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

the ground that he was trying to save his
wife's life. The old lady may have had
misgivings that if the village had been a
mile further on he would have pitched
her into the snow after the children in
order to protect himself, and hence her
gratitude was lukewarm.
THE CHARCOAL BURNER. .
One evening in the latter part of April,
when the beer-room of the inn that is
situated in the village of Schierke was
pretty we'll filed with people, who we're
drinking and playing at cards and dice,
here entered young traveller who, cast
ing his knapsack on the floor, announced
himself as Max Banermann, poor schol-
ar of Heidelberg, travelling for pleasure
and observation.
Al his appearance number of the viii
layers suspended their amusement for a
moment to regard the stranger, and one
Of them, taking the long pipe from be-
tween his lips, courteously invited the
new conner to sit down at the table, and
partake of some beer. Nothing 10th
Banermann accepted the invitation, and
was soon entertaining them with stories
of his adventures. So amusing we're his
variations, that before the night closed
Banermann found that he was very popu-
lar with the frequenters of the inn. Dur
ing the week he tarricd there this popu
larity increased, for he was a merry
wight, who could talk Latin, dispute,
wrcstle, drink deep, sing and play cards,
and this, in the minds Of the simple folks
of Schierke. was all sufficient for any
man who was not priest or philosopher.
But there was something so very singular
in regard to Banermann's card playing
that many of the people regarded him
with sort of admiration oftentimes
mingled with awe. None of them could
win game when he played, and, notwith-
standing they imagined they had good
card players among them till he arrived,
there was no one to be found who could
successfully oppose him.
Sometimes, for the sake of testing his
luck and skill, they resorted to unfair de-
vices, but it was the same, Max Bancr-
mann drank, roared his merry slaves, and,
playing on, put their schemes to naught,
and pocketed all the stakes.
It CHANGED that Walpurgisnacht arrived
while Banermann was still at the inn, and,
as usual, was engaged at cards, seated at
one of the small tables. A crowd of vii
layers surrounded the players, and were
boisterous in their mirth as Max won each
successive game.
"If the evil one was at your elbow
cried a villager, "you could not do better
Who but he could play as you?"
"What do you know about him?" in
terposcd stout charcoal burner from the
dark woods by the river list, who had been
standing among the throng, leaning on
his fire prong, and watching the players.
"What do you know about satan's skill at
cards?"
"Oh! not much, not much," replied the
other; but perhaps you were born on the
Hartz, and, if so, dare say you will deny
the existence of witch or demon
"Indeed do no such thing" answered
the charcoal burner with sarcastic lcer,
which looked doubly scornful on his
harsh, black features. "But yet I think
you ought to be little more prudent in
your speech on Walpurgisnacht. Bancr-
mann is fine young fellow and remark.
ably lucky at games, but think you be-
cause he wins all your grochens, and you
go away with empty pouches, he is the
only man who has luck or skill?'
A loud and prolonged laugh greeted
these remarks, and several of the party in
derision called out: "Ah! he wishes tc
show his skill. Make place for the char.
coal burner"
"You are not correct, my friends re.
torted he, II wish nothing of the kind
and did but make the remark without
such thought"
"You seem an honest fellow cried
Banermann, looking up, "and if you have
a mind I'll play you, but only for love, as
I'll warrant your pocket is light"
"My pocket is not very heavy, 'tis
truc," returned the charcoal burner; "but
still 1 have something in it, and will &C
cept your invitation, and stake little
Seating himself at the table amid the
jeers OF the company, small bet was
made and the game began. At first Ban
ermann seemed certain of winning; but
pretty soon the charcoal burner swep,
away the stakes. Cheer after cheer now
arose from the villagers, and many patted
the winner on his sooty shoulders. Ban
ermann scratched his head, and also
joined in the laugh, and they commenced
to play again. This time Banermann was
successful, and the charcoal burner wa.
laughed at and jcered by all in the beer
room. But when they had played a third
fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh game, and
the stranger had won them all, Max Ban.
ermann was no longer considered irwin
ciblc by the villagers.
It was becoming late, and the charcoal
burner rising, said to Banermann: "You
stand your defeat like a man, and yet
doubt if l could always beat you thus
Come, go home with me, and I'll play you
such games as you never saw before in
your life. No one should 60 to sleep to-
night"
"And pray where is your dwelling:
You promise bravely," replied Max.
"Do not ask questions, my dear friend,
answered the stranger. He who ask:
nothing hears the fewest lies. But as yor
are particular, I'll inform you. l reside
between here and the Ilenstein, and
promise you hearty welcome to my
home. And if any Of our friends here
present will accompany'us, I'll be glad tt
have them ALSO"
"1f it is only to see them play" re
piled couple of villagers, "we'll g
likewise"
"Let us set out, then," cried Baner
mann; "but hold! Landlord, more beer,
and they drained their ffagons ere they
departed.
The moon was shining brightly, th'
road was good, and Max Banermann fount
himself insensibly enchanted by his com
panion's conversation, which strangel!
enough turned upon the wonderful secret
of nature. Max was also astonished a
the charcoal burners voice, which, from
its former rude and harsh tone, became
sonorous and grand. The two villager
who travelled with them saw or heart
nothing, doubtless only thinking of tn
! ~.n,r> no %1,o~, vvoro ohor,f ~ xx,s%rooo