Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1869-09-01
Misesllauu.
The Collier Family.

dine" 1t is regarded not only the brightest gen
of fanciful romance, but as one of the most brian
creations of fancy in all literature. Its author wa
Baron Fouque Q777-Isis). He was born of a nobl
German family, and he possessed an ardent spiri
and wonderfully brilliant mind. He entered thu
army in youth, and fought at the battle of Leipsic
He had very slender constitution, and owing to il
health, he resigned his commission in the army anC
turned his attention to literary pursuits. He loved
to dream of fairies and genii-to bring forth fron
their obscurity the odImyths ofScandinavian poetry
and the rude legends of the North ' 'YialGenie
equals the most enchanting Arabian fctons.
d Onei of thel best of Fouque's stories is, in GU
judgment, a short romance entitled "Die Kohler
familie," lThe Collier Family, which has been trans
lated into the English tongue, but which does no
appear in the translation of Fouque's tales anG
which is not generally familiar to American readers
The following is abridgement of the story OF
the Collier Family" which we give in our own
language:l
Berthold was German merchant, and
in the pursuit of riches, made many long
journeys.
One evening, as he was travelling on
horseback in gloomy old German forest,
heslost his way far remote from any known
human habitation, He was greatly alarm
ed. for he carried with him rich Jewels,
and the recess of the forest bore no good
reputation. He came at last to a dusky
defle, but it was so untraveled that the
night-birds and the animals approached
him without fear, and it grew more wild
and gloomy as he followed it's winding way
He at last esped an object at a distance
that looked to him like a human being.
He approached it, though not without fear,
and found it to be man of very pleasant
appearance and gentle manners. Berthold
unbosomed himself to him without reserve,
and the man in return said that he was a
collier and that he and his family resided
in the vacinity. He invited the merchant
to pass the night with him. The merchant
gladly accepted the invitation, and ere
long came to forest cottage, where he
was gladly welcomed by the GOLFERS fam
lily.
A lovely family they were. gentle and
amiable; and very beautiful countenances
they had, such as reflect only pure and
unsel6sh hearts. The meref ant felt GER
tain that he had fallen into no evil hands,
and that he and his treasures were as safe
as though he had arrived at his home in
the grand old German city. Not only
were the family remarkably beautiful to
look upon and winning in their ways, but
each member discovered certain purity
of thought and feeling to which the money
loving merchant was a stranger. The
light of heaven seemed to illuminate the
faces of the fair-haired children, and
holy atmosphere seemed to fill the place.
They chatted, they sung, anG anon the
voices of the children rang out in innocent
laughter. The merchant entertained them |
with an account of his journeys, and the
collier in return related some incidents of |
his simple life. Suddenly there came a
succession of low, measured raps on the
door A change came over the faces of
the family, and the sounds of merriment
instantly ceased.
In the name of God, come in" said |
the collier solemnly.
The door opened gently, and there gil
ded in a little old man, who greeted the /
family very pleasantly, and seated himself
at the table, around which the family were |
gathered. He was mere dwarf in stat
ure, his face was very wrinkled and with |
cred, and his eyes were very sad. He
seemed panied at the sight of the merchant, |
to whom he now and then turned his gaze
with mysterious light in his eye. The
much curiosity, not knowing what sort of
being he was; ; and as he noticed the myste-
rious fire that now and then darted from
his eyes, began to feel uneasy. At length
the dwarf turned to the collier and said
:: The hour of prayer has come. If moth
ing prevents you pray" The collier COM
menced singing the fine old German hymn,
"The woods are all reposing."
His wife and children joined, and the flow
ing melody charmed the ears of the mer-
chant, and brought gush of tenderness to
his heart. The dwarf also sung, and al
though he was so small, his voice on the
high notes shook the house. The hearts of
the collier family seemed touched with SER
aphic rapture, and yet there was an under
tone of sadness in all the song The last
notes had died away, and amid perfect
stiffness the collier lifted up his voice in
dweIt on the very borders of the celestial
spheres and all of the fair-haired chill
dren clasped their hands in prayer.
When the devotions were ended the lit
tie old man arose, and with light step |
left the room, bowiDg humbly as he closed |
the door. Presently he opened the door
again, and darting at the merchant wild |
and terrible look slammed it with great |
violence.
The collier looked disturbed, and re-
marked that such behavior was rather un-
usual. The merchant intimated that the
old man might be somewhat touched in
mind, to which the collier assented.
1t is long time," said the collier,
since he has given evidence of any evil
intentions. I" regret" he added, L" that
the only room L can offer you for a lodging
has door that is i'll secured, and as he
frequents the house at will he may enter
the chamber during the night. If he
should, keep perfectly quiet and think holy
thoughts do not give way to anger, nor
utter any evil words, and he will be pow
erless against you, and will soon leave you
to your repose.
Berthold felt insecure. As he ascended
the stairs that led to his chamber, he found
a terror, that he could not stife. springing
up within him. He retired at once. but
left taper burning in the room. He laid
his portmantcau by his side, and his pistols |
on his pillow. The gusty forest wind
moaned without, and the loose doors
creaked and ratified within, and a deep
sadness settled upon the mind of the mer-
chant. Oh how dreary for he felt as one
alone, all alone in mighty solitude.
He endeavored to fix his thonghts on
his money making schemes, but every
sound gave him a start AT last he grew
drowsy, and fancied that he was sinking
into refreshing slumber, when he suddenly |
became conscious that there was some one
in the room. He heard noise at his bed
side, and started up with coIorless face and
wide-staring eyes. He beheld the little |
old man by his bed, handling his portman-
teau of jeweles. He forgot the collier's