Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1859-12-07
n1isrellaucous.
From tie Century !
THE LEGEND OF
CARL TODsCHALK.

Many are the arrows which Father Juliu
shoots at the follies and vain wishes of ordi
nary mortals From his bursting quiver
have chosen shaft; and he has not only
! gracefully yielded the bow. but has ever
shown me how. in spite of its length, it may
be drawn without hurt to living creature.
1t was just as the mcst vigfiant cock in the
village was tapping his wings, preparatory tc
/ waking the milkmaids aud other early risers
that Merlin, the wizard, rose to go. He bad
been entertained like prince. All night be
/ had drunk the rosiest of wine. and had sung
the roaringest of catches; and faithfully, bum
per for bumper, and catch for catch, had
! Carl Todschaik responded But Merlin must
now GO though Carl assured him that flask
of wine yet remained, the like of which the
! Kaiser himself could not boast Some other
/ time, Merlin said. but not now. One little
! favor. however, his guest would ask of him
before be went: If there were any three
thugs in this world that Carl Todschalk desi-
red, Merlin requested he would name them
INSTANTLY. Carl shook his head; here was a
chance. But what should he choose?-he
who was the happy man of the village, with
nothing to desire.
Come now," urged the wizard, three
wishes--wealth. power, fame"
Nay, nay" broke in Carl, ''none of these
for me. I'll tell you though" he added,
Frightening up, sometimes my old friend
Bierhals calls TO see me-tO talk of DAYS gone
by. to taste my wine, and to sing some Of the
rare songs which orly be knows. But no
matter how good the wine is. nor how much l
entreat, he viii 20 when the clock strikes ten.
Now, # you could only bewitch the chair in
the corner, in which he always sits, so that
nobody can rise from it without my permis-
sion. happy and grateful will be"
"It is granted" said Merlin Two
wishes yet remain Choose quickly, and
wen"
For the last two summers MP pear tree
has been robbed by tbievIpg gipsies. Can
you give to its branches the power of seizing
the thieves aud squeezing them till they roar
for raiu:"
1T shall be SIS you desire. and voc to bim
who shall venture Within the grasp of the
branches And nov for the last wish"
Il would like 10 live City years mere, said
Carl
The wizard nodded, and, with great clap
Of thunder, disappeared through the floor, to
attend to some little business in China.
There are many qusiut and entertaining
legends current III the village of FriedeU-
schlaf (where the events happened precisely
TREE aud the marvellous CHAIR. the choicest
OF which would fill many of these stately col
umns BIT. leaving these stories for the
amusement Of the good villagers. We, by the
power in Us vested, take grand leap of fifty
years and accompany the present history in
its majestic course
The Fifty Years rolled around, and found
our Carl as bale aud hearty old as
you would encounter in days journey. The
last dag OF tue last year had come 1t was
winter. Never was seen before such COM
Portable room, such roaring fire. such jus
of punch singing mellow glees on the hob, or
such fine old gentleman, enjoying all these
good things, as were within the walls of Carl
TodschalK's house on that bitter December
day As Carl lifted the jug from the fire,
and poured some of the rich, bubbling liquid
into a glass, knock at the door caused him
to pause for an instant.
Dear me-" he said, pouring the punch
from one glass to another to cooi It, who on
earth pays me a visit on such day as this?"
a tail form, enveloped in a long black
mantle. stood in the doorway. In his right
hand he held keen, glIttering sword In
his left was an hour glass. in the top of which
Carl noticed but few sands remained
MY name" said the gloomy stranger, els
DEATH"
"You-you-come very suddenly" stam-
mered Carl.
Many men have told me that; doubtless
many more will repeat it, his visitor an
swered, seating himself III the Chair.
Yes" said Carl. into whose mind pecu-
liar thought had suddenly flashed. - will
be ready in a moment" he added, and then
began heaping wood on the fire.
why DO you do that?' asked the stranger
s.It is already too hot"
1T will be hotter presently, promise
you," replied Carl, pitching on log after log,
till the FIRE snapped and snarled. and roared.
as though it were pack of hungry wolves
pursuing some wretched traveller.
The fire is scorching me! Let me up.
Hal what is this.''
Death was prisoner in the enchanted
Chair
I'll serve you out for this" cried Death,
after fruitless attempt TO release himself.
.'Will you?" quoth Carl. Well see Here
Aennchen, bring up everp stick of wood from
the cellar, and lie. Wilhelm help you. Quick!
Stop. stop roa-ed the prisoner in the
chair. '.would you roast NE like goosef'
Nut if you talk in reasonable way But
if you threaten any more. | will make the flre
still hotter. 1 have small request, and II
you grant it, you shall instantly be set at
liberty
Yes, yes-but draw the chair back lit
tie. Oh, how hot
Carl approached. and drew the chair back
few inches. This very cautiously. lest
DEATH might catch him and throw him into
the fire. or do him other bodily harm.
You must know" said Carl. that. though
I have lived long while, I still wish to