The daily herald. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1886-1887, 1886-11-16
THE MERMAID.

It was years and years ago, and in Ger
many, where, especially at that day,
mighty line was drawn between the rich
and the poor, that in certain village be-
side the Rhine lived two wlro made the
old, old story new for themselves, and al
most believed, as lovers will, that they
were the first who had ever loved each
other-Gretchen and Cart both peasant
children, and both as poor, in everything
but youth and health and beauty, as any
twain could be.
But for all this, they would willingly
have united their fortunes, or their lack
Of fortunes, but for the wise old folk, who
know so much more about the world than
young ones can.
The old folk set themselves to oppose
the match stoutly on the ground that
Carl would never earn the salt to his por-
ridge, and that Gretchen, being very
pretty, might make a better match. In
deed the baron, whose castle stood not far
Off and dfho was not so old as he might
have been, and was certainly rolling in
gold, would, as all knew, have been only
too happy to stoop as low as the PEASANTS
cottage, and lead from thence the pretty
Gretchen as his bride. But the girl found
no charm in his title or in his wealth or
when he left her TO seek his fortune that
he might share it, when found, with her,
she gave him a lock Of her golden hair,
and promised that she never would forget
him, and plighted her troth TO him there
beside the blue Rhine, forever and ever
and aye.
Gretchen sang and danced no more.
She changed sadly in face and heart; bat
the Baron Claussen only thought her
more lovely and more like a lady with her
pale cheeks and downcast eyes, and
haunted the cottage as much as ever, un-
der the pretence of patronizing the old
grandfather.
As for Carl, where was he? Ever so far
away by this time footsore and sad, but
making sure of Il fortune ahead of him,
and happy, just as even his stout legs be-
gan to fail him, In meeting with good
natured boatman, who took him on board
and babe him be at ease until he reached
the end of his journey So Carl lounged
upon the deck of the little craft with its
load of cheese, and looking over into the
water thought of Gretchen, never guess
ing that his signs had brought to the sur
face a beautiful mermaid, who no sooner
set eyes upon Carl than she fell madly in
love with him, and began forthwith to
sing and play upon her Tyre, and comb
her sea-green hair, and use all her mer
maid art to lure the beautiful peasant to
her home in the caves of the ocean. She
hoated with him to the mouth of the
Hague, where, finding no avenue to for
time in any other direction, poor Carl
shipped on board a vessel bound for a
two-years voyage, aud hired a man who
was about to travel down into Hesse
a. k..I- 81. la,
heart.
And tell her." said Carl, 'that / shall
think of her by day aud by night, and
shall return to claim her for my own
when this voyage is over And if her
love is as strong as mine, she Will wait
for me-"
The man promised and the mermaid
rejoiced, for Carl was to be within her
reach for two long years in her own
realm, the briny ocean. But this was not
enough for her, for she was very willy
mermaid One moonlight night she saw
the messenger walking on the shore, and
called to him.
He was an ugly looking fellow, in
rough fur cap, and with red nose with
carbuncles upon IL, with whom mermaids
were not apt to fall in love; so he had
never seen one. And when he saw her
with her pearly sin and sapphire eyes
and floating hair, her hands lying upon
the golden strings of her Tyre, all ringed
with pearls, and pearls dripping from the
lobes of her pure ears and wound about
her neck and saw her smile, and felt her
breathe, and heard her voice, he grew be-
wildered. First she made love to him.
then she babe him do something to prove
that he cared for her. 1t was such a little
thing; only to go on board the vessel and
take Carl unawares and push him over.
After that he would find her waiting for
him by the mouth of the Rhine, ready to
bear him to her coral caves.
She had not the slightest intention of
keeping her VOW, but the man with the
fur cap and the carbuncles on his nose be-
lieved her, and actually went ON board
the vessel and gave form leaning over
the bulwarks push that sent it down in
to the water; but in his excitement he
made a mistake, and only drowned a
young sailor from Hanover, instead OF
tossing Carl into the mermaid's arms.
Then terrified by the cry the man gave,
he fed, not waiting to keep his appoint
ment with the mermaid, but making the
best of his way to Hesse Darmstadt,
where he had business.
ihoht bcihb ~ Boou OdbnOliC Hc Dc-
thought him = for he had no
idea OF his mistake-that the drowned
Carl would have no masses said for him
unless his kindred knew of his demise
and 80 went down to the cottage where
Gretchen sat spinning and signing and
thinking Of poor Carl. There, with his
fur cap hiding his bad eyes, he inquired II
any there knew one Carl Steyer Then
there was little cry, and the wheel
stopped.
II bring news of him." said the man
hiding his eyes yet more; bad news.
knew him In Holland. He had shipped
for two-years voyage, but before the
vessel started he was drowned saw him
fall overheard. God rest his soul and
comfort all here Then he went away
inwardly cursing himself and the mer-
maid, who, in very excellent spirits
was following over the sea the vessel OF
which Carl sailed, thinking of nothing
but home and Gretchen.
The news nearly killed the poor girl
since she never doubted 1t for moment
but, though had she known Carl to be