Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-10-15
A TALE OF OLD VIENNA.

sorting. | had made her acquaintance
over the leaden sarcophagus of de-
funct emperor in the vault of the Au.
gustine convent where the bones OF
Austria's rulers are on exhibition.
Nobody could blame me for falling in
tove with her, because she really is
the sweetest girl on earth.
So we were walking towards st.
Stephens cathedral in charge of a paid
cicerone. He was q little old man.
with a wrinkled face, and nose that
bad, like his shabby -genteel clothes,
seen better days. Now it was by no
means an ornament unless considered
from tho purely cooristic standpoint.
He know nearly everything about the
brilliant city by the Blue Danube"
and whore his knowledge was made
cuate his imagination tided him over.
Suddenly Miss Womyss halted before
q strange object and, with a little
feminine exclamation Of surprise, she
asked: .Why, what is this thing for?
1t seems to be the stump Of tree all
covered with nails" And so it was.
SO closely together had the nails been
large as a pin-hcad even was visible
an the entire surface.
Our guide ut once assumed the GUS
GOmary attitudes Of his guild in action,
which closely resemble the gyrations
accompanying the spread-eagle finish
Of u stunp-speaker's Grafton.
And this is the story he told of the
aail-studded tree:
Several hundred years ago there
Owed Il blacksmith on this spot which
Is occupied by stock brokers' Office
dow. In those times a blacksmith
understood the working of iron in all
ats branches and it was as easy for
nim TO hammer the metal into graceful
3urve5 and flowers for altar ratings as
1t was to forge a horseshoe or the
Qoint Of a hunting-spe
Our blacksmith had a beautiful
daughter whose hand was sought
after by all the young men for miles
round, for she was as good and pure
and gentle as her eyes were blue; her
oair was golden and her checks were
like the glacier-snOw upon which the
morning sun had cast his virgin rays
Her father guarded her as jealousy
as the dragon old ever did guard fair
ady. and many were the silent tears
DOOR Kathi wept in the solitude of her
'Kemenate, " where she had been
Ocked up. Her only Joy was tho
Ounch of fragrant flowers which she
was always sure to find upon the outer
sill OF the only window in her room.
No -, ,,,1,y .l,,
sweet messengers of kindly thought
wore sure to be in their usual place.
Often and often did she arise with
che sun, hoping to catch u glimpse of
= ner unknown friend but she was in
variably disappointed.
At last, one morning she failed to
Gnd the flowers She dressed hmriedly
and concealed herself behind the
window curtain. She watched for the
person whose gift she 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
<turcd, She behold Il poor, deformed
creature with d largo hump on his
back.
Her first feeling OF horror found
vent III httle exclamation But
thcre was sometAln@ SO sad and plead
ing III ms eyes that were uplt1ted to
hers, that in her profound pity for
him, she felt sincerely ashamed to
nave exhibited any sign OF annoyance.
WAS it you who brought me all
chose lcTely foWors?' she asked, in a
kindly Eoice, as he was trying to con-
ccal nosegay he held IN his hand.
IN answer he bushed like school
girl and nodded.
al thank you for them very much,
she co-tinued; they have been the
only pleasure in my monotonous life.
But how did YOU know that was
locked % in hcHo?'
- have heard you sing occasional
". he answered; land from the
sound OF your voice | knew y were
Young ana beautiful, and, al&cN-a-day,
unhappy Withal and because l--I-b9-
cau5c--I felt-sorry for you brought
you some flowers from my mothers
about i. for he would surely
just then a tall. handsome Young fell
Tow. 1.-the ms q doe and graceful rs a
vouno cherrv-t,.e apDe3red on the
scene, and orecti9n the hunchback af-
fertfonYtelv no Owe aimed.
..pro.be, l have haen 1oolxinn for
Won This last honr. mother is fpI sore
" weed about your absence" them
looking up he noticed the younr Girl