Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-04-14

HERE IL an old castle on the
Rhine which, like most old cas-
tics. has n story of its own. | Is
surrounded by a high wall. which
ase has covered with moss ana
lchen.
In this castle there once dwet
a little girl and boy with their uncle. who
was their guardian. About half mile
from the castle is a high tower. Up in the
very top OF the tower is little glass room.
and in this room Is a large telescope That
was n favorite place for Hans and Gretel
to spend their time, but the old nurse. Ret +
tina, always went with them. Hans and
Grctel were as happy AZ the day was long,
although they knew nothing Of lie cut
side Of the high wall.
one day their uncle went off on long
Journey. week later he returned. bring
ing with him some strange men. whose
rough looks and loud talk frightened
Hans and Gretel But when their uncle
called the children to him ana said, See
what have brought YOU. little ones" they
forgot their fright in looking at the pretty
things spread out before them. For Gretcl
there was beautiful doh and n silk gown
and for Hans silver handled riding whir
and honbons which came from the won
dcrful city many. many miles distant.
But Bettna. who loved the children
dearly, could not forget the looks of the
rough men, aud when, after the chidror
talk and the clnk Of glasses in the dining
hail. she crept down stairs very softly
listened at the door and heard the wick I'd
uncle planning with his friends to Kill the
children and thus gain all their muney
and the castle. 1t was now Friday. ano
the wicked deed was To be done on the FOL
lowing Monday.
Sad at heart. the old nurse crcpt softly
up the stairs into the room whore. in the
pure moonlight, Hans and Gretcl lay fast
asleep. Bettina opened the window nnt
looked out. What JOY filed her heart rs
she saw the round. friendly face of hen
old friend, the moon As his RAYS ehon,
further and further into the little room
pan of escape began to form in her mind
The evening of the next day Hans ana
Gretel begged To 20 to the tower. as usual
and look at the beautiful landscape by
moonlight. 50 Bottna wrapped them NJ
warmly, took some little cakes and fla sl
Of wine and they started. Everywhere the
country was covered with soft white
Iantle-"li<e falrvland," the children said
Is the snow sparkled and the moonlight
flooded the meadows. On they went. owe,
the little bridge whore in summer a brool
Gang its song of gladness and through tn,
moonlit meadows, on the crust, wnic,
fid not even crack under their feet. Prett,
soon they reached the tower. The ole
nurse turned the huge key IN rs lock anc
tney entered the little glass room Thei
Bettina heated the wine and gave the
children the cakes and very soon they werc
as warm toast.
Now let us look Off" exclaimed Hans
patiently.
Wait a moment" said the old nurse
land | will show you something YOU hav.
never seen before. You did not know tina
tomorrow night is the time when tn.
fairies meet in their magic circle ] vii
show you the place There Is no snow
there and the grass is as green as in sum
mer."
Then she turned the big telescop, on IT,
oiled hinges. so that II pointed to a noun
tain many miles distant.