The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-02


resounded. 1t seemed if big trees were
being split. The boys wanted to look
out, but the grandfather said sternly,
"Who goes out tonight will not return.
The Hollander Michel is Telling new raft
for himself
Peter Munk was eager to learn more.
1.-The Hollander Michel Is the bad spirit
of this forest" said the old man. Il will
tell you what l know.
"A hundred years and more ago rich
lumberman lived here. One evening came
to the door a man such as he had never
seen. His costume was that of the Black.
Forest lumbermen, but he was full head
taller than the tallest. His name was
Michel, and he was such lumberman
as his master never had had before. He
could chop down more trees than any
three men. If tree was SO huge that SIX
men were needed to lift one end he could
lift tho other alone.
After some months he asked permits
sion to take a raft down the Rhine. The
raft was huge; but Michel brought eight
immense logs, the greatest that any mans
eyes had ever beheld in the Black Forest.
No one knows to this day where he felled
them. He said: These are to float me.
I cannot use your little shavings
His master wanted to give him boots.
but he brought ont a pair which made
everybody stare My grandfather has as
1.-THE raft departed; and If Michel had
surprised the woodchoppers before, now
he surprised the raftsmen Instead OF
being retarded by the mighty logs, the
raft sped like an arrow When they
reached a bend in the river Michel would
leap into the water and push the entire
raft to right or to left to keep 1t in the
channel When they reached deep place
he drove his enormous pole down to the
bottom and showed the raft SO that land
and trees seemed to shoot past.
"Thus I'm half the usual time they
reached Cologne on the Rhine, where
they generally sold their lumber, Michel.
however, proposed that they take the raft
to Holland. where they could get more
money. We can keep the difference
said he.
1.-THE others agreed Michel guided the
raft and brought it quickly to Rotterdam.
There they got four times the ordinary
price, and the vast logs owned by Michel
himself brought an especially large sum.
The men of the Black Forest could hard
ly contain themselves for Joy when they
saw all this money. Michel divided the
gold; one part for the owner at home,
and the other three parts among the men.
Then they all went to the taverns and
spent the money in drink and gambling.
From that time Holland became the
paradise of the Black Forests young
lnog while the lumber masters did not
know about 1T; but money, drunkenness,
gambling and wickedness came from
Holland up the Rhine.
when the truth finally came out, the
Hollander Michel disappeared; but he is
not dead. He haunts this forest and he
has helped many to become rich, but only
for the price of their poor souls.
~ dare not say more but this is GER
tain-on stormy nights he selects the fin
est pines on the Tannenbuhl where one
should not cut. With these he drives
down the river to Holland. Were | mas
ter In Holland, would fire on him with
shrapnel, for every ship that has even
one of Hollander Michers logs in it must
sink.
81 want nothing from him. No wealth
would tempt me to be in the skin of the
Fat Ezekiel the Long Schlurker and the
Dance King.
Next day Peter started homeward. He
had to cross the Tannenbuhl again. Just
as he reached its green darkness gi-
gantic raftsman stepped toward him. On
his shoulder he carried pike pole made
of a whole tree. Peter Munk nearly sank
to his knees with fright
"Peter Munk," said the giant, "I saw
you trying to beg of the little one. He is
q miser | am sorry for you How many
hundred dollars do you need for be-
ginning|
He ratified money in his pocket. Pc
ter's heart leaped spasmodically He ran
away at top speed saying: THANK you
| know you. | want nothing from YOUR
Though he was running with all his
might the giant walked with enormous
strides by his side and muttered: You
will regret 1t. Listen to one word more
The end of my territory is just ahead"
When Peter heard this he saw a small
ditch and made a desperate leap over it.
The giant hurled his huge pole. sIn splin-
tered in the air as against an invisible
wall A long piece fell near him.
He picked it up. Instantly it began to
move, and. to his horror. he saw that it
had changed to big snake. 1t struck
at him. The next moment a great forest
cock swooped down, seized the snake
and carried it away, while the Hollander
Michel roared and ragged.
Most terribly frightened, Peter continued
his way, until he found himself again in
front of the great pine. He bowed anu
said
Lord of the forests treasury.
Thou hast seen many GENTRY,
Thine is all land where pine trees be.
A Sunday child petitions thee.
'You haven't quite hit It," said thin
voice; but since it is you, l will let
1t suffice"
Peter saw an old man in a blacl, coat
and red stockings. with great hac lie
smoked pipe Of blue glass AS Peter APP
preached he saw that clothing, shoes and
hat were all made of the same male 'ia!,
but quite pliable, as If it were. still Il IT.
80 you met that ruffian the Hol'ar1er
Michel" said the little man. "Wcll
have taken his trick pole away, at any
rate. Now, Peter, know what you want.
If you will work honestly will help you.
You may have three wishes. Two l will
grant whatever they may be. The third
I will refuse if 1t is foolish"
"Hurrah.'' said Peter. Then for my
first wish / wish that could dance bet
ter even than the Dance King and tina.
/ might always have as much money IN
my pocket as the Fat Ezekiel.S
''Fool!' cried the maniliin. "Sce to it
that you wish more w:st.y for your sec
ond wish!'
Peter scratched his head and said: 81
wish l had the best and biggest glass fac
tory in the whole forest, with all the
money necessary to run it,
Very WELL" said the littlo man. Here
are $1,000 Do not come for more. If you
do shall hang you to the highest tree
He stuffed his pipe with pine cones and
vanished in a mighty cloud of smoke.
The very next day Peter Munk bought
the best glass factory in the district. For
while he was greatly Interested; hut
after few weeks he left tho Work 20 his
men and spent all his time 10 the lav-
ems.
One day when he entered a forest inn he
saw the Fat Ezekiel tiii owing dice. At
once, his hand went to mis- pocket. 2 he
Glass Man had kept MS word His pocket
was full of gold and silver.
10 ma IN 4 ne. II n