DARK AGE IN AUSTRIA

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 March 1930, Page 3

DARK AGE IN AUSTRIA

HUNT FOU A “IJUVII..” There was an extraordinary demonstration of the backwardness of the Austrian peasantry in the remoter villages recently, when the whole male population of the village of Fichtenstein, armed to the teeth and preceded by the village priest carrying a. crucifix, solemnly sailied forth to drive the devil out. of the surrounding woods (writes the Vienna. correspondent of the Daily Telegraph I. At about 7 p.m. a man named Cwechka came, pale and trembling into the local inn parlour, and related a terrible story of how he had In < ti attacked by Satan himself while fell ing trees. His terror was such that he had fainted on the spot, and when he came to himself was still halt paralysed with fright and unable to stand upright, until he reached the lights of the village. He described the Lord of Hell as a huge, dark creature, with fiery eyes and a. great, tuft of hair, a. long swishing tail and big hoofs. The Devil had charged out. of the bushes at. him and as he fainted he heard a devilish screech as the monster galloped over the cliffs.

Under the leadership of the boldest of the villagers, the male population was summoned, armed with guns and pitchforks, and drawn into line behind the crucifix to confront, the DeviU with spiritual and temporal weapons. After beating the wood for half an hour, the male devil-hunters were horrified to see dimly outlined the monster himself in a clearing. This was too much for them. They dropped their arms and ran for help. The spiritual arm having failed, the temporal came into play. The gendarmerie set out to cast out the Devil of Fichtenstein in the name of State. A careful search of the woods and a little common sense revealed that although the wood-etii 1 er's description of i lie monster was fairly accurate, neither he nor his fellow villagers had cause for anxiety. The unearthly nionsler was discovered to be a black mare which had run away from the neighbouring village some week’s before. and had since been living a lite of freedom in Die woods. The “Devil" was brought back io bis proper place by the guardians of the law, and given a. hearty welcome and the good feed. of which by this lime he stood in need.