Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1877-05-31

Great wax candles in enormous candle
sticks, threw mellow glow over the
| scene, and long benches were ranged on
each side of the board.
Frederick" cried one villager to the
other, tive ought to know the Hartz pref
ty we'll. Can you tell me where we
area"
"For the soul of me" replied the other,
II cannot. Came we not by the old road
we know SO we'll? But from whence
comes this ruined castle? Since my child
hood, never have seen or heard of this
place. All! my friend, I think we did
wrong in accepting the charcoal burners
offer. What business has he in spot
like this?'
The stranger laughed loudly at this re-
mark of his companion.
"Tush! tushv' he replied. "WLat is it
that surprises you, my friend!' and he
motioned to the benches. "Lct's have
some supper first, and we will play after
ward.''
They were all hungry, for the walk
had been long, so they forthwith sat down
and were soon merry over the splendid rc-
past.
"Drink deep" cried the charcoal burn
er, filling their goblets. "You won't often
get generous wine like this''
IT'S truly very excellent" replied Ban
ermann, who empticd one flask after an
other. II would like to be your guest
frequently"
The charcoal burner laughed.
II will do you good turn some of
these days, perhaps" he said.
Supper over, r,thcy seated themselves and
began to play. The first game was won
by Banermann. The second was a draw
one. As they concluded the third game
Bancrmann cried: "Lost by St. Mich
clasp
"How can you expect to win, when you
think and call upon saints!' said the
stranger, scornfully. 1--WE don't mention
those names here.'
One of the villagers nudgcd the other
and gave him a meaning look, as he
whispered II wish we were at home"
Every succeeding game was won by
the charcoal burner, who insisted they
should keep up the drinking.
"Here's health to you, comrades he
cried. Zone more goblet, and then I'll
show you famous garden that will glad
den your eyes,"
They swallowed their wine and, rising
up, went after their host, who opened a
heavy door, and led them into garden
filled with rare flowers, and trees laden
with fruit
Max Bancrmann placed his hand to his
forehead, and with a bcwildered look, cx-
claimed: "Adricots and melons in April !
I never saw such thing before"
IL wish we were at home, Frederick,
sighed the affrighted villager to his COM
paniOn.
"Look here, my friend," cried Bancr-
mann" who in the demon name are you?''
"Said not to you," replied the char
coal burner, -" that he who asked no lues-
tions was told the fewest lies?"
"You are a noble fellow, anyhow
cried Banermann; "only don't quite be-
licvc you arc what you seem. But be you
charcoal burner or demon, say again,
you are noble fellow"
II wish we were at home, Frederick, y
repeated the trembling rustic. II am
afraid evil will come of this. The saints
protect us! All, mc!:'
Frederick, whose head, perhaps, was
the most clear of the party, for the first
time addressed the charcoal burner in
serious tones. MY fricnd," said he, II
only know you from seeing you in the
village the past day. Some ofour people
said you lived in the forest by the Ilse.
Tell me how it is you come here, and
whose property are we now visiting, and
what is your namc!'
my name is Franz; that will do.
Don't be alarmed, comrades, because I tell
you about to part company" he con-
tinued, turning about and addressing
Banermann, "and to you, good card
player and splendid topper, shall give a
Souvenir STOPPING, he picked up a
small melon, and bidding his guests fol-
low him, he conducted them to the road.
Placing the melon in Bancrmann's hand,
he badc him examine it in secret when he
got home. "These good fellows" he said,
"now that they are on the road, will take
you straight from whence you came, and
in future years when some things that you
may find hard to credit. But I will re-
peat you the truth, though once had the
Reputation of being little given that way
This ruined old castle is, or rather was,
the home Of Count Franz Zimmerdorf''
"Heaven defended u.s." cried both vii
layers in a breath; " the arch ficnd car
ried him away, and he deserved it, fol
never has man, before or since, commit
ted such crimes. Thank the saints! he
has been dead these hundred years.
shouldn't have supposed the road we
travelled would have brought us in this
direction"
"My friends" replied the charcoal
burner, "One very frequently takes aroad
in life the termination Of which astonishcs
him. Mortals are prone to err. When
ever you call to mind this Walpurgis.
nacht, remember that you were enter
hundred years ago."
As the words were spoken there came a
loud report like thunder, and the three
men stood alone when they recovered from
their astonishment.
~ + x X j. i
| Twenty years later there was a rich
scholar in Germany, who never could con.
tent himself to abide long in one spot
His fame as a. historian and poet was
worldwide. He was very learned and
very credulous. He used to say that he
was prepared to believe anything no mat
ter how extravagant, until it was proved
to he impossible or false. Would you,
he was wont to say, "believe that small
melon placed in your hand at night
} would become a lump Of pure gold wher
the sun arose in the morning?''
"We would not" replied his hearers.
"Neither could have done so, but
would now'
Thevillagers Of schierke long cherished
a recollection of Max Banermann, bu
they never saw him again.