The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1897-07-14
THE YELLOW BALSAM

THE YELLOW BALSA NJ
The Riesengebirge abounds in deli
cious herbs, from which the most ef1ica-
cious balms have been at all times made.
The inhabitants of tho village OF
Krummhubel still use essences made
with these simples, and this will appear
less surprising when it is known that
those inhabitants are i'll part descended
from the students Of Prague Of the ia
NOUS school of Paracelsus, who were
expelled during the war of the Hussites,
and who, without doubt We're i'll 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 al
the literature Of fable 1t is called tn,
yellow balsam and grows only in {
kitchen garden, of which Ruhezahl hai
reserved for himself the exclusive en-
ioyment. A marvellous power is attrib
uted to this herb. The most durable ant
the most inveterate maladies do not re
sist it, 1t serves even to nourish til,
mind. and Rubezahl permits only /
small number of his favorites to gather
it.
Once upon time lady of distinc-
ton who resided at Liegnitz fell dan
gerously ill. Fearing for her life, she
sent for II peasant of the mountains,
and promised him large reward II
he would bring her yellow balsam
from Rubezahl's garden Seduced by
the temptation of gain, the peasant ven
tured to undertake the adventure. When
he had reached tho wild and desert place
in which the garden is situated, he per
oeiyed tho wonderful plant and. seizing
spade, he prepared to dig it up, but
while he was trenching the earth flu
rious wind suddenly arose and IA 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
tho wind and keep himself upright.
Presently on the ridge Of IA rock he saw
tho movement of gigantic apparition.
Tho phantom had the human FORM his
long beard hung down to his breast;
large, hooked nose gave him deformed
visaRe his menacing eyes seemed to
dart lightnings, and his locks and his
cloak hoated i'll the wind of the tempest.
In one of his hands was an enormous
club full of knots.
What are you about there?" cried
this supernatural being to the peasant
The peasant. conquering like brave
man tho alarm which at first seized
him, answered: az seek the yellow bal
sam. A sick woman has promised to
pay me we'll for it. 3"
That which you hold you may take
away, replied the giant, 'bnt take
good care not to come second time"
AT these words he brandished his club
with n terrible gesture and disappeared
The peasant peusively descended the
mountain, and the lady thought herself
happy when she saw herself In posses
sion of the remedy which was to shorten
her sufferings. Her illness. in fact, di-
unfinished at the sight. Nevertheless, she
did not obtain complete cure. She
again sent for the peasant.
iidNu lOu again tip NpuihBVs paio
she to him. "to go and seek for me the
yellow balsam?"
Madam" answered the peasant,
the lord of the mountain appeared TO
me the first time i'll terrible shape and
forbade me with threats to set my feet
again i'll this garden. | have too much
fear of offending him. "
IInIyoynY. tha DANA appnnprpI his
fear by the promise of still larger sum
than the first, aud for the second time
he determined to penetrate into Rube-
sahl's domain, but scarcely had he be-
gun to dig up the yellow balsam when
frightful storm again arose, and the
figure appeared to him more menacing
still than he had seen it on his first
journey. The phantom's locks were
more disordered; his cloak floated in the
air in larger folds; lightnings flashed
from his eyes. He cried, with voice
which made the mountain tremble,
What are you about there?"
The abysses repeated, What are you
about thero?'
Il seek the yellow halsam, answered
the peasant. "A sick woman has prom
ised to pay me we'll for it. ="
The giant could no longer contain his
anger. Mailman, did | not caution
you, and you dare return? Now you pos
sess it, save yourself If you can.
At the same instant flames appeared
to fall ON the criminal and to burn his
face. The powerful club flew round i'll
the air and dashed II rock near him into
shivers The ground trembled under his
feet, A frightful clap of thunder assist
ed To stun him, and he fell down sense
less. He did not come TO himself until
long aftcrward. The giant had disap-
peared, aud the thunder growled less
loudly, but he still thought he heard
the rcsounding voice of the spirit, and
his limbs We're rs if they had been
broken. However, he graSped the bal
sam in his hand. At last. soaked with
rain, surrounded with thick fogs, showed
here and there by malevolent genii, he
crawled from rock to rock all the night
and all tho following day without
knowing where he was At length a
collier, having found him half dead
with fatigue, carried him into his cabin.
There he took some repose and got rid
of his fright after which he hastened
to return to Liegnitz. The lady was de-
lighted to see him again with the so
much desired plant and gave him SO
large sum Of money that he forgot the
dangers he had run and went joyfully
home. Several weeks elapsed. The dame
appeared almost cured, Nevertheless.
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