Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-06-29

cave In a mountain, and who declared that
if he would throw his daughters jewels into
q cauldron OF boiling water that the air
would be filled with gold, and should bave
all that he desired. But when, one cold.
stormy night, Count Gilgen sought the
dreary cave and threw the jewels into a
black Kettle hanging over a blazing wood
fire, no gold was to be seen, but only dense,
black smoke filed the place. The Count
was very angry, and would have struck the
witch, but she cried, in her shrill, piercing
voice: at is not my fault; the dwarfs are
to blame for this. They are the ones who
steal your wealth. Your daughter invites
them into your house and feeds them from
your table. Drive them away and you
shall again be rich.'
A few DAYS after this, a furious storm
ragged in the land: the rain fell in torrents,
and the winds whistled angrily around the
castle walls. The beautiful Gerlinda sat at
her window, and as she saw the flowers and
trees bend under the force of the storm, she
felt grateful for her safe shelter, and pitied
anv unfortunate traveller who might be
abroad in such weather. Suddenly her
quick eye detected one of her little friends,
a mountain dwarf, trying in vain to seek
protection under some overhanging plants.
Unmindful of the wind and rain, Gerlinda
threw open the window, and leaning tar out,
cried: "How do you happen to be so far
away from home in such a storm? Come in
here where it is warm and pleasant, and re-
main till the rain ceases"
The ugly, wrinkled ace of the little man
grew bright with smiles. He climbed up
the vines, and on to the window sill
'You are very kind, little friend, !" be
said; 81 feared l should perish in the Storm
Can you give me wine and food that may
recover nv strength?"
Certainly" replied Gerlinda; ffI shall
get them at once for you." But q rough
hand seized the little girl, and the Count,
pale with anger, cried: How dare you
bring this rascal into my house? 1t is he
who has made me pool"
The dwarf looked up in establishment and
said, ''If l had such a beautiful daughter
as yours l should consider myself the richest
man in the land"
But the Count, still very angry. answered:
- M Y daughter helps to make me poor; and
you. seoundrel that you are, rob me OF nv
wealth."
He struck with his sword at the dwarf.
but the little man Disappeared; and, al
though the Count and his servants searched
eagerly for him, no trace OF him could be
found. Gerlinda was much grieved that
her guest should receive such treatment and
wished to join in the search, but feared the
displeasure of her father.
The next morning when the storm had
passed away, and the sun shone bright and
clear, the Count mounted his horse and,
calling his dogs, started away to the chase,
He was still displeased with his daughter.
and at parting had said no Kind word.
Often during the day he thought OF her. and
regretted his harshness to his beautiful
child. When be returned in the evening
he was met at the gate by one OF the serv-
ants, who was weeping and seemed in great
He said that early in the morning
Gerlinda had gone iEto the valley to gather
flowers and had not returned; and, although
they had searched diligently, she was not to
be found.
The Count was almost beside himself with
grief, and ran hither and thither, calling
for his daughter. He commanded his men
to ride over hill and dale, and not to return
till they had found Gerlinda. He himself |
rode wildly over the country, asking every |
one he met HAS Gerlinda passed by here?"
A shepherd lad said he had seen a beau |
tiful maiden with long, golden hair and |
bright, blue eyes, riding on a white horse led |
by three dwaris wearing long red cloaks |
But ne had seen them only for q moment /
and could not tell where they had gone.
The Count then went to the old witch on the |
saying, You surely know where |
my daughter is, and must tell me where to
ind her."
The old witch crooned some magic songs
over the nre, and then said:"Your daughter
IS in Mount Kedric"
Now the Count ragged more furlously than
before, and he knew he was in the mower of
he dwarfs; for the Kedric Mountain was as
Imooth as glass and as hard as fipt. No
human foot had ever been able to mount its
Iteep, slippery siOpe. Turning to the witch.
he Count cried: eff you do not tell me
low 70 ascend this mountain, shall cut
Tou In pieces with my sword
1t is very easy matter to ascend Mount
Aedric, said the witch. my band of
prites shall go with you, and with their
iery feet shall burn path"
The Count went at once to the mountain.