The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-10-25
Merning Star and Catholic Messenger.
ssw oRLsANs. suNpAY, OCTOBER IS. ls74
JUVENILE COLUMN.
THE NUr-BoUGH.
A GERMAN F1REslDE STORY.

IhE NOT"bOOId.
GERMAN r1REs,DE STORY
Once upon time there was wealthy
merchant, whose business took him into
foreign countries. One day, when he was
going away, be said to his three daughters,
to each of You nice present on my return.
Tell me what you would like"
The eldest said, "Bripg me, dear father,
the moet beautiful pearl necklace that you
can find."
The second said, ssI wish for q bright
diamond ring"
But the youngest, throwing herself on
her fathers neck, said, I" For me, dear
father, bring a beautiful little green nut
bough."
"Weil, we'll, dear daughters" said the
merchant, will take care for you all
farewell !"
Far away rode the merchant, and made
great purchases nor did he forget any of
lis daughters requests. A costly pearl
necklace he had already packed in his
trunk for the eldest, and magnificent dia-
mond ring he had found for her sister but
a green nut-twig he could nowhere meet
with, although he took a great deal of
trouble to find one. At last he turned his
his face homewards, and made his way
through all the woods along his road, hop
ing to find, in one or other of them, what
he sought. But he soon got 80 near his
home that he began to fear that, after
all, he should not be able to accomplish bis
daughters simple wish.
The last stage Of his journey led him
through gloomy forest and as he was
sorrowfuliy picking bis way through the
thick brnshwood, he knocked his hat
against bough, which ratified like bunch
ofbeads. He looked mp, and saw a beau
tiful green branch, on which hung a string
of golden nuts. The sight 80 delighted
him, that he reached his hand up at once
and broke off the bough |; and at the same
minute wild bear rushed ont of the thicket
and raised himself on his hind leg, grow
ling and menacing as if he would tear the
merchant into thousand pieces.
"Why have you broken off my nat
branch Z" he roared. You miserable
wretch, will eat you up"
merchant replied, "Oh, dear bear, do not
eat me let me go my way with the nut
bough, and will give you plenty of bacon,
and honey"
"Keep your bacon and honey for your
self, )" returned the bear. "Promise to give
me whatever or whomever meets you first
as you enter your gate, and then / will not
vdevour you"
The merchant readily agreed to this for
he reflected that it would only be his
poodle-dog that he would have to sacrifice,
and that would be but slight return for
his own life. So after q hearty shake of
the paw, the bear walked back into the
thicket while the merchant, still breath
less from fright, hurried gladly away from
the spot.
The golden nut bough shone brightly on
the hat of the merchant as he drew nearer
and nearer to bis home. With elastic
steps his youngest daughter bounded to-
wards him, while behind her, at respect
full distance, followed the poodle.dog and
in the doorway stood his two eldest daugh-
tiers and his wife, waiting to greet him on
his arrival. Sorely terrified was the mer-
chant when he saw his youngest daughter
coming first to welcome him. Sadly and
eorrowfully he received the embraces and
kisses of all, and he communicated to them
his adventure with the nut-bough. All
then began to weep (; but the youngest
daughter showed her courage by declaring
before them all that che would perform her
fathers promise.
ssDo not despair, my dear daughters"
here interrupted tie mother, i" do not
trouble yourselves; supposing. the bear
shonid come, my dear husband, let us then
the herdsman's daughter, and surely he
will be content"
This proposition was thought very good,
and had the effect of raising the spirits of
the three sisters, who began now to de-
corate themselves with their presents. The
with her, and coon thought no more of the
bear and her fathers promise.
But one day gloomy looking carriage
ratified through the street up to the mer-
: chants door and the ugly bear, stepping
out, walked straight into the house into the
presence of the merchant, and demanded
the fu1Allment of his promise. With all
possible haste and secrecy, the herdsmen's
daughter, ugly as she was, was fetched,
and placed inside the bears carriage. They
went off directly rand when they had pro
ceeded short distance, the bear laid his
rough shaggy head in the lap of the girl,
and grumb1ed OUT
Tickle me, scratch mo
Softly and tenderfy;
Or else will I eat you,
Skin, bone, and ALL
So the girl began scratching /; but she did