Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-12-19


lently bruising him that it was with some
difficulty he succeeding in reaching home
and naiTatng his Christmas experience to
the family as they were gathered round the
tlreside
In Germany, Christmas Eve is the season
Of all others when fairies are supposed to be
most active keeping their festival on the
mountain tops. Then, we are told, the rough
stone Is transformed into brilliant crystal
veins Of gold starting out artistically into
magic pillars-beneath which graceful can
opy feasting and dancing are kept up with
protracted enthusiasm. The attendants ON
these fairy-gatherings are generally beautl-
full Swedish girls, who have unwarily par
taken Of the contents of the golden goblets
offered to them by the fairies, and thus i'll
stantly fallen into their power. Accord
ing to the legendary lore found in
most parts Of Germany, the magic effect
of these fairy potions is three fold: AT tho
first draught from that horn he who drinks
forgets Heaven; at the second he forgets
earth at the third he forgets his betrothod
bride
Hence, on Christmas Eve persons are rec.
ommenled to stay at home, because the
FAIRIES on this night delight to waylay the
lonely traveller, compelling him TO take a
draught of Christmas cheer from their ell
chantod goblet
Among the large class of foik-tales con-
nected with this superstition may lie quoted
one which tells how, when Christmas
feast was Icing given in German village,
one of the guests, attracted by the sound OF
music from without, was induced to leave
the festive scene indoors, and to wander to-
ward the spot where the music seemed to
steps when he was met by two beautiful
girls, who asked him to join their Christmas
gambols in neighboring field, which, after a
little persuasion, lie consented to do On
arriving at the fairies gathering, for such it
was, he was surrounded by numberless little
beings all anxious to welcome him; one OF
whom handed him a cup of wine, after drink
ing which he forgot his former state, and
thought of nothing except the feasting and
dancing of the fairies. Whom he had bee
enjoying himself in this manner for some
time, the fairies reminded him of his own
home; but what was his establishment when,
on passing through the village to find every.
thing in decay, and oil his relations and
friends dead, for the spell OF the fairies Gu
on him had lasted 100 years.
One German version of the well-known
legend of the man in the moon connects this
wretched individuals solitary Imprisonment
in that isolated region with his having stolen
cabbagcs from his neighbours garden on
Christmas Eve. When just in the act OF
escaping with his load he was perceived
by some passers-by, who, there ana then,
conjured him up into the moon. There
he stands, in the full light OF the moon to be
seen ~ everybody, having his stolen load OF
cabbages on his back for all eternity. He
only has n minutes change one day in the
year, when he is said to turn round once Oh
Christmas Eve.
Again, the Wild Hunt1man is said in Ger.
many to make nightly excursions through
the air for the twelve nights of Christmas,
alarming all who hear him by his furiou.
progress. He generally rides upon large
white horse, no less than four and twenty
fierce dogs following him. According to a
tale quoted by Mr. Thorpe, in his Northern
Mythology, in every place through which
he lss,es the hedges fall with crash, the
road opening of its own accord before him.
He rides with such speed that his dogs often
fail to keep apacc with him, and frequently
may be heard ranting and bowling. DC
cusionally one j. lett behind, as hap
lened one year at Wufsdorf, where
it remained painting, bowling without inter
mission until tho following Christmas Eve
when the Wild Huntsman again took it witt
him. Hence various precautions We're for
merly taken to prevent the Wild Huntsmal
approaching any particular street.
1t is also considered dangerous to spin a
Christmas time or the Wild Huntsman vii
gallOp through. On one occasion a woman
refused to take the usual warning, anl ha(
no sooner sat down to spin on Christmas Ev
than she fell into deep sleep and was onl,
awakened 10y the entrance of u stranger
who without any apology for intruding
asked for her spinning wheel and commence,
spinning. Before long he used up all the fla:
she had and on his asking for more, she wa
obliged to give him her supply of wool still
however, he kept ON calling for more, an,
his angry demands 50 frightened and terri
hel the poor woman that although
it was hut 4 in the morning, sh
rouscl up her neghbor-a cunning Old cron
and acquainted her with the stranger
mysterious conquest Happily she quickl
perceived the nature of The visitor and hcnc
was not long in driving him away by mag
cal charms; for had she not done 50 hi
presence might have cost the woman he
life.
Tradition also says that at this season q
the year all kinds of hidden treasures ar
specially revealed to mankind, in connectio
with which belief the following tai
is quoted: Between Christmas Day an
the festival of the Epiphany, tn
newborn Divinity comes down fror
from Heaven in order to wander about tn
earth; on which account labor of any kind
accounted wrong At midnight also, o
each Of these festivals, the heavenly door
are thrown open; the radiant realms OF Pal
adise in which the sun dwels disclo-e thei
treasures; the waters OF springs aud river
become animated, turn into wine and receiv
healing efficacy; the trees put forth blo'
SONS, ard golden fruits ripen upon thei
boughs.'