Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1900-03-21

young Fellows ears like the tolling OF n
funeral bell
Then Heinz locked his house door
and made his way toward the castle
and as he went murmured all kinds OF
things between his teeth that sounded
not like prayer
When he reached the foot OF the cas-
tie hill. where the winding road led up-
ward. he heard hOof strokes and a sill
very laugh that cut him To the soul like
a double edged blade. and down the
way came the lady OF the castle riding
on white horse. and on her left n
stately knight clad I'm rich raiment rode
on glossy black steed aud looked with
sparkling eyes at the beautiful woman
at his side
The young hunter thought his heart
would break: but. mastering himself.
he sat down on n stone like a beRgar.
and "a the pair came near him he sang:
The sun ssocnds high in the heaven above.
But higher. still higher secret love-
The proud knight reined IN his horse
and. pointing with his whip toward the
hunter. asked his companion:
What means thisl Who is the
MANI"
The blood left the countess checks,
but she quickly controlled herself and
answered.
AN insane hunter. Come. let us
hasten ON. am filled with fear In his
presence"
But the knight loOSed his purse and
threw n goldpicce TO the man 10y the
road. Then Hc.nz cried out and east
himself face downward on the earth
Both knight and lady gave their horses
the spurs and rode hastily on
The hoof beats had long since died
away before the unfortunate man rails
ed himself up from the earth. He
wiped the dust and dirt from his face.
pressed his hat down upon his brows
and walked into the forest Without
way or path he hurried along until
night set in. Then he threw himself
under tree. wrapped his cloak around
him and sank into the sleep OF an ex-
haustcd man.
Poor Heinz slept the whole night
without dreaming until the chill OF
morning wakened him. At once his
grief again stood before him and grim
ned At him like n diabolical specter.
"Oh. II could forget cried he IF
could but forget, There is a spring
If one drinks Of it's water then van
iSheS all the past from memory. Who
viii point out 10 me the way TO the
spring."
oh called voice near him. 81 am
familiar with the spring that causes
forgetfulness and with my knowledge
will gladly he OF service 10 you"
Heinz looked down and saw before
him young fellow in tattered black
gown whose toes appeared inquisitive-
ly from out his shoes. The one repre-
senting himself as a vagrant student
spoke again:
The water called Lethe. which IL
duces fOrgetfulness. springs In Greece.
You must travel there and on the spot
inquire for the details. But II YOU
would find comfort. then accompany
me to the Blue Grape inn 1t lies not
far from here. There the landlady will
serve you with the drink OF fOrgetful-
ness. provided your purse is less empty
than mine"
So spoke the Vagrant. and Heinz rose
and followed him TO the forest inn
There both drank together the whole
day and half the night. and when they
lay socially on the bench 10y the stove
at midnight Heinz had forgotten every
thing that grieved or oppressed him
With morning light, however. torment
ing memories came again. and besides
he had a headache. Then he settled his
own and his companions score made
short parting from the vagrant student
and went forth.
"Oh. who can forget said he as he
went on his way and struck his fore
head with his clinched hand. IL must
find the spring. or shall certainly be-
come insane"
Near the road stood an old half dead
willow and on the willow sat a raven,
who turned his head toward the lonely
wanderer and looked at him atten-
lively.
Thou all knowing bird" said the
hunter TO the raven. thou knowest all
that happens on the earth. Tell me
where springs the water OF forgetful-
ness"
THAT would know myself in order
TO drink thereof. | knew Of a nest OF
seven fat. nut fed dormlce. and when ]
desired 10 look after the dear little
creatures yesterday found the martin
had emptied the nest and left not q
piece remaining. And now must
think on my own loss wherever | 20
and stay. Yes, who knows the water
of fOrgetfulness! But let me advise
You. my friend. Go to the woman in
the woods. who knows more than other
people and perhaps also knows the
spring OF fOrgetfulness." Then the
raven pointed out TO the hunter the
way to the woman In the woods Heinz
thanked the bird and went on.
The woman who lived In the woods
was at home. She sat before her cot
tage and spun. nodding her white head.
Near her sat gray cat with grass
green eyes that licked its paws and
purred meantime.
Heinz approached the old woman,
greeted her respectfully and explained
his errand
Il certainly know the spring OF for
getfulness." said the woman. land !
will not withhold a drink OF Its waters
from thee, thou poor boy. But only