Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1894-12-20
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL STORY
A CHRISTMAS QUESTION.

A CHRISTMAS QUESTION.
what is the most beautiful story IN
all the world?'
l asked the question of German
author at the great Fair in Antwerp
last summer.
He looked at me thoughtfully. Jos
eph," he said-"is it the story of JOS
eph?''
II do not mean Bible stories, said
l. "If SO, l should say that the Par
able of the Prodigal Son is the most
beautiful story"
He was silent
"What is the most beautiful story IN
your own country ?" asked he.
l, too, was silent.
And what is it, my Christmas read
er? Is it Longfellow's "Evangeline
or Lowell's Legend Of Sir Launfal? ?
or is there one yet more beautiful?
"The stories of King Arthur are the
most beautiful of all in England, " said
nv German friend-"and the 'Rhein-
gold in Germany"
But Germany is the true story
land" said l. What story, of those
you heard in your own home, impressed
you most p
a can easily answer that" he re-
piled. at was story which is an out
growth of tale told by Baron Fouque
the wonderful author of 'Undlne.
It is called Red Mantle. My mother
used to tell me the story on Christina
Eve"
Here is the story as my German
friend told it.
There was a German merchant IL
the days of old, who used to trave
with costly Jewels from city to city
His name was Berthold. He was al
earnest, warm-hearted man, but he haC
fiery temper and sharp tongue.
One day, towards night, he wa
journeying through black forest. Ih
winds were signing in the pines; ther
were scudding clouds; a great shad
came down on the forest, and rail-
seemed about to fall. Berthold sav
that he could not reach the city tina
evening. He was alone in the wll'
forest with his portmanteau Of Jewels
What was he to do?
Night came on. The moon rose, an
was darkened. The forest roared wit
the wind. Around him were beasts Q
prev. What could he do?
He stumbled on. At last he saw
CLEAN of light. 1t came from win
dow in the forest. He fastened to
wards it, and raped on the door.
The door slowly opened. A grey
haired old woman with a beautiful fac
stood before him.
"Who lives here?" asked Berthold
"a poor collier and his family. VIII
do you come?
Il am traveller, belated and Ios'
VIII you give me food and lodging 10
the night?"
Il will give you food, but | cannc
give you lodging, though lOath | woul
be to refuse stranger roof on sue
night as this.
Her husband now appeared, holdln
a light over her shoulder.
at hurts my heart to refuse strar
ger" said he, "but you would be bette
off in the woods than here. How tn
wind roarsl There, the light ha
blown out Come in!'
The merchant entered. The grea
log room had an open fire, and aroun
it sat the most beautiful children h
had ever seen. The woman spread tn
table. As he finished the meal he saic
"You surely would not send me Ou
into the forest on such night as this?
Stranger, said the collier "yO
may stay, at your peril-thOugh
YOU will obey what l tell you, no harI
will come
The table was cleared, and the goo
woman brought out the musical glas
es. She tuned them, and when II
children touched them the most bea1
tiful music arose, and the father an
mother clasped their hands, and Il
family sang, "Now the woods are a
!; reposing," but still the wind was vii
Now" said the father, 1--WE mu
pray" They all knelt down, the me