Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-07-29
THE EVENING STAR.
A GERMANLEGEND.

There was once cook maid named Grethel
who, when she went outon festival DAYS. wore
red; heefed shoes, and held herself proudly,
linking all the time how handsome and CAV
: she looked. On her return home she ALWAYS
took good draught OF beer, and then, as it
gave her good appetite, she treated herself to
me pest In the larder, saying, as she ate, ga
COOK must know how things taste if she wants
to make them good"
"drethel," said her master to her one day, 81
expect friend TO sur, with me this evening, SO
roast couple of fowls for uss
"Il see about it at once, sir" answered
Gre,hel
or che ran, caught two plump young chick
ems, killed them, scalded them, plucked them
stuck them On spit, and as supper time was
approaching, put them down to roast They
soon began TO brown, and froth, but the guest
presently bawied Grethel from the kitchen,
"lll have to take the chickens from the fire, but
II VIII be sin and a shame not to eat them the
moment they are done.''
"l'll run ont and fetch him." answered her
master
As soon rs his back was turned, Grethel
moved the spit from the fire, saying: sIts hot
work this turning, and who knows when the
guest will come In the meantime, I'll go
down into the cellar for 3 drink"
Down she went, drew pitcher full Of beer,
and with "Bless you, Gretnel !" took hearty
dTaught.
Zone drink brings on another" said she; so
she finished the contents Of the jug, and then
went mp stairs to put the chickens to the fire
again.
"Ihope I have forgotten nothing in the cook
ing thought she, as she merrly turned the
spit. "How 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, bnt there was no sign of
either him or his guest-and returning to her
post by the spit, she found that O wing of one
of the chickens was scorching. "Bettar eat it
than that ii should burn" said she to herself:
so she cut it off and ate it ont of the way at
once.
1.-THE ether must follow, preceive," She
remarked, as she noticed the awkward appear
ance OF the munlated bird, "or master will fan
cy there's something amiss."
AS soon the second wing was dispatched,
she again looked out for her master, but still
could SEE nothing of him.
"Hey, Grethel," cried she, ssenjoy yourself;
yeu have begun one chic ken, so now take a
drink and finish il; why should you not well
come theeood gifts in yonr reachs"
Accordingly, after taking long draught of
fresh drawn beer, Grethel sat down in Joy and
gladness OF heart, and soon lett 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 n pair, and belong together, said
she; and resolved that the second chicken
should follow the first. It was half gone when
her master returned. "Quick, Grethel,'' cried
he, "bring in the supper the visitor is COM
ing"
lin 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 modest
knock was heard at the front door, and Grethel,
peeping out, perceived the expected guest.
"Hush! hush - she w whispered, putting her
finger to her lip; 'sbe off before my master sees
you or you'll repent: he has invited you to sup
per, indeed. but his intention is to cut off your
ears. Hark +! don't you hear him sharpening the
knife ~
The guest heard the ominous sound. and
taking all she said for truth, ran down the steps
again as fast as he could, while Grethel hast
ened to her master exclaiming; "a fine guest
you have asked to supperr'
What is the matter, Grethel! what do you
msanr'
MEAN p cried she "wky, your visitor has
scampered off with both the chickens
"Strange behavior. indeed" said the master;
'sbnt would forgive him if he had at least left
one of them"
So saying, he rushed after the retreating
guest, crying as loud rs he could: Zone of
them; only one OF theme ~ But the fugitive |
thought he meant one Of his ears, and ran the |
faster, nor stepped until he reached the shelter
Of his own house, and had fast locked the door
behind him,