The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-02-14

best and 10 found, among otner coliecuons OF naiA
legends, In Harx.bilden or Harz-sagen OF Reii-
stab.1
Have you been In pine forest at evenfall, IL
Won have you Will recall the sensations OF mystery
which Cypress the spirit when you find yourself
alone among the fragrant trees that stand sun
and entranced, awaiting the coming of the night.
To persons unaccustomed to the woods, few mo-
ments Of greater solemnity could occur than those
following the set OF sun. A shadow falls over the
forest, and in the deep winding tunnels that radi'
ate among the gray moss hung trunks the black
ness Of night condenses apace. Mysterious noises
are heard the rustng Of large birds settling them
selves for the night the click of the falling cones,
the cry Of the wild cat. The gold light that Gil
day fickered through the boughs and diapered
the spine strewn soil, has wholly disappeared, and
patches of iron gray heavens seen through the in
terstices Of the branches diuse no light. Perhaps
an evening breeze whispers secrets among the
tree tops and pipes between the trunks, or huns
an indistinct tune, pervsding the whole air among
the vibrating green needleke leaves OF the tirs.
Robert, the huntsman, was too accustomed to
forest sights and sounds to pay attention to what
would have impressed another less familiar with
them. Besides, he was occupied with anxious
thought. He had Just parted for the night with
Gertrude. his sfiisnced bride; In few days he
proposed going forth into the world to seek bis
fortune, In the expectation OF returning to claim
her when that fortune had been found. Yet Robert
was not In bad circumstances. His gun and his
small patrimony furnished him with a subsistence.
But Robert was not content with little, he craved
for much. His ambition was to be rich: and he
was ready to sacrifice even his love for Gertrude
for the gold that dazzled his eyes and allured him
from home into the world Musing on his schemes
he would not return to his own house, but paced
the forest alone with his thoughts OF ambition,
from dusk to dark, from nightfall TO midnight.
The weird signs and sounds OF the forest at sunset
had warned him to leave 1t to spirits OF evil and
good to the gnome and the nix and the elf, but be
had not needed them. Midnight sounded from the
village steeple, and suddenly, in the midst OF his
medtations, he became conscious OF figure be-
fore him, bobbing among the shadows moving AZ
but raising itself occasionally, and then STOPPING
again. On approaching Robert saw that the figure
belonged to an old miner with q silver beard and
long gray hair. He paid no attention to the hunts
man, but crept In and out among bushes, rocks,
and ree.holes, peering among the herbs, and then
turning his ear to the soil to listen.
"what are You doing here!" asked Robert.
alt is past midnight"
The old man rose, stretched himself. ana an
swered: "Ah, the silence is broken, and my
eyes are dim. i am too old"
Z" Too old for what!"
Too old to find the gold herb" answered the
miner, shaking his long white beard.
"And pray what 10 the gold herb, +" answered the
hunter, arrested by curiosity.
"Indeed do you not know? Well, well, these
are DAYS of ignorance. Folks seek learning and
acquire novelties which cannot profit them, but
forget the old truths which could have availed
blooms only at night"
"Then why have you not brought lantern.
The is not up and it is as dark as pitch here
under the shadow Of these great pines"
"Ah, see" muttered the aged man. "you know
nothing about it. am too old TO find the herb.
Yes, am too old"
"And what is the good of the herb when you
have found it,"
"why this, friend Robert -"
"You know my name, them How is that"
hava these
and do you suppose that do not know by name
every inhabitantT'
al have never seen you BEFORE" said the hun
ter. And your appearance ia sufficiently pecu-
liar TO attract the attention of any one."
The old man shook his head. :" 1t is seldom that
shew myself, and then only at night. live far
of on the Rammberg, and there spend the better
part of my time underground; but at night. in 81
lence and darkness, wander about the country.
| am tired now, and disappointed at my want Of
success. must sit down the night is warm"
Robert seated himself on a fallen trunk near the
old miner. He was anxious TO know something
about the gold herb, but he shrank from asking.
The miner however, himself returned to the sub
ject by excaiming, All me would l were not
too old TO find the gold herb."
"Have you ever found it before!" asked the
huntsmaD.
"Neyer,n answered the old man, che who found
il once would not require TO seek il second time.
II you like to undertake the quest Of it, you are
welcome; see clearly that my chance is forever
passed away. Listen the gold herb flowers only
from the seventh to the thirteenth day after the
feast of St. John, and only then when the moon
does not shine. Nor does II bloom every night
during this time. but only on the odd nights-that
is, on the seventh. ninth, eleventh and thirteenth.
And again, only when the last day of the old moon
and the first day Of the new moon fall on odd
days can the herb become visible. Many know Of
the plant but few know of the law regulating its
blooming, consequently it is sought in years when
it cannot flower and on nights when IT does not
l. IL. d.. A. -
the eleventh after st. Johns feast consequently
the day after tomorrow is the last on which II can
be found. II also blooms only for seven minutes
and generally at the stroke of midnight J"
s'Why are you TOO old 70 find it,"
"That," replied the old man, sis mystery. II
you will promise to share with me the benefits
acquired by the discovery of the gold herb should
you chance to find it, viii tell you everything"
"Willingly," replied Robert with precipitation.
"But you have not told me the advantages Of find.
ing the fower.n
SThey are these.n The miners voice sank to a
whisper: 1.-THE herb belongs to an earth-nix, and
she gives 1t away. Il Is no natural flower IL be-
longs 10 the underground world but the nix brings
il above TO give it to mortals. Rarely does she
offer it to old men, never to girls: She loves to
present it to youths. Consequently you are far
more likely to receive it than am l."
Robert shuddered. sis there any danger in the
| quest ?n he asked.
danger !" chuckled the old man. "The earth
nix is a maid of exquisite beauty. Happy is be
| who looks on her countenance."
"Tell me, ," said Robert, eagerly, chow am tc
| seek the herb?"
Throughout the range of the Hsrz, the gold
| herb grows only 10 this forest and in this spot
| You must be here an hour before midnight; ant
should you see glow worms on the grass, tber
| remain where you are, but should you not. ther
walk due north until you see the green light Of
the insects in the dewy herbs. When there repeat
| the words thrice
Thrice in seven years bloom
In the silent forests gloom,
Blossoms golden, starry bright,
Bursting at the turn of night.
As soon as you hear the clock strike twelve in the
| village steeple, mutter this verse; bending over
the soil, and then STOPPING, proceed slowly north
| ward. Do not look to one side or the other, Oh
your labor is In vain, and no account turn your
head when once you are on the search, or III viii
| befall you"
"A1d how shall recognize the plant when
| see it?r
"That may nottell you. But never fear onct
seep YOU cannot mistake it."
"Wel, and when have found it, what them"
"Then,r answered the miser; your fortune Il
| made. He who has that plant for thrice sever
years Is secure from sickness he can see through
the surface Of the earth az though 1t were glass
and can mark the veins Of ore which run among
| the rocks, OF the treasures which have been 30
creted in past sges."
| Robert put forth his hand, clasped that Of thu
/ md aoid Uladu will / ahara n Will