The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-08-03
THE YELLOW BALSAM

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 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. It serves even to nourish the
mind, and Rubezahl permits only
small number of his favorites to gather
it.
Once upon time lady of distino-
ton who resided at Liegnitz fell dan
gerously i'll. Fearing for her life, she
sent for peasant Of the mountains,
and promised him large reward if
he would bring her n yellow balsam
from Rubczahl's garden. Seduced by
the temptation Of gain. tho peasant ven
tured to undertake the adventure. When
he had reached the wild and desert place
in which the garden is situated he per-
ceived the wonderful plant and, scizing
spade, he prepared TO dig it up, but
while he was trenching the earth fu-
rious wind suddenly arose and voice
like thunder sounded i'll his ears words
which he did not comprehend He rose
up quito 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 tho ridge Of a rock he saw
the movement of u gigantic apparition.
The phantom had the human form; his
long beard hung down to his breast; a
large. hooked nose gave him deformed
visage; his meDacing eyes seemed to
dart lightnings, and his locks and his
cloak foated i'll the wind of tho tempest.
III one of his hands was an enormous
club, full of knots
What arc you about thcre?" cried
this supernatural being to tho peasant.
The peasant. conquering like brave
man the alarm which ut first seized
him, answered: 81 seek the yellow bal
sam. A sick woman has promised to
pay me we'll for it.
HTbot xr,hiob x,o,, hold x-o,, ,S>,-, koL-
away" replied the giant, "but take
good caro- not to come second time"
AT these words he braDdished 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 Mt the sight. Nevertheless, she
did not obtain n complete cure. She
again sent for the peasant.
Have you again the courage" said
she to him, to go and seek for mo the
yellow balsam?''
Madam" answered the peasant,
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, aud for tho second time
he determined to penetrate into Rubc-
sahl's domain, but scarcely had he be-
gun to dig up the yellow bnlsam when
"a FRI,
figure appeared to him more menacing
still than he had seen it on his first
journey. Tho phantom's locks were
more disordered; his cloak hoated in the
air in larger folds; lightnings flashed
from his eyes He cried, with voice
which made the mountain tremble,
what arc 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 I not caution
you, and you dare return? Now you pos
sess it, save yourself if you cam"
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 trem bled under his
feet. A frightful clap of thunder assist
eel 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 Resembling voice of the spirit, and
his limbs We're as if they had been
broken. However, he grasped the bal
sam i'll his hand. At last, soaked with
rAin, surrounded with thicl. fonc shoued