Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-10-19

DrlDk ttIpttu ptiith ti4ciii Hit' NH'N N't' 81
aside, as that wicked Neidhart was contlni
ally doing.
Once she stood still to call up TO cuckoo
on a rocking fir branch. that he must
take care or he would make himself
hnarse with his chatter Then, again, she
stopped to help an industrious ant to collect
pine needles which she needed for building
her skillfully coutrived new house.
But Neidhart neither saw the beauty OF
the spring nor heard the happy voices of the
birds He was thinking only OF all the gold
rings ia his possession, and suddenly it SEEM
ed to him that there were no more precious
treasures upon this earth than these Of money
and jewels
The express ion upon his face grew harder
and harder minute by minute, and the glance
Of his evil eyes grew more and more mali
.,ious.
Poor Neiihartl
Just you wait. you stupid child, " he muir
INJURED between his teeth. as he walked along,
It'll evening comes. You'll see then how III
pull that ring off yo,,r finger, and I'll put out
those pretty eyes OF Hota with my sharp
knife You al = 5 say God protects ali good
little children 4'ou can -c,- whether he will
help you to f ii your way out of this dark
WOol WITH epih' y w are Uiliii!
After thie .ei fused 10 peak another word
to Mitleid but led her lie, per and deeper into
the forest, y here tine tree stood so close to-
gether AZ it was qultc d rk.
Mitl id. fhinkin unev, walked trustingly
on bel M the Hic:ed ~ Sine knew that he
was c instantly OH f temper. and that he,
rarely had good word for anybody, but
wors, than that she could not think of Aim
Tie path became lnGi:,h roughos - they
went o., 50 that at last MI, ids tet.dci little
fe; rev sore with walking.
Gradually her streng III ! gan - iail
Finally she SAM: down-she could go no fur
ther
let us rest under t,iis linden tree" en-
treated Mttleid, hraathing fest, as she seated
herself upon an old gna.lel stun }, You
must he weary, too, Nedhart,' she said in
her sweet voice
"A boy Is not 50 easily tired, you silly ing,
you, And for that reason you ard are go
ing to part company But you may give me
that ring tlrst. 1t is much too good Tor your
oh, dear brother it is the only thing |
have belonging to my dearest mother
BE quiet interrupted Neidhart harshly,
at the same time roughly seizing her delicate
little wrist If you don't give it to me will
lnSiy you II repent u III trice.
Mtleid was quite terrified by her brother
uuaccustomed fierceness She sat still with
out moving and without being able to speak
a word; but she gazed up into his face with
deep reproach shining forth from her gentle
eyes
This reproachful glance Neidhart felt ur-
able to bear Trembling with eagerness for
the longed for ring, he tore his knife from il :
sheath and carried out hi> wicked purIo>.,.
Then seizing his bag which he had laid dow II
for the moment, he hurried away, like one
who, haunted IL, bad. had conscience. is
anxious to get out OF the sight of his victim
Is quickly As possible.
Poor little giri! her-eight being destroyed,
She was no longer able to follow the robber
At first She called loudly Neidhart Neil
hart,'
Neld-hart-hart hart rel eated the echo
Her brother made the deserted little one no
answer. and yet it did not seem lonely in that
great forest. suddenly all about Mtleid
were many strange souId>-a rustllng ami
hutter.ng, and tramping. and Kissing, and
cawing. and growing, and roaring-the
earth almost seemed to rock beneath the
heavy tread of the advancing numbers Of ami
mails
Mltleid could see nothing. but she was soon
convinced that the creatures were coming
nearer and nearer every moment comm :,
from every direction at once
In her fear she knew not where to turn.
She breathed a short prayer To the kind Fa-
Their Of US all that sire might not perish. She
then sought refuge in the tree above her. and
to her joy found strength had been given her
to reach the topniost branch
Here her alarm subsded Her eyes gave
her bitter Jain. but after little this became
more bearate. and soon sire was able TO &C
cupy her thoughts with the voice that arse
from the foot of the linden
This was the night when all the animals,
great and small. meet together under that
linden tree. Once year they do this, and
he who is fortunate enough TO lie hidden in
the tree during that night can understand
everything that is said among them.
Mitleii not knowing this. thought a con-
clave Of wise old men WAS beng held below,
therefore she kept H. still as a little mouse,
that she migi4 not lie tue means Of disturb
ing them This was a very good thing, how
ever, for who knows how the creatures
would nave oorne having their secrets dis
coveredf
Yes, said the bear in an important tone.
IF the king there in his castle beyond the
forest knew that his daughter was kept CON
cealed in the depths of the woods by the rob-
bers who stole her. he would be happy. He
has sought the vanished princess now for an
entire year. and they say he has cried his
eyes blind in his sorrow"
My advice TO the king would be to tRthe
his eyes in the dew that falls from he linden
tonight" said the fox 1T would enable
him to see again-yes, much better even than
before
He knows just as little what treasures are
in my possession here at the foot of this tree
said the snake, with a wise shake of its head
There are pearls and jewels buried here in
such numbers that all the distress in the
kingdom could be done away with were they
only once soldi''
Meanwhile the morning had come. The
animals now began to wish each other po-
lite farewell. and each went his own way
"Mitleid spent little time in thought. With
n short PRAYER to the holy Father II Us ALL she
bathei Der eyes with the dew from the linden
tree. and behold miracle was performed
Mi;led saw once more the rosy SKY the
flowers that she loved, and the whole won
,lers OF nature. and from the depths Of her
grateful heart she thanked her Lord for bis
mercy in putting an en,i to her sufferings
Slowly and carefully the little girl descend
ed To the earth She hesitared moment
which direction she should take in order TO
reach the kings castle as soon as possible
There was in the distance a sound Of fesr
tiv,ty that quiet muruing The cEarch bells
were ringing for the early service Thee
bells served as gupie to Mitieis, and tulI II
happiness and courage sue started forth
It SEEMED a short time only to Mifleid when
she saw towering up before her the giided
pinnacies Of the castle shining IN the sun
She would lave knocked at the castle gate,
but quite OF Itself. all at once. II few back,
as though the LITTLE girl we're expected, and
out stepped the king followed by his entire
court
he was richly dressed in clothing embroi-
dsr~i with gold and be wore q shining crown
on bus white hair. but Mitleid's heart achesi
for the poor old man-he looked 50 sad, and
be was also forced 10 be led by one Of bis
kniguta
Yes il WYs trt1e he uas fx,xaflx hIiuf