The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1897-08-03
THE YELLOW BALSAM

la QUILL QoO ObSCuC6b lQdu6
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 IA
nous school of Paracelsus, who were
expelled during the war of the Hussites,
and who, without doubt, were in 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 a
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. 1t 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-
ton who resided at Liegnitz fell dan
gerously i'll. Fearing for her life, she
sent for a peasant of the mountains,
and promised him large reward if
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 the wild and desert place
in which the garden is situated, he per-
oeived the wonderful plant and, seizing
spade, he prepared to dig it up, but
while he was trenching the earth fu-
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 a 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 deformed
visage; his menacing eyes seemed to
dart lightnings, and his locks and his
cloak hoated in the wind of the tempest.
Al JIG VI las udAuS was al 5uOfmOuS
club, full of knots.
what 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: 81 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 a 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 sufferings Her illness, in fact, di-
unfinished at the sight. Nevertheless, she
did not obtain a complete cure. She
again sent for the peasant.
"Have you again the courage, said
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 in terrible shape and
forbade me with threats to set my feet
again in this garden. l have too much
fear of offending him. -
However, the dame conquered his
fear by the promise of a still larger sum
than the first, and 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
a frightful storm again arose, and the
figure appeared to him more menacing
still than be had seen it on his first
journey. The phantom's locks were
more disordered; his cloak fioated 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 there?"
II seek the yellow balsam, 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 1 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 in
the air and dashed 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 afterward. The giant had disap-
peared, and the thunder growled less
loudly, but he still thought he heard
the resounding voice of the spirit, and
his limbs were as 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 the 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 FASTENED
to return to Liegnitz. The lady was de-
lighted to zee him again with the no
much desired plant and gave him 10
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,
she was not so entirely.
"If l had third balsam," said she,
81 am we'll convinced that should be
out of danger"
She then sent for the peasant, who at
first was unwilling to come. Instigated,
however, by some evil spirit, he at
length yielded to the entreaties of the
lady.
Here am, madam" said he on en-
tering "What do you want with me? I
hope that you do not require me to go
third time for the balsam. Heaven keep
me from doing SO. I had great deal of
difficulty to get back safe and sound
from my last journey. I tremble yet
when I think of it,.
The lady then conjured him in the
most pressing manner again to brave
the dangers which hitherto had caused
him but passing terror. She promised
him great riches and offered him mag
nificent farm. In sh&t, she so COM
pletely dazzled the rash peasant that he
swore, although it should cost him his
life, to go for the last time to pull a
balsam in the enchanted garden.
eff l come back from it, " thought he
to himself, II shall be rich, and I may
pass the rest of my days in joy and
abundance.
He re-entered his house making these
reflections. Nevertheless, he did not
again dare to undertake the perilous
voyage alone.