Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1890-03-21
THE VANISHED VILLAGE.

One midsummer's day, which was Sun
day well, youth was walking along a
dusty country road. His name was Dethart,
and he belonged to guild of stonecutters,
His goal was the next town, where he was to
find work in the building of church. In
his girde he carried an abundance of spare
money, in IA valise sealed letters, which COM
mended his skill, and an important introduce
ton to the master, who superintendent the
building of the house of God
Glowing hung the sun in the cloudless sky
and poured its binding light on a wide sea of
ripening wheat. Not a bird was heard every
thing that wore feathers had flown into the
mountain woods which surrounded the broad
valley; but grasshoppers, crickets and dane
ing gnats scraped and hummed untringly
their monotonous tunes
The bag weighed heavily on the travellers
shoulders, and the flask which he carried by
his side had long been empty. His eyes wan
dered longingly over the waving fields of
corn but no inviting roof appeared above the
f1eld-only here and there fruit tree, and
beyond, in the blue distance, the walls and
towers of the city whittier he was going He
stood still and looked up at the sun 1T is
midday" he said, and at the same time
thought of his last rest in the Golden Rose
and of the cool drink which ran out of an
oaken cask. He sighed, pressed his hat over
his forehead so that the rim would shade his
dazzed eyes and went on.
HI. had. perhaps, gone as far as a strong
mans voice could be heard when he stopped
in astonShment, when right before him lay
houses surrounded by orchards and above
them rose the reticulated spire of a church.
The traveller rubbed his eyes. How could
he have overlooked this villageF' he asked
himself ut must have been the glare of the
sun that blinded my eyes" And he fastened
his footsteps
1t was pretty village that he was APP
preaching. The windows shone in the sun
shine, the roofs were decorated with tiles,
and in the gardens blossoned lilies and white
roses. But the deep stiffness which lay over
the village struck the youth as very strange
No dog barked no cock crowed, no cattle
lowed, and no sound of peoples voices was
heard The youth thought it remarkable,
too, that no smoke rose from any of the
chimneys. 1t was as if the village had been
dead
But the village was not empty. AS the
stonecutter entered he saw men and women
stepping out of the houses. They were dressed
in holiday attire, and there was no lack of
silver in chains and buckles, but the dress of
the people was entirely different from that
usually seen in the country. Their faces were
pale and anxious their eyes were fastened on
the ground, no sound came from their lips,
and even their footsteps could not be heard
The youth felt uneasy at the sight of this
still people, but he mustered courage and APP
preached one of the men to get information
about the village But the man laid his fore
finger significantly on his mouth, and went
his way in silence. Diethart in perplexity
followed the beaten path which led towards
the church. The church doors stood open,
the lights of candles streamed from the nave,
but neither singing nor organ peals were
heard, and as the youth CHANGED 10 raise his
eyes to the tower he saw how the bell in the
belfry swung to and fro, but no tone was
heard from it. With secret horror he watched
the church goers pass by-men, women, maid
ems and children. All walked with Bonded
heads and nobody gave him look.
AT the very last came IA maiden. She wore
lily on her breast and was herself as pale
and beautiful as a lily. Ana as she passed
by the youth she raised her dropping lids,
looked at him with the mldest eyes and
paused Then the feeling of oppression left
the young mans mind, sweet longing rose in
speak to her. But she, too, laid her finger on
her lips and went silently up the steps which
led to the church door. But before she
crossed the threshold she turned once more
and tore ring from her hand, which rolled
silently down the steps and fell at the young
mans feet. He bent down, picked up the
ring and placed 1t on his finger, and when he
looked up maiden, church and village had all
ri rod no in mid II
the country road, with the coinfields on the
right hand and on the left, the blue sky and
the cleaning midsummer sun overhead.
Was it all dreami No, he could feel the
gold ring on his finger and it glistened in the
Sunshine. Some magic was at work here AT
the time of midsummer many things became
visible, which are usually hidden from mortal
eyes
Dlethart glanced timidly at his surround
ings, and FASTENED his steps. He really felt
uneasy, but the love which the silent maiden
aroused in him was stronger than fear and
horror. He looked at the ring with beaming
eyes, and he had presentiment that this first
meeting with the beautiful girl would not be
the last Puzzled and hopeful he continued
his way along the dusty road. The sun went
down, and as the roofs of the city grew
golden, the stonecutter passed through the
arched gateway.
In the market place stood a handsome
house, that bore on its signboard wild mar
with feathers in his hair and ring in hi,
nose, and was celebrated far and wide as an
inn and ale house Diethart took lodging
there, and when he had removed all traces OF
his wearsome journey he went to the com
mon room to refresh himself with food anC
drink
At long oaken table, behind the tankard
sat two citizens couversing about the affair,
of the world. The arrival of the stranger
was pleasing to them, They questioned hin
as to who he was, whence he had come anC
what he was seeking in the city. Willingly
land politely he satisfied their curiosity, anc
the citizens asked him TO draw nearer and t,
tell them what was taking place in the out
side world. Diethart related what he IhaC
seen, but he was silent about the uncann,
adventure which he had met with, and theI
he praised the city aud the fruitful fields h,
had passed through that day.
YES said one Of the citizens, and h.
stroked his beard complacently, "yes, it is
blessed piece of country, and if the take