The judge's wife and her brother were just about entering their
carriage to return home, when a messenger came from Anton to say that
Thoma and Peter must come immediately to the mill. The messenger told
them that Anton had rescued the ex-bailiff from the water with great
danger to his own life, and that the horse was drowned.
"But my father! Is he alive?" asked Thoma.
The messenger said that when he left they were trying to restore him,
and he seemed to show signs of life.
The carriage was quickly turned round, for her guests wished to
accompany Thoma. Word was sent to the field for Peter to follow at
once.
They drove down into the valley as quickly as the roads, torn and
damaged by the water, would allow. In the stream was a boat, and Anton
called from it:
"He is alive!"
The boat had to be taken far up the stream, in order that the current
might drive it to the other shore. Floating pieces of rafts and forest
trees with roots and branches made the journey across long and
difficult.
"Give me an oar--I've seen how it's done," begged Thoma. Anton did so;
but the oar soon escaped from her hand and floated away.
"Be brave and strong, as you always are," was all that Anton said to
her.
When they reached the shore she hastily begged her friends to let her
go alone to her father. She could not say that she wished to keep her
father from seeing the counselor, although he was so kind and friendly.
Thoma hastened to her father. The old miller was with him, and
fortunately the physician also. The dog, on whose head Landolin's hand
was resting, stood by the bed. The miller was unfastening the spiked
collar, so that Landolin should not prick himself.
The physician motioned to Thoma to be quiet and keep at a distance, and
she heard her father moan out:
"Where is she? Kate! Kate! Rope round the neck!"
Thoma could control herself no longer, but ran forward, kneeled at her
father's bed and caught his hand.
"'Tis good that you are here. That's right," said Landolin. "Come here,
Anton: I have brought her for you, and--the forest is yours, and the
prize cow, and----"
He seemed to find no more words; he closed his eyes, but he breathed
calmly, and the physician made a sign of encouragement.
Just then the door opened. Landolin opened his eyes, and the judge's
wife entered.
"Oh, that's good!" cried Landolin, but suddenly perceiving the
counselor, he raised himself up, and screamed:
"Keep off, glass eye! Keep off! Thoma! Anton!"
He breathed his last. When Peter came he found only his father's dead
body.
On the day of Landolin's funeral, Cushion-Kate's body floated to the
shore. She had a rope tightly clasped in her hand.
* * * * *
To-day Peter is master at the farm, but he is only called so; for he
is, they say, not master of a penny. He married Titus' daughter, and
she is said to be sharp-tongued; some even say a shrew.
Anton Armbruster is Burgomaster of Rothenkirch; and Thoma wears her
honors with becoming dignity.
THE END.
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