Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1901-06-08
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Marienthal.

Some places never seem to change.
Year by year they remain unaltcrcd,
and when we return to them after alb
sence we recognize every stone and
every tree as n we'll known friend
seems who greets us, while the I'M
disbelieve the fight of time. Maren-
thai is place of this kind. 1t never
grows; 1t never changes One of its
characteristics may be seen in its pic
mic parties-that it, the terrific prcpon-
derance of the fair sex.
The hustle and activity before the
inn are not in keeping with the scene
around In front the shining waters,
then the blooming gardens and quaint
houses of the village, then beyond that
and to the right rise, waving in soft
curves one above the other, the hills,
covered with the far extending forest.
He was perfect stranger, middle
aged man, apparently very ordinary
person, but dressed in a fashionable
stopped, looked round and smiled
strangely; then. to the disappointment
of the observers, he walked straight to
the entrance of path round the head
of the lake and disappeared. The
guard of the mail had told the porter
at the inn that the stranger was a rich
Englishman. Within five minutes that
report had circulated all around and
none for moment supposed that the
object of their attention had BEEN 20
years ago, one of the naughtiest boys
that had ever disturbed the heart of
Marienthal parent.
Joseph Stieler, the forester's only
son, after being the plague of his ma.
tive village for some years, had, at the
age of IA, disappeared from it and been
long since forgotten. Ills parents had
sought for him in vain. The village
people whispered to each other of the
hidden caves in the depths of the for
est, where all who entered must sleep
for 100 years. of fierce stays or Of gen.
tie fawnS who are elves in disguise
Stielcr had simply made his way to
America and his fortune there. He
loved money and won plenty. He mar
ricd a charming American wife, who
cared more for his money than for him
self, and for years, living in the whirl
of money making excitement, he had
hardly taken one look back at his old
home or his parents. lie was rather
ashamed of them. He wished he had
been born in America.
But during bis recovery from a Sc
we're illness his thoughts fastened
themselves on his youthful days, ana
he felt an unaccountable longing for
the simple, kindly ways Of Marienthal
He suddenly formed resolution to as
tonish his birthplace. He would go In
all splendor and bring over his parents
and his little sister to share his wealth.
His pretty little Laura! AS he boast
ed of Laura's beauty to his wife she
quietly reminded him that Laura must
be nearly 40 now. That gave him a
shock and first made him realize how
long he had neglected his parents. So
he came to Marienthal and smiled to
see everything just the same. There
was the stork. just as when he threw
stone at him. Schneider Schmidts
apple tree hung as temptingly as ever
over the wall. The lime tree looked as
easy to climb as ever. He began to
feel quite fond of the place in conde-
scendng way, as he recognized so
many things, and they reminded him
of so much that he had forgotten.
There by the rushes he had tumbled
into the pond. and Hans Kranach had
fished him out What had become of
Hans. he wondered. lie would like to
do something for him. There was the
stone where Laura used to sit and sing
for him when he was quite little fell
low. He began to feel that he might
have written to Laura. 1t was cruel to
send no word for so long, but he would
make 1t all up gloriouSly now.
He turned the corner and came into
the well known road. There were the
familiar low houses. and there. to the
right. his old home, so simple. so neat,
but boasting. as the forester's house.
pair of anllcrs over the door, He was
surprised TO find himself trembling and
stood still For the first time it struck
him that perhaps all might not be just
rs he had left 1t. He knocked at the
door. A plain young woman. in the linen
bodice and full blue petticoat which
peasants wear about here. came for
ward. He asked if the forester was in.
NO: the duke has great hunt today
in the forest near Illeben. and the for
ester must be in attendance"
"But the Frau ForesterinT'
"My mother Is an invalid. and
"Your mother? Are you. then. Lau-
ra's chld?"
mo: | don't understand you. am
Alma Winter. and Forester Winter is
my father"
Then where is Forester StielerT
1.-The old foresterI Oh. he died years
Ego. We have been here ever so long"
Then by questioning he learned from
her the whole tale. His father had
been killed Is years ago by the falling
of tree. His mother had died shortly
afterward of grief. Laura had lived
first AT one place and then at another,
working for her bread. II could not
bear old Laura Stieler." said Alma.
she was bad tempered old thing.
She used to say that her brother would
come back for her some day She did
not say 1t to the people of the village
because they know he is dead long ago,