Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1890-06-25
THE VANISHED VILLAGE.

One midsummer's day, which was a
Sunday as well, youth was walking
along a dusty country road. His name
was DiethaTt, and he belonged to a
guild of stonecutters. His goal was the
next town, where he was to find work
In The building of a church. In his
giTdle he carried an abundance OF spare
money, in a valise sealed letters, which
commended his skill, and an important
introduction to the master, who super
intended the building of the house of
God.
0 Glowing hung the sun IN the cloud
less sky and poured its binding light
on wide sea of ripening wheat. Not
a bird was heard; everything that wore
feathers had flown into the mountain
which surrounded the broad valley
but grasshoppers, crickets and dancing
gnats scraped and hummed untiringly
their mOuotonous tunes.
The bag weighed heavily on the tray
eler's shoulders, and the flask which he
carried by his side had long been empty.
His eyes wandered longingly over the
waving fields of corn, but no inviting
roof appeared above the field-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 daz-
zled eyes, and went on.
He had, perhaps, gone as far as a
= "a h9 Isaa ri u on
he stopped in establishment, when right
before him lay houses surrounded by
orchards, and above them rose the re-
ticulated spire of a church. The tray-
eler rubbed his eyes. How could he
have overlooked tn 5 village?' 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 lie was
approaching. The windows shone III
the sunshine, the roofs wese decorated
with tiles, and III the gardens blosSome
lilies and white roses, but the deep still
ness 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
ileard. The youth thought it remark
able, 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 IL
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 foot
steps could not be heard.
The youth felt uneasy at the sight OF
this still people, but he mustered cour-
age and approached one of the men tC
get information about the village But
the man laid his forefinger significantly
on his mouth, and went his way il
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
chanced to raise his eyes to the tower be
saw how the bell IN the belfry swung tC
and fro, but no tone was heard from II.
With secret horror he watched the
church goers pass by-meD, women,
maidens and children All walked with
bended heads and nobody gave him a
look.
At the very last came a maiden. She
wore lily ON her breast and was her
self as pale and beautiful as lily. And
as she passed by the youth she raised
her dropping lids, looking at him with
the mildest eyes and paused. Then tht
feeling of oppression left the young
mans mind, sweet longing rose in hi:
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 churcl
door. But before she crossed the thresh
old 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 hi
finger, and when he looked up, maiden
church and village: had all disappeared
and he stood in the middle of the coun
try road, with the cornields on the
right hand and on the left, but the blu'
sky and the cleaning midsummer SUI
overhead.
Was it all drearnP No. ne coulC
feel the gold ring on his finger, and i
glistened in the sunshine. Some magic
was at work here. At the time of mid
summer many things became visible
which are usually hidden from morta
eyes.
Diethlrt glanced timidly at his sur
roundings, and FASTENED his steps IL
really felt uneasy, but the love wbicl
tie silent maiden aroused in him wa
stronger than fear and horror. H'
| looked at the ring with beaming eyes
and he had a preseutInent that thi
first meeting with the beautiful cir
would not be the Last Puzzled anC
| hopeful be continued his way along th'
| dusty road. The sun went down, an,
as the roofs of tie city grew golden
he stonecutter passed through th'
arched gateway.
In the market place stood handsom
| house, that bore OH Its sIgnboard a wilC
man with feathers in his hair aud rim.
| in his nose, and was celebrated far anC
wide as an inn and ale hou5e. DiethaT
! toak iCGging there, and when lie hat
| removed all traces of his wearisom
! Journey he went To the common room
to refresh himself with food and drink
At a long oaken table, behind tn
tankard. sat two citiZans conversin!
about the affairs Of the world. Tn
arrival of the stranger was pleasing L
them. They questioned him as TO VIII
| he was. whence he had come and wha
he was seeking in The city. Willingl
| ard politely he satisfied their curiosity
l aud The citizens asked him to draw
nearer and 10 tell them what was tasin: