The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-07

 is based on a popular legend that has survived through many centuries and is still told by the simple folk of the coun- try round about the Black Forest and the valley where the Danube has its source.
 The origin of the Hohenzollerns is traced back to a count or baron Who founded castle on the Zollern heights Tn the early part of the ninth century. Like the Hapsburgs. who became the rulers of Austria, the Hohenzollerns descend from predatory nobles, since practically all of the castle-holders of those days planted their fastnesses on the line of the great roads of traffic and there levied tribute, sometimes frankly IS loot, but generally under the guise of protection money, seig- neurage or trade-impost.
 ~ NCE the mightiest burg in all the
 upper swabia was Hohenzollern. O It lowered from a steep, conical mountain, and from it's battlements the eve could sweep far and free over beau tiful land. Further than the eye could reach spread the fear of the brave race Of the Zollerns, whose name was known in all German lands.
 Many hundred years ago Zollern ruled there who was a curious creature. It could not be said that he oppressed his subjects or that he did harm to his noble neighbors; still, none cared to cross his path, fearing his gloomy eye, his wrinkled brow and his sullen temper. Few there were who ever had heard him speak like other men, If a peasant were in his way as he rode through the country and drew off his cap hastily to say: Good day, Sir Count" the Count of Zollern re- piled: Rubbish" or Know all about it.
 If subject displeased him or peas ants cart obstructed him in narrow road his wrath unloaded itself in thun- derstorm of oaths Though 1t never hap pened that he struck a man, he was known in all the surrounding land only as "The Bad Weather of Zollern."
 The Bad Weather of zollern had a wife, gentle and good as a day In May. In the heart of summer and the snow of winter she went down the steep height to vislt the suffering. When the Count met her on such errands he remarked gruftiy: Rubbish. Know all about it.
 The Lady Hedwig von zollern loved him for all that, honored him and tried tJ smooth the IuTTONS liOiil HIS n brow with her beautiful white hand
 A little heir arrived, but the Bad Weath- CT of zollern did not look any the more pleasant During three years he saw his son only on Sundays, when the nurse brought him in after dinner. Then he would glover at him for a while and hand him to the nurse again, muttering I.somethinC into his great beard. On the (day that the boy was able to say 'Fa- tii.aF" he gave the nurse a fiorin, without shoHSing a face any more amiable.
 On tfse chids third birthday, however, he told ,the servants to attire the boy splendidly in silk and velvet. Then he ordered his .grooms to lead out his great war horse and another fine steed. He took the little fellow in his arms and de- scended the broad staircase with changing spurs. The Lady IIedwig was disturbed at the sight. Though she never ventured at other times to ask her husband where he was going, this times anxiety for her child opened her lips.
 Are you going for ride. Count?'' in uuired she timidly He did not answer.
 Still more timidly she continued: fSure- ly you would not wish to trouble y9urself with the boy. l will take him outf'
 Know all about it. said thf Bad Weather, and went on without turning his head. In tn. courtyard he lifted the lad by one foot, set him on the huge saddle, lashed him with a scarf Jand trot- ted through the portal, holding the bridle of his son S horse.
 At first the small boy seemed to enjoy riding with his father. He Glapped his hands, laughed and shook the horses mane, as if to make it go faster. The count looked less surly tha9 usual, and muttered once or twice: You may be- come a stout, bold fellow!Y
 But when they reached fthe plain and the Count spurred his hofse to sharp trot the pounding soonl knocked the child's breath from his bbdy. His senses began to leave him. He Jsobbed quietly at first; then as the horses went faster and faster, and the wind choked him, he be- came terribly frightened, and at last was crying with all his might.
 "Know it all! RulJbish!" growled his father. "A fine fellow to bawl on his first ridei Silence or--
 At that moment his horse reared, and the bridle of he other slipped from his grasp. For a space 1t required all his strength tc master his own mount. When he lookeef around, frightened, for his sons horse. he saw 1t racing back to the burg, riderless.
 Hard and sulen as he was, the sight ' To -.I,t yoI by the beard and uttered a cry. As if in answer the boys voice sounded behind him. He turned and saw an old woman sitting by the road with the lad on her lap.
 Bring the boy to me, old wtch!" roared the Count.
 Not so fast! Not so fast, your wor- shipl' laughed the old woman. ''He was hanging to his horse by one foot only. His hair was touching the ground when I caught him. Pray give me one of your Zollern-minted florins"
 ..Rubbsh!" cried the Count, tossing her a few pennies.
 NO. A fiorin is what could use" said the old woman.
 What! Florin? You aren't worth a fiorin! Bring me the boy or I will set the dogs on you"
 ''So. Am not worth forin? We'll we will see how much of your estate will be worth zollern fiorin. But the pennies you would better keep yourself" With