The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1876-01-08
Ky sYLvANrs COBB, JK.

Karl Won Dunderman lived near the
town of Greffclhach. on small stream
emntving into the Kochcr. in the de-
partment of Jagst. in WirtemburS.
Karl owned II mill there that he had
bought since he had become an old man.
Ii was an old mill, but good one, and
Karl had rs much grain as he could
possibly grind brought to his place.
He ran the mill two years alone. and
then. rs he found he was growing bllnd
and weak. he hired Il stout man to come
and take charge. The person whom he
hired was Martin Hoffman. Il poor, de
formed man. with such IL hump ON his
back as made him almost frightful to
behold Knr's family was Il small one.
there being only himself and Barbara
Ltlben. who was only fifteen years old
and vet Karl declared she was the best
cook in the country. He had taken her
when she was eight years old, her pa
G nff .SGI lin Is love- d t ttHdK ti little fT
bara, and she was so comely and good
he loved her rs if she had been of his
own flesh and blood. Barbara lost none
Of her comliness as she grew up but
rather grew more handsome.
There was one thing on the premises
that Karl loved, and that was the black
saddle-mare he had owned for thirteen
years. She was Il good beast, but would
not work in harness; yet she would
carry enormous loads on her back But
Karl only wanted her for Il saddle beast,
for, since he had grown old and fat, he
found it difficult to walk much. This
mare was jet black in color. and as hand
some in form as any horse in Jagst.
Karl had owned her from little colt,
and he would sooner have sold his mill
than his black saddle-mare.
But Karl Won Dunderman had seen
his mill for the last time, and for the
last time he had ridden his black mare.
Death had come to call him away. He
called Barbara to his side and said
Barbara, you see | am dying. There
is no use in your CRYING, for i must go
and / am old enough too. Now have
given all my property to you save fifty
ducats, which | have given to Martin
The mill is yours, and you must hire
Martin to work it; and besides the mill,
/ leave you over two thousand ducats.
Thus, you see, you are very rich, for the
mill will not only support you, but pay
you something handsome besides. Now
of course many young men will try to
get you for wife And now / must
have IL solemn promise from you. You
shall never marry man until You have |
seen him ride the black saddle-mare. |
When II man comes whom you do not |
want, just send him Oft at once; but |
should one come whom you would be
willing to have for IL husband. you must
tell him the conditions on which you
will accept him. He must saddle the
black mare, and ride her up the hill and
back again. If he does this, then take
him; but if he does it not, then send
him away. And, mind you. no man can
try but once. If he fails the first time,
he must give it up
But" said Barbara, "then / shall
surely marry the first man who tries, for
there cannot be kinder beast"
81 know how kind she is But allow
ing II happens as You say, you cannot
object. tor you are not to let them try
unless You like them. But this shall
not always last. you know, for the black
mare cannot live till you are very old.
You are now only fifteen. SO by the time
YOU are thirty, the mare will be pretty
we'll worn out. But YOU shall keep her
Is well as you can, and be very careful
hat she does not get injured Now to
III this will you give me your solemn
promise ?"
And Barbara promised very solemnly.