Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1865-04-26
Our Sturg-TtII
THE LEGEND OF ST, CHRISTOPHER.

From Chronicles of fsehonberg Gotta Family.l
I OFFERUs was a soldier heathen-
who lived on the land of Canaan. II,
had body twelve ellis long. He did no
like to obey, but command. He did no
care what harm he did to others, bu
lived wild life, attacking and plunder
ing all who came in his way. He only
wished for one thing-to sell his service:
to the mightiest; and as he heard tina
the Emperor was, in those days, the heaG
of Christendom, he said
"Lord Emperor, will you have me ?
| To none less will 1 sell my hearts blood
The Emperor looked at his Samson
strength his giant chest and mighty fists
and he said:
If thou will serve me forever, OEerus
I will accept thee.
Immediately the giant answered: "Tc
serve forever is not so easily promised
but as long as 1 am your soldier none il
the east or west shall trouble you"
Thereupon he went with the Emperor
through all the land, and the Emperor
was delighted with him. Allthesoldiers
in the combat as in the wine cup, wer,
miserable, helpless creatures compared
with OTerus.
Now the Emperor had a harper wh,
sang from morning till bed time, anl
whenever the Emperor was weary Will
the march, this minstrel had to touch hi
harp strings.
Once, at eventide, they pitched til,
tents near forest. The Emperor at
and drank lustily-the minstrel sang
merry song; but as in his song he spok
of the evil one, the Emperor signed tn
cross in the forehead.
Said Offerus aloud so his comrades
"What is this? Whatjest is the Prime
making now ?"
Then the Emperor said, "OFerus, lis
ten; I did it on account of the wicket
fend who is said often to haunt this for
est with great rage and fury"
That seemed marvellous to Oferus, ant
he said, scOrnfully, to the Emperor: q.
have a fancy for wild boars and deer
Let US hunt in this forest"
The Emperor said softly, "OEerus
no Let alone the chase in this forest
for in filling tiny larder thou mightes
harm thy soul"
The officer made wry face, and said
"The grapes are sour; if your Highnes
is afraid of the devil, Twill enter the ser
vice of the Lord, who is mightier thai
you" Thereupon he cooIly demaDde,
his pay, took his departure with no cere
mOnious leave taking, and strobe Of
cheerily into the depths of the forest
In wide clearing of the forest he founl
the devils altar, built of black cinders
and on it, in the moonlight, cleaned tn
white skeletons of men and horses. OF
ferus was in no way terrified, but quietl
inspected the skulls aud bones; then h
called three times in a loud voice on tn
evil one, and seating himself, fell asleeT
and soon began to snore. When it wa
midnight the earth seemed TO crack, an
on a coal black horse he saw a pitch blac
rider, who rode at him furiously, an
sought to bind him with solemn promises
But Oferus said, We shall see." The
they went together through the kingdom
of the world, and Oferus found him
better master than the Emperor; neede
seldom to polish his armor, but had plep
ty of feastiug and fun.
However, one day as they went aloni
the high road, three crosses stood befor
them. Then the Black Prince suddenl
had a cold and said, "Let US creep rOun,
by the by-road I!
Said OFerus: "Methinks you ar
afraid of these gallOws trees, and, draw
ing his bow, he shot an arrow into tn
middle cross.
"What bad mannersI' y said Sata
softly; "do ye not know that he who i
his form as a servant is the son of Mary
lnow exercises great power ?"