Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-05-29
The Apples OF Itiuna.


story entitled 1.-THE Apples of Iduna,"
printed in 81 Nicholas.
The scene of the story is laid in lee
land, late in the winter of the year 1850
Olaf is seated, holding his son Thorold
and little Thurida on his knees. A
great wood-iire crackles and blazcs be-
fore them, and the children listen as
Olaf speaks:
"Once." said he. "a long time ago. be-
fore the Christians came to Iceland. the
god Odin, with Hnnir and the wicked
Loki, went on n journey. The ancient
gods surely differed little front mortals,
for, like us, they often were hungry and
thirsty and tired. When these three had
travelled far, they came to Il beautiful
valley where herd of oxen were graz
ing. Being very hungry, these gods
not even the best of whom was really
good-did not scruple To steal and kin
one of the oxen for their supper. They
cut the OK into quarters, which they
put into their big kettle to boil. But
boil the beef would not. In vain the
three travellers piled on the fuel; in vain
the water in the kettle bubbled and
boiled. Every time that the lid of the
kettle was removed the meat was found
to he rs raw as at first. While wonder
ing what the reason for this could be.
looked up, and bcheld an enormous
eagle, perched on the stoutcst branch of
very large oak tree.
49, If ye are willing said the voice.
To let me have my share of the flesh, il
shall soon be boiled
"Of course the hungry gods said
Yes when instantly flew down the
loud-happing eagle and with his great
beak snatched up threc-quarters of the
beef
49, Stop! stop = exclaimed Loki. 'one
quarter only is thy share" and with that
he struck n fierce blow with his travel
ing staff upon the eagles back. So
much the worse was this for I,oki, for
while one end of the unlucky staff stuck
fast to the back of the eagle. Toki found
himself unable TO loosen his hold from
the other end, which he the more de-
sired to do because he now found. to his
dismay, that the supposed eagle was no
other than the renowned Frost-Gian
Thiassi. who, with his great eagle wings.
went flying over rocks and forest tops.
dragging after him the unhappy Loki
till he was torn almost in pieces.
For n long time the giant took no
notice of Loki's piteous entrcatics, but.
Mt last, Thiassi dcigHed to tell him that
he should be released when he had
bound himself by solemn oath to bring
Iduna and her apples out from her safe
retreat behind the bright walls of AS
gard, the city of the gods.
"Ioki, who was selfish enough to do
anything, willingly took the oath. and,
all tatters and wounds as he was, soon
rcjoincd his companions. But he told
them nothing of his oath.
49, My father interrupted Thurdia.
what are applcs?'
They are round things that grow
on trees. rs I've been told said Olaf
but | never saw any
Now. these apples ofIduna were very
different from al other fruits, for IL was
by eating them that the gods kept them
selves always young and handsome and
strong. So Doki did not dare To tell of
the oath he had taken.
"On the return Of the three travellers
TO bright Asgard. the crafty and cruel
Loki told the beautiful and kind Iduna
that in forest short distance ofThe had
found apples which be thought were Of
much better quality than her own. and
that at all events it was worth while to
make n comparison between them.
"lduna, deceived by his words. took
her apples and went with him into the
forest; but no sooner had they entered
ii than. Fhjassi, clad in his eagle plum
catching up Iduna, regardless of her
tears, carried her and her treasures with
him to gloomy Jotunheim. the dreary
city of the Frost-Giants.
Now the gods. left in lofty Asgard
without the society Of the beautiful
Iduna. and without any of her youth
giving apples to eat, soon became
wrinkle aud bent and gray. Old age
was creeping fast upon them. and their
mourning for Iduna was loud and sin
cere. 1t was long before they discovered
that Loki was the author Of the mischief.
When they did so. he could only save
himself from their wrath by promising
to bring safely back the beloved Iduna
and her youth-giving apples.
ITO do this, Doki borrowed from the
goddess igga the falcon plumage
which she sometimes wore, and. dis
guised in IL. flew to Jotunheim.
In spite of his disguise. IL was not
without fear that IOki approached the
grim and terrible walls Of the city of the
Frost-Giants. Cautiously and silently
he flew about ii until he discovered that
Thjassi was on an ice-hoe. far out mt sea.
spearing fish for his dinner. Then, with
joyful cry, Loki flew into the city. and
lost no time in changing Iduna into n
sparrow and flying of with her safely
clasped in his talons.
"But before they were far on their
way the Frost-Giant returned to his
gloomy city, there to learn of the escape
OF Iduna. Into his eagle plumage hus-
tied Thjassi. and. screaming with rage,
flew in pursuit Of the trembling sparrow
and swiftly-Hying falcon.
Upon the bright walls of Asgard,
eagerly watching the uncertain race,
stood the impatient gods. Rapidly APP
preached the pursued. but close behind
them followed the terrible pursuer. The
gods trembled with terror lest Iduna
should again fall into his cruel hands,
and rs fast as their now aged limbs
would let them they began to gather
upon the walls bundles of dry chips,
while the good Baldur waited with n
firebrand in his hand.
Over the bright walls flew T.oki and
Iduna. Close after them came the loud
hat n..IIot. H.1 Is..,.