Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1879-03-06
WINSTON, N. c., THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 1870.
A GERMAN LEGEND.
There is so much meaning

lnefe is 30 much meaning 1
some of the old German popula
legends, that we could construct
moral tale on the hints frequentl,
afforded, as will be seen by the fol
lowing, picked up at random, an,
given as simple as possible:
Three hundred years ago ther,
lived at Augsburg = lad nance
Willibsld, apprentice to O smith
whose diligence and industry OBJ
tained him the approval of his mas
ter, while his good nature and obi
ging disposition caused him to be
a favorite with all who knew him
His master, ia truth, 30 highly es-
timated his skillfulness and excel
lent workmanship, that when the
boy became a man he offered to
make him his partner, and more
over limited that he was not
displeased at the young mans
friendship with his daughter.
Now, this alarmed Willibald,
who though certainly much favor
ed by the young lass, was quite free
from any feeling of love for her.
He replied to all her advances with
distant though profound respect,
and the reason Of his coldness was
apparent
In the small house opposite
lived Dame Martha, respectable
widow, with a grand daughter of
uncommon loveliness, about sixteen
years of age. The sweet face Of
the young Ellen had quite captiv-
ated the heart Of Willibald and
when be saw her through the win
dow or the open door, neatly dress
ed, sitting at the spinning wheel,
or heard her clear warbling hymns,
he thought there could be no hap
plness SO great as that of calling
her his own. Ellen was her grand
mothers darling, ard the delight
of her eyes, and the old woman
seldom suffered her te stir from her
sight SO that there was no oppor-
tunity for the youth to declare the
passion with which the fair girl had
inspired him.
For long while did Willibald
wish, though in vain, for some pre-
tence for visit to their dwelling :;
though fortune at length favored
him. One day when the ice made
the ground SO slippery as to be
dangerous to an intrm person, he
saw Dame Martha coming out of
church alone. He fastened to Of
fer her the assistance OF his arm,
and conducted her home. She in
vlted him to enter, for she thought
to herself that only very worthy
young man would be so courteous
y attentive to an aged dame. She
offered him also a horn OF beer.
which the pretty Ellen presented |
with her own hands.
Who now was happier than Will
ibald From this day he was one
If Dame Martha's most frequent
'isitors, and was always received
With a welcome. In process of
ime he made bold to lay open his
leart to the old woman, and ask
permission to make love TO her
granddaughter.
my dear young friend was the
eply, i have the highest esteem
or ou, and, indeed, could never
wish for Ellen a better husband
han yourself. l believe she loves
ou, too, as much as becomes a
oung maiden bnt you have not
ct sufficient for the support of
Fife. [ can give my little girl
othing except good stock of
lothing as her portion, and it is
ot the part of prudence to com
lence life by falling into debt
ave from your wages a decent sum
hat will be enough for beginning,
hen come and receive your bride
nth my blessing
Willibald was almost beside
iiiieSiA Will Joy. ne Hau DOW an ,
o]ect for labor and frugality, and
e redoubled his industry, laying
y carefully all he earned. Ellen ,
ssisted him, for she was much at ,
'ched to him, and spun more
risky than ever, now that she was
to add her small savings !,
her lovers store. The lovers
let less frequently, hut their time
assed pleasantly, for they were ,
oth necessarily occupied, with
ope to animate their toll. Every
unday Willibald went over to
)ame Martha's and told her how
luch be had earned and saved the
receeding week. Thus the weeks
assed, and eighteen months rolled
y, and the young smith with Joy
himself master of five
nd-twenty gold pieces.
About this time Dame Martha !
I'll ill with a bad cough, which :
endered her almost helpless, at :
last quite unable to work accord ,
lO TO her f.uston The, doot1r ,ro