The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-06-21
THE LOST JACINTH..

i
dwels the worthy burghsr Philip Dorm, a
| ieweler and cunning workman In gold
and silver. II happened that one day o
young country man came 10 his house with
stone which he had found In the neigh
boring mountains and had brought to
Philip, as an honest man, and one whom
he could trust The jeweler took the
stone and after examining 1t attsntiveiy
said, with careless air, that 1t was Of
small value but that be would give him
90 tbalers for 1t. The country man, who
knew nothing Of the value of precious
stones, instantly agreed, and Philip paid
him the money. As soon as he was gone.
our jeweler took the gem, which was q
jacinth of great value and regarded 1t
with well satisfied smile. "This," said
he, sis the very thing which the princess
has so long desired. All, Philip, thou art
lucky fellow Thy fortune Is made. Who
will now be able to stand against the Jew
eler Philip Dornp So, after again sur
veying his bargain, he put 1t into case
In which no was wont TO keep his most
precious things.
In short time another visitor came to
Philip. He was little man of we'll fed
appearance, with enormous green specta-
Giles, a high crowned hat and high heeled
shoes. This person demanded a stone
proper for ring, such as diamond or an
amethyst. Philip took down the case in
which he had deposited his precious ia
cinth and exhibited Its contents to tho
stranger, who selected fine diamond, for
which Philip took care to ask double what
1t was worth; but the stranger paid him
his demand without grudging, and went
away, saying that he would soon see him
again.
Philip replaced his case and set out to
inform his patroness, the princess, of his
newly acquired jacinth. He went to the
palace, and, with many bows, informed
her highness Of his good fortune and was
desired to return next day and to bring
the gem with him. After dispatcbing this
business, he returned home and again took
down the case to feast his eyes upon his
jewel, when, on opening 1t, to Philips
CONSERVATION, no jacinth was to be found.
In vain he searched every oorner-the gem
was flown.
In great distress of mind Philip went
out and was bordering an apology for the
morrow, when, on turning corner, he
felt some one tap him on the shoulder,
and, turning round, saw the gentleman in
the green spectaoles, who with a knowing
wink asked him what had become of his
jacipth. The ieweler was rather surprised,
as he did not remember having seen the
stranger examine it, SO no very naturally
asked him If he knew anything about 1t.
"That do Herr Philip"
The stranger Informed Philip that he
tal L.; L IS
he came that evening to the forest at tho
foot of the Schneeberg mountain he would
sec, and perhaps regain, his jacinth Philip
promised to be punotual on which the
gentleman said adieu, telling him that
no had some business to transact at Rats =.
bon, but would be back in time. Philip
thought this rather odd, as that city is at
Il considerable distance from Worms, but
he said nothing; so, making polite bow,
he returned home.
IIo waited with the utmost impatience
for the appointed time, and whom at length
it began to grow dark he set out with a
beating heart for the rendezvous Soon be
approached the forest and saw the clouds
Cddying around the summit of the Schnee-
berg, He went on his way rejoicing, and
although at the first step in the wood he
plunged up to the neck in morass, SO
immersed was he in his delight at the
prospect OF regaining his jacinth that ho
scarcely noticed his immersion in the
water. On he passed, through bush,
through brake, frequently coming In con
tact with the trunks Of trees, to the utter
discontinue Of his sedate and sober wig
The bushes seemed to get thicker and the
pools deeper the farther he proceeded, and
at length lie was fairly brought to stand
by broad sheet of water, the leaping Of
which was out Of the question, even to
much better leaper than our friend Philip.
While he was standing considering what
was to be done, he beard voice crying:
Here comes my worthy friend, Philip
Dorm! Prepare ye the way for himv' And
shouts Of laughter rang through the for
est. At this Philip was sore amazed, but,
seeing the pool disappear, he stepped bold
ly forward and found himself at the rock
appointed as the place of meeting.
The gentleman in tho green spectaClcs
made his appearance on the top Of it and
greeted Philip with great politeness, and,
although the rock was very precipitous, he
walked down it with the greatest Casoand
stood at Philips side. Now" said he,
Herr Dorm, you will be good enough to
follow ne "a little farther" to which
Philip bowed assent, though he would
rather have been excused. On they went
for considerable time, through part OF
tho forest that Philip had never seen he
fore, till at length they reached q wilder
ness of rocks, which appeared broken from
the mountain. They still proceeded, be-
tween two high walls Of rock till they
came to a wide cavern, brilliantly lighted,
in which Philip saw his jucinth suspended
by gold Chain, which seemed to ascend
to an immense height, as its other ond
was lost in the darkness. Now said
his companion, there is your incinth.
You have but to stretch out your hand and
il is yours. Philip stepped forward and
laid hold of his jewel and attempted to
take 1t from the chain, when suddenly he
felt the earth sinking beneath his feet,
and, attempting to withdraw his hand,
found it firmly fixed to the jaCinth. lie
turned round in agony to his conductor,
and saw him standing laughing iInmodcr-
ately, with his spectaCles in one hand ana
his eyes flaming like burning Goals Hold
fast, friend Philip" he cried. "Hold
fast!' and instantly vanished In tho dark
ness. The cavern closed with a fearful
noise, and shouts Of laughter, mingled
with cries of Hold fast, hold fast!' were
the last sounds that were ever heard by
the jGwGlur of Worms New York News,