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About The Alliance herald. (Alliance, Box Butte County, Neb.) 1902-1922 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 19, 1902)
to '' m l IV lh HA! KARA barn, tho Bmell of Uiy coffee la llko tho tasto of wlno to tho thirsty of tor my long tramp In tho crusty b n o w," and Karl tho Iron founder throw oft his 'huge Bltfn coat and emptied at a gulp tho brimming cup of coffeo handed him by hia sister Olga. Then placing a finger on his lip: "Var atllln, my Olga, I havo somo what to toll theo, but yonder llttlo pitcher haa long ears. So," ho con tlnuod, turning to a mtta of a girl bitting Bodntoly near the blazing flro placo, intontly ongagod in thumbing a well-worn primer book, "thou art studious, rain 1111a fllcka, ns I told theo to bo. Coma hither, my llttlo maid, and Bhow mo thy book." Ho took tho book quickly offered htm, and deftly placing in It something he secretly drew from his pocket, thrust It out of sight behind him. "Dost remember, Bwoothcart, that I told theo tho rooster pictured on tho front pngo of thy book would bring theo something If thou wort good?" "Ja, brother Karl, and so I havo been good; ask Bister Olga," said tho child, smiling up into his face. "Indeed, yes," answered Olgn, draw ing tho llttlo ulster closo into her arms, and giving her a hue and a kiss. "Thllda Is always Bweet and good." "Well, then, lot us sco what tho rooster has brought theo, my Thllda." Opening tho book, Karl pretended to bo amazed at something ho saw, and Bhowlng It to Olgn, sho raised hor hands in woll-aBsumed astonish ment. Thllda, unnblo to restrain her curiosity, suddenly ' seized tho book carelessly held lu Karl's hugu hand Just within her reach, and opening it. uttered a shout of dollght ns sho drow forth a beautiful white candy dog, with n pink ribbon round Us iiock. "Thank you, good Karl," sho said simply, pouting up hor lips for a lilss. "Nay, child, 'tis not mo thou hast to thank, but tho rooster," ho ex plained, adding: "Now, min 1111a fUcka, thou knowest that tho good Jo ban Is far away from homo, wilt go into thy chamber and pray for thy tister's betrothed? I havo that to Bay to her which thou mayst not hoar. Good child," ho continued, patting hor head as sho turnod obediently to obey. "I havo somo nows, my Blstor, about thy sweetheart. It Is of somo Im portance, Binco it tells mo that thy Johan still lives." "May tho good God so ordain," cald Olga fervently, "and may Ho restore him to my arms." "Amen," murmured Karl, "but to tho nowB. 'Tls now threo days slnco Johan went into tho dark forest to cut tho firs for tho Jul Tiedcn and returned not as ho should havo dono that same night Tho next day wo found his ax burled deop In a tree, as thou knowest, but all other trace of him was lost. Well, to-day we pen etrated as far as tho gloomy Falun mines and found his empty wallet." "And and thou didst follow his steps In tho snow?" stammered Olga. "Tell mo quickly, Karl, my brother." "That is what wo did not do, Olga, for tho reason that thero were no footprints In tho snow. Tho wallet could not havo been cast thero by- any one, for wo tracked a circle of a hun dred yards and found tho snow un broken. Moreover, a piece of ore was laid upon it as it to prevent Its being blown away. It was placed there, but not by Johan, Olga." "Thank God, ho has found a shelter thero, somq miners, perhaps. Ho nay oven now be on his way to mo," said Olga, JealouBly. "Go quickly, my brother, to meet him." "Do not raise thy hopes too high, ray Bister, neither let thy heart sink. Thy Johan Is alive, true, but the hand tLat placed his wallet where It was found was not that of a mortal. Nay bo not alarmed," ho said, putting an arm around her, for the girl was seized with a fit of trembling. "Do hravc, my sister, and all will be well If thou wilt be guided by me." "In anything and everything, my brother," Bald Olga, clasping her hands. "My soul for Johan's If need be." "Not that, kara sostcr, not that shall be required of thoo, but bravery thou must show, llttlo woman, such brav- cry as few men dare show. Thy Jo- iutn's return depends upon thee." HOLIDAY SUPPLEMENT, ton s -wr y. ot; ? VJ Sssa yss : 8 ara aa jlA "I am ready to fnco death himself," snid Olga, "only tell mo what to do." "Listen, then. I would do It for theo myself, but thou alone canst taco tho ordeal. I bellovo tno Skogfrnu " "Oh, my God, tho Skogfrau, tho ter rlblo forest witch," cried tho terror stricken maiden, falling on her knees and holding up her hands to heaven. "Spare my Johan, oh, heaven!" "So this Is thy bravery," said Karl sternly. "Itiso from thy knees and nervo thyself for an ordeal that Is not difficult, but requires bravery to tell theo. Wouldst lose thy Johan for ever? Tho Jul Tioden begins at mid night, and at that hour thou must stand alono upon tho spot whero Jo han's wallet still lies, and demand a gift from tho Skogfrau. Sho cannot refuso theo if thou arc tho first mortal to demand it at that hour. 'Tls thy only hopo, for sho has lured Johan "Johan, thy betrothed!" shrieked the can boaet, Into her power, nnd If thou shalt de mand him in the name of the Christ Child she may not refuse thy request, since at this season sho loses her power and is at tho mercy of mortals, but once only." "Thou will be closo beside me, my brother?" aBked Olga, shivering. "Within flvo hundred paces is a charmed crlclo which nono but thou may enter, but I will be Just beyond It and hear thy call for aid should aught happen requiring It. Thou must stand alono upon tho spot and say threo times, 'Skogfrau, In the namo of the Christ Child I demand a gift of thee.' Threo times, remember, my sister. She may appear terrible In her wrath and threaten thee and thy Johan, but fear not, sho will bo power- less cither to harm thee or blm. Come, prepare, for tho way U long and mid- wjm&MMmnmmmmBBmmvoK jhEjMmis lull i J! W m& Wwrll m iff HftflK r a f.fpa I'mlw WBSVte w$f- -r M I KBBP S9v v ?-' ' IBHBOraHi -J Aims,-,' 'Li ?& . -A ' vifiK, - &?? vssx ?$ m i )7 ilKoerBuy (ftpiSTMSS (jIFT night must not pass cro thou" arc" thero." "But Thllda? "Wo cannot leave tho doar child hero alono." " 'Tls all arranged with Damo Tholt la," explained Karl. "Wo shall tako tho child thlthor and Bho will sleep well. Thllda, min 1111a fllcka!" called Karl to tho child, "como hither. Hast prayed for Olga's Johan, child?" "Ja, my brother, and tho good God tells mo ho shall como homo again." "Then so shall It bo, my sweet child, but como, wouldst llko to tasto Frau Thokla's seed cakes, eh? I thought as much. Well, thou shalt as soon as I can carry theo thlthor. Come, Bwcot heart; come, Olga." Though wrapped in tho warmest of furs, Olga shlvored as sho Btood alono hag. "Girl, thou art mad. Get thee but not Johan. He Is mine, I tell thee, her arm as If to ttrlke, but amid tho silent, gloomy, wintry waste of tho forest. Not long bad Bho wait ed ore distinctly through the awful stlllnes came the clanging strokes of midnight which Karl rung upon the barrel of his gun with a hammer to warn her of the time. With a clear but quavering voice the girl called out three times: "Skogfrau, In tho name of the Christ Child, I demand a gift of thee. Skogfrau, In tho namo of tho Christ Child, I demand a gift of thee. Skogfrau, In tho name of the Christ Child, I demand a gift 6f thee." For a moment there was intense silence, then camo a rushing sound as of a tempest approaching, aud a . rasping voico spoke to her: "Why troublest thou mo, mortal? Dost thou not know that I can blast thee with a breath? Speak, what wilt thou?'' S5t rSiES BV CHA H. POBINON "In tho namo of tho Christ Child, I demand a gift of thee," was all that Olga could utter in her terror. It was a torrlblo old hag who stood before hor and hor aspect was threatening. ''Some paltry thing, I wis, a ribbon, a Jewel. Speak, mortal, whatever it may bo, 'tls thine." Growing bolder, Olga Bpoko moro firmly: "Thou haBt promised, and in tho namo of tho Christ Child thou must keep thy promise. 'Tls not a rib bon, or a Jewel, but my Johan, my be trothed, I demand of thee as thy gift." "Johan, thy betrothed!" shrieked tho hag. "Girl, thou art mad. Get theo gone, and at midnight on tho Jul Afton I will bring theo a Jewel such as nono can boast, but not Johan. He la mino, I toll thee, mlno forever. I gone, and at midnight on the Jul Afton mine forever. I will not give him up," now Olga feared her not. will not give him up," and she raised her arm as If to strike, but now Olga feared her not. "In the nam of tho Christ Child I demand Johan of thee. Thou hast promised whatever I might aBk, and I will have no other gift from thee." In vain tho old crone raved and cursed and begged the girl to tako all she possessed, but not the youth. She tore her hair and beat her breast and threatened dire vengeanco upon tho girl and her betrothed, but the clang ing of Karl's hammer gavo Olga cour age to repeat her demand: "Glvo mo my Johan In tho name of tho Christ Child." At last, the hag, worn out, said harshly: "Get thee home, and at tho stroke of midnight on tho Jul Afton I will bring theo thy Johan," then with a bitter scream she disappeared, and .Si gs3 -1 fb2t& ?; ft , Olga fell fainting In tho snow, but tho faithful Karl revived her and brought hor safely home. "Now, my sister, thou must prepare for tho Jul Afton, tho ovo of tho great day when tho Christ Child was born. Do not fear, thy Johnn will como at midnight, as tho torrlblo old hag of the forest said. I will help theo pre pare trenches of Bnow-whlto lutfisk, and heaps of kott bolar. Wo must havo a mountain of seed cakes nnd keep filled with smoking punch tho huge bowl thy father left thee. Wo must not forget tho coffee, kara sos ter, oceans of It, nor tho salt pig and tho baskets of splco bread. We shall havo tho village there, and all bo ready to greet Johan with a loud "skald," for ho will bo sadly In need of It. And tho pastor, Olga, he must be there and ho must remain there, and thou must bo ready and willing to I will bring thee a Jewel euch as none and sho raleed do as I bid thee. I have my reasons, my sister; tho Skogfrau has been de feated thus far, but she is revengeful, yet I have a plan to end her power over Johan forever. Wilt do as I say, little one?" "Ja, my brother, though It bo to do again as I did to-night." "It will not bo so terrible, my sis ter, and when thou hast done it thou wilt laugh and rejoice. Now, to bed with thee, to lay up freshness for the morrow. I will watch over tho sweet Thllda and bring her to thy arms In tho morning." Tho Jul Tleden began with Its mer rymaking and feasting. In one week, on tho Jul Afon, the Christmas Eve, the climax would be reached. There was a squealing in the pens, a squall ing, cackling and quacking in tho coops, Every oven was kept at the "V" w baking point and laden with savory toothsomo viands. Presents were drag ged out from their hiding places and marked with loving mottoes, and tho names of tho favored recipients. Thero was a general scrubbing, cleaning and -dusting, and a furbishing up of holi day garments and finery. Tho men drowned themselves in coffee, punch and branvin nnd shouted themselves hoarse with oft-repeated "skald." Tho women gossiped and cooked and cooked and gossiped, whllo the chubby children crammed their stomachs with unwonted cakes and oweetmeats unmolested. Everything was free for the taking and the priv ilege of freedom was accorded every body. Olga threw her doors wide open to the wholo village, promising a won derful surprise. Many thought sho was not very considerate on Johan's account, thinking sho would better bo going around with tearful eyes and loud lamentations, but they atd freely of her good things none tho less. Slmplo soulsv they were not awaro that the lost Johan was to be tho great Burprlse. Of course, everybody nad given him up for lost, and they were amazed that Olga should bo tho merriest maiden In tho village, and that her 'homo was to bo tho very center of tho merrymaking on tho Jul Afton. Tho pastor had been fore warned by Karl, and the good soul came prepared to fight the wicked troll for the salvation of Johan and Olga. The board groaned beneath tho weight of good cheer, nnd tho hugo bowl was kept constantly brimming with steaming punch. Thero was no fcrmal banqueting, everybody eating when the humor seized him, and Drinking whether thirsty or. not, be cause good drink was thero to bo had without tho asking. The wholo vil lage was thero wilting, for tho sur prise and nerving themselves up to withstand It by distending their stom achs. None but Olga, Karl and tho pastor know what It was to be, and even they did not know In what sbapo it would come. At last tho first stroke of midnight. Olga turned pale, Karl stood at atten tion nnd the good pastor grasped his holy book firmly In his hand. Tho last stroke was still ringing In their ears when a violent gust of wind shook tho house and tho dragging of heavy chains over the roof brought terror to tho inmates. Tho door was burst open by somo invisible force and a heavy bundle was hurled in among the amazed roysterers. An old wizened hag appeared In tho doorway :.nd screamed out abovo tho confu sion: "Girl, tako the gift of tho Christ Child, but bewaro of my vengeance. Shouldst thou accept any other gift- beforo thou hast fully accepted this, then shall it return to mo and be mlno forever." Johan was quickly restored by co pious libations of hot punch, and when able to stand on his feet, Karl put his hand in that of Olga and gavo . tho pastor a singal. Forthwith, Olga took Johan for her husband, and when tho final words were spoken, a tem Dest again shook tho houso, heavy chains were again dragged across tho roof, and after shrieks of demoniac laughter, all was still without. With tears and laughter, Olga grasped her brother's hand, and then threw herself Into the armB of her husband,. the gift of tho Christ Child, forever free from the thralls of tho Skogfrau. Early Christmas Music. Both in Germany and in England in olden times the custom prevailed among young choristers of going through the streets in bands early on Christmas morning and singing Christmas hymns and carols for alms before tho houses of tho rich. A familiar picture is that of Martin Luther when a boy singing In the streets at Christmas dawn. Several cf the most familiar German Christ mas hymnB were harmonized early in the seventeenth century by Jacob Praetorious to melodies composed about tho middle of the sixteenth century by Luther. One of the great est masters of German music, Johann Sebastian Bach, when a pupil at the choir and grammar school at St. Michael's, in Luneberg, walked tho streets early Christmas morning sing ing theso "waits," with his fellow choristers, between whom and those of another school tho musical rivalry was so Intense that tho authorities were obliged to map out separate routes for them in order to prevent their meeting and coming to blows. ' rl a r ? 'ifcjfc..ttff'sewiM.iwa "Vbr' --