The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-05-05

| The lad went over to his mother, but
he was afraid to kiss her, as it might
awaken her. lie barely touched his
lips to her hair, and then, after giving
Gretchen few directions about the fire,
he hurried out, softly closing the door
| after him.
| He looked back once or twice and he
could see the girls fair face in the win
dow watching him. He waved his hand
to her and hurried on. He stopped at
the farmhouse where Gretchen lived
and begged her parents to permit her
to stay with his mother until morning.
They were l<ind-hearted people and
consented; they insisted on his drinking
bowl of milk, which was very accept
able. After thanking them he set out
on his journey.
A windstorm ragged violently, so that
the lad could scarcely see his way, and
! the drifts of snow were often far above
his waist. On either hand the fields
stretched white with snow; the pine
and fir trees which skirted the road
presented curious and fantastic forms,
and the bushes We're like goblins with
| white sheets around them.
1t was already quite dark when he
reached the great city, although the
hour was early. At first the lad was
fairly bewildered with the unaccus-
toned noise and hustle, the crowds of
people and the thousands of brilliant
lights which he had never seen before.
But in order to carry out his plans
successfully and reach home that night
| Berthold knew that he had no time to
spare.
He selected a place near public
square and took the cloth from the
violin. With trembling fingers he
tightened and tuned the strings and
then began to play.
In very short time crowd gathered
around him, but he did not mind them
in the least and played on. Two men,
tall and distinguished, attracted by the
sight, stopped to listen.
What have we here, Hans?" said
one.
"a wandering minstrel, Ole Let us
go nearer and have peep"
They crossed over the street and
pushed their way through the crowd.
The stranger called Ole went over to
the lad, and smiling down upon him
asked him where he lived and why he
was out SO late.
In few words the lad told the gen.
tlemen his simple but touching story.
The tall stranger stopped and took the
lad up in his arms and kissed him.
''You must come with me-" he said,
and his face and voice were so kind that
Berthold was not at all alarmed.
The two men spoke rapidly in a
strange language and halted before a
magnificent palace brilliant with many
lights, They entered, the tallest still
bearing Berthold in his arms.
They passed through an elegant cor
ridor with wonderful pictures and thou
sands of lights until they came. to the
door of a chamber at the end. The
stranger put the lad down and brushed
his hair a little. t
Fear nothing" he whispered; ''re-
member we are your friends"
They entered a magnificent apart
ment which was crowded with elegant
ly dressed ladies and gentlemen. One of
the company, an old, white-haired man,
came forward to welcome them; the tall
stranger whispered something, and
Berthold could see by their looks and
gestures that he was the subject of
their conversation, and that the old
gentleman seemed to be very much
amused
He came over to the lad and pinched
his cheek. The lad noticed that his
breast was covered with ribbons and
stars, and he knew he must be some
great prince. After q few minutes con-
versation he turned to the assembled
company, and in strange language be-
gan to address them.
At this everyone became silent and
the lad saw that all eyes were upon
him. When the prince had ceased the
tall stranger, Berthold's friend, stopped
and whispered to him.
"Now, my lad, do not be afraid" he
said, kindly, play your best"
Berthold raised his violin to his neck
and began to play little song that he
had composed himself. 1t was very sim
I pie, but sweet and touching, and thrilled
every heart. When he had finished the
whole company applauded, and the
prince bade him play again.
After the applause had subsidized the
tall stranger stopped and kissed the
lad, and then took the violin into his
own hands, and, wonderful to relate,
played Berthold's composition with vari-
ations; never was heard such ravishing
sounds, and the delighted company APP
plauded loudly.
But suddenly the lad thought of his
sick mother at home and the tears
came to his eyes. His tall friend no.
ticed this, and when he questioned him
the lad told him his thoughts and begged
to be allowed to return home, as his
mother might be anxious,
The two strangers bade the company
farewell, and Berthold bowed very low
At the door of the palace a splendid
sleigh was waiting and the lad ex-
planned to the driver where to go, and
the city was soon left far behind.
When they arrived at the cottage the
lad descended first and opened the door
very softly. His mother was awake
and Gretchen was sitting beside her;
she sprang up with glad cry when she
saw Berthold.
'My dear boy, where have you beenq"
said his mother kissing him; "and who
are these gentlemen9'
"We are his friends, madam" said the
one who had played the violin. 1--WE
have come TO help YOU"
They had a long and earnest con-
versation with the sick woman and
| I L