The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1900-02-27

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 tie foot of the cas-
| tie hill, where the winding road led up
ward, he heszd hoof strokes and a sill
very laugh that cut him to the soul like
double edged blade. and down the
way came the lady of the castle riding
on a white horse. and on her left a
stately knight clad in rich raiment rode
on glossy black steed and 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 stone like beggar,
| and as the pair came near him he sang:
s'The sun ascends high in the heaven above,
But higher, still higher, scars secret love-"
The proud knight reined in his horse
and, pointing with his whip toward the
hunter, asked his companions:
what means this? Who is the
man?'
The blood left the countess cheeks,
but she quickly controlled herself and
answered:
"An insane hunter. Come, let US
hasten on. l am filled with fear in his
presence"
But the knight loosed his purse and
threw goIdpiece to the man by the
| oyio ct
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 a tree, wrapped his cloak around
him and sank into the sleep of an eX
hausted 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 grin
ned at him like diabolical specter.
"Oh, ii could forgetv' cried he. "Ii
could but forget! There is a spring
If one drinks of its water then van
ishes all the past from memory. Who
will point out 10 me the way to the
spring?'
''Oh," called voice near him, 81 an
familiar with the spring that causes
forgetfulness and with my knowledge
viii gladly be of service to. you"
Heinz looked down and saw before
him young fellow in a 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 in
duces forgetfulness, springs in Greece
You must travel there and on the spot
inquire for the details. But if yor
would find comfort, then accompany
me to the Blue Grape inn. 1t lies no
, far from here. There the landlady will
serve you with the drink of forgetful
, ness, provided your purse is less empt.
than mine."
So spoke the vagrant, and Heinz roS,
and followed him to the forest inn
There both drank together the whole
day and half the night, and when the!
, lay socially on the bench by the stow,
. at midnight Heinz had forgotten every
thing that grieved or oppressed him
With morning light, however, torment
ing memories came again, and besides
ho ho6 q hn
own and his companions score, mad
short parting from the vagrant studen
and went forth.
'Oh, who can forgetpa said he as b.
went on his way and struck his fore
head with his clinched hand. 81 mus
find the spring, or shall certainly be
o come insane"
Near the road stood an old half dea,
: willow, and on the willow sat a raven
who turned his head toward the lionel.
, wanderer and looked at him atten
lively.
j "Thou all knowing bird" said tn
hunter to the raven, ''thou knowest al
that happens on the earth. Tell m
where springs the water of forgetful
+ lness''
= "That would l know myself in orde
o to drink thereof. l knew of a nest O
seven fat, nut fed dOrmice, and when
/ desired to look after the dear littl
y creatures yesterday l found the marti
+ had emptied the nest and left not
piece remaining. And now must
think on my own loss wherever l G
and stay. Yes, who knows the waite
G of forgetfulness! But let ME advis
a you, my friend. Go to the woman i
r the woods. who knows more than Othe
V people and perhaps also knows til
n spring of forgetfulness." Then tn
f raven pointed out to the hunter th
way to the woman in the woods. Helm
thanked the bird and went on.
The woman who lived in the wood
l. was at home. She sat before her co
% tage and spun, nodding her white hea,
o Near her sat a gray cat with gras
s green eyes that licked it's paws an
d purred meantime.
Heinz approached the old woman
q greeted her respectfully and explaine
e. his errand.
Is 81 certainly know the spring of 70
u getfulness." said the woman, land
IS will not withhold a drink of its water
n from thee, thou poor boy. But onl
~ death is for naught-if thou wilt hay
t a cup of this precious drink thou mu:
" first perform three tasks for me- Wi
r thou do thisY'
Y. eff | can"
ID 81 demand nothing impossible {
e. thee. Thou shalt first fell for me IL
lie forest behind my house. That is IL
g first task