ain to be a kind one, and, eager though he
was to reach his journey's end, he paused once and again to lend a
helping hand. Now it was to a peddler who was vainly trying to piece
together the broken strap that had held his pack, again to restore a
young bird to its nest, and then to release a white rabbit which had
caught its foot in a trap and was moaning piteously.

"These incidents delayed him somewhat, and it was late in the afternoon
when he reached the river several miles beyond which lay his
destination. It was a wild and treacherous stream that rushed down from
the hills, boiling and bubbling over rocks and between high, precipitous
banks. Many years before a strong bridge had been thrown across it at
the point where the path emerged from the forest, but to-day, to his
utter surprise and bewilderment, there was no bridge to be seen. His
journey was brought to a sudden stop.

"He looked about him; could he have missed his way? This was impossible,
he had travelled it too often. On the other side of the river he saw a
man chopping wood, and presently called to him to know what had become
of the bridge.

"'The bridge is broke and I have to mend it,
Fol de rol de ri do, fol de rol de ri do,
The bridge is broke and I have to mend it,
Fol de rol de ri.'

"This was the man's reply, sung in a merry rollicking tune as he
continued his work.

"'How deep is the stream?' asked the traveller.

"'Throw in a stone, 'twill sink to the bottom,
Fol de rol de ri do, fol de rol de ri do--'

"'How can I get across?'

"'The ducks and the geese they all swim over,
Fol de rol de ri do, fol de rol de ri do--'

"came across the stream in the same mocking tune.

"Angry and almost in despair, the young farmer sat down beneath a tree
to consider what was to be done.

"The secret of all his trouble was this. In an old red stone castle, the
turrets of which were just visible above the trees on the other side of
the stream, there lived a magician who had long had his eye upon the
beautiful maiden who was the young man's promised bride. To win her he
appeared as a wealthy middle-aged suitor, ready to lay all his riches at
her feet, his real character being carefully concealed; but all his arts
had been plied in vain; no gold or gems or promises of future splendor
could turn her heart from her young lover. Her parents, however, were
inclined to look with favor upon the magician's suit, and their daughter
w