“He was glad to find a cottage door open, where he was welcomed to warm himself and to share the peasants’ humble meal. There also he learned that he was not far from A——k and the wonderful Altar of Succor, and at once resolved to come here, moved by gratitude for his escape, and anxiety for his brother, of whose fate he was of course ignorant.
“A year passed, and one morning Carl called upon me, and I then fully learned the particulars I have just related.
“At his request I attached the small bottle to the other tokens, in gratitude, as he said, for the victory there granted to him over the evil habit which must, otherwise, have rendered his life a curse.
“He also left a sum of money for the poor, and told me that his brother and himself were both married, and living as prosperous merchants at a considerable town lower down the Rhine.
“Go thou and do likewise!” added the good priest, laughing as we shook hands at parting.
WHY NOT?
I knelt before the altar-rail
One holy festal morning,
As to and fro the sexton moved,