The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-11-09
A RHINE LEGEND.
Ems.


The watering-place, Ems, is prettily
situated on the river Lain, hemmed in
between it and the cliffs of the Baeder-
ley, which recede from the waters edge
only far enough to allow room for row
of houses. 1t is neither town nor viii
lage, but collection of lodging houses,
with the Kurhaus in the midst. In the front
Of them runs the high road. and between
It and the river long, narrow strip of
garden, forming a sort of terrace by
the water-side, and serving as a prom
enade for the guests. A band of music
plays here morning and evening, to the
tune of whose instruments the guests
digest their rotations of spa water.
Those who are ambitious to extend their
walks beyond this, unless they confne
themselves to the borders of the beauti-
full Lain, must begin Immediately to
The place is very hot in summer, from
being shut in with the hills; but the
woods around afford shade, and in a
quarter of an hour the SUBMITS of the
mountains may be scaled, whence the
rambler may enjoy the purest breezes
and most expanded views of Rheinland.
Many years ago, when travelling
through the mountainous scenery of
Rheinland, / CHANGED to remain for
some time at that pleasant watering
place, Ems. During my stay, L made
the acquaintance of an aged German
named Paul Halter. He was man pos
sessed of kindly disposition, albeit of
a thoughtful--or what some persons
cor 10 al
choly-temperament Very rarely in
deed was he to be seen in any entertain
ment of festive character. l can not
describe him better than by saying that
his was nature both tender and
thoughtful. 1t is easy enough to pick
up companions or associates at Ems, or
other German watering places, where
one sees such a diversity of character
such picturesque groupings of the great
human family-that one is enabled to
take 3 novel view of life. Soon after my
first meeting with Halter. party of ex-
cursionists arrived at Ems, and, like
most sight-seers, were prodigal in their
description of the wonders witnessed
during their travels. We were made ac-
quanted with the fact that thew were
but recently returned from Bohemia,
and were favored with q glowing de-
scrlption of certain caverns they had Wis
tied. Paul Halter listened to the con-
vers6tion; but I could see by the ex-
preston of his oountenance that the
words uttered by the party had marked
effect upon him. Toward evening, when
we were alone together, he heaved a
deep-drawn sigh, and said, "Those PEG.
pie have opened wound afresh. have
good reason to remember the caves about
which they were discoursing so pleas
antly."
You !" L calculated. Glow so?
Ii You care to listen to the narra-
ave. will tell you," he observed, SEN
tendeasly. "and then you will know
why it is that / am the moody, melan-
choly man you see me"
OF course / at once assented to his
proposal. and, after little hesitation.
he proceeded to narrate the following
story of
A HUNTED BEAR.
- Yea will not be much cheered by the
account Of my trials and sufferings,
which had 80 sad an ending" said Halter;
"but there is, to certain extent, at all
times melancholy pleasure in making
known ones secret griefs or troubles
TO sympathizing friend like yourself.
with fellow-student named Marcus,
in lovely valley in Bohemia. 1
was the accepted sutton of his sister,
Karine. who was my first, my last, and,
indeed. my only love. During my visit
we had made many little pleasant excur-
sions, for i was not then the gloomy
misanthrope you know now. One day
1T was arranged for party of us to go
to the cave, of which you have already
had description. SO one fine, glorious
summer afternoon we found ourselves,
after journey of about three miles,
standing before the wild and
Jagged rocks of its entrance. Our
party consisted OF myself, an English
gentleman named Nettlefold, my college
'chum Marcus, Karine, and her sister
Agat-the last-named being fair
haired, bright-eyed little girl of II. who
was, of course, child-like. delighted at
being permitted to accompany us upon
such an expedition. While we were
waiting for the party to assemble,
feeling OF depression came over me. /
was all at once subject to strange pre-
sentiment of evil, which, alas | 1 after
ward found was but too well grounded
Marcus, who was much better acauaint-
ed with the nature of the subterranean
caverns than any of US, struck LIGHT.
with which he ignited three torches
One of these he gave to me, another to
Mr.. Nettlefold, and the last he carried
himself. We then entered the hateful.
.odious cavern, and proceeded to climb
over the rough blocks of stene heaped
one upon another at it's base. On the
left. the adjacent caves frowned ON us.
aud our lights failed to penetrate their
gloomy recesses. Ineed not enter into
any heightened description of the APP
.earsnce OF the several cavens. as you