flower.
Once upon a time, shepherd of Sttendorf
strayed alone into the wild passes of the Kyp.
Phausen. He was fine young fellow, and was
betrOthed to good but poor girl. He was poor
too, with neither house nor money 10 buy one
with.
He was very sad as he went up the noun
tain, but the day was pleasant, and the higher
he ascended the lighter grew his heart. On
the very top, he found a most beautiful flower
such as he had never seen before. He picked
it, and stuck it in bis hat for his betrothed.--
Looking about for another, be came to a low