File:Legends of the Rhine (1895) (14750284581).jpg

Identifier: legendsofrhine00guer (find matches)
Title: Legends of the Rhine
Year: 1895 (1890s)
Authors: Guerber, H. A. (Hélène Adeline), d. 1929
Subjects: Folklore -- Rhine River Valley Legends -- Rhine River Valley Mythology, Germanic Rhine River Valley -- Description and travel
Publisher: New York : A.S. Barnes
Contributing Library: New York Public Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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Text Appearing Before Image:
PFÄFERS

The Stolen Sacrament.

THE devil once took up his abode in the narrow ravine
whence the hot springs of Pfafers rise, and lying in wait
there, soon saw Anna Vogtli pass by. He knew that she
-night on the mountain side, so he promised her all manner
was a witch, and that she delighted in seeking herbs at mid
of luck in her search if she would only steal into the neigh-
boring church and throw away the holy wafer resting on
the altar.
The girl, who had long ago given up going to mass, and
who had already sold her soul to Satan, immediately obeyed.
But, no sooner had she laid her hand upon the sacred
host than the ground shook, the lightning played, the
thunder rolled, and the mountain echoes began to awaken.
Terrified at the sudden commotion, Anna Vogtli threw
away the wafer, which fell on a thorn bush, whence sprang
a silvery rose, which curled its petals all around it to pro-
tect it from all harm.
Some sheep passing by there reverently bent the knee, and
a wolf, springing out of the thicket to devour them, lay down
like a lamb among them. The people, attracted by these
miracles, plucked the silvery rose, and laid it upon the altar
of the church of Ettes Wyl, where it can still be seen, and
is said to have very blessed and miraculous properties.
Text Appearing After Image:
ST. GOTTHARD.
Cascade of Wyler.

COIRE. 335

COIRE.

The prophecy.

A KNIGHT was once riding through the fields accompanied
by his page. All at once he noticed a babe lying alone by
the roadside, and charitably bade his attendant pick it up
and carry it home. The page stooped to raise the infant,
but, in spite of all his efforts, it was too heavy for him to lift.
The knight dismounted to help him, but all his strength
could not suffice to raise the child. In vain he called squire
and peasant to help him, in vain they strained every muscle,
the babe still lay smiling on the grass. All at once the
babe opened its mouth and predicted that they would have
a very fruitful and prosperous year, and then it vanished.
The babe's prediction was verified, for the grain fields
bore a hundredfold, the barns and granaries were full, all
the poor had plenty to eat that year, and none knew want.
There are many picturesque and interesting spots along
the Rhine below Coire. Many of them are easy of access,
for the railroad follows the river for some distance further.

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