The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1878-07-25
THE GOLD CAP.

Translated from the French by Mary Morrison.
If you were to 90 to Friesland, the
northern part of Holland. you would
be astonished to see the kind of head
dress the ladies wear there. 1t consists
of two gold plates. nearly covering the
head, aud united by q band Of the same
metal, two inches wide. Some wealthy
ladies have little, narrow, jeweled
band. which passes over the forehead
and goes from one plate to another.
Others have the plates fitted to the
head, and the forehead left uncovered.
Over the whole is thrown light gauze,
which gives the effect of the sun shin
ing through fog.
There is an interesting history con-
nected with this curious cap. The fash
ion was introduced into the country AT
the same time with Christianity. That
seems odd to you. perhaps; but will
tell you how it happened.
During the reign of Radbod. Pepin
d Heris,al was Mayor of the Palace in
France. Through his influence and the
preaching of Wulfram, Radbod was
persuaded to be baptized; but just as
the ceremony was to be performed he
asked where his ancestors were who
had not died in the Christian faith. On
being told they were in the Internal re-
gionS. he decided not to be baptized,
saying he preferred to be there with
them than with such a set as the Chris
tians in Heaven.
The King took no further interest,
but. through fear of Pepin, he allowed
theGospel TO be preached by Willibrod.
One beautiful morning in summer, in
the year 698, a vessel came to an island
in the North Sea, not far from Den.
mark. 1t contained Willibrod and forty
young men, thirty of whom were slaves
he had ransomed. Tho island was a
, beautiful spot, with great oaks and
cool. FLASHING fountains. The fearless
deer were easily captured, and, after a
prayer. and chanting the ze Deun,, they
were preparing to sit down to q rich
feast, when they were suddenly inter-
rupted by band of armed men, who
rushed upon them with savage cries. 1t
was place sacred to the gods; but
Willibrod was ignorant Of this and he
demanded what the attack meant.
His venerable aspect and noble mien
struck the assailants, and one from
among them, who appeared to be the
Chief. answered:
''Woe be unto you, rash strangers,
who. have dared to prOfane the holy
dwelling of our great Fosis! You must
dier'
IL did not know it was holy place. y
replied Willibrod.
Put him to death!' cried several
voices.
Take care!' cried the. missionary
"Pepin d'Heristal will know how tt
avenge my death. Take me to your
King, Radbod. He knows me very
well:"~ p. s
A consultation was held, and deci
sion made "One of you must die, te
allay the anger of our god," they said
Poor. deluded godn said the mis-,
ing to demand innocent blood! What
crime is there in drinking water? Oh
that you knew the Living God, and
Jesus Christ His Son, whose love is SC
great for us"'
Suddenly tall man, with savage
face and a form half covered with 8
bearskin, sprang forth, and, tracing .
circle round him, cried:
~ will not leave this place unit
some one has been killed. 1 am thu
interprete: Of Fosis. He can no longer
drink the water of the fountain or ca
the deer. He must have the flesh anG
blood of his enemies. Draw lots!'
All the men drew their swords AND
struck on their bucklers, crying, i" Draw
lOts!''
Willibrod stepped forward. "Thert
is no need to do that. Take metz
A silence followed. Then the youns
Christians surrounded him, CRYING out
"Never, dear father. 1t is our place t,
die: not yours" rs
But the priest still cried: TRY it b!
y lots'' Twenty-Five white shells ant
one black one were put in sack. Eacl
Christian drew one. The victim was
young Dane.
Wiliibrod tried to follow him; but wa
stopped by barrier of swords. IN,
son" he cried, .'rejoice! You have tn
crown OF glory! Jesus is ready to re
.rr ssAmen!' said the young'man, ant
his head fell on the sand.
Then the Bishop. raising his hands {,
Heaven, began with the others to chan
the Te Demns lGsslamus, while the bloot
d, of their companion redeemed the sand
of Heligoland.
The next day the Bishop and hi,
friends were sent to Radbod. On hi
way, he preached to his fellow-voya
gers; but none dared embrace the new
religion.
There was, however, one person VIII,
+ showed marked interest in his words
1t was Fostedina, the daughter of tn,
Chief. She was beautiful girl of eight
cen years. She had been . witness O
the young Danes death. The scene
with the words of the stranger and tn,
hymn, had made an ineffaceable inn
preston on her mind.