The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-06-20
THE BRIDAL CHEST
Charlotte Elliott.

THE BRIDAL CHEST
Shoulderng the bundle which contained all his
worldly goods, including his carving tools Helm
rich cast last look about the room that had serv
ed both as bedchamber and Workshop and stepped
briskly down the village street. The houses of
gray plaster thanking either side were seemingly
deserted save for an occasional white head bent
over piece of knitting a group of bue-eved
children at play; for it was spring-time, and the
younger folk were up among the hills tending
their herds of cattle and making butter and cheese
With friendly nod and farewell word from
one or another of the old women, Heinrich hur-
RED on The previous evening he had said good
by to all but little Hedwig, whose business it was
to care for the flock of geese belonging to Master
Andreas Scholtz the one rich man of the COM
munity Although the sun barely up, she
must have started to the meadow with her feath-
cred companions; but why had he been unable to
ind her last night? And why were the heavy shut
ters of the house closed and the door locked?
We'll, it could not be helped. His future lay be-
tore him in the beautiful unknown world, and he
and little Hedwig would meet no more
Hardly had he left the village when voice call
ed alter him, "Whither away so fast, Heinrich?"
And, turning, he Mutter Brigitte hobbling to-
ward him,-Mutter Brigitte, with her crooked
back and searching black eyes, who was thought
to be witch by the bad boys of the place so
sure she to ferret out any unusually mis-
chievous prank. But let one of these same little
scamps fall i'll, and gentler hand could ease an
aching head or prepare a cooling draugh for a
fevered body. Heinrich, left an orphan when a
tiny fellow, loved her dearly, and learned to go to
her for guidance and sympathy.
Your blessing, Mutter Brigitte," he cried 81
am off for good, you know. Johann says he can
teach me no more, that I carve as well as he So
! must find another master"
My blessing | give thee, willingly" said the
old woman But first let tell thee a charm"
for she loved to veil her advice in some such man
ner. Under the big oak by the brook are bloom,
ing the first white voets. Pluck one, and keep
it in memory of your youth But first scoop up
a little water in the hollow of your hand One
drop let fall on the flower, a sign of purity in
your new life; one drop flick with your forefnger
toward the blue heaven, a promise. to the good
God that you will keep his Commandments and
will walk the straight and narrow path More
over, watch carefully what three things meet you
you set out"
When she had ended, Heinrich knelt to receive
her blessing, and then did as she had hidden him
AS he stopped under the oak to gather the vio4
let, the flower with its delicate penciling looked
TIP at him like the face of Hedwig; and opening
his psalm book he placed it between the leaves
Leaping over the brook, he down the steep
path leading to the plain, where, like a white rib
bon Stretched the road among the poplar trees on
and on until, in the dim distance, it stopped at
Greifenzell. Advancing toward him was a little
cloud of dust, and, as Heinrich looked closer he
the mail wagon, which once a week brought
news from the outer world
THAT is the first thing l meet" he said Now I
must mark what happens"
AS soon they enough the mail
carrier called OUT "Three in two days to leave US
Soon the village will be empty My greetings to