The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1878-09-18
MISCELLANY.
THE AZ or RAINIER.


Once upon time, there lived on the bord-
ers of forest an old woman named .Iehanne
who had an only son, yel,th of twenty-one
years, who was called Rainier. Where the two
had originally come from nc one knew but
they had lived in their little hut for many
years. Rainier was a wood-cutter, and depend.
ed upon his daily labor for the support of him.
self and mother, while the latter eked out
their scanty means by spinning. The son, al
though poor was not without learning, for an
old monk in aneighboring convent had taught
him to read and write, aud had given him in
struotion in arithmetic. Rainier was handsome
active and strong, and very much attached to
his mother, to whom he paid all the honor
and obedience due from son to parent.
One morning in Spring, Rainier went to his
work in the forest with his AK on his shoulder
er, whistling one of the simple airs of the
country as he pursued his way. Strding a
long beneath the branches of the great oaks
and chestnuts, he began to reflect upon the
hard fate which seemed to doom him to toll
and wretchedness and, thus thinking, whist
led no longer. Presently he sat down on
moss covered rock, and laying his AK by his
side let his thoughts shape themselves into
words.
I" This is a sad life of mne,'t said Rainier
:" might better it, perhaps, were to enlist
in the army of the king, where / should at
least have food and clothing but l cannot
leave my mother of whom ! am the sole stay
and support. Must l always live thus-a
poor wood chopper, earning one day the bread
/ eat the next, and no more ?"
Rainier suddenly felt that some one was
near him, and ON looking up, sprang to his
feet and removed his cap. Before him stood
a beautiful lady, clad in robe of green satin
with mantle of crimson velvet on her shout
ders and bearing in her hand a white wand
g Rainier " said the unknown, " am the
fairy Rougevert | know your history, and
have heard your complaint. What gift shall
| bestow on you +"
Beautiful fairy replied the young man.
" | scarcely know what To ask. But bethnlx
me that my ak is nearly worn out and have
no money with which to buy another"
The fairy smiled, but she knew that the
answer from Rainier came from his embarrass-
ment and going to tree hard by she tap
ped on the bark with her wand. Thereupon
the tree opened, and she took from the recess
in its centre keen edged AK with an ashen
ha IDLE.
" Here" said Rougevert, " is the most ex-
cellent AK in the world With this you can
achieve what no wood chopper has ever done
yet. You have only to whisper to yourself
what you wish done, and then speak to it
properly, and the AK will at once perform all
yon require, without taxing your strength,
and with marvellous quickness."
The fairy then taught him the words he
should use, and promising to farther befriend
him as he had need, vanished.
Rainier too the ak, and went at once to the
place where he had intended to labor for the
day He was not sure that the AK would do
what the giver had promised, but thought it
proper to try its powers. For" he said to
himself, C the ranger has given me a hundred
trees to fell, for each of which am to receive
a silver groat. To cut these in the usual way
would take many days. | will wish the ak to
fell and trim them speedily, so "-he contin-
ued aloud, as he had been taught by the fairy
-" AK ak chop chop aud work for my
profit !"
Thereupon the ak suddenly leaped from his
hands, and began to chop with great skill and
swiftness. Having soon cut down, trimmed
and rolled a hundred trees together, it return
ed, and placed itself in the hands Of Rainier
The wood-chopper was very much delighted
with all this, and sat there pleasantly reflect
ing upon his good fortune in possessing so
good servant, when the ranger of the forest
came along. The latter, who was great lord,
was much surprised when he saw the trees ly-
ing there
:" How is this ?" asked the ranger, whose
name was Woodmount. AT this time yes
terday these trees were standing. How did
you contrive to fell them SO soon {? -
" l had assistance, my lord" replied Ran
Ter but he said nothing about the magic
ak.
Lord Woodmount hereupon entered into
conversation with Rainier, and finding him To
be intelligent and prompt in his replies,
was much pleased with him. At last he
said
6 We have had much difficulty in getting
ready the timber for the kings new palace,
in consequence Of the scarcity of wood-cut
tiers, and the sowness with which they work
There are over twenty thousand trees yet tC
be cat aad hewn and for every tree fully fin
shed the king allows a noble of fifty greats,
altogether he allows but groat for the fell
ing alone. 1t is necessary that they should
be all ready within a month, though l feal
that is impossible AS you seem to be able tx
get number of laborers together, | will al
low you thousand trees, if you choose
should you undertake to have them all ready
for the builders use, within a months time. :
My lord, y answered Rainier, " will un