world is beautiful to-day. We can enjoy it best by leaving the house
behind us."

Some of the neighbours joined the merry party. The men smoked their
pipes, while the women chatted together and the children frolicked
about them and picked wild flowers.

How many sweet smells there were in the fields! How gaily the birds
sang! The air seemed full of peace and joy.

They all wandered on till they came to a cascade flowing down over
some high rocks. Trees grew close to the waterfall, and bent over it
as though to hide it from curious eyes.

It was a pretty spot.

"Let us sit down at the foot of this cascade," said Bertha's father,
"It is a pleasant place to rest."

Every one liked the plan. Bertha nestled close to her father's side.

"Tell us a story. Please do," she said.

"Ask neighbour Abel. He knows many a legend of just such places as
this. He has lived in the Hartz Mountains, and they are filled with
fairy stories."

The rest of the party heard what was said.

"Neighbour Abel! A story, a story," they cried.