Harper's Young People, June 29, 1880 Part 13

=Wurtemberg.=--The house of Wurtemberg, it is said, derives its name from the following legend: A poor burgher fell in love with the daughter of the Emperor of Austria, and as the two young people saw no prospect of obtaining the Imperial consent to their union, they fled together into Suabia, where they bought a small piece of land, and established an inn. It stood at the foot of a mountain, and its possessor therefore went by the name of the "Wirt am Berg," or the "Landlord at the Mountain." One day the Emperor was travelling to Frankfort, and stopped on his way at his daughter's house without recognizing her. She knew him directly, and persuaded her husband to make himself known to the Emperor, and to beg his forgiveness. Accordingly, taking their little son, they all fell at his feet, entreating his pardon, which he willingly granted. Moreover, the Emperor created his son-in-law a duke; but in memory of this occurrence he was to keep his name of "Wirt am Berg," which subsequently became Wurtemberg.

[Ill.u.s.tration: WAITING FOR THE CIRCUS.]