Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-03-13

/ OTIS AM high-minded, and will in part
act az an Offset to the many evils that are
laid at your door," retorted Gottfried.
"Better and better I begin to like
you, sir student, and if you dare accom-
pany me, will at any rate show you my
home, as you call it," laughed the
gnome.
"Dare you shall see!" scornfuTy
cried the student, as he proceeded to
don his outdoor garments.
"BuG what security have you that,
when once have you completely III ny
power, L will not put you to death, OF
hold you a captive until the day of
doom?"
I" [ will risk that. If you kill me-
well, we can die but once. But if you
think to keep me as prisoner, twill go
hard but find means to make you re-
pent it."
"Ho. bo no come we will settle
that when our journey is ended" and so
speaking, the coalman led the way down
stairs, and out Of the inn. closely follow
ed by Goetal.
The air was bitter cold, laden with
particles of sleet and snow, and blew fit
fully in their faces, penetrating the stu
dents thin, well-worn garments, chilling
him to the bone. But he thought not
of that. The good demeanor
of his strange companion inspired him
with hope, and already he began build
ing castles, and planning what wonders
he would perform with the riches he was
about to obtain.
They were not long in reaching the
base of the mountain, and after ascend
ing about half way, they paused before
a large boulder that was partially i'm
bedded in the frozen earth. Against this
Rhubazahl placed one hand, and with
seeming ease it rolled aside, discovering
to the Students gaze long, gloomy pas
sage apparently leading into the heart of
the mountain.
"Do you wish to go further? Pause
and reflect. What would your puny
arm and mortal strength avail against
the weight of this rock? Advance one
step and you are entirely in my power, "
admonished the gnome, restraining the
impatient student who would have
rushed headlong into the mountain.
"Bah do you think have come this
far merely to see you roll aside that
rock9 Lead on, or [ shall think that you
are the one who fears -
The gnome did not reply, but entered,
closely followed by Gottfried, while
the large boulder rolled back into its
place with sudden crash. AS they
proceeded, the passage became lighted
up by the fiery eyeballs of the Rhuba-
zahl, that shot forth broad streams OF
light. The roof and walls reflected the
CLEAN, until it seemed as though they
were papered with frefiies and glow
worms, But Goetal knew right well
what those glittering sparks were, and
that one handful of them would not only
enable him to buy back his estates, but
leave hin the wealthiest man for leagues
around his birthplace His spalms itched
to grasp some Of the precious stones, but
he restrained himself, and followed
close upon the footsteps of his guide.
Suddenly they turned a projecting
point, and stood at the entrance of {
spacious chamber, so gorgeous and daz
zling as to almost blind the student. He
could go no further, but sank upon the
ground, drinking i'll with thirstT eyes
the countless riches that lay in huge
piles upon the floor. Rhubazahl looked
down upon him with cynical smile upor
his face.
"Ho ho my wise student, you SCI
that greater lies can be told than tina
my wealth is countless, though yol
seemed to doubt the fact not long since
But now," he added, little impatiently
"what more do you wish? I .hav,
, shown you my home and my riches, d
you term this dross; are you satisfied2'
"You know that I am mott" boldl,
cried Gottfried. Chow much happie
would be my lot, did / have to exist a
before, now that | have seen these count
less riches lying here, benehting n,
person? No; L wish you to give IN
what can carry from yonder pile. Yo1
i. would never miss it.
| "Ho ho hol" roared the gnome
, "Thy tongue is nimble tonight, 81
Impudence; but take heed that it doe
t not trip thee up. But why should I dt
this for you? Of how much more bene
r fit would the gold thus bestowed be thai
, If it rests here! How many night
[ would it keep thee and thy comrade
| carousing? How many lawless orgies
? how many bitter tears and broken heart
: would be the result 2" he added, sardoni
: cally.
, " If you be what you pretend
spirit-you should be able to conside
your last question without any help.
9 scorn to reply to anything that casts
reflection upon my honor" retorted th
, student, haughtily. "What I did wis
4 was to obtain comfortable home for m
4 mother and sister, to enable them to di
r under the same roof that covered thei
e heads when the breath of life was firs
k drawn. For myself I care little 1 al
q uounu an1 CON 1O hattar with tho ,t,o,l
. for myself. And now," he added, as h