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sleep stories and other news, subscribe to the snooze letter at snoozecasts.com. This episode is brought to you by Great Hurley Burlies. Tonight, we'll read the conclusion to the fairy tale, The Treasure Seeker, who can find the first half of this story which we aired last week. This episode first aired in 2021. In the first half we learn of Peter Block, who was once a prosperous inkeeper and master cook, but is now a poor man. He hears of a mysterious spirit, the treasure seeker of the mountain, and directions on how to find an amazing treasure trove of hidden wealth. Although he has an unhappy marriage with the name Ilsa, Peter also has a sweet daughter named Lucia.

His love for Lucia motivates him to seek the treasure in order to change their fortunes and life for the better. Let's get cozy. Close your eyes. Relax your body into the softness of your bed. Now, take a few deep breaths. As soon as it was light, the neighbors searched every corner of the house again and examined every nail in the wall and every beam, but luckily no one found Master Peter. After that they went out with long poles to fish in every ditch and pond, but they found nothing. And then, Dame Ilsa gave up the idea of ever seeing her husband again. She very soon consoled herself, however, only wondering how the sacks of corn were to be carried to the mill in future if he weren't around. She decided to buy a strong donkey to do the work, and, having chosen one, and after some bargaining with the owner as to its price, she went to the cupboard in the wall to fetch the money. But what was her surprise when she found that every shelf lay empty and bare before her. For a moment she stood bewildered, then broke into such frightful ravings that Lucia ran to her in alarm. But as soon as she heard of the disappearance of the money, she was heartily glad, and no longer feared that her father had come to any harm, but understood that he must have gone out into the world to seek his fortune in some new way. About a month after this, someone knocked at Dame Elsa's door one day, and she went to see if it was a customer for meal. But in step to hand some young man, dressed like a duke's son, who greeted her respectfully, and asked after her pretty daughter, as if he were an old friend, who she could not remember

having ever set eyes upon him before. However, she invited him to step into the house and be seated while he unfolded his business. With a great heir of mystery, he begged permission to speak to the fair Lutha of whose skill in needlework he had heard so much, as he had a commission to give her. Day Millsa had her own opinion as to what kind of commission it was likely to be. Brought by a young stranger to a pretty maiden. However, as the meeting would be under her own eye, she made no objection, but called to her industrious daughter, who left off working and came. But when she saw the stranger, she stopped short, blushing and casting down her eyes. He looked at her fondly and took her hand when she tried to draw away crying. Ah, Friedland, why are you here? I thought you were a hundred miles away. Have you come to grieve me again? No, dearest girl, answered he. I am come to complete your happiness and my own. Since we last met, my fortune has utterly changed. I'm no longer the poor vagabond that I was then. My rich uncle has died, leaving me money and goods in plenty, so that I dare to present myself to your mother as a suitor for your hand. That I love you, I know well. If you can love me, I am indeed a happy man. Lucius, pretty blue eyes, had looked up shyly as he spoke, and now a smile parted her rosy lips. And she stole a glance at her mother to see what she thought about it

all. But the dame stood lost in amazement to find that her daughter, whom she could have declared had never been out of her sight, was already well acquainted with the handsome stranger and quite willing to be his bride.

Before she had done staring, this hasty wooer had smoothed his way by covering the shining table with gold pieces as a wedding gift to the bride's mother and and had filled Lucius Abrin into the bargain, after which the dame made no difficulties, and the matter was speedily settled. While Ilsa gathered up the gold and hid it safely away, the lovers whispered together, and what Friedland told her seemed to make Lucia every moment more happy and contented. Now, a great, hurly, burly began in the house, and preparations for the wedding went on a pace. A few days later, a heavily laden wagon drove up, and out of it came so many boxes and bales that Dei Milsa was lost in wonder at the wealth of her future son-in-law. day day for the wedding was chosen, and all their friends and neighbors were bidden to the feast. As Lucia was trying on her bridal wreath, she said to her mother, this wedding garland would please me indeed if Father Peter could lead me to the church. If only he could come back again. Here we are, rolling in riches, while he may be nibbling at hunger's table. And the very idea of such a thing made her weep. Well even Dame Ilsa said, I should not be sorry myself to see him come back. There's always something lacking in a house when the good man is away. But the fact was that she was growing quite tired of having no one to scold. And what do you think happened? On the very eve of the wedding, a man pushing a wheelbarrow arrived at the city gate and paid toll upon a barrel of nails which it contained and then made the best of his way to the bride's dwelling and knocked at the door. The bride herself peeped out of the window to see who it could be and there stood father Peter. Then there was great rejoicing in the house. Lucia ran to embrace him, and even Dame Ilsa held out her hand and welcomed, and only said, Rogue, mend your ways when she remembered the empty treasure covered. Father Peter greeted the bridegroom, looking at him shrewdly, while the mother and daughter hastened to say all they knew in his favor, and appeared to be satisfied with him as a son-in-law. When Dei Milsa had set something to eat before her husband,

she was curious to hear his adventures, and questioned him eagerly as to why he had gone away. God bless my home," said He.

I have been marching through the country and have tried every kind of work.

But now I have found a job in the iron trade. Only so far, I have put more into it than I have earned by it. This barrel of nails is my whole fortune, which I wish to give as my contribution toward the bride's house furnishing. This speech roused Dame Ilsa to anger, and she broke out into such shrill reproaches that the bystanders were fairly deafened, and Friedland hastily offered Master Peter a home with Lucia and himself, promising that he should live in comfort and be always welcome. So Lucia had her heart's desire and Father Peter led her to the church the next day, and the marriage took place very happily. Soon afterwards, the young people settled into a fine house which Friedland had bought, and had a garden and meadows, a fish pond, and a hill covered with vines, and was happy as the day was long. Father Peter also stayed quietly with them, living as everybody believed upon the generosity of his rich son-in-law. No one suspected that his barrel of nails was the real horn of plenty from which all the prosperity overflowed. Peter had made the journey to the treasure mountain successfully, without being found out by anybody. He had enjoyed himself, by the way, and taken his own time until he actually reached the little brook in the valley, which it had cost him some trouble to find. Then he pressed on eagerly and soon came to the little hollow in the wood. Down he went, burrowing like a mole into the earth. The magic root did its work. And at last, the treasure lay before his eyes. You may imagine how happily Peter filled his sack with as much gold as he could carry, and how he staggered up the seventy-seven steps with a heart full of hope and delight. He did not quite trust the gnomes' promises of safety, and was in such haste to find himself once more in the light of day, that he looked neither to the right nor the left, and could not afterwards remember whether the walls and pillars had sparkled with jewels or not. However, all went well. He neither saw nor heard anything alarming. The only thing that happened was that the great iron barred door shut with a crash as soon as he was fairly outside it. And then he remembered that he had left the magic root behind him so he could not go back for another load of treasure. But even that did not trouble Peter much. He was quite satisfied with what he had already.

After he had faithfully done everything according to Father Martin's instructions and pressed the earth well back into the hollow, he sat down to consider how he could bring his treasure back to his homeland and enjoy it there without being forced to share it with his wife who would give him no peace if she found out about it. At last, after much thinking, he hit upon a plan. He carried his sack to the nearest village, and there bought a wheelbarrow, a strong barrel, and a quantity of nails. Then he packed his gold into the barrel, covered it well with a layer of nails, hoisted it onto the wheelbarrow with some difficulty, and set off with it upon his homework way. At one place upon the road, he met a handsome young man, who seemed by his downcast air, to be in some great trouble. Father Peter, who wished everybody to be as happy as he was himself, greeted him cheerfully, and asked where he was going, to which he answered sadly. Into the wide world, good father, or out of it, wherever my feet may chance to carry me. Why out of it, said Peter? What has the world been doing to you? It has done nothing to me nor eye to it, he replied.

Nevertheless... world been doing to you. It has done nothing to me, nor I to it," he replied. Nevertheless, there is not anything left in it for me. Father Peter did his best to cheer the young man up and invited him to sub with him at the first in they came to, thinking that perhaps hunger and poverty were causing the stranger's trouble. But when good food was set before him, he seemed to forget to eat, so Peter perceived that what ailed his guest was sorrow of heart and asked him kindly to tell him his story. "'What is the point, Father,' said he. "'You can give me neither help nor comfort.'" "'Who knows?" answered Master Peter.

I might be able to do something for you. Often enough in life, help comes to us from the most unexpected quarter. The young man, thus encouraged, began his tale. I am," said he, across Bowman in the service of a noble count, in whose castle I was brought up. Not long ago my master went on a journey and brought back with him, amongst other treasures, portrait portrait of a fair maiden, so sweet and lovely, that I lost my heart at first sight of it, and could think of nothing but how I might seek her out and marry her. The count had told me her name and where she lived, laughed at my love and absolutely refused to give me leave to go in search of her, so I was forced to run away from the castle by night. I soon reached the little town where the maiden dwelt, but there fresh difficulties awaited me. She lived under the care of her mother, who was so severe that she was never allowed to look out of the window, or set her foot outside the door alone, and how to make friends with her I did not know. But at last, I dressed myself as an old woman, knocked boldly at her door. The lovely maid and herself opened it, and so charmed me that I came near for getting my disguise. But I soon recovered my wits and begged her to work a fine tablecloth for me, for she He is reported to be the best needle woman in all the country round. Now I was free to go and see her often under the presence of seeing how the work was going, and one day when her mother had gone to the town I ventured to throw off my disguise and tell her of my love. She was startled at first, but I persuaded her to listen to me, and I soon saw that I was not displeasing to her, though she scolded me gently for my disobedience to my master, my deceit in disguising myself. But when I begged her to marry me, she told me sadly that her mother would scorn a penniless wooer and implored me to go away at once, less trouble should fall upon her. After as it was to me, I was forced to go when she bade me, and I have wandered about ever since, with grief, knowing at my heart, for how can a masterless man, without money or goods, ever hope to win the lovely Lucia? Mr Master Peter, who had been listening attentively, pricked up his ears at the sound of his daughter's name, and very soon found out that it was indeed with her that this young man was so deeply in love.

"'Your story is strange indeed,' said he. But where is the father of this maiden? Why do you not ask him for her hand? He might well take your part, and be glad to have you for his son-in-law. "'Alas,' said the young man. Her father is a wandering good for nothing, who has forsaken wife and child, and gone off. Who knows where? The wife complains of him bitterly enough, and scolds my dear maiden when she takes her father's side.

Father Peter was somewhat amused by this speech, but he liked the young man well, and saw that he was a very person he needed to enable him to enjoy his wealth in peace without being separated from his dear daughter. If you will take my advice, said he, I promise that you shall marry this maiden whom you love so much, and that before you are many days older. Comrade, cried Friedland indignantly, for he thought Peter did but just with him. It is ill done to mock at an unhappy man. He would better find someone else who will let himself be taken in with your fine promises. End up he sprang and was going off hastily when Master Peter caught him by the arm. Stay hothead, he cried. It is no just, and I am prepared to make good my words. Thereupon, he showed him the treasure hidden under the nails and unfolded to him his plan, which was that Friedland should play the part of the rich son-in-law and keep a still tongue that they might enjoy their wealth together in peace. The young man was overjoyed at this sudden change in his fortunes and did not know how to thank Father Peter for his generosity. They took the road again at dawn the next morning, and soon reached a town where Friedland equipped himself as a gallant wooer should. Father Peter filled his pockets with gold for the wedding dowry, and agreed with him that when all was settled, he should secretly send him word, that Peter might send off the wagon load of house planishings, with which the rich bridegroom was to make such a stir in the little town where the bride lived as they parted. Father Peter's last commands to Friedland were to guard well their secret and not even to tell it to Lucia until she was his wife. Master Peter long enjoyed the profits of his journey to the mountain and no rumor of it ever got abroad. In his old age, his prosperity was so great that he himself did not know how rich he was, but it was always supposed that the money was Friedland's for his part, Friedland and his beloved wife Lucia, lived in the greatest happiness and peace, and rose to great honor in the town. to this, when the citizens wish to describe a wealthy man they say,

as rich as Peter blocks Sun and Law. you