The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1894-03-03
THE RED FORESTER.
BY JANE i. ROBERTS.

One fine day in October three chill
drcn were merrily at play on the out
skirts OF one OF the grand old forests
that are found on the Baltic shore.
The pretty red and yellow leaves
under their feet afforded them inn
mense delight as they massed them
into a pile, upon which the three
year-old Elsa was seated In great con
tentment, making the bright things
fly in all directions with the stick in
her hand.
The eldest child, n boy Of ten, had
a kind, thoughtful face; the other, "A
happy and light-hearted boy OF eight,
did not rest until he, too, had found
n good, stout stick, with which he
aided his sister in scattering the fiut-
tering leaves TO the four winds.
Suddenly the air about them was
darkened, and over their heads n great
bird came flying low with Tapping
wings and dismal croak. Down it
came on the pile Of leaves beside the
little one. Its eyes were keen and
piercing, and the child gave "A scream
Of terror as il looked into her face
with "a hoarsc cry. In moment the
older boy had caught up his brothers
stick and, aiming two or three stout
blows at the birds head, laid it life
less.
AS he took Elsa in his arms and
soothed her the younger boy exam
ined the raven. ooh, Hans" said
'~~he, II fear that was one Of the Red
Forester's birds, il is so large ard it's
look is so evil. Old Walthcr says
sorrow TO any who modest
them"
Mother says old Walther is not
always truthful" answered Hans.
I'VE must not mind his stories.
Leave the bird, Otto. Come, the
wind is cool, and Mother will look for
the baby now"
Two or three hundred yards from
where the children played might be
seer the straw-thatched roof of their
little home, and from the sand bluffs
before the cottage one had Il view Of
miles of seacoast. To-day the waves
rippled and danced i'm the sunlight rs
if no storms could ever disturb their
calm. At anchor nea the shore lay
q number OF fishing boats, making n
pretty bit OF color with their copper
hued sails; and the white, sandy
beach was covered for a long stretch
with the nets hung out to dry on the
endless frames, showing plainly the
general occupation of the brcadwin-
ners OF that pretty village nesting
between the forest and shore.
Fisher Muller and his wife, al
though simple folks, were superior
20 the people with whom their lot
was cast. In his youth the fisher
had hoped to attain some better
station but the military service of
his country held him the best years
OF his life, and ne returned from SER
vice to find the only means left him
Of procuring II livelihood was to fol-
low his fathers calling, and so he
continued TO be a fisherman.
Frau Muller was gentle and thought
full, and, as the little home was well
tended and snug, they were content
and only longed for something better
for their children.
The mother met the children at the
door and. taking Elsa from Hans,
asked the reason of her cry. The
boy eagerly told the story OF the great
bird that would have eaten Elsa's
eyes, but hat Hans gave him a
whack i'm time. Mother" said
Hans, lotto says the Red Forester
will punish me. Old Walther told
him so"
What did Walther tell you about
the Red Forester" said the mother.
Have you not heard Of the old
red MANI" asked Otto.
What about him?" said Frau
Muller, as she clasped Elsa close in
her arms and pressed her lips to the
rosy checks.
He has n castle in the widest
and darkest part Of the forest, but no
n ever returns that seeks it; and il
n kill his f%avorite bird, the raven,
sorrow will come-bitter sorrow"
As the boy told his story, darkness
had come on and the wind began to
moan round the house.
The mother sat quiet, with her
baby asleep on her knee. Mother"
said Hans, troubled at her silence,
"you don't speak; do you believe
old Walther's story?'
mo, Hans" said the mother /:
"but you should have tried to
frighten away the bird before killing
It."
Poor Hans. He felt sad and heavy
hearted. His mothers face wore a
troubled look, he was sure. And this
was true; for the entire force of fish
ermen were out at sea, and old Wal
ther had called TO tell her a heavy