had appeared to them and told them humorous tales, and how they found choice confectionaries, or beautiful carved toys, or golden ducats in their pockets on their return home.

RUBEZAHL AND THE PEASANT.

THE foregoing is but one of numberless stories connected with Rubezahl, (or Number-Nip, as he is sometimes called,) the mountain-spirit of Silesia. He seems to have left rather an uncertain character behind him among the country people, who sometimes represent him as the most good-natured of beings, at other times as delighting in doing nothing but mischief. Upon the whole, however, it appears that his tricks and frolics were tolerably harmless, and that when he did inflict punishment, it was upon those who really deserved it.

It happened that a peasant, the father of six children, had been reduced by misfortune to such poverty, that he knew not how to support his family. He said one day to his wife," You have rich relations living beyond the mountains, I will go to them and see whether I cannot persuade one of them to lend me a hundred dollars, to help us out of our difficulties."- "May it please Heaven," replied the wife," that you succeed, but I have little hope. You know they do not care for us." He arose early next morning, walked the whole day, and in the evening arrived at the place of his destination, where he described to the cousins of his wife the misery they had to endure, and added that they must all die from starvation if no aid were afforded them. But all his appeals were

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in vain; no one would even listen to his sad tale. Dejected and melancholy he set out on his journey home, and, by the time he had reached the mountains, he was so overcome by fatigue and sorrow, that he sat down to muse on his misfortunes; his heart filled with despair at the thought of meeting his wife and children, while he had it not in his power to help them. After a little time, he thought of the mountain spirit, of whose services to the distressed he had so often heard. "I will apply to him," he said to himself; "perhaps he may assist me." He then cried with a loud voice, "Rubezahl!" when presently a tall figure stood before him; a thick beard covered his chin, and his eyes flashed fire. The peasant then told him of his wife and children whom he had left at home without a morsel of bread, and of his cruel relations, who refused him all aid, and concluded with a request that the spirit would lend him a hundred dollars, on interest, for three years. "How!" thundered Rubezahl; "dost thou take me for a money-lender? Apply to your fellow-creatures: borrow from them, but leave me alone, if you value your life." Nothing daunted, however, by the repulse, the peasant urgently repeated his request, and concluded by saying, "If you are resolved to deny me the favour, you had better kill me, as I cannot see my family without something to relieve their necessities." Rubezahl stood for a few minutes, then bade the peasant follow him. They made their way through thick forests and over craggy mountains, until they arrived at a cavern in a rocky valley. In a moment after, they stood in a large vault lighted by bright and numerous lamps, where, in a corner, was seen a large copper filled with dollars. "There," said Rubezahl, "take as many as you want, and give me a bond

for the amount." Rubezahl then turned to another corner to fetch ink and parchment, and the peasant was left alone to fetch the dollars from the copper. He, however, was of an honest disposition, and made no ill use of the confidence shown him, but took only a hundred dollars, which he put into his bag, and turned to the spirit to sign the bond, payable in three years. He did so, and handed it over to Rubezahl, who locked it up in an iron chest, saying, "You may now go; mark well this place, in order that you may find it on the day when payment is due, for I shall be severe if you fail to pay me, But stop," added he, putting his hand into the copper and reaching out a handful of dollars; "this is a present for your children; this is not included in the bond." The peasant walked off with a light heart, taking notice of the spot that he might find it again at the three years' end. After a brisk walk he reached home, where he displayed the hundred dollars and the gift he had received before the eyes of his starving family, but without telling them how he became possessed of the riches.

From that time every thing prospered with the peasant, and he soon ranked among the richest men of the country, possessing much cattle, and numerous acres of land. When the three years were expired, and day of payment arrived, the whole family dressed themselves in their holiday clothes, as the peasant said he was going for a day's amusement, and they drove off towards the mountains. When they reached the giant mountain, he ordered the boy to drive on, for that he and his family would leave the wagon and go by a bye way, but would shortly overtake him. When alone with his family, he told them of the loan, and related to them, with

tears of joy and gratitude, how kind Rubezahl had proved to them all. He then bade them wait for his return, as he was going to pay his debt at the appointed place. He found it, and approaching the rock where he had entered the vault three years before, he knocked, saying, “Rubezahl, receive thy money." No one came, and he repeated the same words several times, but in vain. He returned, disappointed, to his family, and told them that Rubezahl had not made his appearance to receive the money, though he had knocked at the rock and called for him several times. His honest wife then advised him to leave the sum close to the rock, that the mountain spirit might find it when he returned. But before he could do this or return to the rock, a slight wind arose which blew some leaves and grass before them, and among them a written parchment. The children took it up and brought it to their father, who had no sooner cast his eyes upon it, than he saw with joy that it was his bond, at the bottom of which he found the words,

"This bond is cancelled,—the money is yours.

"RUBEZAHL."

The family now resolved to drive on to their cruel relations. However, when they arrived there, they found some had died, and some had become poor and been obliged to quit the place.

Near this peasant lived a mechanic, who was once treated very differently by the mountain spirit. This man was poor, kept no company, but was of a covetous disposition, and, it was said, occupied his time in making experiments in order to discover the art of turning common metals into gold. He

used to take solitary walks in the wild mountains and dark forests, where he often remained for several days. One day when taking his usual stroll, he perceived at a distance in the forest a bright light; he approached it and found himself close to a grated door leading to a grotto, in which, by the light of numerous lamps, he perceived immense treasures of gold, silver, and precious stones. A huge figure advanced to him, and said, "All these treasures are yours. Return in three days, and the door will be open; but mark well the spot." There was space enough between the trees to afford a free view into the wide valley. To his left, a church tower was to be seen; before him rose the turret of a castle, and behind him a tall mountain peak. The figure pointed out distinctly to him the various objects by which on his return he might know the true situation of the grotto, and added, " Impress upon your mind these objects, and when you return in three days to the spot where all these things are visible, as they now are, you will be sure to find the door of the grotto open; then all the treasures within will be yours." The surprised mechanic walked about and looked in every direction to retain a distinct recollection of the marks by which he might know the spot, and was about to depart, when the figure stopped him, and said, "Here, take this as a memento that it was no dream." He received a silver coin bearing strange characters. When the poor man looked up all had vanished, door, grotto, and figure, and but for the medal in his hand, he would certainly have considered the whole as a dream, or illusion of the imagination. He then returned home, noticed every step, and put marks upon several trees. On the third day he returned, his heart beating at the thought of the treasure he