Twighlight Stories

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1904 edition. Excerpt: ... GERMELSHAUSEN. One beautiful day in autumn, about fifty years ago, a vigorous young man, a knapsack upon his back and a staff in his hand, was walking slowly along the broad highway between Marisfeld and Wichtelhausen. He was no traveling mechanic, going from place to place, seeking work; one could see that at the first glance, even if the little portfolio strapped upon his knapsack had not betrayed him. His black, broad brimmed hat, his black curly hair, the small yet full beard, all indicated the artist--as well as the somewhat worn black velvet coat, which was rather warm for this bright sunny day. When he was about a mile from Marisfeld he heard the bells ringing for church, and he stopped and listened attentively to the full tones which' the wind wafted over to him. After the bells ceased he still stood there and looked dreamily over the mountain slope. He thought of his mother and his brothers and sisters in the little peaceful village among the mountains. He took off his hat and greeted with an affectionate smile the direction in which his home lay, then grasping his staff firmly he stepped briskly along the way. The sun shone warm upon the broad monotonous roadway, where the dust lay in a thick crust, and our wanderer looked right and left to see if there was not a more comfortable footpath through the fields. A path branched off to the right, but it would lead him too far out of his way, so he continued in the highway until he came to a little mountain stream where there were the ruins of an old stone bridge. On the other side of the stream ran a grassy path which led down into the valley, and stepping on some great stones he crossed the stream dry shod and went merrily on his way in the shadow of the thick alder bushes. "How...