Jane Scott Woodruff

“ But it was from yet another source that Katrina gained ideals which were even nobler and better still—and that was from the Rose-bush growing near the castle gates. Here she would bring her work, or a book, and sit during many a cherished hour, while she listened to the stories of noble men and women or felt its silent sympathy. And when at times vain longings would fill her heart for a life that was less narrow, or more glittering, than her own, she would also come130 to seek comfort from the Rose-bush, and it always soothed her. ”

“ At this point the voice ceased speaking, and Fritz waited for several moments, hoping it would resume the theme, but was disappointed.
“Why,” he asked at last, “could not the mighty Klingsor conquer Wolfram of Eschenbach?”
Still there was no answer. But after a time the voice went on to say:
“As I told you and your companion, I have watched many generations come and go. In fact, little has taken place here without my knowledge. I possess, as I have said before, the greatest of all treasures.” ”

“ Thou, my little Katrina, art familiar with some of Martin Luther’s hymns. He wrote a number of hymns after he grew to manhood; and thou, Fritz, hast sung with us many an evening that grand old anthem of his, ‘Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott.’” [2]
[2] “A Mighty Stronghold Is Our God.”
113 “I wonder, Herr Rudolf,” Fritz exclaimed, as the light of the sudden thought flashed into his face, “I wonder if Luther wrote that hymn here at the Wartburg! Don’t you think he must have done so?” ”

“ Here, Hans, take my place,” and Rudolf, the visitors having assented readily to his wish, handed the bunch of keys to a young assistant who had come in answer to his signal.
“But,” said Katrina’s friend, “we prefer to wait until you return with Fritz; for we must all go in together. Katrina shall have her wish.”
“We can entertain ourselves out here in the courtyard,” Mrs. Shaler said, after Rudolf had driven off; “there is almost as much to interest one outside as inside these ancient strongholds.” ”

“ She recalled the grand, majestic tones in which it had spoken of the Wartburg.
“How little can you children realize, as you play your youthful games here in its very shadow, for how many ages this same castle has been watching the play, not only of children, but of men and women grown!”
“Oh, won’t you tell us something about those men and women?” cried the boy and girl together, and there was an eager11 look in both their faces. All fear had vanished from Katrina, who whispered to her playmate:
“Canst thou guess, dear Fritz, whose voice it is that speaks?” ”

“ At other times his eyes would wander wistfully to the adjoining room—his workshop. Here, hanging upon the walls, and scattered upon his work-bench, were unfinished toys, waiting for the hands82 which had begun to fashion them with such loving care. For Conrad Albrecht was one to whom his work was a constant source of happiness; he rejoiced in the creations of his hands. The machine had not come in to rob him of his own individual skill and take away his joy in working. ”

“ Not only did I wish to hear the voice again, but I felt a keen desire144 to ask what it meant by the greatest of all treasures. And it was then that I discovered it to be the Ivy speaking,—yes, that old vine yonder on the wall. In answer to my query, it assured me that of all the treasures of the world knowledge is the greatest. From that moment I was consumed with one overwhelming purpose,—the determination to search until I found the greatest treasure.”
“And thou hast had thy wish fulfilled,” Katrina said. ”

“ Is it to-morrow, Master Fritz, that Count von Scholtz is going to send for you?”
“No, the count said he knew I would want to see my friends, and make some preparations, so it’s not till Thursday that I leave for Grünwald. But it isn’t so far away, you know, Gesta, that I can’t come92 back from time to time to see you and the dear old home. For even if they do say I’ll walk on velvet carpets, and have beautiful paintings and marble statuary to look at everywhere I turn my eyes, more books than I can read, and music whenever I wish, I’ll never love it as I love this home. ”

“ A severe famine fell upon the land during the time the castle was being built, and every stone meant bread for the hungry poor who helped in its construction. Some brought the rough15 stone from the quarry, while others cut it into blocks and got it ready for the builders.
“After living here in happiness for several years, Ludwig committed a crime for which he was put in prison, and all of two years lay pining in an old fortress on the river Saale. But one day he made his escape by a bold leap into the river.”
“Ah, so!” cried Fritz and Katrina, clapping their hands. ”

“ Its possession has not brought me happiness, and I have come back a disappointed, discouraged man. Thou wilt doubtless be surprised, Katrina, when I tell thee that the only real145 happiness I have known in many years was only lately when, out of love for my father’s memory, I completed some of the toys which his hands had left unfinished. On reaching Grünwald I learned that a fair was soon to take place at Eisenach, and I knew what pride he would have felt to have his toys displayed; so I came to the old home, and for many, many days I hardly left his work-bench. ”

“ But at first the count was too ill to send for me; in fact it was only the other day he was told of my father’s death.”
There were tears in Katrina’s eyes.
“What am I going to do, Fritz? I sha’n’t have any one at all to play with. Dost thou really want to go away and leave me?”
“No, no, little sister; but sometimes it falls to our lot to do things that we don’t quite wish to do. Thou knowest what duty is, Katrina?” ”

“ It might help them to be great, too, some day. The people who gave little Martin Luther money didn’t know what a great man he was going to be. But,” she added, after a moment’s pause, “maybe it was the home the good Frau Cotta gave him more than the money that helped to make him great.”
The two children, as they talked together, were seated on a bench in the castle courtyard. It was a beautiful summer evening, and Fritz had begged Katrina to come9 outside and see the splendid colours of the sunset: for this boy of fourteen years was even then an artist in his heart. ”

“ Rudolf whispered.
By this time the injured were being lifted carefully from the different coaches, and laid upon the waiting cots. But in the uncertain light shed by the station lamps, it was hard to distinguish any one, the lights flickered so and cast long shadows across the ground.
Suddenly, a murmur went up from the crowd as a stretcher, borne by four men, was carried by.
“There’s Count von Scholtz!” many persons were heard to say.46 But Fritz gave no heed to this. He was gazing at a tall figure just behind the cot on which lay the injured nobleman, and with a cry of “Father!” ”

“ When his father had to remain in bed, Fritz would not leave the room. He was always ready to attend his father’s slightest wish. Neighbours came in every day and81 offered to help the boy; he did not lack friendly sympathy or service. Rudolf, Frieda, and Katrina came down from the castle daily, and on every visit Katrina brought a bunch of her crimson roses. For hours at a time the sick man’s eyes would rest tenderly upon the blossoms, and they were always placed near enough for him to enjoy their fragrance. ”

“ As soon as they came into the kitchen after leaving Fritz, Katrina’s mother began to busy herself with her baking.
“Rudolf will be pleased with the gingerbread,” she murmured, as she opened the oven door34 whence came the savoury odours; “he is very fond of it, and it has been a long while since he has eaten any. Now,” continued Frieda aloud, as she turned and looked over her shoulder, “thou, Katrina, canst set the table. The father will be coming soon; he has had a busy day, and I know he will be very tired.”
“Yes, little mother, there were many visitors to-day. ”

“ It was to his good wife Frieda, with her refined taste, as well as thrift, that Rudolf gave full credit for the present cheerfulness of what might have been a very cold, forbidding habitation. But, instead of dull lifelessness, every window-ledge was gay with potted plants, which gave out their treasured blossoms to the sunshine. While it was to Frieda’s, and even Katrina’s little hands, that the bright32 rows of tin and copper vessels, arranged along the kitchen walls, owed their glint and sparkle, when the firelight shone upon them. ”

“ On her arrival at the Wartburg, the little princess met with great rejoicing, and on the following day was betrothed to Prince Ludwig with solemn ceremony. From the first moment the two children seemed to love each other, and73 every one predicted for them a happy and blessed marriage. Even as a tiny child Elizabeth gave strong evidence of her goodness, charity, and compassion for the suffering. To the little children round about, she gave away food and clothes and toys—the poor of Eisenach soon became her special care. ”

“ Katrina’s eyes were wide with interest, but before she could ask37 other questions about Luther or Saint Elizabeth, the door opened, and her father came into the room. He kissed his wife and took Katrina in his strong arms, where, from a tiny child, she had loved to nestle.
“I’ll not let thee hold me long, father, only just a minute. Thou must surely be very tired; thou hast shown so many through the castle. Dost thou remember the lady who stopped and spoke to me about Saint Elizabeth? Such a beautiful light seemed to be shining from her face.”
“Yes, I remember her very well,” Rudolf answered. ”

“ You will see these same beautiful crimson roses and learn a lesson from them.”
“Won’t you please tell me what51 the lesson is?” asked Katrina, very softly.
The lady looked into the great searching eyes and answered: “They will teach you that under the power of love, or goodness, even the simplest, homeliest thing may be transformed, that is to say changed, into a thing of beauty. This picture of which I speak represents Elizabeth on her errands of mercy. She is carrying a basket of food to the poor of Eisenach when her husband meets her on the way. ”

“ Frieda and Rudolf both exclaimed; for they saw instantly that he was the bearer of bad tidings.
“There’s been an awful wreck between here and Nüremberg. I heard the news as soon as I got down to Eisenach. The town is all excitement, for they say many have been killed or badly injured. Oh, my poor, poor father!”
With that Fritz could say no more, but sank into a chair. Frieda poured out a glass of water and42 held it to his lips; then wetting her handkerchief, she gently bathed his aching temples, while little Katrina walked over to where he sat, and took her playmate by the hand. ”

“ Now hearken, and I will70 tell you something about Saint Elizabeth, and her life of loving service.
“Once upon a time,” the Rose began, “there lived here at the Wartburg a Landgrave by the name of Herman. Now Herman, who was a good man, ruled his people well, and they loved him very dearly. Known far and wide as a patron of learning and the arts, especially of music, wise men, poets, and musicians were frequent visitors at his court. ”

“ But even though her heart beat faster at the very thought of speaking, the little girl was about to do so when the lady took up the thread again and continued in her same sweet tone.
“To be sure, outside influences must affect one very deeply, but it seems to me that the true greatness of a soul must come from within that soul itself.” ”

“ This Henry of Ofterdingen has figured in many a romantic story, and some have confused him with Tannhäuser, another bard, who lived at a later date.
“Once upon a time,” the voice went on, “when the good Herman and his wife Sophia, with all their25 court, were gathered in the Minstrels’ Hall, the singers, one by one, recited the deeds of the Landgrave Herman. But when it came to the turn of Henry of Ofterdingen he sang praises to the Duke of Austria, and compared him with the shining sun. Thus begun, the contest waxed so fierce that it was agreed the conquered should be put to death. ”

“ Now this Klingsor was an astrologer, who professed to foretell events by reading them in the stars. And on the first night of his coming to the Wartburg, he was found seated27 outside the castle, gazing attentively at the starry sky. On being asked why he sat looking at the heavens, Klingsor replied:
“‘Ye must know that this night a daughter is born to my master, King Andrew of Hungary. She will be called Elizabeth, and lead a saintly life; furthermore, she is to be wedded to the young prince Ludwig, son of the Landgrave Herman ”

“ THE ROSES OF SAINT ELIZABETH I.
rom a hill which overlooks the smiling little town of Eisenach, frowns the grim old castle of the Wartburg. It is a gloomy-looking place, with its vast chambers, and long, winding corridors of stone; and yet, that it has held at least one bit of brightness, all would agree who had ever seen the smile of Katrina, the caretaker’s little daughter.
It was Katrina’s chief delight to2 stand at her father’s side when he unlocked the huge iron portals, and admitted visitors into the castle court ”

“ The fifteenth century brought an increase in the use of plates; but it was in the sixteenth century, by a well-devised fitting together, that the highest development in armour was attained.”
Fritz found himself listening with keen interest to all that the Ivy told him; and, after a pause, it went97 on speaking of the armour and its history.
“Persons usually have a wrong conception of the armour worn in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries,” the voice continued. “They picture the knight as going forth in a glittering mail shirt woven out of steel ”

“ So he and Rudolf could only wait.
Now the cot bearing the Count von Scholtz was lifted to an ambulance; but before the doors were closed, one of the attendants, wearing the Geneva cross upon his arm, turned and whispered something to Conrad Albrecht. The toymaker, in response, went and stood upon the iron step while the injured man evidently spoke to him, for Fritz saw that his father made some47 reply. Then the ambulance doors were shut, and the wheels began to grate slowly on the road. ”