The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-12-17
: MINNESOTA, SUNDAY MORNING, DEcEMBER r. 1905.

Comingo and moment later he was within the city
and greatly to his surprise Weakened no one in his house
he crept softly upstairs to his A few days
later Martin startled to see his unknown friend in
close conversation with Master Marbache who frowned
as he listened.
at hoop, with hinges, and lock that
human power will be able to open,' he said and must
''In that case - said Master Marbacher, 'I cannot
undertake to fill the order. 1t will require carefully
worked out plan and the most skilful labor"
fWhat answer for the loeksmith nchief OF Wen
to make the stranger sneered Then he turned sud
denly to the apprentices and cried out there not one
among you who make lock that human force can
opens'' For moment there a dead silence, and
then Martin stepped boldly out and said in clear de-
81 will undertake the order.'' -
Master Marbacher astonished and somewhat
Jealous that this his youngest apprentice should think he
dertake He began to bully and browbeat the boy but
the stranger cut it short by saying to Martin zo ;,
That night Martin had strange dream. he thought
he in the museum of brgand who had collected
strange and curious locks from the palaces he had
One particular caught his attention. because its mech
anism ingenious that of a watch. The label
explained that the had had it made by famous
magician for the in which he had shut
up his wife, Martin made careful drawing of
the lock- and had just taken the last stroke when the floor
himself Wide awake in his own bed with the pouring
thru the window full sheet Of paper upon which,
to his amazement he the drawing which he supposed
existed only his dream. Three days later, when the
stranger appeared and demanded his lock- Martin
him hinged hoop of ron to which attached lock
made from the dream drawing. ...-.
''It is perfect'' the stranger said after close
animation and then with sudden movement he stepped
outside snapped the hoop about the trunk of larch tree
snapped the lock- slipped the key in his pocket and dis
appeared Nor was he ever seen again Martin, after
this could not considered apprentice and Master
Marbacher Jealous of his success made him ourneyman
locksmth and Martin went to Nuremburg to study with
the best master there. -. ~. -<...a.sS
Some years later he returned Vienna, and discov
cred that the City Council had offered the title and rights
of Master ourneyman locksmith who succeeded in
making key that would open the lock the iron band
encirclng the tree of the from Martin remembered
combination of the key he had originally made and
in few days had duplicated it. great throng assem-
bed in square the day of the trial. the burgomas
tiers and councillors arrayed in their gorgeous robes of
state while corporation of ocksmhs out in force
Martin politely saluted the officials and drawing
little key he made from his pocket he inserted it in
the rusty lock- and with turn of his strong wrist
opened and the hoop fell to the ground. The crowd
shouted the 1ocksmths brandishing their
hammers aloft, rushed up by and drove nail
the trunk Of the tree in of the triumph OF
their fellow worker That was the beginning OF success
for Martin. settled in Vienna and in short time
became the leading lOcksmlth.
But all this time, the bargain he had made with the
Prince of Evil lay heavily his SOUL Not once IN all
the years since that time had he missed Sunday mass
then day he suddenly thought how foolish it was
of him to fear the fulfment of such bargain. In the
reaction from his years threw himself heart and
soul into all the pleasures Of the town. He turned night
into day and his wild play at the gaming tables became
the talk of the town. Still he could not break away
from his old habit of attending mass on Sunday.
: One fatal Saturday night piece Of work detained
AiAoloS
of gaming table Once there he tried to make for
tme and the play became exciting that he lost
all count hours. Not until the landlord threw
open the shutters and the streamed them did
Martin realize that the hour for the he usually at
tended was long past. Parayzed with fear he darted
away toward the church The streets were almost desert
3D. with start of fear Martin saw the Prince of Evil
coming jauntily toward him. He started dead
for the church. hoping to reach it in time for second
mass he entered the church, the priest just
pronouncng the last words of the With groan,
the unhappy fell upon the stone flags, unconscious
and before the startled worshppers could give him aid
he Those him said that at the moment
he died. puff of smoke and flame issued from his mouth
From that time on, it became the custom for every
loeksmith who came to Vienna to drive nail
into the of the tree of ron at the time
saying prayer for the repose of the unhappy Master
T Martin IS soul.
One by one the of the forest surrounding the
"tree of iron fell before the advancing lines Of the
growing city, this Of the apprentice locksmith
was spared by consent In time, the nails be-
came 50 thick that it really difficult matter for
l. ~ ha o11.& S,nAN oe&a