The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1896-12-02
THE WIZARDS
PROPHECY
A Wonder-Story From the Mythology
of the North.

From the Philadelphia Times.
Odin, the great god of the Norseland,
and ruler over Valhalla, the abode OF
the gods, was called All-Father, the un-
created and unseen, whose will was
law. But granting him this, 0din
had not the power to foresee the event
that would shape his own destiny. He
had many sons, but among them was
one who was his special companion
and attendant. His name was Her
mod, and so quick and agile, so light
aud swift, were all his motions, that he
was called "the nimble god"
Hermod was special favOrite with
all the dwellers in Nalhalla, for his
face was ever smiling, and his desire
was always to help and to serve Others.
This characteristic, combined with his
rapid motion, had made him the mes
senger of all the gods, and of Odin, in
particular. To show his favor, Odin
had presented to HermOd magnifi-
cent corslet and helmet, for the youth
full deity was fond of riding to battle,
and his happiness was complete on re-
ceipt of these gifts.
When the Valkyrs, helmet-clad, with
hair flowing on the wind, rode their
fierce and fleet-winged steeds to the
battlefield HermOd could not resist
the sight, but would join them. And
sometimes Odin would lend him his
powerful spear, Gungnir, which, wav-
ed over the heads of the cOmbatants,
incited them to fiercest combat.
After the conflict Hermod conducted
some of the elect to Valhalla, and then
his joy reached its height. He was
often called "the valiant in combat
and was considered the leader of the
heroic dead. He had, as a special en-
blem of his Office, magic wand called
Gambantein, and this he carried with
him, wherever he went.
One day Odin became oppressed with
many forebodings. He went to the
~
to inquire into his future. But they
refused to lift the veil, and Odin felt his
detection in crease. After suffering in
this way a long time, he suddenly
thought of how he might learn the
truth. So calling Hermod to him he
said:
"My son, my heart is sadly depress-
ed, and commission you to perform
the deed will tell you of, that | may
find peace. Know that at the point
farthest north in the land of the giants
is race gifted with sight into hidden
things. Greatest among these seers Is
Rossthiof. At his command the cold
winds blow; the ice and snow come
pIentifuily; the very sun is darkened.
His land is full of snares and phan-
toms, and pitfalls, and he lures many
men there only to rob and kill them
Take my eight-footed gray steed,
Sleipnir,n he continued. "He will
bear you safely over all this danger.
But when you meet Rossthiof, your
greatest danger will begin. At aword
from him you will lie upon the ice
dead. can prevent that, too. Take
this; it is my runic staff; it will dispei
all hindrance in your path and COM
peI Rossthiof to answer all your ques-
tions.n
With much more advice, Odin gave
his command to Hermod, and at his
last word, the "nimble god'' bowling
low, disappeared in an instant.
He did all that his royal father had
directed, and soon found himself in the
abode of Rossthiof. When the wizard
saw him he Immediately began to utter
magic words to destroy his visitor 6ut
Hermod pointed the runic staff
of Odin at the monster, and immedi-
ately he was powerless- Hermod then
bound Rossthiof, hand and foot, and
when he had him thus in lis power he
said to him:
eI come from great Odin. He COM
mands that you lift the mist that
droops as a veil between the present
and the future, and reveal to me the
good and evil that the Norns have in
store for him. They have refused to
speak, and the spirit of All-Father is
troubled"
Then Rossthiof cunningly assumed a
troubled expression Of fcountenance. He
was very 10th to yield mp his secrets of
hidden lore, and so he pretended igno-
rance.
"Who am l." he cried, ''that the
great god of Asgard should deign to
think of me? l am helpless and old,
finding comfort only beside my warm
hearth. / am as the worm that Is
trampled under foot, whose noise none
hears, save the watchful Heimdall, as
he stands upon the bridge Bifrost, its
lonely and sole defender
Speak, and. speak TRUTH" Hermod
sternly commanded, "or woe will be-
fall your
"Nay, have mercy, for / have HARM
ed no creature in all my life. How
shall dare tc,predict good or evil for
the ruler of Asgard? | am only help
less old manr'a
so he continued to whine and tn
plead excuse. abut Hermod, losing all
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