Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1867-06-20
q Selected Starp.
THE MINER OF THE HARTz
ATRAD1TION OF THE RHINE.
BY 81. PELICAN.

Beyond all other mountains Of the Blocksberg
range, the wild solitudes Of the Hartz have been,
from time immemorial, supposed to be the haunts
of ghosts, efns and spectres The inhabitants Of
this neighborhood are, for the most part, miners
and woodsmen, and are naturally imbued with the
local superstition. On many occasions they have
attributed to the power of the e6ns, those natural
phenomena which they have experienced during
their subterranean labors The belief also prevails
that tutelary demon, of the most savage appear
ance dwels in the gloomy forests Of the Hartz co,
lossal in height, and his head appears crowned
with oak leaves; about his body there is bound o
fiery belt, and in his hand he carries an uprooted
pine tree.
Long ago this demon used to hold frequent COM
used often to meddle in their affairs, rather for the
purpose Of doing them good than of injuring them.
But it was observed that his kindness generally
turned unhappiy to those who were the recipients
of it. The clerymen, in long sermons, frequent
" exhorted their focks to cease holding any COM
munication with him. 1t happened that on one
day, the preacher mounted the pulpit the church
of Margenbrodt, for the purpose Of expatiating on
the perversity of the inhabitants, in still continu
ing to communicate with fairies, and gobhns and
demons, but in particular with him of the Hartz.
These superstitious people laughed at the zeal with
which their venerable pastor held forth upon this
point At last the heat of his discourse augmented
in proportion to the spirit of the opposition which be
met but the congregation could not suffer that q
demon, who had been so peaceable for hundreds o1
years, should be compared to Astaroh and Beelze'
bub The fear, also, Of the demon Furnishing
them for listening to such sermons, was added tc
the interest which they felt in him.
"a monkish blabber like him" they cried, scar
say what he pleases with impunity; but we, the
inhabitants of this country, who remain at the
mercy of this insulted demon, we will be the vic
tins of his just indignation.
The peasants did not long restrain their resent
ment; pelting him with stones, they hunted the
poor priest out of the parish telling him to 60 ano
preach to others against demons.
As three young charcoal -burners-who had ta
ken part in the pursuit Of the priest-were re-
turning home to their cottage, the conversation
naturally turned upon the demon OF the Hartz
and on their pastors sermon. Max and George
Waldeck, agreeing that the priest language wa:
indiscreet, maintained, nevertheless, that it wa:
very dangerous to have the slightest communica
ton with the demon, because he was wicked, ca
priciots and powerful, and all those who had any
communication with him always experienced mis-
fortune from it. Had he not given to the gallant
Chevalier Sybert, the famous black steed, with
which he conquered all his competitors atthe grane
tournament in Bremen? Yes, but that coursel
plunged with him down frightful precipice, from
which man or horse has never come out. Did hi
not impart to Dame Gertrude Trodden some Gu
rious secrets, which were soon after the cause O.
her being burned as sorceress, by the command
of the grand criminal Judge of the electorate?
But these proofs and many others, which George
and Max related of the evil consequences attend
ant on the gifts of the elfn, made no impression
on Martin Waldeck. Martin was young, DARN!
and rash, and smiled at the timidity Of his broth
erS.
Cease" he said, all this folly; the demon is
good and kind one. He lives among us as sim
pie peasant he frequents the rocks and solitude
of the mountains, sometimes as hunter, and 9th
er times as q shepherd. But how can this demon
be so malicious as you say2 What power can h
have over mortals, who make use of his gifts with
out submitting themselves to his will? The bene
fits and gifts of the spirit of the Hartz cannot in
jure us it is the bad use which we make OF them
that does.
Max replied, that riches badly acquired, coul!!
never profit their possessor Martin declared
positively, that the possession of all the treasure
in the Hartz Mountains would not be capable o
efecting the least change in his habit, manners o
character.
This conversation lasted until the brothers reach
ed their lowly hut, which was situated on height
in the neighborhood of Brockenberg. They then
according to custom, arranged the watches for tn
night; for one of the brothers kept guard, while
the two others slept In fact the burning OF tn
charcoal! required a continued attention.
Max Waldeck, the eldest brother, had watched
about an hour, when he saw suddenly, upon tn,
borders Of the swamp. opposite to the door of hi
cottage, an immense lre, around which numerous
figures danced in the most grotesque attitudes
Max S first thought was to call George but h
could not awaken him without Martin hearing
So upon reflection nspite of the terror with wRicl
this singular phantom filed him, he resolved t.
watch alone. Besides the strange fire was gradu
ally disappearing, and he was then quite free from
fear.
George did not delay in relieving. Max, who re
fire again fllea the valley, and the same phantom
surrounded and danced through the flames GeoGrg
was more courageous than Max, and resolved t
cross the stream which separated him from tn
marsh. Climbing ut an eminence, he approache
near to where the fire was burning. Among th