The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1911-11-27
A Legend
BY AMBROSE L. TURNER
Copyright by American Press Assoc
citation. 1871.

Several hundred years ago everybody
believed In a personal devil whose
business 1t was to mingle with human
beings and tempt them from virtue.
Hans Bewner was a sutton for the
hand Of Gretchen Staebel. Gretchen's
father was much respected in the com.
munity for his problty and piety, and
young Hans was 80 religiously inclin.
ed that he thought of being a priest.
But so deep was the love between him
and Gretchen that he realized that he
would wreck her happiness as well as
his own II he entered church where
celibacy is imposed on the clergy, and
he gave up what he really preferred.
Nevertheless he was considered to be
well nigh a saint.
One evening Hans and Gretchen and
their relatives and friends were gath
cred at the Staebel home to celebrate
the betrothal of Hans and Gretchen.
In the midst OF the festivities a knock
was heard at the door. and young
man. strikingly handsome, was adj
mitted. who said that he was trav-
eler on his way to Munich and begged
to be permitted to pass the night In
the house. Hospitality Of this kind
was usunl in those days, and the
Young man. who gave his name as
Herman, was not only promised a
nights lodging, but was invited to
take part in the festivities.
The stranger soon became the life
of the party. Brilliant sayings fell
from his tongue that astonished and
delighted the company. He suggested
different methods of amusement and
at last, pulling from his pockets cards
similar to the playing cards in vogue
today. offered to show those assembled
game. All were pleased at learning
some novel amusement and assented
readily. Herman proposed first to
show three Of them how TO play the
game. after which the rest might d.
vide into sets of three, each three play
ing separately.
Those chosen to be taught the game
were Hans and Gretchen. The teacher
dealt the cards and showed them how
TO play one hand and then another
and by this time they knew enough
about It TO play It. Those looking on
then proceeded to arrange themselves
at tables. and presently the whole
company were deeply Immersed in the
amusement introduced by the hand
some stranger.
Herman was extremely deferential
TO Gretchen. Every now and again
he would show his white teeth in
smile under his exquisitely cut lips
and mustache. the carefully waxed
ends OF which pointed upward More
over, bis eyes were constantly meeting
hers and seemed to produce upon her
a marked impression AZ first she at
tempted to turn hers away, but she
soon lost the power TO do this. In
deed. she seemed like a bird charmed
by the eyes Of serpent.
II was not long before Hans noticed
that his betrothed was being fascinat
cd by the stranger. But, being a mild
man. more devoted to say
Ing his prayers than to quarreling, be
held his peace. hoping that no great
harm was being done and on the NOR
row Herman would have journeyed on
and been forgotten. But Gretchen
seemed not only attracted by the
stranger, but to have been seized with
a sudden aversion for her lover When
Hans called her attention to a mistake
she was making in her play she gave
him a sharp answer. When he pro
tested at some unfair advantage taken
Of him in the cards by Herman she
abused him. taking the latter's part,
1t soon came about that the game
was rather between Hans and Her
man for Gretchen than in the cards
Herman became holder and holder in
his attentions TO her. and she seemed
10 have been bewitched BY him. He