The Delta independent., 1891-07-08
A TALE OF OLD VIENNA.

guStlne convent where the bones OF
Austria's rulers are on exhibition.
Nobody could blame me for falling in
love with her. because she really is
the sweetest girl on earth.
So we were walking towards St.
Stephens cathedral in charge OF paid
cicerone. He was q little old man,
with w1.inkled face, and nose that
had, like his shabby-genteel clothes,
seen better days. Now it was by no
means an ornament unless considered
FROM the purely co!oristic standpoint.
lie knew nearly everything about the
brilliant city by the Blue Danube, :"
and where his knowledge was made
quate his imagination tided him over.
Suddenly Miss Wemyss halted before
q strange object and, with q little
feminine exclamation of surprise, she
eslSed: ''Why, what is this thing forp
II seems to be the stump of r tree all
severed with nails" And so it was.
so closely together had the nails been
driven that not piece OF wood as
large as Il pin-head even was visible
on the entire surface.
Our guide at once assumed the Gus
somary attitudes of his guild in action
which closely resemble the gyrations
accompanying the spread.eagle Haish
1f a stslmp-speaker's oration.
I'D this is the story he told Of the
nal Studded tree:
- Several hundred years ago there
lived blacksmith on this spot which
Is occupied by a stock brokers' office
now. In those times blacksmith
understood the working of iron in all
its branches, and ii was as easy for
him to hammer the metal into graceful
curves and flowers for altar-rpilinss as
it was TO forge q borsessiioe or the
point OF q hunting-spcar
Our blacksmith had a beautiful
daushter, whose hand was sought
afl.r by all the young men for miles
around, for she was as good and pure
and gentle as her eyes We're blue; her
hair was golden and her checks were
like the glacier-snow upon which the
morning sun had cast his virgin rays.
Her father guarded her IS jeulously
as the dragon old ever did guard fair
lady and many were the silent tears
poor Kathi wept in the solitude OF her
..kcmenate, where she had been
locked UP. Her only joy was the
bunch of fragrant flowers which she
was always sure to find upon the outer
sill OF the only window in her room.
No matter how early she awoke these
sweet messengers OF kindly thought
were sure to be in their usual place.
Often and often did she arise with
the sun, hoping to catch glimpse of
her unknown friend, but she was in
variably disappointed.
At last, one morning she failed 70
find the flowers. She dressed liurriedly
and concealed herself behind the
window curtain. She watched for the
person whose gift che felt certain to
receive yet. And her expectation was
not futile.
But what was her surprise and dis
appointment when. instead of the fine
young fellow which her fancy had pic
tured. she beheld poor. deformed
creature with large hump on his
back.
Her first feeling Of horror found
vent in q little exclamation. But
there was something SO sad and plead
ing in his eyes, that were uplifted to
hers, that in her profound pity for
him, she felt sincerely ashamed to
have exhibited any sign OF annoyance.
WAS it you who brought me all
those lovely fowersP" she asked. in a
kindly voice, as he was trying to con-
ccal a nosegay he held in his hand.
..In answer he blushed like school
girl and nodded.
Il thank you for them very much, !"
she continued; they have been the
only pleasure in my monotonous life.
But how did you know that l WAS
locked up in here?"
II have heard you sing occasional
ly," he answered; '.and from the
sound of your voice knew you We're
young and beautiful, and. alack-a-day
unhappy withal, and becauseI-I-be-
cause-I felt-sorry-fo you, brought
you some flowers from my mothers
garden. But please don't tell master
about it, for he would surely"
just then tall, handsome young fel-
low. 1.-the as q doe and graceful as q
young cherry-tree, appeared on the
scene, and, greeting the hunchback af-
fectionately. he exclaimed:
Brother. / have been looking for
you this last hour; mother is full core
ly vexed about your absence" then
looking up. he noticed the yonrg girl
ut the window just as she withdrew
her blushing face.
He bowed to her with courtly grace
and raised his jaunty red cap. and she,
of course could not but return the
courtesy.
Every morning nfter thio incident
there were two nosegays on the win-
dow-sill instead Of one.
In time, the old blacksmith yielded
TO the opportunities of his wife and her
friends, and agreed 10 look around for
husband for his daughter.
According to the custome OF the
time his son-in.law would have to be
also blacksmith. In order to make
sure that Kathi's future liege lord was
master OF his trade, the old man con-
structed an ingenious lock which ne
put on the door Of his daughters s
chamber.
Whovsr had attempted in vain 70
open the door. laad to drive an iron
mil isto certain tres, but the prize
OF the successful man was to be the
hand Of fair Kathi
But II none should succeed in IN.