The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-05-08


In the early ages, there was, one day, a
student travelling in the depths of the
Black Forest. He had heard in his ma
tive village of the new University of Hell
delberg, and was jOurneying thither to en-
joy the vast stores Of knowledge, then the
wonder and delight of the scientific world.
Buried in thought, hc seemed scarcely
conscious Of his surroundings, until as
cendipg winding slope on the side Of the
mountain, strange scene Of beauty pre-
sented itself.
The sun, sinking in the west, was gid.
ing mountain and valley in splsndor,
crowned by the distant horizon, refulgent
with its nlany-hued msgnifcence.
Wondrous scene Of beauty" sighed
the Student, pausing to gaze dreamily into
the distance, worthy indeed to be called
the Glory of the True"
Pursuing his way, in the gathering
shades of evening, he began to quicken
his steps toward village at the base Of
the mountain, when suddenly a Gnome
arose out of the earth.
Whatsoever thou art" said the Stu.
dent, my philosophy has taught me to
fear thee not"
~ am a Gnome, said the figure.
"Thou art, then, of that strange race
'inhabiting the bowels Of the earth, unused
the Scholar.
"Thou hast said rightly" replied the
Gnome, "and now, who art thou, and
wherefore wanderest here in the resort Of
Elves and and Werc-wolves ?"
~ am Student replied the other,
" and l but follow the path Of knowledge
and philosophy"
"Thou art on a journey said the
Gnome, " chosen of but few, aud of ne
cessity endless contentment win forsake
thee, rest thou canst never know If thou
art wise, thou wilt return to thy Fathers
house, aud, following the way of thy fore
fathers, live out thy life in usefulness and
peace
"There is wisdom in thy saying, o
Gnome,' said the Scholar, "yet have l
gone too far to return? If, therefore, thou
canst otherwise help me l pray thee do
so.r
"Thou hast mypity, replied the Gnome,
"but as thou hast presumed to speak to
me, perchance thou knowest l am bound
TO answer the three questions thou may st
ask think well and long, therefore, be-
thou speakest."
"Tell me, then, o Gnome," eagerly
spake the Scholar, wherefore am placed
upon this beautiful earth, by what law am
! preserved and continued upon it, and
wherefore removed from it?n
Follow me" replied the Gnome, I" and
in due time thou shalt be answered"
So saying, the Gnome silently led the
way into the thicket, followed by the Stu
dent.
In moment they were trayersing the
most devious and interminable paths !;
through endless valleys, over frozen noun.
tains, through sloughs and morasses, thro'
briers and stony places--on, on went the
Gnome; the poor Student, with tatsered
clothing and bleeding from many wounds,
following. Time was forgotten, and though
the hours rolled away and heightened into
years, il seemed in retrospect but mo-
mcnt since they had started. Sometimes
thought would arise, urging him to aban-
don the quest, but fatal fascination bound
him to his companion, who, lightly trip
ping on before, would at times appear to
be on the eve Of stopping.
At length in the depth Of tho forest
there arose before them stately building.
The Gncmc disappeared and floating on
sad music, as Of distant choir, came the
words " Love is the fulfilling of the Law. {"
All vanished in an instant, and the Stu.
dent now an aged man, awakened as from a