THE MAGIC SWORD
FAR away in the long ago there lived a mighty king with his goodwife
and his brave son, Siegfried. Their home was at Xanten, where the river
Rhine flows lazily along.
The young prince was carefully taught. But when his education was
nearly finished, his father said:
"Siegfried, there is a mighty smith named Mimer. It will be well for
you to learn all you can of him in regard to the making of arms."
So Siegfried went to work at the trade of a smith. It was not long
before he excelled his teacher. This pleased Mimer, who spent many
spare hours with his pupil, telling him stories of the olden times.
After awhile, he took Siegfried into his confidence. He said:
"There is a powerful knight in Burgundy who has challenged every smith
of my country to make a weapon strong enough to pierce his coat of mail.
"I long to try," Mimer went on, "but I am now old and have not strength
enough to use the heavy hammer."
At these words Siegfried jumped up in great excitement.
"I will make the sword, dear master," he cried. "Be of good cheer. It
shall be strong enough to cut the knight's armour in two."
Early the next morning, Siegfried began his work. For seven days and
seven nights the constant ringing of his hammer could be heard. At
the end of that time Siegfried came to his master with a sword of the
finest steel in his right hand.
Mimer looked it all over. He then held it in a stream of running water
in which he had thrown a fine thread. The water carried the thread
against the edge of the sword, where it was cut in two.
"It is without a fault," cried Mimer with delight.
"I can do better than that," answered Siegfried, and he took the sword
and broke it into pieces.
Again he set to work. For seven more days and seven more nights he was
busy at his forge. At the end of that time he brought a polished sword
to his master.
Mimer looked it over with the greatest care and made ready to test it.
He threw the fleeces of twelve sheep into the stream. The current
carried them on its bosom to Siegfried's sword. Instantly, each piece
was divided as it met the blade. Mimer shouted aloud in his joy.
"Balmung" (for that was the name Siegfried gave the sword) "is the
finest weapon man ever made," he cried.
Siegfried was now prepared to meet the proud knight of Burgundy.
The very first thrust of the sword, Balmung, did the work. The head and
shoulders of the giant were severed from the rest of the body. They
rolled down the hillside and fell into the Rhine, where they can be
seen even now, when the water is clear. At least, so runs the story.
The trunk remained on the hilltop and was turned to stone.
Soon after this Mimer found that Siegfried longed to see the world
and make himself famous. So he bound the sword Balmung to the young
prince's side, and told him to seek a certain person, who would give
him a fine war-horse.
Siegfried went to this man, from whom he obtained a matchless steed.
In fact it had descended from the great god Odin's magic horse.
Siegfried, you can see, must have lived in a time when men believed in
gods and other wonderful beings.
He was now all ready for his adventures, but before starting out, Mimer
told him of a great treasure of gold guarded by a fearful serpent. This
treasure was spread out over a plain called the Glittering Heath. No
man had yet been able to take it, because of its terrible guardian.
Siegfried was not in the least frightened by the stories he heard of
the monster. He started out on his dangerous errand with a heart full
of courage.
At last, he drew near the plain. He could see it on the other side of
the Rhine, from the hilltop where he was standing. With no one to help
him, not even taking his magic horse with him, he hurried down the
hillside and sprang into a boat on the shore.
An old man had charge of the boat, and as he rowed Siegfried across,
he gave him good advice. This old man, as it happened, was the god
Odin, who loved Siegfried and wished to see him succeed.
"Dig a deep trench along the path the serpent has worn on his way
to the river when in search of water," said the old boatman. "Hide
yourself in the trench, and, as the serpent passes along, you must
thrust your sword deep into his body."
It was good advice. Siegfried did as Odin directed him. He went to work
on the trench at once. It was soon finished, and then the young prince,
sword in hand, was lying in watch for the dread monster.
He did not have long to wait. He soon heard the sound of rolling
stones. Then came a loud hiss, and immediately afterward he felt the
serpent's fiery breath on his cheek.
And now the serpent rolled over into the ditch, and Siegfried was
covered by the folds of his huge body. He did not fear or falter. He
thrust Balmung, his wonderful sword, deep into the monster's body. The
blood poured forth in such torrents that the ditch began to fill fast.
It was a time of great danger for Siegfried. He would have been drowned
if the serpent in his death-agony had not rolled over on one side and
given him a chance to free himself.
In a moment more he was standing, safe and sound, by the side of the
ditch. His bath in the serpent's blood had given him a great blessing.
Hereafter it would be impossible for any one to wound him except in one
tiny place on his shoulder. A leaf had fallen on this spot, and the
blood had not touched it.
"What did Siegfried do with the golden treasure?" asked Hans, when his
father had reached this point in the story.
"He had not sought it for himself, but for Mimer's sake. All he cared
for was the power of killing the serpent."
As soon as this was done, Mimer drew near and showed himself ungrateful
and untrue. He was so afraid Siegfried would claim some of the treasure
that he secretly drew Balmung from out the serpent's body, and made
ready to thrust it into Siegfried.
But at that very moment his foot slipped in the monster's blood, and he
fell upon the sword and was instantly killed.
Siegfried was filled with horror when he saw what had happened. He
sprang upon his horse's back and fled as fast as possible from the
dreadful scene.
"What happened to Siegfried after that? Did he have any more
adventures?" asked Bertha.
"Yes, indeed. There were enough to fill a book. But there is one in
particular you girls would like to hear. It is about a beautiful
princess whom he freed from a spell which had been cast upon her."
"What was her name, papa?" asked Gretchen.
"Brunhild, the Queen of Isenland. She had been stung by the thorn of
sleep."
Odin, the great god, had said, "Brunhild shall not awake till some
hero is brave enough to fight his way through the flames which shall
constantly surround the palace. He must then go to the side of the
sleeping maiden and break the charm by a kiss upon her forehead."
When Siegfried, in his wanderings, heard the story of Brunhild, he
said, "I will make my way through the flames and will myself rescue the
fair princess."
He leaped upon the back of his magic steed, and together they fought
their way through the fire that surrounded the palace of the sleeping
beauty. He reached the gates in safety. There was no sign of life about
the place. Every one was wrapped in a deep sleep.
Siegfried made his way to the room of the enchanted princess. Ah! there
she lay, still and beautiful, with no knowledge of what was going on
around her.
The young knight knelt by her side. Leaning over her, he pressed a kiss
upon her forehead. She moved slightly; then, opening her blue eyes, she
smiled sweetly upon her deliverer.
At the same moment every one else in the palace woke up and went on
with whatever had been interrupted when sleep overcame them.
Siegfried remained for six months with the fair Brunhild and her court.
Every day was given up to music and feasting, games and songs. Time
passed like a beautiful dream. No one knows how long the young knight
might have enjoyed this happy life if Odin had not sent two birds,
Thought and Memory, to remind him there were other things for him yet
to do.
He did not stop to bid Brunhild farewell, but leaped upon his horse's
back and rode away in search of new adventures.
"Dear me, children," exclaimed their father, looking at the clock, "it
is long past the time you should be in your soft, warm beds."
"Papa, do you know what day to-morrow is?" whispered Bertha, as she
kissed him good night.
"My darling child's birthday. It is ten years to-morrow since your eyes
first looked upon the sunlight. They have been ten happy years to us
all, though our lives are full of work. What do you say to that, my
little one?"
"Very happy, papa dear. You and mother are so kind! I ought to be good
as well as happy."
"She is a faithful child," said her mother, after Bertha had left the
room. "That is why I have a little surprise ready for to-morrow. I have
baked a large birthday cake and shall ask her little friends to share
it with her.
"Her aunt has finished the new dress I bought for her, and I have made
two white aprons, besides. She will be a happy child when she sees her
presents."
The mother closed her eyes and made a silent prayer to the All-Father
that Bertha's life should be as joyful as her tenth birthday gave
promise of being.
THE END.
THE LITTLE COUSIN SERIES
The most delightful and interesting accounts possible of child life in
other lands, filled with quaint sayings, doings, and adventures.
Each one vol., 12mo, decorative cover, cloth, with six or more
full-page illustrations in color.
Price per volume 0.60
_By MARY HAZELTON WADE (unless otherwise indicated)_
=Our Little African Cousin=
=Our Little Alaskan Cousin=
By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
=Our Little Arabian Cousin=
By Blanche McManus
=Our Little Armenian Cousin=
=Our Little Brown Cousin=
=Our Little Canadian Cousin=
By Elizabeth R. Macdonald
=Our Little Chinese Cousin=
By Isaac Taylor Headland
=Our Little Cuban Cousin=
=Our Little Dutch Cousin=
By Blanche McManus
=Our Little English Cousin=
By Blanche McManus
=Our Little Eskimo Cousin=
=Our Little French Cousin=
By Blanche McManus
=Our Little German Cousin=
=Our Little Hawaiian Cousin=
=Our Little Hindu Cousin=
By Blanche McManus
=Our Little Indian Cousin=
=Our Little Irish Cousin=
=Our Little Italian Cousin=
=Our Little Japanese Cousin=
=Our Little Jewish Cousin=
=Our Little Korean Cousin=
By H. Lee M. Pike
=Our Little Mexican Cousin=
By Edward C. Butler
=Our Little Norwegian Cousin=
=Our Little Panama Cousin=
By H. Lee M. Pike
=Our Little Philippine Cousin=
=Our Little Porto Rican Cousin=
=Our Little Russian Cousin=
=Our Little Scotch Cousin=
By Blanche McManus
=Our Little Siamese Cousin=
=Our Little Spanish Cousin=
By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
=Our Little Swedish Cousin=
By Claire M. Coburn
=Our Little Swiss Cousin=
=Our Little Turkish Cousin=
THE GOLDENROD LIBRARY
The Goldenrod Library contains stories which appeal alike both to
children and to their parents and guardians.
Each volume is well illustrated from drawings by competent artists,
which, together with their handsomely decorated uniform binding,
showing the goldenrod, usually considered the emblem of America, is a
feature of their manufacture.
Each one volume, small 12mo, illustrated 0.35
LIST OF TITLES
=Aunt Nabby's Children.= By Frances Hodges White.
=Child's Dream of a Star, The.= By Charles Dickens.
=Flight of Rosy Dawn, The.= By Pauline Bradford Mackie.
=Findelkind.= By Ouida.
=Fairy of the Rhone, The.= By A. Comyns Carr.
=Gatty and I.= By Frances E. Crompton.
=Helena's Wonderworld.= By Frances Hodges White.
=Jerry's Reward.= By Evelyn Snead Barnett.
=La Belle Nivernaise.= By Alphonse Daudet.
=Little King Davie.= By Nellie Hellis.
=Little Peterkin Vandike.= By Charles Stuart Pratt.
=Little Professor, The.= By Ida Horton Cash.
=Peggy's Trial.= By Mary Knight Potter.
=Prince Yellowtop.= By Kate Whiting Patch.
=Provence Rose, A.= By Ouida.
=Seventh Daughter, A.= By Grace Wickham Curran.
=Sleeping Beauty, The.= By Martha Baker Dunn.
=Small, Small Child, A.= By E. Livingston Prescott.
=Susanne.= By Frances J. Delano.
=Water People, The.= By Charles Lee Sleight.
=Young Archer, The.= By Charles E. Brimblecom.
COSY CORNER SERIES
It is the intention of the publishers that this
series shall contain only the very highest and purest
literature,--stories that shall not only appeal to the
children themselves, but be appreciated by all those
who feel with them in their joys and sorrows.
The numerous illustrations in each book are by
well-known artists, and each volume has a separate
attractive cover design.
Each 1 vol., 16mo, cloth 0.50
_By ANNIE FELLOWS JOHNSTON_
=The Little Colonel.= (Trade Mark.)
The scene of this story is laid in Kentucky. Its heroine is a small
girl, who is known as the Little Colonel, on account of her fancied
resemblance to an old-school Southern gentleman, whose fine estate and
old family are famous in the region.
=The Giant Scissors.=
This is the story of Joyce and of her adventures in France. Joyce is a
great friend of the Little Colonel, and in later volumes shares with
her the delightful experiences of the "House Party" and the "Holidays."
=Two Little Knights of Kentucky.=
WHO WERE THE LITTLE COLONEL'S NEIGHBORS.
In this volume the Little Colonel returns to us like an old friend, but
with added grace and charm. She is not, however, the central figure of
the story, that place being taken by the "two little knights."
=Mildred's Inheritance.=
A delightful little story of a lonely English girl who comes to America
and is befriended by a sympathetic American family who are attracted by
her beautiful speaking voice. By means of this one gift she is enabled
to help a school-girl who has temporarily lost the use of her eyes, and
thus finally her life becomes a busy, happy one.
=Cicely and Other Stories for Girls.=
The readers of Mrs. Johnston's charming juveniles will be glad to learn
of the issue of this volume for young people.
=Aunt 'Liza's Hero and Other Stories.=
A collection of six bright little stories, which will appeal to all
boys and most girls.
=Big Brother.=
A story of two boys. The devotion and care of Steven, himself a small
boy, for his baby brother, is the theme of the simple tale.
=Ole Mammy's Torment.=
"Ole Mammy's Torment" has been fitly called "a classic of Southern
life." It relates the haps and mishaps of a small negro lad, and tells
how he was led by love and kindness to a knowledge of the right.
=The Story of Dago.=
In this story Mrs. Johnston relates the story of Dago, a pet monkey,
owned jointly by two brothers. Dago tells his own story, and the
account of his haps and mishaps is both interesting and amusing.
=The Quilt That Jack Built.=
A pleasant little story of a boy's labor of love, and how it changed
the course of his life many years after it was accomplished.
=Flip's Islands of Providence.=
A story of a boy's life battle, his early defeat, and his final
triumph, well worth the reading.
_By EDITH ROBINSON_
=A Little Puritan's First Christmas.=
A Story of Colonial times in Boston, telling how Christmas was invented
by Betty Sewall, a typical child of the Puritans, aided by her brother
Sam.
=A Little Daughter of Liberty.=
The author introduces this story as follows:
"One ride is memorable in the early history of the American Revolution,
the well-known ride of Paul Revere. Equally deserving of commendation
is another ride,--the ride of Anthony Severn,--which was no less
historic in its action or memorable in its consequences."
=A Loyal Little Maid.=
A delightful and interesting story of Revolutionary days, in which the
child heroine, Betsey Schuyler, renders important services to George
Washington.
=A Little Puritan Rebel.=
This is an historical tale of a real girl, during the time when the
gallant Sir Harry Vane was governor of Massachusetts.
=A Little Puritan Pioneer.=
The scene of this story is laid in the Puritan settlement at
Charlestown.
=A Little Puritan Bound Girl.=
A story of Boston in Puritan days, which is of great interest to
youthful readers.
=A Little Puritan Cavalier.=
The story of a "Little Puritan Cavalier" who tried with all his boyish
enthusiasm to emulate the spirit and ideals of the dead Crusaders.
=A Puritan Knight Errant.=
The story tells of a young lad in Colonial times who endeavored to
carry out the high ideals of the knights of olden days.
_By OUIDA (Louise de la Ramée)_
=A Dog of Flanders:= A CHRISTMAS STORY.
Too well and favorably known to require description.
=The Nurnberg Stove.=
This beautiful story has never before been published at a popular price.
_By FRANCES MARGARET FOX_
=The Little Giant's Neighbours.=
A charming nature story of a "little giant" whose neighbours were the
creatures of the field and garden.
=Farmer Brown and the Birds.=
A little story which teaches children that the birds are man's best
friends.
=Betty of Old Mackinaw.=
A charming story of child-life, appealing especially to the little
readers who like stories of "real people."
=Brother Billy.=
The story of Betty's brother, and some further adventures of Betty
herself.
=Mother Nature's Little Ones.=
Curious little sketches describing the early lifetime, or "childhood,"
of the little creatures out-of-doors.
=How Christmas Came to the Mulvaneys.=
A bright, lifelike little story of a family of poor children, with an
unlimited capacity for fun and mischief. The wonderful never-to-be
forgotten Christmas that came to them is the climax of a series of
exciting incidents.
_By MISS MULOCK_
=The Little Lame Prince.=
A delightful story of a little boy who has many adventures by means of
the magic gifts of his fairy godmother.
=Adventures of a Brownie.=
The story of a household elf who torments the cook and gardener, but is
a constant joy and delight to the children who love and trust him.
=His Little Mother.=
Miss Mulock's short stories for children are a constant source of
delight to them, and "His Little Mother," in this new and attractive
dress, will be welcomed by hosts of youthful readers.
=Little Sunshine's Holiday.=
An attractive story of a summer outing. "Little Sunshine" is another
of those beautiful child-characters for which Miss Mulock is so justly
famous.
_By MARSHALL SAUNDERS_
=For His Country.=
A sweet and graceful story of a little boy who loved his country;
written with that charm which has endeared Miss Saunders to hosts of
readers.
=Nita, the Story of an Irish Setter.=
In this touching little book, Miss Saunders shows how dear to her heart
are all of God's dumb creatures.
=Alpatok, the Story of an Eskimo Dog.=
Alpatok, an Eskimo dog from the far north, was stolen from his master
and left to starve in a strange city, but was befriended and cared for,
until he was able to return to his owner. Miss Saunders's story is
based on truth, and the pictures in the book of "Alpatok" are based on
a photograph of the real Eskimo dog who had such a strange experience.
_By WILL ALLEN DROMGOOLE_
=The Farrier's Dog and His Fellow.=
This story, written by the gifted young Southern woman, will appeal to
all that is best in the natures of the many admirers of her graceful
and piquant style.
=The Fortunes of the Fellow.=
Those who read and enjoyed the pathos and charm of "The Farrier's Dog
and His Fellow" will welcome the further account of the adventures of
Baydaw and the Fellow at the home of the kindly smith.
=The Best of Friends.=
This continues the experiences of the Farrier's dog and his Fellow,
written in Miss Dromgoole's well-known charming style.
=Down in Dixie.=
A fascinating story for boys and girls, of a family of Alabama children
who move to Florida and grow up in the South.
_By MARIAN W. WILDMAN_
=Loyalty Island.=
An account of the adventures of four children and their pet dog on
an island, and how they cleared their brother from the suspicion of
dishonesty.
=Theodore and Theodora.=
This is a story of the exploits and mishaps of two mischievous twins,
and continues the adventures of the interesting group of children in
"Loyalty Island."
_By CHARLES G. D. ROBERTS_
=The Cruise of the Yacht Dido.=
The story of two boys who turned their yacht into a fishing boat to
earn money to pay for a college course, and of their adventures while
exploring in search of hidden treasure.
=The Young Acadian.=
The story of a young lad of Acadia who rescued a little English girl
from the hands of savages.
=The Lord of the Air.=
THE STORY OF THE EAGLE
=The King of the Mamozekel.=
THE STORY OF THE MOOSE
=The Watchers of the Camp-fire.=
THE STORY OF THE PANTHER
=The Haunter of the Pine Gloom.=
THE STORY OF THE LYNX
=The Return to the Trails.=
THE STORY OF THE BEAR
=The Little People of the Sycamore.=
THE STORY OF THE RACCOON
_By OTHER AUTHORS_
=The Great Scoop.=
_By MOLLY ELLIOT SEAWELL_
A capital tale of newspaper life in a big city, and of a bright,
enterprising, likable youngster employed thereon.
=John Whopper.=
The late Bishop Clark's popular story of the boy who fell through the
earth and came out in China, with a new introduction by Bishop Potter.
=The Dole Twins.=
_By KATE UPSON CLARK_
The adventures of two little people who tried to earn money to buy
crutches for a lame aunt. An excellent description of child-life about
1812, which will greatly interest and amuse the children of to-day,
whose life is widely different.
=Larry Hudson's Ambition.=
_By JAMES OTIS_, author of "Toby Tyler," etc.
Larry Hudson is a typical American boy, whose hard work and enterprise
gain him his ambition,--an education and a start in the world.
=The Little Christmas Shoe.=
_By JANE P. SCOTT WOODRUFF_
A touching story of Yule-tide.
=Wee Dorothy.=
_By LAURA UPDEGRAFF_
A story of two orphan children, the tender devotion of the eldest,
a boy, for his sister being its theme and setting. With a bit of
sadness at the beginning, the story is otherwise bright and sunny, and
altogether wholesome in every way.
=The King of the Golden River:= A LEGEND OF STIRIA.
_By JOHN RUSKIN_
Written fifty years or more ago, and not originally intended for
publication, this little fairy-tale soon became known and made a place
for itself.
=A Child's Garden of Verses.=
_By R. L. STEVENSON_
Mr. Stevenson's little volume is too well known to need description. It
will be heartily welcomed in this new and attractive edition.
* * * * *
Transcriber's Note:
Obvious punctuation errors repaired.
End of Project Gutenberg's Our Little German Cousin, by Mary Hazelton Wade