Page 616 - Child's own book

Away be went; and when he had reached half-way op the
mountain* he perceived an underground passage, nearly choked
up with rubbish* on removing which he found hts way into a
vault. Here he was met by a grey-headed butler, who mo­
tioned him to follow. “ Now,” thought Peter Klaus* “ the
Saints forbid that I should be here for another twenty years!n
and a cold shudder ran over him, as he wished himself back in
Sittendorf. He, however* dared not refuse to follow his silent
conductor, who led him to a roomy cellaT, where stood a row of
casks on each side. The butler then tapped one of the casks,
and taking hold of Peters paU, he filled it to the brim,and said,
w As often as there is a merry-making in your house* you may
come and fetch wine. But you must never say where you get
it* neither may you attempt to barter or sell that which is freely
given. Woe to the man who should fetch wine for such a
purpose/*
Peter Klaus returned home much delighted ; and the guests
thought the wine delicious, and wondered where it came from*
for none like it had ever been tasted in that part of the country.
But Peter took gTeat earc not 10 let out his secret* and
continued to enjoy the use of the knights’ cellar to the end of
his days.

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