Year: 1873

The Dreaming Beech.


So - M-s ss.E


More than a hundred years have
passed since it was struck by lightning
and split from top to bottom, and the
plow has well furrOwed the place where
it grew. Before that time the mighty
old beech tree stood, some hundred
yards from the first houses Of the VIII
lage, on grassy mound, atree such as
one never sees these days, because
animals, plants, trees, and men, are
becoming small and mean.


The peasants said the tree dated from
the early Christian era, and that q
holy apostle had been massacred be-
meath it by the false heather; that tine
roots of the tree had drunk up the
apostles blood, which, rising through
the trunk and branches, had made
them SO large and strong. Who knows
IL the legend be true2 Anyhow, there
was certainly one curious fact con-
cerning the tree, and everybody In the
village knew about it, small and great.
Whoever fell asleep under the tree and
dreampt dream, that dream would
surely come true. So, from time i'm
memorial, it was called the Dreaming
Beech, and no one knew it by any
other name. -A-l'


There was, however, peculiar con-
dition attached to the dreaming, and
If anybody lay down under the beech
with the idea of dreaming some one
particular thing, then the dream would
be sure to be nothing but confusion
and rubbish and nonsense Of all sorts,
OF which no one could make either
head or tail. Now this was assuredly
rather a difficult stipulation, because
most people are so very likely TO think
of what lies nearest the heart; conse-
quently at the time the story COM
mences not a man or woman had ever
tried the plan with success. Still, for
all that, il was not to be denied but
that the tradition of the DreanNing
Beech was true.


One hot summer day when not a
breath of air stirred, poor journey
man came wandering along the road.
Things had gone very badly with him
for many years in foreign parts.
When he reached the village he turn
ed his pockets inside out for the last
! time, but, alas they We're empty,nny


"What an I to do y he Thought to
himself, II am tired to deetii but mo
one will take me in for nothing, and
it is hard to beg.,t Just then his eyes
fell upon the noble beech tree, on the
green grassy slope; and as it stood
only few yards from the road, he
laid himself down under 1t to rest. a
gentle breeze sprung up and rustled
amongst the branches, whilst here and
there q gleam of glittering sunshine
fell as the leaves were moved, disclos-
ing glimpses of the deep blue sky be-
yOnd. Then the tired wanderer closed
his eyes and slept. Whilst he was
thus soundly sleeping, q branch
dropped from the beech tree, with
three leaves on it, which fell just on
his breast. He dreamt that he sat at
Iatable, in most cosy room; and the
| table was his own, and the room, and,
indeed the whole house. Atthe table,
leaning on it with both hands, stood a
young woman, looking lovingly at
him, and that was his wife. On his
knees sat child, whom he was feed
ing with soup, and because the soup
was too hot, he blew upon the spoon
too cool it. Then his wife cried out,
laughingly, "What a capital nurse
you make 10 Junnping at50ut the
room was another child-a fat, rosy
checked urchiR-dragging about a
large carrot, to which lie had tied
string. Snd shooting out .sFaIly lol! %
as il it were the finest fox. And both
children were his own.


This was his dream and it must
have been a very pleasant dream, for
bis whole face beamed, in his sleep,
with happiness.


When, be awoks it was aImosteveu-,
ing, and before him stood shepherd,
smoking. He sprang up from the
ground, much refreshed; stretched
himself, and yawned, saying:


Heavens If it were only trHel but,
at all events, It was pleasant to know
how il would all feel!n


Then the shepherd came up and
asked whence he came, and whittier
he was going, and whether he had
ever heard Of the wonderful Beech?


Having learned that he was as in
neeent about it as q newborn babe,
he exclaimed:


swell, you're q lucky dog! For any,
one could read in your face Yea were
dreaming something pleasant Iwas
looking at you for long time, as you
lay there.e Aud be told him the PEI
culiar virtue OF the tree. "Itis suns to
come true" he added, "as certain as
that this is q sheep, and that lamb.
ASK the people in the village if it is
not so. Now Just tell me what you
dreamt."


%Old fellow" answered the young
man grinning, 6that's the way, is it,
you question strangers in these parts
I mean to keep my beautiful dream to
myself, and you can't be surprised at
that. But for all that notking Will
come Of it," and he really believed
what he was saying, for as he walked
towards the village he murmured to
himself, ''Stuff and nonsense! old
wives talesl 1 should like to know
how q tree could come by such powerv'
q AS he ean16 into the village he saw
stuck out faaln the roof OF the third
house d long pole with q golden crown
dangling from it. And below at the
door stood the landlord of the Crown
Inn. He happened just then to be in
q good humOr, for he had very good
supper, and was feeling in consequence
quite happy and genial. So the young
labOrer pulled of his hat and asked
/ for nights shelter. The landlord
Hooked at the smart lad, and then,
kindly nodding, said. to him: g e


qSit down here IN this arbor. 1
dare say there's a bit of bread and
cheese and a jug of beer to spare for
ye, and truss of straw in the loft at
night"


WhereHpOn he went into the house
and sent out his daughter with the
bread and cheese and beer, and she sat
down beside the young man and ask
ed him to tell her of the foreign lands
and in return told him all the village
gossip, and how the corn stood and
when the next dance at the cr6Yn
would bea


Suddsnly abe rose, leaned toward
the stranger and said:


HPray Usll me what those three
leaves are, sticking out of y0Ir waist
coat ?''


The young man locked down and
found the twie, with fhe three leaves,
which had fallen upon him while he
slept. It was caught in the flap Of BIS
Haiste0at. Flcgn Il
\ ~9t must have fallen from the crest
beech tree just oatside the villsge,"
he seplied. II had a nap under IT,"


The girl listened attentively, wait
ing to hear what he would say next.
When he had ceased speaking. she
lbegan to question him parrOwly, till