The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-03-20
THE VANISHED VILLAGE.

One midsunnmer's day, which was Sun
day as well, a youth was walking along
dusty country road. his name was Diethart,
and ne belonged to a guild Of stonecutters.
His goal was the next town, where he was to
find work in the building Of church. In
his cirile he carried an abundance of spare
money. in a valiss sealed letters, which com
mended his skill, and an important introduc-
ton 10 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 wide sea OF
riDsning wheat Not a bird was heard; every
thing that wore feathers had flown into the
mountain woods which surrounded the broad
valley; bur grasshoppers, crickets and dane
ing gnats scraped and hummed untiringly
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
feld-only here and there fruit tree, and
bevond, in the blue distance, the walls and
towers of the city whittier ne was going. He
stood still and looked up ut the sun. 1T is
midday he said, and at the same time
thought Of his LAST rest il 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
dazzle6 eyes, and went on.
He had, perhaps, gone as far as strong
mans voice could be heard when be stopped
in astonishnlent, 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
be have overlooked this villagem he asked
himself. 1T must have been the glare Of the
sun that blinded my eyes" And he hastened
his footsteps.
1t was a pretty village that he was APP
preaching. The windows shoue in the sum
shine, the roots were decorated with tiles,
and in the gardens blossomed 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. IL was as il the village had been
dead.
But the village was not empty. As the
stepping out Of the houses. They were dressed
II 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, Gheir ewes were fastened on
the ground, no sound came from their lips,
and even their foo tsteps 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 tire beaten path which led towards
the church The chErch doors stood open,
the lights of candles streamed from the nave,
but neither singing nor organ peals were
heard, and as the youth CHANGED to 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-ruen, women, maid
ems and children. All walled with Bonded
heads, and nobody gave hun look.
At the very last came a maiden. She wore
a lily on her breast ana WIS herself as pale
and beautiful as a lily. And as she passed
by the youth she raised her dropping lids,
looked at him with the nildest eyes and
paused. Then tie feehng Of oppression left
the young mans mind, sweet longing rose in
his heart, and he followed her that he might
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 u ring from her hand, which rolled
silently down the steps ana fell at the young
mans feet He bent down, picked up the
ring and placed 1t on his inger, and when he
LOOKED up maiden church and village had all
and ne STOOD in the middle Of
the country road. with the cornfields on the
right hand and on the left, the blue sky and
the cleaning midsummer sun overhead
Was it all dream! No, he could feel the
gold ring on his finger, ana it glistened in the
sunshine. Some magic was at work here. At
the time of midsGmmer many things became
visible, which are usually hidden from mortal
eyes
Diethart glanced timidly at his surround
ings, aud haStened his steps. de 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 a 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 g handsome
house, that bore on Its signboard a wild man
with feathers in his hair and a ring in mis-
nose, and was celebrSted far and wide as an
i'm ana ale house. Diethart took lodging
there. and when be had removed all traces of
his weariSome journey he went to the COM
mon room to refresh himself with food and
drink.
At long oaken table. behind the tankard.
sat Jwo citizens couversing about the affairs
of the world. The arrival Of the stranger
was pleasing TO them. They questioned him
as TO who he Was. whence he had come and
what ne was seeking in the city. Willingly
and politely be satisfied their curiosity. and
Tie citizens asked HIM TO draw nearer and 10
tel them what was taking place in the out
she world. D;etaart related what be Ehad
seen, but he was silent about the uncannv
adventure watch lie had met with. aud then
lie praised the oiev and the fruitful fields be
had passed Through that day.
YES, said oEe OF the citizens. and he
stroSed his beard complacently. YES it is a
blessed piece Of country, and If the taxes
were not 50 high we might be coutented, even
if il isn't any longer AS 1t was in the old times
Then things were different Wheat, corn
aad barley sin grow plcntifuIly in our fields.
ana tire lno,lntalns give IS wood in nburd-