he was greeted with joyful
shouts and congratulations. His friends hailed him as a mighty champion,
and she who had won his affections bestowed upon him the reward of
knightly valour--her promise of marriage. The bewildered Walther scarce
knew whether he was awake or asleep, but at length it was borne in upon
him that someone had won great triumphs in his name. Who could have so
successfully personated him as to deceive even his dearest friends? Who,
indeed, save she to whom he had turned in his distress, the Holy Virgin
herself?

Soon he was wedded to the lady of his choice; and to show his gratitude
for the intervention of Mary he built her a magnificent chapel on
the spot where the miracle had taken place. Nor did he grow any less
diligent in her service, but continued to live a noble and pious life,
in which he was ever encouraged and assisted by his wife.

The Cooper of Auerbach

It is said that from the ruined castle of Auerbach a fragrant perfume of
wine sometimes steals upon the air, and then the country folk whisper,
"The cooper is tasting his wine." And if asked for the reason of this
saying they tell the following story.

Once when the sun shone golden on the vine-clad hills, deepening the
heavy clusters of grapes to a darker purple, a peasant, passing by
the ruins, thought longingly upon the wine that, in the past, had been
stored in those dark, cool cellars, wondering if perhaps some might not
yet be found there, or if all had been wasted and lost. And while he
yet pondered a rubicund little man, with leathern apron dark with
wine-stains girded about his portly waist, stood at his side looking up
at him with twinkling eyes.

"So, my friend, you think upon the wine, eh? Come and spend an hour with
me and you shall taste it." As he spoke a warm, sweet wine-scent rose
like incense about him, making the peasant's brain reel with delight. He
could not but follow the little man, tripping under the vines, thrusting
his way through thorn-hedges and over crumbling walls, till he came to a
flight of ancient steps, streaked grey and green with moss, leading down
to a weather-stained cellar-door. The door opened into dusky vaults
and from a niche in the wall the little cooper took a candle and a huge
bowl. Then on he went over the moist floor until there rose before them
in the candlelight, darker than the gloom about it, a gigantic tun. In
a crooning murmur the cooper began to tell of his possessions. He called