The Somerset reporter., 1897-07-15

/ Ill l EILOM DAISAM
The Riesengehirge ahounds in deli
cious herbs, from which the most effica-
cious balms have been at all times made.
The inhabitants of the village of
hrummhubel still use essences made
with these s.upIes, and this will appear
less surprising when 1t Is known that
those inhabitants are in part descended
from the students of Prague of the IA
nous school of ParRcelsus, 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. II 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 a time lady of distino-
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 aud desert place
in which the garden is situated, he per-
ceived the wonderful plant and, seizing
a spade, he prepared to dig it up, but
while he was trenching the earth fu-
rious wind suddenly arose and a voice
like thunder sounded in his ears words
which he did not comprehend He "ose
up quite frightened and advanced to-
ward the place whence the noise pro-
ceeded. Scarcely was he able to resist
the wind aud keep himself upright.
Presently on the ridge of a rock he saw
=
The phantom had the human form; his
long beard hung down to his breast; a
large, hooked nose gave him defOrmed
visage his menacing eyes seemed to
dart lightnings, and his locks and his
cloak tioated in 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 the alarm which at first seized
him, answered: Il 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 IA second time. y
AT these words he brandished his club
with a 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. Ito go and seek for me the
yellow balsam?'
MADAM answered the peasant,
1.-THE lord of the mountain appeared to
me the first time in a terrible shape and
forbade me with threats to set my feet
again in this garden. have too much
fear of offending him.
However, the dame conquered his
fear by the promise of 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
frightful storm again arose, and the
figure appeared to him more menaoinR
still than he had seen it on his first
journey. The phantom locks were
more disordered; his cloak ioated in the
air in larger folds; lightnings flashed
from his eyes. He cried, with a 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
Used to pay me we'll for it. y
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 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 maleyolent 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 Liegnits. The lady was de-