CORNELLI
By JOHANNA SPYRI
FOREWORD
Many writers have suffered injustice in being known as the author of
but one book. Robinson Crusoe was not Defoe’s only masterpiece, nor
did Bunyan confine his best powers to Pilgrim’s Progress. Not one
person in ten of those who read Lorna Doone is aware that several of
Blackmore’s other novels are almost equally charming. Such, too, has
been the fate of Johanna Spyri, the Swiss authoress, whose reputation
is mistakenly supposed to rest on her story of Heidi.
To be sure, Heidi is a book that in its field can hardly be overpraised.
The winsome, kind-hearted little heroine in her mountain background
is a figure to be remembered from childhood to old age. Nevertheless,
Madame Spyri has shown here but one side of her narrative ability.
If, as I believe, the present story is here first presented to readers
of English, it must be through a strange oversight, for in it we find
a deeper treatment of character, combined with equal spirit and humor
of a different kind. Cornelli, the heroine, suffers temporarily from
the unjust suspicion of her elders, a misfortune which, it is to be
feared, still occurs frequently in the case of sensitive children. How
she was restored to herself and reinstated in her father’s affection
forms a narrative of unusual interest and truth to life. Whereas in
Heidi there is only one other childish figure--if we except the droll
peasant boy Peter--we have here a lively and varied array of children.
Manly, generous Dino; Mux, the irrepressible; and the two girls form
a truly lovable group. The grown-ups, too, are contrasted with much
humor and genuine feeling. The story of Cornelli, therefore, deserves
to equal Heidi in popularity, and there can be no question that it
will delight Madame Spyri’s admirers and will do much to increase the
love which all children feel for her unique and sympathetic genius.
CHARLES WHARTON STORK
CONTENTS
CHAPTER
I. BESIDE THE ROARING ILLER-STREAM
II. UP IN THE TOP STORY
III. NEW APPEARANCES IN ILLER-STREAM
IV. THE UNWISHED-FOR HAPPENS
V. A NEWCOMER IN ILLER-STREAM
VI. A FRIEND IS FOUND
VII. A NEW SORROW
VIII. A MOTHER
IX. A GREAT CHANGE
X. NEW LIFE IN ILLER-STREAM
CHAPTER I
BESIDE THE ROARING ILLER-STREAM
Spring had come again on the banks of the Iller-Stream, and the young
beech trees were swaying to and fro. One moment their glossy foliage
was sparkling in the sunshine, and the next a deep shadow was cast
over the leaves. A strong south wind was blowing, driving huge clouds
across the sun.
A little girl with glowing cheeks and blowing hair came running through
the wood. Her eyes sparkled with delight, while she was being driven
along by the wind, or had to fight her way against it. From her arm
was dangling a hat, which, as she raced along, seemed anxious to free
itself from the fluttering ribbons in order to fly away. The child now
slackened her pace and began to sing:
The snow’s on the meadow,
The snow’s all around,
The snow lies in heaps
All over the ground.
Hurrah, oh hurrah!
All over the ground.
Oh cuckoo from the woods,
Oh flowers so bright,
Oh kindliest sun,
Come and bring us delight!
Hurrah, oh hurrah!
Come and bring us delight!
When the swallow comes back
And the finches all sing,
I sing and I dance
For joy of the Spring.
Hurrah, oh hurrah!
For joy of the Spring.
The woods rang with her full, young voice, and her song also roused
the birds, for they, too, now carolled loudly, ready to outdo each
other. Laughingly the child sang once more with all her might:
Hurrah, oh hurrah!
For joy of the Spring.
and from all the branches sounded a many voiced chorus.
Right on the edge of the woods stood a splendid old beech tree with
a high, firm trunk, under which the child had often sought quiet and
shelter after running about in the sun. She had reached the tree now
and was looking up at the far-spreading branches, which were rocking
up and down.
The child, however, did not rest very long. Over where the wind struck
an open space, it blew as mightily as ever, and the roaring, high up
in the tree-tops, seemed to urge her on to new exertions. First she
began fighting her way against the wind, but soon she turned. Driven
by it, she flew down the steep incline to the path which led down to
the narrow valley. She kept on running till she had reached a small
wooden house, which looked down from a high bank to the roaring mountain
stream. A narrow stairway led up from the ground to the front door of
the little dwelling and to the porch, where on a wide railing were
some fragrant carnations.
The lively little girl now leaped up the steps, two at a time. Soon
she reached the top, and one could see that the house was familiar to
her.
“Martha, Martha, come out!” she called through the open door. “Have
you noticed yet how jolly the wind is to-day?”
A small old woman with gray hair now came out to greet the child. She
was dressed in the simplest fashion, and wore a tight-fitting cap on
her head. Her clothes were so very tidy and clean, however, that it
seemed as if she might have sat on a chair all day for fear of spoiling
them. Yet her hands told another tale, for they were roughened by hard
work.
“Oh, Martha,” the child said, “I just wish you knew how wonderful the
wind is to-day up there in the woods and on the hill. One has to fight
it with all one’s might, otherwise one might be blown down the mountain
side like a bird. It would be so hard then to get on one’s feet again,
wouldn’t it? Oh, I wish you knew what fun it is to be out in the wind
to-day.”
“I think I would rather not know,” said Martha, shaking the child’s
hand. “It seems to me that the wind has pulled you about quite a little.
Come, we’ll straighten you up again.”
The child’s thick dark hair was in a terrible state. What belonged on
the left side of the parting had been blown to the right, and what
belonged on the right side was thrown to the left. The little apron,
instead of being in front, hung down on the side, and from the bottom
of her skirt the braid hung loose, carrying upon it brambles and forest
leaves. First Martha combed the little girl’s hair, then she pulled
the apron into place. Finally she got a thread and needle and began
to mend the braid on the dress.
“Stop, Martha, stop, please!” Cornelli called out suddenly, pulling
her skirt away. “You must not sew, for your finger is all pricked to
pieces. There is only half of it left with those horrible marks.”
“That does not matter; just give me your little skirt,” replied Martha,
continuing her sewing. “This kind of work does not hurt me; but when
I sew heavy shirts for the farmers and the workmen in the iron works
the material is so rough that, as I push the needle in, I often prick
off little pieces of my finger.”
“Why should you have to do that, Martha? They could make their own
shirts and prick their own fingers,” cried Cornelli indignantly.
“No, no, Cornelli; do not speak like that,” replied the woman. “You
see, I am glad and grateful to be able to get work enough to earn my
living without help. I have to be thankful to our Lord for all the
good things he gives me, and especially for giving me enough strength
for my work.”
Cornelli looked about her searchingly, in the little room. It was
modestly furnished, but most scrupulously clean.
“I do not think that God gave you so very much, really, but you keep
everything so neat, and do it all yourself,” remarked Cornelli.
“I have to thank our Lord, though, that I am able to do it,” returned
Martha. “You see, Cornelli, if I had not the health to do everything
the way I like it done, who could do it for me? It is a great gift to
be able to step out every morning into the sunshine and to my
carnations. Then I thank God in my heart for the joy of a new day
before me. There are many poor people who wake up only to sorrow and
tears. They have to spend all day on their sick beds and have many
troubles besides. Can you see now, Cornelli, how grateful I have to
be to our Lord because nothing prevents me from sewing, even if I have
to prick my fingers? But I believe I hear the bell in the foundry. You
know that means supper time, so run back to the house as quickly as
you can.”
Martha knew well enough that she had to remind her little friend about
returning, for often time had been forgotten and Cornelli had had to
be sent for. But now the little girl began to run swiftly down the
incline beside the rushing stream. Soon she came to the large buildings
from which the sound of hissing fires, loud thumping and hammering
could be heard all day. The noise was so great that only the roaring
of the stream could drown it. Here were the works of the great iron
foundry, well known far and wide, since most of those who lived in the
neighborhood found employment there.
Glancing at the large doors and seeing that they were closed, Cornelli
flew by them with great bounds. In an isolated house, well raised above
the stream, lived the proprietor of the foundry. Beautiful flower
gardens were on three sides.
Cornelli approached the open space in front and was soon inside.
Flinging her hat into a corner, she entered the room where her father
was already sitting at table. He did not even look up, for he was
holding a large newspaper in front of him. As Cornelli’s soup was
waiting for her, she ate it quickly, and since her father made no
movement behind his paper, she helped herself to everything else that
was before her.
While she was nibbling on an apple, her father looked up and said: “I
see that you have caught up with me, Cornelli. You even seem to be
further along than I am. Just the same you must not come late to your
meals. It is not right, even if you get through before me. Well, as
long as you have finished, you can take this letter to the post office.
There is something in it which concerns you and which will please you.
I have to go now, but I shall tell you about it to-night.”
Cornelli was given the letter. Taking the remainder of her apple with
her, she ran outside. With leaps and bounds she followed the rushing
Iller-Stream, till the narrow path reached the wide country road. Here
stood the stately inn, which was the post office of the place. In the
open doorway stood the smiling and rotund wife of the innkeeper.
“How far are you going at this lively pace?” she smilingly asked the
child.
“I am only coming to you,” Cornelli replied. She was very much out of
breath, so she paused before adding: “I have to mail a letter.”
“Is that so? Just give it to me and we’ll attend to it,” said the
woman. Holding the hand the child had offered her, she added: “You are
well off, Cornelli, are you not? You do not know what trouble is, do
you, child?”
Cornelli shook her head.
“Yes, of course. And why should you? It does one good to see your
bright eyes. Come to see me sometimes; I like to see a happy child
like you.”
Cornelli replied that she would gladly come again. She really meant
to do so, for the woman always spoke kindly to her. After saying
good-bye, she ran away again, jumping and bounding as before. The
innkeeper’s wife meantime muttered to herself, while she looked after
Cornelli: “I really think there is nothing better than to be always
merry.”
The contents of the letter, which the little girl had taken to be
mailed, were as follows:
ILLER-STREAM, 28th of April, 18--.
MY DEAR COUSIN:
My trip to Vienna, which I have put off again and again, at last has
to be made. As I must leave in the near future, I am asking you the
great favor of spending the summer here to superintend my household.
I am counting greatly on your good influence on my child, who has had
practically no education, although Miss Mina, my housekeeper, has of
course done her best, with the help of our good Esther, who reigns in
the kitchen. Old Martha, a former nurse of my poor dead wife, has done
more than anybody else. Of course one can hardly call it education,
and I have to blame myself for this neglect. As I am so busy with my
affairs, I do not see much of my child. Besides, I know extremely
little about bringing up little girls. There is no greater misfortune
than the loss of a mother, especially such a mother as my Cornelia.
It was terrible for my poor child to lose her at the tender age of
three. Please bring a good friend with you, so that you won’t suffer
from solitude in this lonely place.
Please gladden me soon by your arrival, and oblige
Your sincere cousin,
FREDERICK HELLMUT.
That same evening, when Director Hellmut was sitting in the living
room with his daughter, he spoke of his hope that a cousin of his,
Miss Kitty Dorner, would come to stay in Iller-Stream while he was on
his trip to Vienna. He also told Cornelli to be glad of this prospect.
After a few days came the following answer:
B----, The 4th of May, 18--.
MY DEAR COUSIN:
To oblige you I shall spend the summer at your house. I have already
planned everything and I have asked my friend Miss Grideelen to
accompany me. I am very grateful that you realize how monotonous it
would have been for me to stay alone in your house all summer. You do
not need to have such disturbing thoughts about your daughter’s
education. No time has yet been lost, for these small beings do not
need the best of care at the start. They require that only when they
are ripe enough for mental influences. Such small creatures merely
vegetate, and I am quite sure Miss Mina was the right person to look
after the child’s well-being and proper nourishment. Esther, who you
say is very reliable, too, has probably helped in taking care of the
child as much as was necessary. The time may, however, have come now
when the child is in need of a proper influence in her education.
We shall not arrive before the last week of this month, for it would
be inconvenient for me to come sooner.
With best regards,
I am your cousin,
KITTY DORNER.
“Your cousin is really coming, Cornelli, and I am certain that you are
happy now,” said her father. He had read the letter while they were
having supper. “Another lady is coming, too, and with their arrival
a new delightful life will begin for you.”
Cornelli, who had never before heard anything about this relation of
her father’s, felt no joy at this news. She did not see anything
pleasing in the prospect. On the contrary, it only meant a change in
the household, which she did not in the least desire. She wanted
everything to remain as it was. She had no other wish.
Cornelli saw her father only at meals, for he spent all the rest of
his time in his business offices and in the extensive works. But the
child never felt lonely or forsaken. She always had many plans, and
there was hardly a moment when she was not occupied. Her time between
school hours always seemed much too short and the evenings only were
half as long as she wanted them to be. It was then that she loved to
walk and roam around. Her father had barely left the room, when she
again ran outside and, as usual, down the path.
At that moment the energetic Esther was coming from the garden with
a large basket on her arm. She had wisely picked some vegetables for
the following day.
“Don’t go out again, Cornelli,” she said. “Just look at the gray clouds
above the mountain! I am afraid we shall have a thunderstorm.”
“Oh, I just have to go to Martha,” replied Cornelli quickly. “I must
tell her something, and I don’t think a storm will come so soon.”
“Of course it won’t come for a long while,” called Miss Mina. Through
the open door she had overheard the warning and had stepped outside
to say: “Just go to Martha, Cornelli; the storm won’t come for a long
time, I am sure.”
So the child flew away while Esther passed Miss Mina, silently shrugging
her shoulders. That was always the way it happened when Cornelli wanted
anything. If Miss Mina thought that something should not be done,
Esther always arrived, saying that nothing on earth would be easier
than to do that very thing. Or, if she thought that Cornelli should
not do a thing, Miss Mina always helped to have it put through. The
reason for this was a very simple one: each of them wanted to be the
favorite with the child.
Cornelli, arriving at Martha’s house, shot up the stairs and into the
little room. Full of excitement, she called out: “Just think, Martha,
two strange people are coming to our house. They are two ladies from
the city, and father said that I should be glad; but I am not a bit
glad, for I do not know them. Would you be glad, Martha, if two new
people suddenly came to visit you?”
The child had to take a deep breath. She had been running fast and had
spoken terribly quickly.
“Just sit down here with me, Cornelli, and get your breath again,”
said Martha quietly. “I am sure that somebody is coming whom your
father loves, otherwise he would not tell you to be glad. When you
know them, I am sure you will feel happy.”
“Yes, perhaps. But what are you writing, Martha? I have never before
seen you write,” said the child, full of interest, for her thoughts
had been suddenly turned.
“Writing is not easy for me,” answered Martha, “and you could do it
so much better than I can. It is a long time since I have written
anything.”
“Just give it to me, Martha, and I’ll write for you if you will only
tell me what.” Cornelli readily took hold of the pen and dipped it
into the bottom of the inkstand.
“I’ll tell you about it and then you can write it in your own way; I
am sure that you can do it better than I can,” said Martha, quite
relieved. She had been sitting for a long time with a pen in her hand,
absolutely unable to find any beginning.
“You see, Cornelli,” she began, “I have been getting along so well
with my work lately that I have been able to buy a bed. For a long
time I have wanted to do that, for I already had a table and two chairs,
besides an old wardrobe. Now I have put them all into my little room
upstairs, so that I can take somebody in for the summer. Sometimes
delicate ladies or children come out of town to the country, and I
could take such good care of them. I am always at home and I could do
my usual work besides. You see, Cornelli, I wanted to put this in the
paper, but I do not know how to do it and how to begin.”
“Oh, I’ll write it so plainly that somebody is sure to come right
away,” Cornelli replied, full of zeal. “But first of all, let us look
at the little room! I am awfully anxious to see it.”
Martha was quite willing, so she led the way up a narrow stairway into
the little chamber.
“Oh, how fine it is, how lovely!” exclaimed Cornelli, running, full
of admiration, from one corner to the other. Martha had in truth fixed
it so daintily that it looked extremely pleasing. Around the windows
she had arranged curtains of some thin white material with tiny blue
flowers, and the same material had been used to cover an old wooden
case. This she had fixed as a dainty washstand. The bed and two old
chairs were likewise covered; the whole effect was very cheerful and
inviting.
“Oh, how pretty!” Cornelli exclaimed over and over again. “How could
you ever do it, Martha, or have so much money?”
“Oh no, no, it was not much, but just enough for the bed and a little
piece of material. I got the stuff very cheap, because it was a remnant.
So you really do not think it is bad, child? Do you think that somebody
would like to live here?” Martha was examining every object she had
so carefully worked over.
“Yes, of course, Martha, you can believe me,” Cornelli replied
reassuringly. “I should just love to come right away, if I did not
live here already. But now I shall write, for I know exactly what I
shall say.” Cornelli, running down stairs, dipped her pen into the ink
and began to write.
“But do not forget to say that it is in the country, and tell the name
of the place here, so that they can find me,” said Martha, fearing she
had set Cornelli a very difficult task.
“That is true, I have to say that, too,” remarked Cornelli. When she
had written the ending she began to read aloud: “If somebody should
want a nice room, he can have it with Martha Wolf. She will take good
care of delicate ladies or children and will see that they will be
comfortable. Everything is very neat and there are lovely new blue and
white covers on everything. It is in the country, in Iller-Stream,
beside the Iller-Stream, quite near the large iron works.”
Martha was thoroughly pleased. “You have said everything so clearly
that one can easily understand it,” she remarked. “I could not have
said it myself, you see, for it would have seemed like boasting. Now
if I only knew where to send it for the paper. I do not know quite
what address to write on it.”
“Oh, I know quite well what to do,” Cornelli reassured her friend, “I
shall take it quickly to the post office. Sometimes when I have taken
letters there, I have heard people say to the innkeeper: ‘This must
be put in the paper.’ Then he took it and said: ‘I’ll look after it.’
Now I shall do the same. Just give it to me, Martha.”
Once more the woman glanced through what had been written. It seemed
very strange to her that her name was going to appear in the newspaper,
but, of course, it was necessary.
“No, no, my good child,” she replied, “you have done enough for me
now. You have helped me wonderfully, and I do not want you to go there
for me. But your advice is good and I shall take the paper there
myself.”
“Oh yes, and I’ll come, too,” said Cornelli delightedly. She knew no
greater pleasure than to take a walk with her old friend, for Martha
always discovered such interesting things and could point them out to
Cornelli, telling her many, many things about them. In many places
Martha would be reminded of Cornelli’s mother; then with great
tenderness she would tell the child about her. Martha was the only one
who ever talked to Cornelli about her mother. Her father never spoke
of her; and Esther, who had been in their service for a long time,
always replied when the child wanted to talk to her about her mother:
“Do not talk, please; it only makes one sad. People shouldn’t stir up
such memories.”
“So you are coming, too?” Martha said happily. It was her greatest joy
to take a walk with her small, merry companion. Cornelli hung on her
arm, and together they wandered forth in the beautiful evening. The
storm clouds had passed over, and towards the west the sky was flaming
like fiery gold.
“Do you think, Martha, that my mother can see the golden sky as well
from inside as we see it from the outside?” asked the child, pointing
to the sunset.
“Yes, I am quite sure of that, Cornelli,” Martha eagerly answered. “If
our dear Lord lets his dwelling glow so beautifully from outside, just
think how wonderful it must be inside where the blessed are in their
happiness!”
“Why are they so glad?” Cornelli wanted to know.
“Oh, because they are freed from all sorrow and pain. They are also
glad because they know that every pain or sorrow their loved ones on
earth have to bear is only a means to bring their prayers to Him who
alone can guide them to Heaven.”
“Did my mother pray to Him, too?” asked Cornelli again.
“Yes, yes, Cornelli, you can be sure of that,” Martha reassured her.
“Your mother was a good, pious lady. Everybody should pray to be able
to go where she is.”
The two now reached the post office and gave their message to the
innkeeper and postmaster. When twilight had come and the evening bell
had long ago rung, they wandered back along the pleasant valley road
between green meadows.