The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1898-09-08

a.
and | was fed and pttted all dav long.
The sister had face like an apple
blossom. pink and white. and her name
was Louise (which is abbreviated to
Wieschen, in Low German dialect, and
pronounced Neeshen-and the last
thing | could remember that night was
that as NeesEen lai,! me, fast asleep,
into the old caIche her long, faxen
braids swept my face as she stopped
over me.
Perhaps the only living soul in the
whole country who had no faith in old
Nolte and his weird power, was
young man Oh fathers staff, n skilled
geome trician, who laughed at every
thing he did not understand He was
with father almost constantly, though
he did rot belong 10 Westphalia. He
came from the Rhine. and held lighter
views of life than the dull though hon
est people on the Weser. He gave
more particular offansc to the old SEX
ton, who swore that IN every instance
prophecy.
In the castle grounds, below the ter
race, there was an avenue defendu-at
least in summer time, when the berries
were ripe. 1t was lCng walk, bordered
by hedges of goostberries, currants
and raspberries; and the female serv-
ants of the family knew well enough
that while they KEEP: my mouth and
that of my little sister filled with ber-
ries. my mother would never discover
that it was here they came for their
gossiping. They met here one after
noon, WiImina. Marie and Yette; and
the subject they were discussing must
have been of absorbing interest. for
they forgot that little pitchers have
long ears.
Busy as | was with the Danish goose
berries, | heard the name of my dear
friend WieSchen men, Toned: but it puz-
zled me what they meant when they
added: 'She had written that if he
did not keep his promise they would
have TO hunt for her some day where
the water was deeptst'
wondered what Wicschen could have
promised. She had shown me her new
cap with gold lace on it; her amber
beads and her garnet "ross. What more
could she want? Al the Wulbrand's
hof nobody ever lacked for anything, |
had heard; so what did Wieschen mean
by hiding herself in Grder to get what
she wanted? And in the water, too.
Before could ask any questions. the
gardener with the woo den leg. made his
appearance at the end of the walk. and
the girls ran, dragging us with them.
Iht berry season was over. summer
had passed, and autumn had come into
the land; and then, one day. the rumor
went that old Nolte had had vorge-
sicht. When it reached the ears of
Mohrhaus, the geometer, his black eyes
danced with mischief, and he called on
the sexton.
Il have had warning to prepare a
grave-for grown person. the sen
ton said, soIemnly.
"From the Herr Pastor. or YOUR
crazy spokenkicker?" asked Mohrhaus.
prom Noitc Come with me. so that
you may be convinced at last. lie does
not like TO speak If these things to
strangers; but he viii speak if | ask
him TO tell you
If Notice eyes had encountered the
sight of a ghost instead of the gay face
of the young geometrician. he could not
have started back IN greater horror
But Mohrhaus only sneered.
II want to hear about your funeral
procession he laughed. when will
it arrive?"
"In three days from now" was the
positive reply. "But there will be no
procession" the old man added. sadly,
mot single mourner will follow the
coffin"
"Oh--oh." laughed the Young man
again, that means. suppose. that un-
less you really find some one to bury
within that time, you will simply put
a straw man into the coffin"
Tell him what the horses are like
that will bring the coffin on the wagon"
the sexton suggested to the old baker.
Eyes, tell me what kind of horses will
bring your dead man." added the youth;
what are they like?'
Elm falber und Gin rappe,' Ga dun
horse and black one) was the impress
sive answer.
But Mohrhaus laughed the louder.
Elm falber und Elm rappe!" he re-
peated. Upon my word now-that is
the team the old German kings drove
in their chariots. Your dead man
comes in majesty"
The geisterse hers patience was ex-
hausted.
death always comes in majecty!"
he cried, in ringing voice. And you,
too, shall tremble before it ere three
suns have set"
As Mohrhaus was to go on a sur
veying trip next day, he made sure
first. through the agency of the par
ish clerk, that there was no one sick.
or in immediate danger of dying of
old age, in the parish; and he received
from him the promise that if word
should be sent to dig a grave he would
go himself and see that no such horses
as the spokenkicker had described
should draw the wagon.