hat he it was who instituted the vine-growing industry on the adjacent
hills. He perceived that whenever snow fell there it melted with amazing
rapidity; and, judging from this that the soil was eminently suitable
for bringing forth a specially fine quality of grape, he sent to France
for a few young vine plants. Soon these were thriving in a manner
which fully justified expectations. The wines of Ruedesheim became
exceptionally famous; and, till comparatively recent times, one of the
finest blends was always known as Wein von Orleans, for it was thence
that the pristine cuttings had been imported.

But it need scarcely be said, perhaps, that most of the legends current
at Ruedesheim are not concerned with so essentially pacific an affair as
the production of Rhenish. Another story of the place relates how one of
its medieval noblemen, Hans, Graf von Brauser, having gone to Palestine
with a band of Crusaders, was taken prisoner by the Saracens; and during
the period of his captivity he vowed that, should he ever regain his
liberty, he would signify his pious gratitude by causing his only
daughter, Minna, to take the veil. Rather a selfish kind of piety this
appears! Yet mayhap Hans was really devoted to his daughter, and his
resolution to part with her possibly entailed a heart-rending sacrifice;
while, be that as it may, he had the reward he sought, for now his
prison was stormed and he himself released, whereupon he hastened back
to his home at Ruedesheim with intent to fulfil his promise to God. On
reaching his schloss, however, Graf Hans was confronted by a state of
affairs which had not entered into his calculations, the fact being
that in the interim his daughter had conceived an affection for a young
nobleman called Walther, and had promised to marry him at an early date.
Here, then, was a complication indeed, and Hans was sorely puzzled to
know how to act, while the unfortunate Minna was equally perplexed, and
for many weeks she endured literal torment, her heart being racked by a
constant storm of emotions. She was deeply attached to Walther, and she
felt that she would never be able to forgive herself if she broke her
promise to him and failed to bring him the happiness which both were
confident their marriage would produce; but, on the other hand, being of
a religious disposition, she perforce respected the vow her father had
made, and thought that if it were broken he and all his household would
be doomed to