The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-27
BRUNHILDA
AND BODE
BY LOUIS c. WARD.

Summertime had come and the woods
and fields around HomecrOft were green
with a new life. School tasks were over for
another year and the little cousins had
fastened from the hot. dry city out to
Grandpa Drew's TO spend their vacation
Uncle Frank, too, was there. very dignifed
and wise-loosng. as most young men are
who have been 10 college. We may be very
sure, however. that the little folks were
not at all afraid of him. for children some
how have a way of seeing through the
masks that people wear and getting at the
true thoughts OF the people about them.
And so. as Uncle Frank was really very
goodnatured fellow, the cousins were not
at all dismayed By the frown upon his
forehead. For this reason, perhaps. one fine
evening when they were all sitting on the
great stone steps watching the sun go down
behind the hilIs-for this reason, perhaps,
DandeliOn asked for a story. Before he
could tell what kind Of a story ne wished,
MayblossOm cried out:
Uncle. were all the brave people of old
times men? You never tell US about brave
girls"
The young man smiled.
"A very good question, he said And it
reminds me that one of the very bravest
persons 1 ever heard about "A girl; and
you shall have the story whenever you be-
come quiet enough to listen to it."
With this promise on Uncle Franks part,
the circle soon became quiet: and then the
story-teler began.
"A long time ago" he said. northern
Europe, and especially the mountains of
Germany. was inhabited by race Of
giants. terrible because of their immense
size and their ferceness. 1t was said OF
them that any one OF their number. armed
only with his club. was more than a match
for any army OF ordinary people After
their battles with the nations round about
they held great feasts. devouring the
bodies Of the men they had slain in the
fight. Thus, with their great strength
and their cruel deeds they kept their poor
neighbors frightened all the time.
THE king of the giants was called Bode.
Huger and fiercer than his subjects, his
name itself was enough to make the noun
tain people tremble. The other giants.
too. were afraid of him, but they defended
him in battle as well as they were able;
for a wise man had once foretold that
when the giant king died all his subjects
would die also. So We may be certain that
whenever Bode went into a battle the other
giants fought at least as bravely and as
fiercey as he.
Although Bode was such a cruel fellow
toward the other giants and all his neigh
hprs. there were two creatures which he
always treated kindly and which he loved
almost as we'll as himself These were his
two giant horses. Snowcoud and Thunder.
The former was the steed which the giant
used in the parades and professions on
holidays and after he had won a great vic
tory. II was snowy white and had the
brightest glittering eyes that ever shone
in horses head except perhaps, in Thun-
der's. Men who knew about horses often
said that Snowcloud could run very swiftly
If he had a chance. But Thunder was
BODIES favorite bsttlehorse, and so people
knew better what he was able TO do. Black
as the darkest night. with lightning flash
ing from his eyes. it is no wonder that he
frightened his masters enemies almost as
much as the giant himself did. At any
rate they were very much afraid of the
black steed; but somehow. although Snow
cloud was every whit big and had eyes
just as bright, nobody ever feared him.
''On the other side OK the mountain from
the giants country" Uncle Frank con-
tinued there lived a king named Hagen.
so fair as his. Great level fields Of waving
wheat carpeted the broad valley floor. Be
yond the grain fields were the green hills
upon which flock after flock of sheep were
feeding Further away still, and forming
the hay blue sky line, were the mountains
from which the gold and silver and precious
stones were brought 10 the kings castle.
All 1t was a lovely scene. and the liveliest
thing in il the kings beautiful daugh-
ter Brunhilda. Stories of her wonderful
blue eyes and her marvellous golden hair
had been carried to every land by the
singers who at that time roamed from
court TO court. Thus It happened that every
day saw new prince king at her
fathers palace. come to demand her in mar
riage. Some brought vast gifts of gold and
silver and fine cloths. some came with
armies of slaves 10 show how wealthy they
were. But Brunhildia cared for none of
these. The prince Of the Hartz mountains
brought neither wealth nor slaves; but his
manly grace and strength won the heart of
the beautiful girl and she promised to be
his wife. Thereupon King Hagen dismissed
she other suitors. and began TO make ready
for Brunhildas wedding The prince re-
turned into his own country In order to
tell his people the good news and to pre-
pare his castle for his bride.
THE day after the prince started for his
home. while Brunhilda and her father sat
talking in the castle. they heard heavy.
rumbling noise approaching them. King
Hagen stepped 10 the window and trembled
from head to foot at what he saw. There.
coming down the hillside. riding upon the
black horse and leading the white, was the
terrible Bode. He seemed TO be in merry
mood. for he smiled as he looked about him
upon the fields and hills. But there was no
merriment for Brunhilda and Hagen, for
they could not guess what the giant wished.
However. they were soon to learn. In a lit
tie while a tremendous knocking at the
palace gate showed the near approach of
Bode. few minutes aftervard he rode
into the yard. so huge that he seemed to
MI all the space in front of the castle.
by this time Hagen had come to the
door. very much frightened. but determined
10 put up very brave appearance And
so he cried out:
3" Good morning. Bode. What can 1 do
for you to-day?
oh, nothing much replied the giant
i have only come TO ask you for the beau