The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-03-17
The Maiden Lean.

Many years ago there lived in the Haardt
Mountains giant of great power who had
built castle on one of the highest peaks
and from his towers could overlook the
whole country. A few miles distant from
him lived maiden who had large estates
and many servants. She was very beautiful
in person, and fond of chase and all such
things as are called manly exercises, and in
these she excelled. She also managed her
household with great skill and judgment,
and could do herself credit at the spinning
wheel. Now the giant loved and was de-
termined to possess this maiden. So he sent
his servant with rich jewels to ask her hand
in marriage. The servant, who was cum
ming fellow, deemed it pity that these rich
es should be given the maid, and she refuse
his master as he was sure she would do, and
felt that it was better for him to retain them
for himself. He turned aside into the forest
saw knight who was weeping. When the
servant inquired the cause of his grief and
offered his assistance, he told him of his love
for the same maiden to whom the giant had
sent his proposals, and that he dared not
approach her on account of his poverty.
Then the faithless servant told his errand,
and offered to divide the jewels with him if
he would assist to conceal them. This the
knight assented to and they commenced to
dig hole. When this was done the servant
attempted to kill the knight, fearing he
might disclose his treachery. The knight
had left his sword on rock while at work,
and as the servant had seen him in tears, he
took him for a coward, but he realized his
mistake most perfectly, for he threw down
the servant and was about to kill him, but
he decided to take his part of the booty and
leave him alive. He then sped toward the
castle of the maiden. Meanwhile the giant
had become impatient at the long absence of
his servant, and set out himself for the maid
ems home. When he arrived hedeclared he
would kill her if she would not marry him.
She and her maids fell on her knees beseech-
ing him to leave them in peace, but moth
ing could move him or change his decision,
so the maiden determined to make a desper-
| ate trial for life, and that if he would wed
her he must prove himself worthy by run.
| ming after and oyertakIng her. To this he
consented, and she leaped on her horse
She rode many miles and still the giant pur-
sued, and now the horse was giving out and
the giant gaining on her Just then she
reached fearful chasm and determined to
risk all on leap over it. She did So and
landed safely on the other side. The giant
was furious, He saw her kneeling on the
bank. He ran up and down seeking place
to cross, and soon his triumphal shouts an
nounced that he had found one. The hear
Of the maiden grew cold, but at that mo-
ment the young knight came up and attack.
ed the giant, who weary with his chase was
easily overcome. While on his way to the
castle he had seen the pursuit of the maid
and had followed as quickly as possible. In
consideration of the great service he had
thus rendered her and the wealth he had
acquired he no longer feared to tell his love
He was accepted, and in few days the wed
ding was celebrated with much gladness.
| TIE VINE Ann THE 90 oAT -Thara was a