Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1905-05-25

- those who know everything before
Il has happened Yes. they told the
today that poor Frau Schmitt was
gone A good woman she was. too.
Indeed she vas. How did NJ hap
pen-an accident. pernapsF inquired
Dame Lopie. feelingly.
I do not know. sobbed Gretel 4
heard the news today. in Berlin. and
| started home Immediately
AT halfpast nine she left the coach
and FASTENED along her way over the
two miles which stiIl separated her
from the farm
The bright moon shOne full on tbs
road. turning the soft snow % silver
and throwing into strong relief the
black skeleton of the trees. despuiled
Of their leaves
Aloue for the nrst time since she
had read the sad news. GreteI thought
II her mother. Before ter the lonely
ruad stretched across the white felds
like a dark ribbon. ard disappeared
into the shadow of the forest
The poor little lady-s maid though,
fougingiy OF the cuach she had Ieft,
Of the compartment full Of people. ard
the noise and hustle % Berlin. oh.
AMI the stiIi more fearful noises,
As she drew near the woods hef
heart bexan to beat like trfpham
mer- II seemed as though voices we're
whispering in her ears and white
forms pointed through the bushes at
her side.
Grstel began 10 run. running until
she vas out of breath and her fying
veil caHSht on the bushes and BRAN
bles. leaving each clothed IN mourn
in<
At length she emerged into ths
moonlight once more. and in another
moment was safe in the familiar court
yard of her fathers farm.
out of breath. she paused for an In
slant on the threshold
At the same moment the door op
ened. and Gretei. terror stricken. saw
the figure Of her mother standing Be
fore her,
The little laay's maid gave a picrr
ing shrek. and fell hack. crying.
Go away. 20 away. mamma, YoI
make me afraid. for you are dead
Dame Sehuitt was equally startled
but. drawing her daughter within the
wa.rn cottage. she said. soothingly
But I au not dead. GreseI Yor.
are crazy. Why should b. dead1
Come. drink this warm milk. and
then Won Will feel better
The next day. when Max came home
from school he toanted toward his
sister. whom he hal not yet seen. cry
ing
Tell ne Gretel. wasn't that :
fue letter that I wrote you for New
Years day Don't you think you
ought to give me a little present fof
nv trouble."
Naughty boy cried GeteL Indig
nantIy. You ought 70 he given a
fine spanking. that's what
But Why" protested the hoy. -
promised would write you a ietter or
New Years day. and I did Why were
you not pleased
DO YOU know what you wrote IRE.
stupid
~of course I know, Here. viii
show you-"
And. fumblinS in his bag ot book
Max drew out a little volume wore bg
much use.
Look yourself. here are the r,osisls
for New Years letters and there was
only one which BEGAN nv dear sis
ter Don't throw the hook on the
floor. GreteI. for big Maurice lent IL
to me. and he might thrash me
And what did it saw. this fne lot
ter demanded Dame SChmitt
1t said that you we're dead and that
I must cor1e home to the funeral Here
IL is added Gretel. taking the unfor-
tunate epistle from her pocket
Dame Schmitt shuddered at the
thought Of her funeral. but. as she
unfolded the beautiful sheets OF pa
per. with its roses and doves and
hearts. she was filed with a deep re
spect.
Il don't know what IL saws" she
remarked. as she held n upside down.
but il is easy TO see that il is a fine
letter.
Then. turning to Max. she eontin-
usd:
But I'm afraid. nv son. that for
POOR people like rs you are getting -
be much too clever Too much knoNl
edge is a dangerous thing. From
the German. in y. Y Sun