Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1873-06-19
Walter and the Raven,

An old knight had little daughter
called Gertrude: and his brother be-
ing dead he took to live with him in his
castle the little son of this brother.
The namo of the little lad was Walter,
and tho knight loved him as though he
were his own son. The two children
loved each ether as though they had
really been brother and sister; played
with each other whenever they could,
and were one heart and one soul. But
one day, when Gertrude had gone out
of the castle gates to gather flowers,
behold there came some gipsies along
the road and carried her of with them.
Geltrude's old father grieved 80 over
her loss that he died, and Walter also
wept many days and nights about his
Gertrude.
When spring came, and the trees be.
gan to bud, Walter went out into the
forest. There was O beautiful green
place in the forest where q spring
dubbed put of the earth. He had
often sat there with Gertrude, and had
hoated little nut shell boats upon the
water. He seated himself now beside
the spring, cut himself a hazel twie for
q horse, and said to himself-"Oh,
were only a knight, tall and stately,
such as used to come to my uncle's
castle, then would ride through the
world and seek Gertrude.". Whilst he
wished thus, he heard something utter
a cry close to his ears, and when he
looked up, he saw that o raven had
caught itself between two branches 90
that 1t could not move, and that q snake
darted forth to kill it. Quick as
thought, Walter seized his stick,
killed the snake and released the IA.
ven.- The raven flew upon q tree and
shouted -" Thanks! thanks, dear
child! Since thou hast saved nv
life, wish something, and thou shalt
Immediately receive thy wish. A year
from this day we meet again!"
When Walter heard this, he knew
that the raven was nm enchanted
bird, and exclaimed with joy: "Oh,
might I only be a knight, with his
helmet and shield, with his horse
and swordw And as he wished. it
was so. Instantly he became q tail.
stately knight; near to him rested his
shield; and out of his hazel stick
had grown a proud horse, which
neighed loudly through the forest, and
as It to show that it was real horse of
flesh and blood, it began to drink out
ofthe spring.
Walter did not know how it was with
him at first he stood like one in .
dream. But soon he felt a new life
within him he flung himself with the
ardor OF youth upon his horse, and
rode forth through the world to seek
for Gertrude.
Upon his way he met with many I'D.
ventures, like other knights. There
was always something he must fight
with; now it was with wild beasts, -
now with other knights, who roamed
through the world in search of warriors
with whom to fight. But each time
Walter came off the victor, for he wa.
much drawer than his enemies.
AT length, upon the sum
NIT Of mountain he sav
a castle, which belonged to .
queen. As he approached the castle,
he saw little maiden sitting in tht
gateway: she was playing with he1
doll ): and when Walter looked nearer
at her, he perceived that she was little
Gertrude. He set spurs to his horse,
and cried ont from . distance, "Good
day, dear Gertrudel" But the child
did not recognize him. He came
nearer, and said, s'I am thv cousir
Walter |" But the child did not be
love his words. And when he leaned
from his horse to kiss her, his SWORD
and spurs jingled so that the child WI,
frightened and ran away from him int
the castle.
Walter was very sad at this. But h,
announced himself to the queen, VIII,
received him very gracious1y. He re
lated to her oil that had happened t,
him, and learned in return from he
how she had purchased Gertrude frou
the gipsies. But when he besouRh
that she would give Gertrude to him
as his beloved cousin, she would onl
consent to this if agreeable to th
child for she had also become YER
fond Of little Gertrude.
The Queen called the child to her
aud spake: "Only see! here is +
truth thy cousin Walter; dost thou n,
longer love him2" The child locke,
ut the knight from head to foot, an,
then SAID sadly: eff you both sa
that this is Walter, I must believe Won
Oh !were he only still little, as he wa
year ago, then indeed would I e
with him through the whole world
wherever he chose, but not now; no
with him as he now is no, never, new
or would I! What good would it d,
either of us2 If wanted to play hid,
and seek with him, as I used to do, hi
armour would shine ont so brightly
and his spurs would make such noise
that should instantly know where b,
was-and If l wanted to go to schoo
with him, how could he sit down upo,
the little bench with me, at the littl,
tablet And what could such a poo
little child as ] do for such KNIGHT
Of would cook his dinners for him.
should burn my little handsl Ii j
wanted to make clothes for him
l should prick my fingers, and i
L tried to keep up with him il
walking. should walk myself loot
sore! Yes, indeed, were 1 only !,
grown-up kings daughter, then Il
would be di&Terent!"
Walter felt that Gertrude spoke thu
truth, therefore he took his leave. ond
springing upon his horse, rode awav
The Queen and Gertrude Watching him
from the battlements of the castle.
ne had not ridden many PAGES before
a,volce called him from q. tree. oval.
ter! Walter !" and looking up he ner.
ceivcd that it was tho raven who again
spoke to him. ga year has passed
since thou didst wish to bocom 1"eo =
knight. Ii thou hast still wish, speak
1T, and Immediately thy wish shall be
fulfilled; but think we'll upon whai
tn tno .a a1 1: hast for speedily it will
Walter, however, never listened tc
these words, but cried out instant,v
~ wish that Gertrude was a grown.nr
kings daughter
But the moment his wish was spoken
he became again child, and his bean
tltul horse returned into the haze
stick, Just as it had been a year before
and looking upwards to the battle
ments, behold there stood beside thu
Queen u wonderfully beautiful vouno
lady, tall and graceful, and splendidl,
drcssed-and that was Gertrude The
boy took his hazel stick with him mr.
the castle steps, weeping bitterly. The
Dncen was filled with compassion TO,
l"ln, took him into her chamber, snl
sought to comfort him.
Now, indeed, it was miserable af-
fair. However much the royal lad,
Gertrude and the little boy Walter
might have loved each other, they had
little joy in their love. II Walter said
:. Come, Gertrude, let us leap over the
bitches and run race J" she
answered, "No, forsooth, that is