Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-05-22
A German Legend.

herself to the best in the larder, saying
as she ate, "a cook must know how things
taste if she wants to make them good.
"Grethel," said her master TO her one
day, 4" | expect guest to sup with me
this evening, so roast couple of fowl.
for US p
"I'll see about it at once, sir," answer
ed Grethel.
OF she ran, caught two plump young
4 chickens, killed them, scalded them,
pIucked them, stuck them on a spit, and
as supper time was approached, put
them down to roast, They soon began
to brown and froth, but the guest did not
come. 'Tf your visitor be not here pres
entity" bawled Grethe! from the kitchen,
"Pll have to take the chickens from the
fire, but it viii be a sin and shame not
to eat them the moment they are DONE"
"I'll run out and fetch him." answer
ed her master.
As soon as bis back was turned, Greth-
el moved the spit from the fire, saying ::
"lt's hot work this turning, and who
knows when the guests viii come !? In the
mean time, I'll 60 down into the cellar
for drink"
Down she went, drew a pitcher full
of beer, and with a "Bless you Greth-
el!' took hearty draugbt.
"One drink brings on another" said
she, so she finished the contents of the
jug, and then went up stairs to put the
chickens up to tie fire again.
Il hope have forgotten nothing in
the cooking" thought she, as she merrily
turned the spit. GLOW nice they smell ?
it's a sin and shame that there's no
one here to eat them"
She looked out Of the window to see
if her master was coming, but there was
no sign of either him or his guest--and,
returning to her post by the spit, she
found that wing of one of the chickens
was scorching. "Better eat it than that
it should burn" said she to herself; so
she cut it off, aud ate it out of the way
at once.
"The other must follow, l perceive"
she remarked, as she noticed the awk-
ward appearance of the mutilated bird,
"or master will fancy there's something
amiss."
As soon as the second wing was dis
patched, she again looked out for her
master, but still could see nothing of him.
"Hey, Grethel," cried she, enjoy
yourself; you have begun one chicken,
so now take drink and finish it why
should you not welcome the good gifts
within your reach ?"
Accordingly, after long draught Of
fresh drawn beer, Grethel sat down in
joy and gladness of heart, and soon left
no trace of the wingless fowl. Still her
master did not come, and as she looked
at the solitary roast that yet remained
on the spit, the thought struck her, that
where one was the other ought to be
also. "They make a pair, and belong
together" said she; and resolved that
the second chicken should follow the first.
1t was half gone when her master re-
turneI. "Quick, Grethel," cried her
master: "bring in the supper; the visi-
tor is coming"
"In a moment" answered Grethel, |
while her master went to see that the
table was properly spread. He was
just sharpening the carving knife on the
back door step, when a modest knock
was heard at the front door, and Greth-
ell, peeping out, perceived the expected |
guest
Hush hush p she whispered, put
ting her finger to her lip "be off before
my master sees you, or you'll repent ;
he has invited you to supper, indeed,
but his intention is TO cut off
your ears. Hark don't you hear him
sharpening the knife p
The guest heard the ominous sound,
and taking all she said for truth, ran
down the steps again as fast as he could,
while Grelhel FASTENED to her master ex-
claiming: "a fine guest you have ask
ed to support"
"What is the matter, Grethel? what
do you mean ?"
"Mean 2" cried she "why your visitor
has scampered off with both the chick
ems"
"Strange behavior indeed" said the
master; but | would forgive him il he
had only left at least one of them"
So saying, he rushed after the re-
treating guest, crying as loud as he could:
"One of them p But the fugitive
thought he meant one of his ears, and
ran the faster, nor stopped until he reach
ed the shelter OF bis own house, and had
asst locked the door behind him. i,