Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1877-01-27
FALKENSTEIN
A Fairy story from the German.

vineyards and the ruins Of hundreds OF ancient
| castles. These lonely ruins were once the
homes Of brave old soldiers who fought the
| battles Of the right. Their castles were built
large and strong, frequently on the top OF
| high hill, so that in case of attack they might
afford the best possible protection. 1t is about
what happened, once upon time, at one OF
these old castles that have to tell you.
There was once certain knight named
Falkenstein. lie was very surly and gloomy,
and lid not like to keep company with any
body. SO, III order to live entirely apart from
the rest Of mankind, he built himself castle
on one Of the steepest and most rugged bills
near the Rhine river. Indeed, so steep was
this hill that there was only one very narrow
footpath by which the castle could be reached.
Here Falkenstein lived with his only child, a
beautiful and ligbt-hearted maiden named
Irmingari.
One dag there came to the castle a certain
knight named Sir Kuno. lie was sent TO
! Falkenstcin or a mission, aud hard work be
/ had TO deliver his message, for be had to leave
! his horse at the foot Of the hill and climb up
by the narrow footpath. Sir Kuno was deeply
I impressed By the beatty and amiabi ity OF
! Irminsard, and when he turned to so down
the steep path he said to himself 81 will try
and obtain her hand"-whch is the old way Of
saying, 81 will try and get her TO be my wife. "
You may be sure Sir kuno did not tarry long
before he found some excuse TO make another
visit TO the castle.
Falkenstein received him with considerable
rudeness, and, in truth, gave him little en'
couragemcnt to stay. They stood together,
Sir Kuno and Falkenstein, looking out Of
the window at the beautiful river spread out
before them.
"Therc is no castle so beautifully situated
as yours" said Sir Kuno, "but the way to i,
is too difficult"
Nobody forced you to come" said Falken-
stein, sharply.
my heart forced me to come" replied Sir
Kuno. 81 lore your daughter lrmngard, and
have come to ask you for her hand"
Falkensten laughed softly, which was a
bad sign. "Sir Kuuo," said he, you shall
have my daughter, on one condition"
"I pledge you to do it before you have
named it {" cried Sir Kuno.
Very WELL" said Falkenstein, with q
wicked smile on his face. This, then, is the
task you have to perform: Make for me fine,
broad road up these cliffs. so that my castle
may be easily approached on horseback, and
do this in one night
Sir Kunos face became pale, and, turning
sorrowfuly away, he left the castle. But he
was In lore, and, to tell the truth, the task did
not seem to him quite impossible. lie had a
mice pear his castle, and he summoned to lin
bis trusty old miner and told him all about it.
The miner, however, shook his head, and
said 81 know those cliffs well, and know II
YOU had three hundred miners they could not
DO the work in six nights, say nothing of one.
Sir Kuno seated himself sadly at the open
ing of the mine, Gnd there lie sat until the
evening mists were rising from the meadows.
CHANGING to lift bis head. he saw before him
little, old man, with white hair and beard.
"Sir Kuno," said the little man, 81 over
heard your conversation with the miner. lie
is worthy man, but understand bis business
better than le."
"Who are you?" asked Sir Kuno.
Mankind" answered the little man, "call
nc and ny kind KoboIds and mountain
spirits; but the name matters little. We ore
more cheerful and nimble than yon, and it
would le mere child's play for Us TO make a
road up the cliffs Of Falkenstein in one hour"
eff you can aud will DO this" cried Sir
Kuno, joyously.
al can and will do it, broke in the little
gray man, hut with this undertaking.
You have mine here which you call Saint
Margaret's mine. Ny people inhabit this
mine. If you insist on working it we must
leave our home. But promise you that you
shall not lose by ceasins TO work this mine,
for over there to tie left the earth is filed with
precious metal and will show you how it
may be discovered"
Il wonId give all the gold and silver mines
on Garth FOR the lovely lrmingard," cried Sir
Kuno.
Very well returned the little man. "To-
morrow the task which Falkensiein requires
Of you shall be flushed"
Meanwhile, Irmirgard had been told Of Sir
Kuno's proposal, and she sat locking noun
out Of the window, for it must be confessed
.ba. she felt very kindly toward the noble
young knight.
Gradually the evening shades fell abOu, her
until everything was lid il darkness, and still
she sat gazing out into the night Suddenly
she heard CHATTER as though thousand picks,
shovels and crowbars were at work On the
rocks below. She started joyously, but sank
back when size thought how impossible the
task.
FakensteiD, awakened by the noise, came
rushing into the room, saying, "Sir Kuno must
be mad. lie is trying to put me to shame BY
attempting the work" lie opened the win
dow and looked out. but hardly bad be done 50
when a whirlwind dashed through the trees
before the castle, and a. The same time loud
1,,ot,e, bor,ible 10 bear. rang In his cars