Wichita eagle., 1889-10-30


to her Joy found strength had been given hen
to reach the topmost branch.
Here her alarm subsidized. Her eyes gave
her bitter pain. but after little this became
moro bearable, and soon she was able to &C.
cupy her thoughts with the voice that arose
4 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 be hidden in
the tree during that night can understand
everything that is said amoe.g them
Mitleid not knowing this, thought a con-
clave of wise old men was being held below,
therefore she kept as still as a little mouse,
that she might not be the means of disturb
ing them. This was a very good thing, how
aver. for who knows how the creatures
would nave borne having Their secrets dis
coveredl
Eyes" said the bear in an important tone,
eff 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 bis
| eyes blind in his sorrow."
MY adyice. to the king .wayld be to battle
mis- eyes lii the dew that falls from the linden
tonight" said the fox. sit 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 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 sold!"
Meanwhile the morning had come. The
animals now began to wish each other q po-
lite farewell, and each went his own way.
Mitleid spent little time in thought. With
short prayer to the holy Father of us ALL she
bathed her eyes with the dew from the linden
tree, and behold miracle was performed
Mitleid saw once more the rosy sky, the
flowers that she loved, and the whole won
ders of nature; and from the depths Of her
grateful heart she thanked her Lord for his
mercy in putting an end to her sufferings.
Slowly and carefully the little girl descend
ed to the earth. She hesitated a 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 fes-
tivity that quiet morning. The church bells
were ringing for the early service These
bells served as a guide to Mitleid, and full Of
happiness and courage she started forth
1t seemed a short time only to Mitleid when
she saw towering up before her the gilded
pinnacles Of the castle shining in the sun.
She would have knocked at the castle gate,
but quite Of itself, al at once it flew back,
as though the little girl were expected, and
out stepped the king followed by his entire
court.
He was richly dressed in clothing embroi-
dered with gold and he wore @ shining crown
on his white hair; but Mitleids heart ached
for the poor old man-he looked so sad, and
he was also forced to be led by one of his
knights.
Yes, it was true; he was totally blind
Mitleid went modestly up to the king, in a
low tone begging permission to tell him
something that she was sure would give him
very great happiness.
The king bowed pleasantly. The sound Of
this sweet young voice had moved him
strangely, and seeing this, all turned wonder
ingly at the little maiden who in her white
robe had appeared so suddenly from the
depths Of those great forests near by In
simple words Mitleid told her story When
she had finished, the king announced his in
tention of visiting the linden.
Placing his hand in that of Mitleid she led
him forward to the marvellous tree, and
when the dew was placed upon his eyes,
through the grace of God, he vas once more
able TO see
at the same instant the forest resounded
with the ring Of happy voices and the clank-
ing of weapons. A brave knight rode up to
the king and presented his newly liberated
daughter, whom the old man clasped to his
rejoicing heart with tears of thankfulness.
IL his excessive joy be could scarcely find
words in which to thank Mitleid.
Child, child, d" he faltered at last, while he
fondly stroked the fair curls of the lovely
child, every wish shall be granted you.n
Then Mitleid quickly entreated the king to
grant her the treasure that the snake had
made known to her. All were astonished at
the measureless wealth that was now brought
to light. But the snake slipped softly away,
knowing that the hidden treasure was now in
good hands
Mitleid kept neither the costly pearls nor
sparkling jewels for herself
Unweariedly the gentle maiden wandered
over the earth in sunshine and storm, in sum-
mer's heat and winters cold, doing whatever
good she found to do, distributing her gifts
as often as she found poverty and distress.
Mitleid was indeed a blessing to all who came
within her ken.
But close behind her, like shadow, stole /
the wicked Neidhart, full of jealousy and !
hatred for all those who shared his generous
sisters boundleSS wealth
Take care, dear children, that you keep the
bolts fast shut when he knocks at the door of |
your little hearts; for, alaSl foothold once
gained by envy, hatred OF malice, compass
sion will fly away from you, and oh, my dar-
lngs, she will never return.
Upon the earth's broad surface there is no
unhappier being than child who has sent .
away from her heart and her /
home, and has given that wicked envy |
place instead.-Elizabeth Abercrombie in In
dependent.
An Anecdote of Regnier.
Apropos of N. Auguste Vacquerie's Jean
Baudry," here is a curious story, not gener-
ally known. When the piece was originally
played in 1868, Regnier accepted the part
with enthusiasm. 1t was not only the role
that pleased him, but the parsonage He
nad until then played only low comedy parts
Wallets, etc.-and for that reason he would