Connecticut western news., 1897-09-30


 her mothers breastf Husho, hushol
 Nora Hopper in New York Tribune THE YELLOW BALSAM The Riesengebirge abounds in deli cious herbs, from which the most effica- cious balms have been at all times made. The inhabitants of the village of Krummhubel still use essences made with these simples, and this will appear less surprising when it is known that those inhabitants are in part descended from the students of Prague of the fa- nous school of Paracelsus, who were expelled during the war of the Hussites, and who. without doubt, were ill posses sion of unusual botanical secrets, the knowledge of which is at the present day neglected. But among the herbs which the Riesengebirge produces is one which has become celebrated beyond all the literature of fable. It is called the yellow balsam and grows only in kitchen garden, of which Rubezahl has reserved for himself the exclusive en- joyment A marvellous power is attrib- uted to this herb. The most durable and the most inveterate maladies do not re- sist it. It serves even to nourish the mind, and Rubezahl permits only a small number of his favorites to gather it.
 Once upon time lady of distinc- tion who resided at Liegnitz fell dan gerOusly ill. Fearing for her life, she sent for a peasant of the mountains, and promised him large reward if he would bring her a yellow balsam the temptation of gain, the peasant ven- tured to undertake the adventure. When he had reached the wild and desert place in which the garden is situated, he per oeived the wonderful plant and, seizinR a spade, he prepared to dig it up, but while he was trenching the earth flu rious wind suddenly arose and voice like thunder sounded in his ears words which he did not comprehend. He rose up quite frightened and advanced to- ward the place whence the noise pro- ceeded. Scarcely was he able to resist the wind and keep himself upright. Presently on the ridge of rock he saw the movement of gigantic apparition. The phantom had the human form; his long beard hung down to his breast; large, hooked nose gave him 8 deformed yisaRe; his menacing eyes seemed to dart Iightnings, and his locks and his cloak fioated in the wind of the tempest. In one of his hands was an enormous club, full of knots.
 sWhat are you about there?" cried this supernatural being to the peasant.
 The peasant. conquering like brave man the alarm which at first seized him, answered: "I seek the yellow bal sam. A sick woman has promised to pay me we'll for it"
 "That which you hold you may take away" replied the giant, "but take good care not to come second time. " At these words he brandished his club with terrible gesture and disappeared.
 The peasant pensively descended the mountain, and the lady thought herself happy when she saw herself in posses sion of the remedy which was to shorten her snfferings Her illness. in fact, di- miniahed at the sight. Nevertheless, she did not obtain complete cure. She again sent for the peasant.
 "Have you again the courage, said she to him, ito go and seek for me the yellow balsam?'
 "Madam," answered the peasant, ''the lord of the mountain appeared tt me the first time in terrible shape and forbade me with threats to set my fee, I,,c ' hou tnn ct fear of offending him."
 However, the dame conquered hii fear by the promise of still larger sun than the first, and for the second time Predetermined to penetrate into Rube sahl's domain, but scarcely had he be gun to dig up the yellow balsam whel frightfnl storm again arose, and thu figure appeared to him more menacini still than he had seen it on his frs journey. The phantom's locks wer' more disordered; his cloak hoated in tn air in larger folds; lightnings flashed from his eyes. He cried, with voic which made the mountain tremble "What are you about there?"
 The abysses repeated, "What are yo1 about there?"
 1T seek the yellow balsam," answere' the peasant. "A sick woman has prom ised to pay me we'll for it.
 The giant could no longer contain hi anger. "Madman, did I not cautio you, and you dare return? Now you pos sess it, save yourself if you can."
 At the same instant flames appeare to fall on the criminal and to burn hi I'M fx-I h the air and dashed rock near him int shivers The ground trembled under hi feet A frightful clap of thunder assist ed to stun him, and he fell down sense less. He did not come to himself unti long afterward. The giant had disaI peared, and the thunder growled les loudly, but he still thought he hear the resounding voice of the spirit, an his limbs were as if they had bee broken. However, he grasped the ba sam in his hand. At last, soaked wit rain, surrounded with thick fogs, shove here and there by malevolent genii, crawled from rock to rock all the nigl and all the following day withor knowing where he was. At length collier, having found him half dea with fatigue, carried him into his cabll There he took some repose and got ri of his fright, after which he hastent to return to Liegnitz. The lady was d lighted to see him again with the { much desired plant and gave him { large a sum of money that he forgot tt dangers he had run and went joyful horn,t. Several weeks elapsed. The dan appeared almost cured. Nevertheless she was not so entirely.
 of I had third balsam, said sh Clam well convinced that l should
 out of danger"
 She then sent for the peasant, who
 first was unwilling to come. Instigate
 however, by some evil spirit, he
 length yielded to the entreaties of t