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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/15592-8.txt b/15592-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e6b9063 --- /dev/null +++ b/15592-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4458 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Old-Fashioned Fairy Tales, by Juliana Horatia +Gatty Ewing + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Old-Fashioned Fairy Tales + + +Author: Juliana Horatia Gatty Ewing + +Release Date: April 9, 2005 [eBook #15592] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OLD-FASHIONED FAIRY TALES*** + + +E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Jennifer Goslee, and the Project +Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + + +OLD-FASHIONED FAIRY TALES + +by + +JULIANA HORATIA EWING. + +London: +Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, +Northumberland Avenue, W.C. +New York: E. & J.B. Young & Co. +[Published under the direction of the General Literature Committee.] + + + + + + + + DEDICATED TO MY DEAR SISTER, UNDINE MARCIA GATTY. + + J.H.E. + + + + + "Know'st thou not the little path + That winds about the Ferny brae, + That is the road to bonnie Elfland, + Where thou and I this night maun gae." + + _Thomas the Rhymer_. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +As the title of this story-book may possibly suggest that the tales +are old fairy tales told afresh, it seems well to explain that this is +not so. + +Except for the use of common "properties" of Fairy Drama, and a +scrupulous endeavour to conform to tradition in local colour and +detail, the stories are all new. + +They have appeared at intervals during some years past in "AUNT JUDY'S +MAGAZINE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE," and were written in conformity to certain +theories respecting stories of this kind, with only two of which shall +the kindly reader of prefaces be troubled. + +First, that there are ideas and types, occurring in the myths of all +countries, which are common properties, to use which does not lay the +teller of fairy tales open to the charge of plagiarism. Such as the +idea of the weak outwitting the strong; the failure of man to choose +wisely when he may have his wish; or the desire of sprites to exchange +their careless and unfettered existence for the pains and penalties of +humanity, if they may thereby share in the hopes of the human soul. + +Secondly, that in these household stories (the models for which were +originally oral tradition) the thing most to be avoided is a +discursive or descriptive style of writing. Brevity and epigram must +ever be soul of their wit, and they should be written as tales that +are told. + +The degree in which, if at all, the following tales fulfil these +conditions, nursery critics must decide. + +There are older critics before whom fairy tales, as such, need excuse, +even if they do not meet with positive disapprobation. + +On this score I can only say that, for myself, I believe them to +be--beyond all need of defence--most valuable literature for the +young. I do not believe that wonder-tales confuse children's ideas of +truth. If there are young intellects so imperfect as to be incapable +of distinguishing between fancy and falsehood, it is surely most +desirable to develop in them the power to do so; but, as a rule, in +childhood we appreciate the distinction with a vivacity which, as +elders, our care-clogged memories fail to recall. + +Moreover fairy tales have positive uses in education, which no +cramming of facts, and no merely domestic fiction can serve. + +Like Proverbs and Parables, they deal with first principles under the +simplest forms. They convey knowledge of the world, shrewd lessons of +virtue and vice, of common sense and sense of humour, of the seemly +and the absurd, of pleasure and pain, success and failure, in +narratives where the plot moves briskly and dramatically from a +beginning to an end. They treat, not of the corner of a nursery or a +playground, but of the world at large, and life in perspective; of +forces visible and invisible; of Life, Death, and Immortality. + +For causes obvious to the student of early myths, they foster sympathy +with nature, and no class of child-literature has done so much to +inculcate the love of animals. + +They cultivate the Imagination, that great gift which time and +experience lead one more and more to value--handmaid of Faith, of +Hope, and, perhaps most of all, of Charity! + +It is true that some of the old fairy tales do not teach the high and +useful lessons that most of them do; and that they unquestionably deal +now and again with phases of grown-up life, and with crimes and +catastrophes, that seem unsuitable for nursery entertainment. + +As to the latter question, it must be remembered that the brevity of +the narrative--whether it be a love story or a robber story--deprives +it of all harm; a point which writers of modern fairy tales do not +always realize for their guidance. + +The writer of the following tales has endeavoured to bear this +principle in mind, and it is hoped that the morals--and it is of the +essence of fairy tales to have a moral--of all of them are beyond +reproach. + +For the rest they are committed to the indulgence of the gentle +reader. + +Hans Anderssen, perhaps the greatest writer of modern fairy tales, was +content to say: + + "FAIRY TALE NEVER DIES." + + J.H.E. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + PAGE GOOD LUCK IS BETTER THAN GOLD + + THE HILLMAN AND THE HOUSEWIFE + + THE NECK, A LEGEND OF A LAKE + + THE NIX IN MISCHIEF + + THE COBBLER AND THE GHOSTS + + THE LAIRD AND THE MAN OF PEACE + + THE OGRE COURTING + + THE MAGICIANS' GIFTS + + THE WIDOWS AND THE STRANGERS + + KIND WILLIAM AND THE WATER SPRITE + + MURDOCH'S RATH + + THE LITTLE DARNER + + THE FIDDLER IN THE FAIRY RING + + "I WON'T" + + THE MAGIC JAR + + THE FIRST WIFE'S WEDDING-RING + + THE MAGICIAN TURNED MISCHIEF-MAKER + + KNAVE AND FOOL + + UNDER THE SUN + + + + + + +GOOD LUCK IS BETTER THAN GOLD. + + +There was once upon a time a child who had Good Luck for his godfather. + +"I am not Fortune," said Good Luck to the parents; "I have no gifts to +bestow, but whenever he needs help I will be at hand." + +"Nothing could be better," said the old couple. They were delighted. +But what pleases the father often fails to satisfy the son: moreover, +every man thinks that he deserves just a little more than he has got, +and does not reckon it to the purpose if his father had less. + +Many a one would be thankful to have as good reasons for contentment +as he who had Good Luck for his godfather. + +If he fell, Good Luck popped something soft in the way to break his +fall; if he fought, Good Luck directed his blows, or tripped up his +adversary; if he got into a scrape, Good Luck helped him out of it; +and if ever Misfortune met him, Good Luck contrived to hustle her on +the pathway till his godson got safely by. + +In games of hazard the godfather played over his shoulder. In matters +of choice he chose for him. And when the lad began to work on his +father's farm the farmer began to get rich. For no bird or field-mouse +touched a seed that his son had sown, and every plant he planted +throve when Good Luck smiled on it. + +The boy was not fond of work, but when he did go into the fields, Good +Luck followed him. + +"Your christening-day was a blessed day for us all," said the old +farmer. + +"He has never given me so much as a lucky sixpence," muttered Good +Luck's godson. + +"I am not Fortune--I make no presents," said the godfather. + +When we are discontented it is oftener to please our neighbours than +ourselves. It was because the other boys had said--"Simon, the +shoemaker's son, has an alderman for his godfather. He gave him a +silver spoon with the Apostle Peter for the handle; but thy godfather +is more powerful than any alderman"--that Good Luck's godson +complained, "He has never given me so much as a bent sixpence." + +By and by the old farmer died, and his son grew up, and had the +largest farm in the country. The other boys grew up also, and as they +looked over the farmer's boundary-wall, they would say: + +"Good-morning, Neighbour. That is certainly a fine farm of yours. Your +cattle thrive without loss. Your crops grow in the rain and are reaped +with the sunshine. Mischance never comes your road. What you have +worked for you enjoy. Such success would turn the heads of poor folk +like us. At the same time one would think a man need hardly work for +his living at all who has Good Luck for his godfather." + +"That is very true," thought the farmer. "Many a man is prosperous, +and reaps what he sows, who had no more than the clerk and the sexton +for gossips at his christening." + +"What is the matter, Godson?" asked Good Luck, who was with him in the +field. + +"I want to be rich," said the farmer. + +"You will not have to wait long," replied the godfather. "In every +field you sow, in every flock you rear there is increase without +abatement. Your wealth is already tenfold greater than your father's." + +"Aye, aye," replied the farmer. "Good wages for good work. But many a +young man has gold at his command who need never turn a sod, and none +of the Good People came to _his_ christening. Fortunatus's Purse now, +or even a sack or two of gold--" + +"Peace!" cried the godfather; "I have said that I give no gifts." + +Though he had not Fortunatus's Purse, the farmer had now money and to +spare, and when the harvest was gathered in, he bought a fine suit of +clothes, and took his best horse and went to the royal city to see the +sights. + +The pomp and splendour, the festivities and fine clothes dazzled him. + +"This is a gay life which these young courtiers lead," said he. "A man +has nothing to do but to enjoy himself." + +"If he has plenty of gold in his pocket," said a bystander. + +By and by the Princess passed in her carriage. She was the King's only +daughter. She had hair made of sunshine, and her eyes were stars. + +"What an exquisite creature!" cried the farmer. "What would not one +give to possess her?" + +"She has as many suitors as hairs on her head," replied the bystander. +"She wants to marry the Prince of Moonshine, but he only dresses in +silver, and the King thinks he might find a richer son-in-law. The +Princess will go to the highest bidder." + +"And I have Good Luck for my godfather, and am not even at court!" +cried the farmer; and he put spurs to his horse, and rode home. + +Good Luck was taking care of the farm. + +"Listen, Godfather!" cried the young man. "I am in love with the +King's daughter, and want her to wife." + +"It is not an easy matter," replied Good Luck, "but I will do what I +can for you. Say that by good luck you saved the Princess's life, or +perhaps better the King's--for they say he is selfish--" + +"Tush!" cried the farmer. "The King is covetous, and wants a rich +son-in-law." + +"A wise man may bring wealth to a kingdom with his head, if not with +his hands," said Good Luck, "and I can show you a district where the +earth only wants mining to be flooded with wealth. Besides, there are +a thousand opportunities that can be turned to account and influence. +By wits and work, and with Good Luck to help him, many a poorer man +than you has risen to greatness." + +"Wits and work!" cried the indignant godson. "You speak well--truly! A +hillman would have made a better godfather. Give me as much gold as +will fill three meal-bins, and you may keep the rest of your help for +those who want it." + +Now at this moment by Good Luck stood Dame Fortune. She likes handsome +young men, and there was some little jealousy between her and the +godfather so she smiled at the quarrel. + +"You would rather have had me for your gossip?" said she. + +"If you would give me three wishes, I would," replied the farmer +boldly, "and I would trouble you no more." + +"Will you make him over to me?" said Dame Fortune to the godfather. + +"If he wishes it," replied Good Luck. "But if he accepts your gifts he +has no further claim on me." + +"Nor on me either," said the Dame. "Hark ye, young man, you mortals +are apt to make a hobble of your three wishes, and you may end with a +sausage at your nose, like your betters." + +"I have thought of it too often," replied the farmer, "and I know what +I want. For my first wish I desire imperishable beauty." + +"It is yours," said Dame Fortune, smiling as she looked at him. + +"The face of a prince and the manners of a clown are poor partners," +said the farmer. "My second wish is for suitable learning and courtly +manners, which cannot be gained at the plough-tail." + +"You have them in perfection," said the Dame, as the young man thanked +her by a graceful bow. + +"Thirdly," said he, "I demand a store of gold that I can never +exhaust." + +"I will lead you to it," said Dame Fortune; and the young man was so +eager to follow her that he did not even look back to bid farewell to +his godfather. + +He was soon at court. He lived in the utmost pomp. He had a suit of +armour made for himself out of beaten gold. No metal less precious +might come near his person, except for the blade of his sword. This +was obliged to be made of steel, for gold is not always strong enough +to defend one's life or his honour. But the Princess still loved the +Prince of Moonshine. + +"Stuff and nonsense!" said the King. "I shall give you to the Prince +of Gold." + +"I wish I had the good luck to please her," muttered the young Prince. +But he had not, for all his beauty and his wealth. However, she was to +marry him, and that was something. + +The preparations for the wedding were magnificent. + +"It is a great expense," sighed the King, "but then I get the Prince +of Gold for a son-in-law." + +The Prince and his bride drove round the city in a triumphal +procession. Her hair fell over her like sunshine, but the starlight of +her eyes was cold. + +In the train rode the Prince of Moonshine, dressed in silver, and +with no colour in his face. + +As the bridal chariot approached one of the city gates, two black +ravens hovered over it, and then flew away, and settled on a tree. + +Good Luck was sitting under the tree to see his godson's triumph, and +he heard the birds talking above him. + +"Has the Prince of Gold no friend who can tell him that there is a +loose stone above the archway that is tottering to fall?" said they. +And Good Luck covered his face with his mantle as the Prince drove +through. + +Just as they were passing out of the gateway the stone fell on to the +Prince's head. He wore a casque of pure gold, but his neck was broken. + + + "We can't have all this expense for nothing," said the King: + so he married his daughter to the Prince of Moonshine. If one + can't get gold one must be content with silver. + + +"Will you come to the funeral?" asked Dame Fortune of the godfather. + +"Not I," replied Good Luck. "I had no hand in _this_ matter." + +The rain came down in torrents. The black feathers on the ravens' +backs looked as if they had been oiled. + +"Caw! caw!" said they. "It was an unlucky end." + +However, the funeral was a very magnificent one, for there was no +stint of gold. + + + + +THE HILLMAN AND THE HOUSEWIFE. + + +It is well known that the Good People cannot abide meanness. They like +to be liberally dealt with when they beg or borrow of the human race; +and, on the other hand, to those who come to them in need, they are +invariably generous. + +Now there once lived a certain Housewife who had a sharp eye to her +own interests in temporal matters, and gave alms of what she had no +use for, for the good of her soul. One day a Hillman knocked at her +door. + +"Can you lend us a saucepan, good Mother?" said he. "There's a wedding +in the hill, and all the pots are in use." + +"Is he to have one?" asked the servant lass who had opened the door. + +"Aye, to be sure," answered the Housewife. "One must be neighbourly." + +But when the maid was taking a saucepan from the shelf, she pinched +her arm, and whispered sharply--"Not that, you slut! Get the old one +out of the cupboard. It leaks, and the Hillmen are so neat, and such +nimble workers, that they are sure to mend it before they send it +home. So one obliges the Good People, and saves sixpence in tinkering. +But you'll never learn to be notable whilst your head is on your +shoulders." + +Thus reproached, the maid fetched the saucepan, which had been laid by +till the tinker's next visit, and gave it to the dwarf, who thanked +her, and went away. + +In due time the saucepan was returned, and, as the Housewife had +foreseen, it was neatly mended and ready for use. + +At supper-time the maid filled the pan with milk, and set it on the +fire for the children's supper. But in a few minutes the milk was so +burnt and smoked that no one could touch it, and even the pigs refused +the wash into which it was thrown. + +"Ah, good-for-nothing hussy!" cried the Housewife, as she refilled the +pan herself, "you would ruin the richest with your carelessness. +There's a whole quart of good milk wasted at once!" + +"_And that's twopence_," cried a voice which seemed to come from the +chimney, in a whining tone, like some nattering, discontented old body +going over her grievances. + +The Housewife had not left the saucepan for two minutes, when the +milk boiled over, and it was all burnt and smoked as before. + +"The pan must be dirty," muttered the good woman, in great vexation; +"and there are two full quarts of milk as good as thrown to the dogs." + +"_And that's fourpence_," added the voice in the chimney. + +After a thorough cleaning, the saucepan was once more filled and set +on the fire, but with no better success. The milk was hopelessly +spoilt, and the housewife shed tears of vexation at the waste, crying, +"Never before did such a thing befall me since I kept house! Three +quarts of new milk burnt for one meal!" + +"_And that's sixpence_," cried the voice from the chimney. "_You +didn't save the tinkering after all Mother_!" + +With which the Hillman himself came tumbling down the chimney, and +went off laughing through the door. + +But thenceforward the saucepan was as good as any other. + + + + +THE NECK. + +A Legend of a Lake. + + +On a certain lake there once lived a Neck, or Water Sprite, who +desired, above all things, to obtain a human soul. Now when the sun +shone this Neck rose up and sat upon the waves and played upon his +harp. And he played so sweetly that the winds stayed to listen to him, +and the sun lingered in his setting, and the moon rose before her +time. And the strain was in praise of immortality. + +Furthermore, out of the lake there rose a great rock, whereon dwelt an +aged hermit, who by reason of his loneliness was afflicted with a +spirit of melancholy; so that when the fit was on him, he was +constantly tempted to throw himself into the water, for his life was +burdensome to him. But one day, when this gloomy madness had driven +him to the edge of the rock to cast himself down, the Neck rose at the +same moment, and sitting upon a wave, began to play. And the strain +was in praise of immortality. And the melody went straight to the +heart of the hermit as a sunbeam goes into a dark cave, and it +dispelled his gloom, and he thought all to be as well with him as +before it had seemed ill. And he called to the Neck and said, "What is +that which thou dost play, my son?" + +And the Neck answered, "It is in praise of immortality." + +Then said the hermit, "I beg that thou wilt play frequently beneath +this rock; for I am an aged and solitary man, and by reason of my +loneliness, life becomes a burden to me, and I am tempted to throw it +away. But by this gracious strain the evil has been dispelled. +Wherefore I beg thee to come often and to play as long as is +convenient. And yet I cannot offer thee any reward, for I am poor and +without possessions." + +Then the Neck replied, "There are treasures below the water as above, +and I desire no earthly riches. But if thou canst tell me how I may +gain a human soul, I will play on till thou shalt bid me cease." + +And the hermit said, "I must consider the matter. But I will return +to-morrow at this time and answer thee." + +Then the next day he returned as he had said, and the Neck was +waiting impatiently on the lake, and he cried, "What news, my father?" + +And the hermit said, "If that at any time some human being will freely +give his life for thee, thou wilt gain a human soul. But thou also +must die the selfsame day." + +"The short life for the long one!" cried the Neck; and he played a +melody so full of happiness that the blood danced through the hermit's +veins as if he were a boy again. But the next day when he came as +usual the Neck called to him and said, "My father, I have been +thinking. Thou art aged and feeble, and at the most there are but few +days of life remaining to thee. Moreover, by reason of thy loneliness +even these are a burden. Surely there is none more fit than thou to be +the means of procuring me a human soul. Wherefore I beg of thee, let +us die to-day." + +But the hermit cried out angrily, "Wretch! Is this thy gratitude? +Wouldst thou murder me?" + +"Nay, old man," replied the Neck, "thou shalt part easily with thy +little fag-end of life. I can play upon my harp a strain of such +surpassing sadness that no human heart that hears it but must break. +And yet the pain of that heartbreak shall be such that thou wilt not +know it from rapture. Moreover, when the sun sets below the water, my +spirit also will depart without suffering. Wherefore I beg of thee, +let us die to-day." + +"Truly," said the hermit, "it is because thou art only a Neck, and +nothing better, that thou dost not know the value of human life." + +"And art thou a man, possessed already of a soul, and destined for +immortality," cried the Neck, "and dost haggle and grudge to benefit +me by the sacrifice of a few uncertain days, when it is but to +exchange them for the life that knows no end?" + +"Our days are always uncertain," replied the hermit; "but existence is +very sweet, even to the most wretched. Moreover, I see not that thou +hast any claim upon mine." Saying which he returned to his cell, but +the Neck, flinging aside his harp, sat upon the water, and wept +bitterly. + +Days passed, and the hermit did not show himself, and at last the Neck +resolved to go and visit him. So he took his harp, and taking also the +form of a boy with long fair hair and a crimson cap, he appeared in +the hermit's cell. There he found the old man stretched upon his +pallet, for lie was dying. When he saw the Neck he was glad, and said, +"I have desired to see thee, for I repent myself that I did not +according to thy wishes. Yet is the desire of life stronger in the +human breast than thou canst understand. Nevertheless I am sorry, and +I am sorry also that, as I am sick unto death, my life will no longer +avail thee. But when I am dead, do thou take all that belongs to me, +and dress thyself in my robe, and go out into the world, and do works +of mercy, and perchance some one whom thou hast benefited will be +found willing to die with thee, that thou mayst obtain a soul." + +"Now indeed I thank thee!" cried the Neck. "But yet one word +more--what are these works of which thou speakest?" + +"The corporal works of mercy are seven," gasped the hermit, raising +himself on his arm. "To feed the hungry and give the thirsty drink, to +visit the sick, to redeem captives, to clothe the naked, to shelter +the stranger and the houseless, to visit the widow and fatherless, and +to bury the dead." Then even as he spoke the last words the hermit +died. And the Neck clothed himself in his robe, and, not to delay in +following the directions given to him, he buried the hermit with pious +care, and planted flowers upon his grave. After which he went forth +into the world. + +Now for three hundred years did the Neck go about doing acts of mercy +and charity towards men. And amongst the hungry, and the naked, and +the sick, and the poor, and the captives, there were not a few who +seemed to be weary of this life of many sorrows. But when he had fed +the hungry, and clothed the naked, and relieved the sick, and made +the poor rich, and set the captive free, life was too dear to all of +them to be given up. Therefore he betook himself to the most miserable +amongst men, and offering nothing but an easy death in a good cause, +he hoped to find some aged and want-worn creature who would do him the +kindness he desired. But of those who must look forward to the fewest +days and to the most misery there was not one but, like the fabled +woodcutter, chose to trudge out to the end his miserable span. + +So when three hundred years were past, the Neck's heart failed him, +and he said, "All this avails nothing. Wherefore I will return to the +lake, and there abide what shall befall." And this he accordingly did. + +Now one evening there came a tempest down from the hills, and there +was a sudden squall on the lake. And a certain young man in a boat +upon the lake was overtaken by the storm. And as he struggled hard, +and it seemed as if every moment must be his last, a young maid who +was his sweetheart came down to the shore, and cried aloud in her +agony, "Alas, that his young life should be cut short thus!" + +"Trouble not thyself," said the Neck; "this life is so short and so +uncertain, that if he were rescued to-day he might be taken from thee +to-morrow. Only in eternity is love secure. Wherefore be patient, and +thou shalt soon follow him." + +"And who art thou that mockest my sorrow?" cried the maiden. + +"One who has watched the passing misfortunes of many generations +before thine," replied the Neck. + +And when the maiden looked, and saw one like a little old man wringing +out his beard into the lake, she knew it was a Neck, and cried, "Now +surely thou art a Neck, and they say, 'When Necks play, the winds +wisht;' wherefore I beg of thee to play upon thy harp, and it may be +that the storm will lull, and my beloved will be saved." + +But the Neck answered, "It is not worth while." + +And when the maiden could not persuade him, she fell upon her face in +bitter grief, and cried, "Oh, my Beloved! Would GOD I could die for +thee!" + +"And yet thou wouldst not if thou couldst," said the Neck. + +"If it be in thy power to prove me--prove me!" cried the maiden; "for +indeed he is the only stay of aged parents, and he is young and +unprepared for death. Moreover his life is dearer to me than my own." + +Then the Neck related his own story, and said, "If thou wilt do this +for me, which none yet has done whom I have benefited, I will play +upon my harp, and if the winds wisht, thou must die this easy death; +but if I fail in my part, I shall not expect thine to be fulfilled. +And we must both abide what shall befall, even as others." And to this +the maiden consented most willingly. Only she said, "Do this for me, I +beg of thee. Let him come so near that I may just see his face before +I die." And it was so agreed. + +Then the aged Neck drew forth his harp and began to play. And as he +played the wind stayed, as one who pauses to hearken with cleft lips, +and the lake rose and fell gently, like the bosom of a girl moved by +some plaintive song, and the sun burst forth as if to see who made +such sweet music. And so through this happy change the young man got +safe to land. Then the Neck turned to the maiden and said, "Dost thou +hold to thy promise?" And she bowed her head. + +"In the long life be thy recompense!" cried the Neck, fervently, and +taking his harp again, he poured his whole spirit into the strain. And +as he played, it seemed as if the night wind moaned among pine-trees, +but it was more mournful. And it was as the wail of a mother for her +only son, and yet fuller of grief. Or like a Dead March wrung from the +heart of a great musician--loading the air with sorrow--and yet all +these were as nothing to it for sadness. And when the maiden heard it, +it was more than she could bear, and her heart broke, as the Neck had +said. Then the young man sprang to shore, and when she could see his +face clearly, her soul passed, and her body fell like a snapped flower +to the earth. + +Now when the young man knew what was befallen, he fell upon the Neck +to kill him, who said, "Thou mayest spare thyself this trouble, for in +a few moments I shall be dead. But do thou take my robe and my harp, +and thou shalt be a famous musician." + +Now even as the Neck spoke the sun sank, and he fell upon his face. +And when the young man lifted the robe, behold there was nothing under +it but the harp, across which there swept such a wild and piteous +chord that all the strings burst as if with unutterable grief. + +Then the young man lifted the body of his sweetheart in his arms, and +carried her home, and she was buried with many tears. + +And in due time he put fresh strings to the harp, which, though it was +not as when it was in the hands of the Neck, yet it made most +exquisite music. And the young man became a famous musician. For out +of suffering comes song. + +Furthermore, he occupied himself in good works until that his time +also came. + + * * * * * + +And in Eternity Love was made secure. + + + + +THE NIX IN MISCHIEF. + + +A certain lake in Germany was once the home of a Nix, who became tired +of the monotony of life under water, and wished to go into the upper +world and amuse himself. + +His friends and relations all tried to dissuade him. "Be wise," said +they, "and remain where you are safe, seeing that no business summons +you from the lake. Few of our kindred have had dealings with the human +race without suffering from their curiosity or clumsiness; and, do +them what good you may, in the long run you will reap nothing but +ingratitude. From how many waters have they not already banished us? +Wherefore let well alone, and stay where you are." + +But this counsel did not please the Nix--(as, indeed, there is no +reason to suppose that advice is more palatable under water than on +dry land)--and he only said, "I shall not expect gratitude, for I have +no intention of conferring benefits; but I wish to amuse myself. The +Dwarfs and Kobolds play what pranks they please on men and women, and +they do not always have the worst of it. When I hear of their +adventures, the soles of my feet tingle. This is a sign of travelling, +and am I to be debarred from fun because I live in a lake instead of a +hill?" + +His friends repeated their warnings, but to no purpose. The Nix +remained unconvinced, and spent his time in dreaming of the clever +tricks by which he should outwit the human race, and the fame he would +thereby acquire on his return to the lake. + +Mischief seldom lacks opportunity, and shortly after this it happened +that a young girl came down to the lake for water to wash with; and +dipping her pail just above the Nix's head, in a moment he jumped in, +and was brought safe to land. The maid was Bess, the washerwoman's +daughter; and as she had had one good scolding that morning for +oversleeping herself, and another about noon for dawdling with her +work, she took up the pail and set off home without delay. + +But though she held it steadily enough, the bucket shook, and the +water spilled hither and thither. Thinking that her right arm might be +tired, she moved the weight to her left, but with no better success, +for the water still spilled at every step. "One would think there were +fishes in the pail," said Bess, as she set it down. But there was +nothing to be seen but a thin red water-worm wriggling at the bottom, +such as you may see any day in a soft-water tub. It was in this shape, +however, that the Nix had disguised himself, and he almost writhed out +of his skin with delight at the success of his first essay in +mischief. + +When they once more set forward the Nix leaped and jumped harder than +ever, so that not only was the water spilled, but the maiden's dress +was soaked, and her tears dropped almost as fast as the wet dripped +from her clothes. + +"The pail is bewitched!" cried the poor girl. "How my mother will beat +me for this! And my back aches as if I were carrying lead, and yet the +water is nearly all gone." + +"This is something like fun!" laughed the Nix. "When I go home and +relate _my_ adventures, no dwarfs pranks will be named again!" But +when Bess looked into the pail, he was the same slimy, stupid-looking +worm as before. She dared not return to the lake for more +water--"for," said she, "I should be as much beaten for being late as +for bringing short measure, and have the labour to boot." So she took +up her burden again, and the Nix began his dance afresh, and by the +time they came to their journey's end, there was not a quart of water +in the pail. + +"Was ever a poor woman plagued with such a careless hussy?" cried the +mother when she saw the dripping dress; and, as Bess had expected, she +seasoned her complaints with a hearty slap. "And look what she calls a +pailful of water!" added the mother, with a second blow. + +"Late in the morning's unlucky all day," thought poor Bess, and, as +her mother curled her, she screamed till the house rang with the +noise; for she had good lungs, and knew that it is well to cry out +before one gets too much hurt. + +Meanwhile the Nix thought she was enduring agonies, and could hardly +contain his mischievous glee; and when the woman bade her "warm some +water quickly for the wash," he was in no way disturbed, for he had +never seen boiling water, and only anticipated fresh sport as he +slipped from the pail into the kettle. + +"Now," cried the mother sharply, "see if you can lift _that_ without +slopping your clothes." + +"Aye, aye," laughed the Nix, "see if you can, my dear!" and as poor +Bess seized it in her sturdy red hands he began to dance as before. +But the kettle had a lid, which the pail had not. Moreover Bess was a +strong, strapping lass, and, stimulated by the remembrance of her +mother's slaps, with a vigorous effort she set the kettle on the fire. +"I shall be glad when I'm safely in bed," she muttered. "Everything +goes wrong to-day." + +"It is warm in here," said the Nix to himself, after a while; "in +fact--stuffy. But one must pay something for a frolic, and it tickles +my ears to hear that old woman rating her daughter for my pranks. Give +me time and opportunity, and I'll set the whole stupid race by the +ears. There she goes again! It is worth enduring a little discomfort, +though it certainly is warm, and I fancy it grows warmer." + +By degrees the bottom of the kettle grew quite hot, and burnt the Nix, +so that he had to jump up and down in the water to keep himself cool. +The noise of this made the woman think that the kettle was boiling, +and she began to scold her daughter as before, shouting, "Are you +coming with that tub to-night or not? The water is hot already." + +This time the Nix laughed (as they say) on the other side of his +mouth; for the water had now become as hot as the bottom of the +kettle, and he screamed at the top of his shrill tiny voice with pain. + +"How the kettle sings to-night!" said Bess, "and how it rains!" she +added. For at that moment a tremendous storm burst around the house, +and the rain poured down in sheets of water, as if it meant to wash +everything into the lake. The kettle now really boiled, and the lid +danced up and down with the frantic leaping and jumping of the +agonized Nix, who puffed and blew till his breath came out of the +spout in clouds of steam. + +"If your eyes were as sharp as your ears you'd see that the water is +boiling over," snapped the woman; and giving her daughter a passing +push, she hurried to the fire-place, and lifted the kettle on to the +ground. + +But no sooner had she set it down, than the lid flew off, and out +jumped a little man with green teeth and a tall green hat, who ran out +of the door wringing his hands and crying-- + +"Three hundred and three years have I lived in the water of this lake, +and I never knew it boil before!" + +As he crossed the threshold, a clap of thunder broke with what sounded +like a peal of laughter from many voices, and then the storm ceased as +suddenly as it had begun. + +The woman now saw how matters stood, and did not fail next morning to +fasten an old horseshoe to the door of her house. And seeing that she +had behaved unjustly to her daughter, she bought her the gayest set +of pink ribbons that were to be found at the next fair. + +It is on record that Bess (who cared little for slaps and sharp +speeches) thought this the best bargain she had ever made. But whether +the Nix was equally well satisfied is not known. + + + + +THE COBBLER AND THE GHOSTS. + + +Long ago there lived a cobbler who had very poor wits, but by strict +industry he could earn enough to keep himself and his widowed mother +in comfort. + +In this manner he had lived for many years in peace and prosperity, +when a distant relative died who left him a certain sum of money. This +so elated the cobbler that he could think of nothing else, and his +only talk was of the best way of spending the legacy. + +His mother advised him to lay it by against a rainy day. + +"For," said she, "we have lived long in much comfort as we are, and +have need of nothing; but when you grow old, or if it should please +Heaven that you become disabled, you will then be glad of your +savings." + +But to this the cobbler would not listen. "No," said he, "if we save +the money it may be stolen, but if we spend it well, we shall have +the use of what we buy, and may sell it again if we are so minded." + +He then proposed one purchase after another, and each was more foolish +than the rest. When this had gone on for some time, one morning he +exclaimed: "I have it at last! We will buy the house. It cannot be +stolen or lost, and when it is ours we shall have no rent to pay, and +I shall not have to work so hard." + +"He will never hit on a wiser plan than that," thought the widow; "it +is not to be expected." So she fully consented to this arrangement, +which was duly carried out; and the bargain left the cobbler with a +few shillings, which he tied up in a bag and put in his pocket, having +first changed them into pence, that they might make more noise when he +jingled the bag as he walked down the street. + +Presently he said; "It is not fit that a man who lives in his own +house, and has ready money in his pocket too, should spend the whole +day in labouring with his hands. Since by good luck I can read, it +would be well that I should borrow a book from the professor, for +study is an occupation suitable to my present position." + +Accordingly, he went to the professor, whom he found seated in his +library, and preferred his request. + +"What book do you want?" asked the professor. + +The cobbler stood and scratched his head thoughtfully. The professor +thought that he was trying to recall the name of the work; but in +reality he was saying to himself: "How much additional knowledge one +requires if he has risen ever so little in life! Now, if I did but +know where it is proper to begin in a case full of books like this! +Should one take the first on the top shelf, or the bottom shelf, to +the left, or to the right?" + +At last he resolved to choose the book nearest to him; so drawing it +out from the rest, he answered-- + +"This one, if it please you, learned sir." The professor lent it to +him, and he took it home and began to read. + +It was, as it happened, a book about ghosts and apparitions; and the +cobbler's mind was soon so full of these marvels that he could talk of +nothing else, and hardly did a stroke of work for reading and +pondering over what he read. He could find none of his neighbours who +had seen a ghost, though most had heard of such things, and many +believed in them. + +"Live and learn," thought the cobbler; "here is fame as well as +wealth. If I could but see a ghost there would be no more to desire." +And with this intent he sallied forth late one night to the +churchyard. + +Meanwhile a thief (who had heard the jingle of his money-bag) +resolved to profit by the cobbler's whim; so wrapping himself in a +sheet, he laid wait for him in a field that he must cross to reach the +church. + +When the cobbler saw the white figure, he made sure, that he had now +seen a ghost, and already felt proud of his own acquaintance, as a +remarkable character. Meanwhile, the thief stood quite still, and the +cobbler walked boldly up to him, expecting that the phantom would +either vanish or prove so impalpable that he could pass through it as +through a mist, of which he had read many notable instances in the +professor's book. He soon found out his mistake, however, for the +supposed ghost grappled him, and without loss of time relieved him of +his money-bag. The cobbler (who was not wanting in courage) fastened +as tightly on to the sheet, which he still held with desperate +firmness when the thief had slipped through his fingers; and after +waiting in vain for further marvels, he carried the sheet home to his +mother, and narrated his encounter with the ghost. + +"Alack-a-day! that I should have a son with so little wit!" cried the +old woman; "it was no ghost, but a thief, who is now making merry with +all the money we possessed." + +"We have his sheet," replied her son; "and that is due solely to my +determination. How could I have acted better?" + +"You should have grasped the man, not the sheet," said the widow, +"and pummelled him till he cried out and dropped the money-bag." + +"Live and learn," said the cobbler. The next night he went out as +before, and this time reached the churchyard unmolested. He was just +climbing the stile, when he again saw what seemed to be a white figure +standing near the church. As before, it proved solid, and this time he +pummelled it till his fingers bled, and for very weariness he was +obliged to go home and relate his exploits. The ghost had not cried +out, however, nor even so much as moved, for it was neither more nor +less than a tall tombstone shining white in the moonlight. + +"Alack-a-day!" cried the old woman, "that I should have a son with so +little wit as to beat a gravestone till his knuckles are sore! Now if +he had covered it with something black that it might not alarm timid +women or children, that would at least have been an act of charity." + +"Live and learn," said the cobbler. The following night he again set +forth, but this time in another direction. As he was crossing a field +behind his house he saw some long pieces of linen which his mother had +put out to bleach in the dew. + +"More ghosts!" cried the shoemaker, "and they know who is behind them. +They have fallen flat at the sound of my footsteps. But one must +think of others as well as oneself, and it is not every heart that is +as stout as mine." Saying which he returned to the house for something +black to throw over the prostrate ghosts. Now the kitchen chimney had +been swept that morning, and by the back door stood a sack of soot. + +"What is blacker than soot?" said the cobbler; and taking the sack, he +shook it out over the pieces of linen till not a thread of white was +to be seen. After which he went home, and boasted of his good deeds. + +The widow now saw that she must be more careful as to what she said; +so, after weighing the matter for some time, she suggested to the +cobbler that the next night he should watch for ghosts at home; "for +they are to be seen," said she, "as well when one is in bed as in the +fields." + +"There you are right," said the cobbler, "for I have this day read of +a ghost that appeared to a man in his own house. The candles burnt +blue, and when he had called thrice upon the apparition, he became +senseless." + +"That was his mistake," said the old woman. "He should have turned a +deaf ear, and even pretended to slumber; but it is not every one who +has courage for this. If one could really fall asleep in the face of +the apparition, there would be true bravery." + +"Leave that to me," said the cobbler. And the widow went off +chuckling, to herself, "If he comes to any mischance by holding his +tongue and going to sleep, ill-luck has got him by the leg, and +counsel is wasted on him." + +As soon as his mother was in bed, the cobbler prepared for his watch. +First he got together all the candles in the house, and stuck them +here and there about the kitchen, and sat down to watch till they +should burn blue. After waiting some time, during which the candles +only guttered with the draughts, the cobbler decided to go to rest for +a while. "It is too early yet," he thought; "I shall see nothing till +midnight." + +Very soon, however, he fell asleep; but towards morning he awoke, and +in the dim light perceived a figure in white at his bedside. It was a +blacksmith who lived near, and he had run in in his night-shirt +without so much as slippers on his feet. + +"The ghost at last!" thought the cobbler, and, remembering his +mother's advice, he turned over and shut his eyes. + +"Neighbour! neighbour!" cried the blacksmith, "your house is on fire!" + +"An old bird is not to be caught with chaff," chuckled the cobbler to +himself; and he pulled the bed-clothes over his head. + +"Neighbour!" roared the blacksmith, snatching at the quilt to drag it +off, "are you mad? The house is burning over your head. Get up for +your life!" + +"I have the courage of a general, and more," thought the cobbler; and +holding tightly on to the clothes he pretended to snore. + +"If you will burn, bum!" cried the blacksmith angrily, "but I mean to +save my bones"--with which he ran off. + +And burnt the cobbler undoubtedly would have been, had not his +mother's cries at last convinced him that the candles had set fire to +his house, which was wrapped in flames. With some difficulty he +escaped with his life, but of all he possessed nothing remained to him +but his tools and a few articles of furniture that the widow had +saved. + +As he was now again reduced to poverty, he was obliged to work as +diligently as in former years, and passed the rest of his days in the +same peace and prosperity which he had before enjoyed. + + + + +THE LAIRD AND THE MAN OF PEACE. + + +In the Highlands of Scotland there once lived a Laird of Brockburn, +who would not believe in fairies. Although his sixth cousin on the +mother's side, as he returned one night from a wedding, had seen the +Men of Peace hunting on the sides of Ben Muich Dhui, dressed in green, +and with silver-mounted bridles to their horses which jingled as they +rode; and though Rory the fiddler having gone to play at a christening +did never come home, but crossing a hill near Brockburn in a mist was +seduced into a _Shian_[1] or fairy turret, where, as all decent bodies +well believe, he is playing still--in spite, I say, of the wise saws +and experience of all his neighbours, Brockburn remained obstinately +incredulous. + +[Footnote 1: _Shian_, a Gaelic name for fairy towers, which by day are +not to be told from mountain crags.] + +Not that he bore any ill-will to the Good People, or spoke uncivilly +of them; indeed he always disavowed any feeling of disrespect towards +them if they existed, saying that he was a man of peace himself, and +anxious to live peaceably with whatever neighbours he had, but that +till he had seen one of the _Daoiné Shi_[2] he could not believe in +them. + +[Footnote 2: _Daoiné Shi_ (pronounced _Dheener Shee_) = Men of Peace.] + +Now one afternoon, between Hallowmas and Yule, it chanced that the +Laird, being out on the hills looking for some cattle, got parted from +his men and dogs and was overtaken by a mist, in which, familiar as +the country was to him, he lost his way. + +In vain he raised his voice high, and listened low, no sound of man or +beast came back to him through the thickening vapour. + +Then night fell, and darkness was added to the fog, so that Brockburn +needed to sound every step with his _rung_[3] before he took it. + +[Footnote 3: _Rung_ = a thick stick.] + +Suddenly light footsteps pattered beside him, then Something rubbed +against him, then It ran between his legs. The delighted Laird made +sure that his favourite collie had found him once more. + +"Wow, Jock, man!" he cried; "but ye needna throw me on my face. What's +got ye the night, that _you_ should lose your way in a bit mist?" + +To this a voice from the level of his elbow replied, in piping but +patronizing tones; + +"Never did I lose my way in a mist since the night that Finn crossed +over to Ireland in the Dawn of History. Eh, Laird! I'm weel acquaint +with every bit path on the hill-side these hundreds of years, and I'll +guide ye safe hame, never fear!" + +The hairs on Brockburn's head stood on end till they lifted his broad +bonnet, and a damp chill broke out over him that was not the fog. But, +for all that, he stoutly resisted the evidence of his senses, and only +felt about him for the collie's head to pat, crying: + +"Bark! Jock, my mannie, bark! Then I'll recognize your voice, ye ken. +It's no canny to hear ye speak like a Christian, my wee doggie." + +"I'm nae your doggie, I'm a Man of Peace," was the reply. "Dinna +miscall your betters, Brockburn: why will ye not credit our existence, +man?" + +"Seein's believin'," said the Laird, stubbornly; "but the mist's ower +thick for seein' the night, ye ken." + +"Turn roun' to your left, man, and ye'll see," said the Dwarf, and +catching Brockburn by the arm, he twisted him swiftly round three +times, when a sudden blaze of light poured through the mist, and +revealed a crag of the mountain well known to the Laird, and which he +now saw to be a kind of turret, or tower. + +Lights shone gaily through the crevices or windows of the _Shian_, +and sounds of revelry came forth, among which fiddling was +conspicuous. The tune played at that moment was "Delvyn-side." + +Blinded by the light, and amazed at what he saw, the Laird staggered, +and was silent. + +"Keep to your feet, man--keep to your feet!" said the Dwarf, laughing. +"I doubt ye're fou, Brockburn!" + +"I'm nae fou," said the Laird, slowly, his rung grasped firmly in his +hand, and his bonnet set back from his face, which was deadly pale. +"But--man-_is yon Rory?_ I'd know his fiddle in a thousand." + +"Ask no questions, and ye'll be tellt no lees," said the Dwarf. Then +stepping up to the door of the _Shian_, he stood so that the light +from within fell full upon him, and the astonished Laird saw a tiny +but well-proportioned man, with delicate features, and golden hair +flowing over his shoulders. He wore a cloak of green cloth, lined with +daisies, and had silver shoes. His beautiful face quivered with +amusement, and he cried triumphantly, "D'ye see me?--d'ye see me noo, +Brockburn?" + +"Aye, aye," said the Laird; "and seein's believin'." + +"Then roun' wi' ye!" shouted the Man of Peace; and once more seizing +the Laird by the arm, he turned him swiftly round--this time, to the +right--and at the third turn the light vanished, and Brockburn and +the Man of Peace were once more alone together in the mist. + +"Aweel, Brockburn," said the Man of Peace, "I'll alloo ye're candid, +and have a convincible mind. I'm no ill disposit to ye, and yese get +safe hame, man." + +As he spoke he stooped down, and picking up half-a-dozen big stones +from the mountain-side, he gave them to the Laird, saying, "If the +gudewife asks ye about the bit stanes, say ye got them in a +compliment."[4] + +[Footnote 4: "In a compliment" = "as a present."] + +Brockburn put them into his pocket, briefly saying, "I'm obleeged to +ye;" but as he followed the Man of Peace down the hill-side, he found +the obligation so heavy, that from time to time he threw a stone away, +unobserved, as he hoped, by his companion. When the first stone fell, +the Man of Peace looked sharply round, saying: + +"What's yon?" + +"It'll be me striking my rung upon the ground," said the Laird. + +"You're mad," said the Man of Peace, and Brockburn felt sure that he +knew the truth, and was displeased. But as they went on, the stones +were so heavy, and bumped the Laird's side so hard, that he threw away +a second, dropping it as gently as he could. But the sound of its +fall did not escape the ears of the Man of Peace, who cried as before: + +"What's yon?" + +"It's jest a nasty hoast[5] that I have," said the Laird. + +[Footnote 5: "Hoast" = cough.] + +"Man, you're daft," said the Dwarf, contemptuously; "that's what ails +ye." + +The Laird now resolved to be prudent, but the inconvenience of his +burden was so great that after a while he resolved to risk the +displeasure of the Man of Peace once more, and gently slipped a third +stone to the ground. + +"Third time's lucky," he thought. But the proverb failed him, for the +Dwarf turned as before, shouting: "What's yon?" + +"It'll be my new brogues[6] that ye hear bumpin' Upon the muckle +stanes," said the Laird. + +[Footnote 6: "Brogues" = shoes.] + +"Ye're fou, Brockburn, I tellt ye so. Ye're fou!" growled the Man of +Peace, angrily, and the Laird dared not drop any more of the Dwarfs +gifts. After a while his companion's good-humour seemed to return, and +he became talkative and generous. + +"I mind your great-grandfather weel, Brockburn. He was a hamely man, I +found his sheep for him one nicht on this verra hill-side. Mair by +token, ye'll find your beasties at hame, and the men and the dogs +forebye." + +The Laird thanked him heartily, and after a while the Dwarf became +more liberal-spirited still. + +"Yese no have to say that ye've been with the _Daoiné Shi_ and are no +the better for it," he said. "I'm thinking I'll grant ye three wushes. +But choose wisely, man, and dinna throw _them_ away. I hae my fears +that ye're no without a bee in your bonnet, Brockburn." + +Incensed by this insinuation, the Laird defended his own sagacity at +some length, and retorted on his companion with doubts of the power of +the _Daoiné Shi_ to grant wishes. + +"The proof of the pudding's in the eating o't," said the Man of Peace. +"Wush away, Brockburn, and mak the nut as hard to crack as ye will." + +The Laird at once began to cast about in his mind for three wishes +sufficiently comprehensive to secure his lifelong prosperity; but the +more he beat his brains the less could he satisfy himself. + +How many miles he wandered thus, the Dwarf keeping silently beside +him, he never knew, before he sank exhausted on the ground, saying: + +"I'm thinking, man, that if ye could bring hame to me, in place of +bringing me hame, I'd misdoubt your powers nae mair. It's a far cry to +Loch Awe,[7] ye ken, and it's a weary long road to Brockburn." + +[Footnote 7: "It's a far cry to Loch Awe."--_Scotch Proverb_.] + +"Is this your wush?" asked the Man of Peace. + +"This is my wush," said the Laird, striking his rung upon the ground. + +The words had scarcely passed his lips when the whole homestead of +Brockburn, house and farm buildings, was planted upon the bleak +hill-side. + +The astonished Laird now began to bewail the rash wish which had +removed his home from the sheltered and fertile valley where it +originally stood to the barren side of a bleak mountain. + +The Man of Peace, however, would not take any hints as to undoing his +work of his own accord. All he said was: + +"If ye wush it away, so it'll be. But then ye'll only have one wush +left. Ye've small discretion the nicht, Brockburn, I'm feared." + +"To leave the steading in sic a spot is no to be thought on," sighed +the Laird, as he spent his second wish in undoing his first. But he +cannily added the provision: + +"And ye may tak me wi' it." + +The words were no sooner spoken than the homestead was back in its +place, and Brockburn himself was lying in his own bed, Jock, his +favourite collie, barking and licking his face by turns for joy. + +"Whisht, whisht, Jock!" said the Laird. "Ye wouldna bark when I begged +of ye, so ye may hand your peace noo." + +And pushing the collie from him, he sat up in bed and looked anxiously +but vainly round the chamber for the Man of Peace. + +"Lie doun, lie doun," cried the gudewife from beside him. "Ye're +surely out o' your wuts, Brockburn. Would ye gang stravaging about the +country again the nicht?" + +"Where is he?" cried the Laird. + +"There's not a soul here but your lawful wife and your ain dear +doggie. Was there ae body that ye expected?" asked his wife. + +"The Man o' Peace, woman!" cried Brockburn. "I've ane o' my wushes to +get, and I maun hae't." + +"The man's mad!" was the gudewife's comment. "Ye've surely forgotten +yoursel, Brockburn. Ye never believed in the _Daoiné Shi_ before." + +"Seein's believin'," said the Laird. "I forgathered with a Man o' +Peace the nicht on the hill, and I wush I just saw him again." + +As the Laird spoke the window of the chamber was lit up from without, +and the Man of Peace appeared sitting on the window-ledge in his +daisy-lined cloak, his feet hanging down into the room, the silver +shoes glittering as they dangled. + +"I'm here, Brockburn!" he cried. "But eh, man! ye've had your last +wush." + +And even as the stupefied Laird gazed, the light slowly died away, and +the Man of Peace vanished also. + +On the following morning the Laird was roused from sleep by loud cries +of surprise and admiration. + +The good wife had been stirring for some hours, and in emptying the +pockets of her good man's coat she had found three huge cairngorms of +exquisite tint and lustre. Brockburn thus discovered the value of the +gifts, half of which he had thrown away. + +But no subsequent visits to the hill-side led to their recovery. Many +a time did the Laird bring home a heavy pocketful of stones, at the +thrifty gudewife's bidding, but they only proved to be the common +stones of the mountain-side. The _Shian_ could never be distinguished +from any other crag, and the _Daoiné Shi_ were visible no more. + +Yet it is said that the Laird of Brockburn prospered and throve +thereafter, in acre, stall, and steading, as those seldom prosper who +have not the good word of the People of Peace. + + + + +THE OGRE COURTING. + + +In days when ogres were still the terror of certain districts, there +was one who had long kept a whole neighbourhood in fear without any +one daring to dispute his tyranny. + +By thefts and exactions, by heavy ransoms from merchants too old and +tough to be eaten, in one way and another, the Ogre had become very +rich; and although those who knew could tell of huge cellars full of +gold and jewels, and yards and barns groaning with the weight of +stolen goods, the richer he grew the more anxious and covetous he +became. Moreover, day by day, he added to his stores; for though (like +most ogres) he was as stupid as he was strong, no one had ever been +found, by force or fraud, to get the better of him. + +What he took from the people was not their heaviest grievance. Even to +be killed and eaten by him was not the chance they thought of most. A +man can die but once; and if he is a sailor, a shark may eat him, +which is not so much better than being devoured by an ogre. No, that +was not the worst. The worst was this--he would keep getting married. +And as he liked little wives, all the short women lived in fear and +dread. And as his wives always died very soon, he was constantly +courting fresh ones. + +Some said he ate his wives; some said he tormented, and others, that +he only worked them to death. Everybody knew it was not a desirable +match, and yet there was not a father who dare refuse his daughter if +she were asked for. The Ogre only cared for two things in a woman--he +liked her to be little, and a good housewife. + +Now it was when the Ogre had just lost his twenty-fourth wife (within +the memory of man) that these two qualities were eminently united in +the person of the smallest and most notable woman of the district, the +daughter of a certain poor farmer. He was so poor that he could not +afford properly to dower his daughter, who had in consequence remained +single beyond her first youth. Everybody felt sure that Managing Molly +must now be married to the Ogre. The tall girls stretched themselves +till they looked like maypoles, and said, "Poor thing!" The slatterns +gossiped from house to house, the heels of their shoes clacking as +they went, and cried that this was what came of being too thrifty. + +And sure enough, in due time, the giant widower came to the farmer as +he was in the field looking over his crops, and proposed for Molly +there and then. The farmer was so much put out that he did not know +what he said in reply, either when he was saying it, or afterwards, +when his friends asked about it. But he remembered that the Ogre had +invited himself to sup at the farm that day week. + +Managing Molly did not distress herself at the news. + +"Do what I bid you, and say as I say," said she to her father, "and if +the Ogre does not change his mind, at any rate you shall not come +empty-handed out of the business." + +By his daughter's desire the farmer now procured a large number of +hares, and a barrel of white wine, which expenses completely emptied +his slender stocking, and on the day of the Ogre's visit, she made a +delicious and savoury stew with the hares in the biggest pickling tub, +and the wine-barrel was set on a bench near the table. + +When the Ogre came, Molly served up the stew, and the Ogre sat down to +sup, his head just touching the kitchen rafters. The stew was perfect, +and there was plenty of it. For what Molly and her father ate was +hardly to be counted in the tubful. The Ogre was very much pleased, +and said politely: + +"I'm afraid, my dear, that you have been put to great trouble and +expense on my account, I have a large appetite, and like to sup well." + +"Don't mention it, sir," said Molly. "The fewer rats the more corn. +How do _you_ cook them?" + +"Not one of all the extravagant hussies I have had as wives ever +cooked them at all," said the Ogre; and he thought to himself, "Such a +stew out of rats! What frugality! What a housewife!" + +When he broached the wine, he was no less pleased, for it was of the +best. + +"This, at any rate, must have cost you a great deal, neighbour," said +he, drinking the farmer's health as Molly left the room. + +"I don't know that rotten apples could be better used," said the +farmer; "but I leave all that to Molly. Do you brew at home?" + +"We give _our_ rotten apples to the pigs," growled the Ogre. "But +things will be better ordered when she is my wife." + +The Ogre was now in great haste to conclude the match, and asked what +dowry the farmer would give his daughter. + +"I should never dream of giving a dowry with Molly," said the farmer, +boldly. "Whoever gets her, gets dowry enough. On the contrary, I shall +expect a good round sum from the man who deprives me of her. Our +wealthiest farmer is just widowed, and therefore sure to be in a +hurry for marriage. He has an eye to the main chance, and would not +grudge to pay well for such a wife, I'll warrant." + +"I'm no churl myself," said the Ogre, who was anxious to secure his +thrifty bride at any price; and he named a large sum of money, +thinking, "We shall live on rats henceforward, and the beef and mutton +will soon cover the dowry." + +"Double that, and we'll see," said the farmer, stoutly. + +But the Ogre became angry, and cried; "What are you thinking of, man? +Who is to hinder my carrying your lass off, without 'with your leave' +or 'by your leave,' dowry or none?" + +"How little you know her!" said the farmer. "She is so firm that she +would be cut to pieces sooner than give you any benefit of her thrift, +unless you dealt fairly in the matter." + +"Well, well," said the Ogre, "let us meet each other." And he named a +sum larger than he at first proposed, and less than the farmer had +asked. This the farmer agreed to, as it was enough to make him +prosperous for life. + +"Bring it in a sack to-morrow morning," said he to the Ogre, "and then +you can speak to Molly; she's gone to bed now." + +The next morning, accordingly, the Ogre appeared, carrying the dowry +in a sack, and Molly came to meet him. + +"There are two things," said she, "I would ask of any lover of mine: a +new farmhouse, built as I should direct, with a view to economy; and a +feather-bed of fresh goose feathers, filled when the old woman plucks +her geese. If I don't sleep well, I cannot work well." + +"That is better than asking for finery," thought the Ogre; "and after +all the house will be my own." So, to save the expense of labour, he +built it himself, and worked hard, day after day, under Molly's +orders, till winter came. Then it was finished. + +"Now for the feather-bed," said Molly. "I'll sew up the ticking, and +when the old woman plucks her geese, I'll let you know." + +When it snows, they say the old woman up yonder is plucking her geese, +and so at the first snowstorm Molly sent for the Ogre. + +"Now you see the feathers falling," said she, "so fill the bed." + +"How am I to catch them?" cried the Ogre. + +"Stupid! don't you see them lying there in a heap?" cried Molly; "get +a shovel, and set to work." + +The Ogre accordingly carried in shovelfuls of snow to the bed, but as +it melted as fast as he put it in, his labour never seemed done. +Towards night the room got so cold that the snow would not melt, and +now the bed was soon filled. + +Molly hastily covered it with sheets and blankets, and said: "Pray +rest here to-night, and tell me if the bed is not comfort itself. +To-morrow we will be married." + +So the tired Ogre lay down on the bed he had filled, but, do what he +would, he could not get warm. + +"The sheets must be damp," said he, and in the morning he woke with +such horrible pains in his bones that he could hardly move, and half +the bed had melted away. "It's no use," he groaned, "she's a very +managing woman, but to sleep on such a bed would be the death of me." +And he went off home as quickly as he could, before Managing Molly +could call upon him to be married; for she was so managing that he was +more than half afraid of her already. + +When Molly found that he had gone, she sent the farmer after him. + +"What does he want?" cried the Ogre, when they told him the farmer was +at the door. + +"He says the bride is waiting for you," was the reply. + +"Tell him I'm too ill to be married," said the Ogre. + +But the messenger soon returned: + +"He says she wants to know what you will give her to make up for the +disappointment." + +"She's got the dowry, and the farm, and the feather-bed," groaned the +Ogre; "what more does she want?" + +But again the messenger returned: + +"She says you've pressed the feather-bed flat, and she wants some more +goose feathers." + +"There are geese enough in the yard," yelled the Ogre, "Let him drive +them home; and if he has another word to say, put him down to roast." + +The farmer, who overheard this order, lost no time in taking his +leave, and as he passed through the yard he drove home as fine a flock +of geese as you will see on a common. + +It is said that the Ogre never recovered from the effects of sleeping +on the old woman's goose feathers, and was less powerful than before. + +As for Managing Molly, being now well dowered, she had no lack of +offers of marriage, and was soon mated to her mind. + + + + +THE MAGICIANS' GIFTS. + + +There was once a king in whose dominions lived no less than three +magicians. + +When the king's eldest son was christened, the king invited the three +magicians to the christening feast, and to make the compliment the +greater, he asked one of them to stand godfather. But the other two, +who were not asked to be godfathers, were so angry at what they held +to be a slight, that they only waited to see how they might best +revenge themselves upon the infant prince. + +When the moment came for presenting the christening gifts, the +godfather magician advanced to the cradle and said, "My gift is this: +Whatever he wishes for he shall have. And only I who give shall be +able to recall this gift." For he perceived the jealousy of the other +magicians, and knew that, if possible, they would undo what he did. +But the second magician muttered in his beard, "And yet I will change +it to a curse." And coming up to the cradle, he said, "The wishes +that he has thus obtained he shall not be able to revoke or change." + +Then the third magician grumbled beneath his black robe, "If he were +very wise and prudent he might yet be happy. But I will secure his +punishment." So he also drew near to the cradle, and said, "For my +part, I give him a hasty temper." + +After which, the two dissatisfied magicians withdrew together, saying, +"Should we permit ourselves to be slighted for nothing?" + +But the king and his courtiers were not at all disturbed. + +"My son has only to be sure of what he wants," said the king, "and +then, I suppose, he will not desire to recall his wishes." + +And the courtiers added, "If a prince may not have a hasty temper, who +may, we should like to know?" + +And everybody laughed, except the godfather magician, who went out +sighing and shaking his head, and was seen no more. + +Whilst the king's son was yet a child, the gift of the godfather +magician began to take effect. There was nothing so rare and precious +that he could not obtain it, or so difficult that it could not be +accomplished by his mere wish. But, on the other hand, no matter how +inconsiderately he spoke, or how often he changed his mind, what he +had once wished must remain as he had wished it, in spite of himself; +and as he often wished for things that were bad for him, and oftener +still wished for a thing one day and regretted it the next, his power +was the source of quite as much pain as pleasure to him. Then his +temper was so hot, that he was apt hastily to wish ill to those who +offended him, and afterwards bitterly to regret the mischief that he +could not undo. Thus, one after another, the king appointed his +trustiest counsellors to the charge of his son, who, sooner or later, +in the discharge of their duty, were sure to be obliged to thwart him; +on which the impatient prince would cry, "I wish you were at the +bottom of the sea with your rules and regulations;" and the +counsellors disappeared accordingly, and returned no more. + +When there was not a wise man left at court, and the king himself +lived in daily dread of being the next victim, he said, "Only one +thing remains to be done: to find the godfather magician, and persuade +him to withdraw his gift." + +So the king offered rewards, and sent out messengers in every +direction, but the magician was not to be found. At last, one day he +met a blind beggar, who said to him, "Three nights ago I dreamed that +I went by the narrowest of seven roads to seek what you are looking +for, and was successful." + +When the king returned home, he asked his courtiers, "Where are there +seven roads lying near to each other, some broad, and some narrow?" +And one of them replied, "Twenty-one miles to the west of the palace +is a four-cross road, where three field-paths also diverge." + +To this place the king made his way, and taking the narrowest of the +field-paths, went on and on till it led him straight into a cave, +where an old woman sat over a fire. + +"Does a magician live here?" asked the king. + +"No one lives here but myself," said the old woman. "But as I am a +wise woman I may be able to help you if you need it." + +The king then told her of his perplexities, and how he was desirous of +finding the magician, to persuade him to recall his gift. + +"He could not recall the other gifts," said the wise woman. "Therefore +it is better that the prince should be taught to use his power +prudently and to control his temper. And since all the persons capable +of guiding him have disappeared, I will return with you and take +charge of him myself. Over me he will have no power." + +To this the king consented, and they returned together to the palace, +where the wise woman became guardian to the prince, and she fulfilled +her duties so well that he became much more discreet and +self-controlled. Only at times his violent temper got the better of +him, and led him to wish what he afterwards vainly regretted. + +Thus all went well till the prince became a man, when, though he had +great affection for her, he felt ashamed of having an old woman for +his counsellor, and he said, "I certainly wish that I had a faithful +and discreet adviser of my own age and sex." + +On that very day a young nobleman offered himself as companion to the +prince, and as he was a young man of great ability, he was accepted: +whereupon the old woman took her departure, and was never seen again. + +The young nobleman performed his part so well that the prince became +deeply attached to him, and submitted in every way to his counsels. +But at last a day came when, being in a rage, the advice of his friend +irritated him, and he cried hastily, "Will you drive me mad with your +long sermons? I wish you would hold your tongue for ever." On which +the young nobleman became dumb, and so remained. For he was not, as +the wise woman had been, independent of the prince's power. + +The prince's grief and remorse knew no bounds. "Am I not under a +curse?" said he. "Truly I ought to be cast out from human society, and +sent to live with wild beasts in a wilderness. I only bring evil upon +those I love best--indeed, there is no hope for me unless I can find +my godfather, and make him recall this fatal gift." + +So the prince mounted his horse, and, accompanied by his dumb friend, +who still remained faithful to him, he set forth to find the magician. +They took no followers, except the prince's dog, a noble hound, who +was so quick of hearing that he understood all that was said to him, +and was, next to the young nobleman, the wisest person at court. + +"Mark well, my dog," said the prince to him, "we stay nowhere till we +find my godfather, and when we find him we go no further. I rely on +your sagacity to help us." + +The dog licked the prince's hand, and then trotted so resolutely down +a certain road that the two friends allowed him to lead them and +followed close behind. + +They travelled in this way to the edge of the king's dominions, only +halting for needful rest and refreshment. At last the dog led them +through a wood, and towards evening they found themselves in the +depths of the forest, with no sign of any shelter for the night. +Presently they heard a little bell, such as is rung for prayer, and +the dog ran down a side path and led them straight to a kind of +grotto, at the door of which stood an aged hermit. + +"Does a magician live here?" asked the prince. + +"No one lives here but myself," said the hermit, "but I am old, and +have meditated much. My advice is at your service if you need it." + +The prince then related his history, and how he was now seeking the +magician godfather, to rid himself of his gift. + +"And yet that will not cure your temper," said the hermit. "It were +better that you employed yourself in learning to control that, and to +use your power prudently." + +"No, no," replied the prince; "I must find the magician." + +And when the hermit pressed his advice, he cried, "Provoke me not, +good father, or I may be base enough to wish you ill; and the evil I +do I cannot undo." + +And he departed, followed by his friend, and calling his dog. But the +dog seated himself at the hermit's feet, and would not move. Again and +again the prince called him, but he only whined and wagged his tail, +and refused to move. Coaxing and scolding were both in vain, and when +at last the prince tried to drag him off by force, the dog growled. + +"Base brute!" cried the prince, flinging him from him in a transport +of rage. "How have I been so deceived in you? I wish you were hanged!" +And even as he spoke the dog vanished, and as the prince turned his +head he saw the poor beast's body dangling from a tree above him. The +sight overwhelmed him, and he began bitterly to lament his cruelty. + +"Will no one hang me also," he cried, "and rid the world of such a +monster?" + +"It is easier to die repenting than to live amending," said the +hermit; "yet is the latter course the better one. Wherefore abide with +me, my son, and learn in solitude those lessons of self-government +without which no man is fit to rule others." + +"It is impossible," said the prince. "These fits of passion are as a +madness that comes upon me, and they are beyond cure. It only remains +to find my godfather, that he may make me less baneful to others by +taking away the power I abuse." And raising the body of the dog +tenderly in his arms, he laid it before him on his horse, and rode +away, the dumb nobleman following him. + +They now entered the dominions of another king, and in due time +arrived at the capital. The prince presented himself to the king, and +asked if he had a magician in his kingdom. + +"Not to my knowledge," replied the king. "But I have a remarkably wise +daughter, and if you want counsel she may be able to help you." + +The princess accordingly was sent for, and she was so beautiful, as +well as witty, that the prince fell in love with her, and begged the +king to give her to him to wife. The king, of course, was unable to +refuse what the prince wished, and the wedding was celebrated without +delay; and by the advice of his wife the prince placed the body of his +faithful dog in a glass coffin, and kept it near him, that he might +constantly be reminded of the evil results of giving way to his anger. + +For a time all went well. At first the prince never said a harsh word +to his wife; but by and by familiarity made him less careful, and one +day she said something that offended him, and he fell into a violent +rage. As he went storming up and down, the princess wrung her hands, +and cried, "Ah, my dear husband, I beg of you to be careful what you +say to me. You say you loved your dog, and yet you know where he +lies." + +"I know that I wish you were with him, with your prating!" cried the +prince, in a fury; and the words were scarcely out of his mouth when +the princess vanished from his side, and when he ran to the glass +coffin, there she lay, pale and lifeless, with her head upon the body +of the hound. + +The prince was now beside himself with remorse and misery, and when +the dumb nobleman made signs that they should pursue their search for +the magician, he only cried, "Too late! too late!" + +But after a while he said, "I will return to the hermit, and pass the +rest of my miserable life in solitude and penance. And you, dear +friend, go back to my father." + +But the dumb nobleman shook his head, and could not be persuaded to +leave the prince. Then they took the glass coffin on their shoulders, +and on foot, and weeping as they went, they retraced their steps to +the forest. + +For some time the prince remained with the hermit, and submitted +himself to his direction. Then the hermit bade him return to his +father, and he obeyed. + +Every day the prince stood by the glass coffin, and beat his breast +and cried, "Behold, murderer, the fruits of anger!" And he tried hard +to overcome the violence of his temper. When he lost heart he +remembered a saying of the hermit: "Patience had far to go, but she +was crowned at last." And after a while the prince became as gentle as +he had before been violent. And the king and all the court rejoiced +at the change; but the prince remained sad at heart, thinking of the +princess. + +One day he was sitting alone, when a man approached him, dressed in a +long black robe. + +"Good-day, godson," said he. + +"Who calls me godson?" said the prince. + +"The magician you have so long sought," said the godfather. "I have +come to reclaim my gift." + +"What cruelty led you to bestow it upon me?" asked the prince. + +"The king, your father, would have been dissatisfied with any ordinary +present from me," said the magician, "forgetting that the +responsibilities of common gifts, and very limited power, are more +than enough for most men to deal with. But I have not neglected you. I +was the wise woman who brought you up. Again, I was the hermit, as +your dog was sage enough to discover. I am come now to reclaim what +has caused you such suffering." + +"Alas!" cried the prince, "why is your kindness so tardy? If you have +not forgotten me, why have you withheld this benefit till it is too +late for my happiness? My friend is dumb, my wife is dead, my dog is +hanged. When wishes cannot reach these, do you think it matters to me +what I may command?" + +"Softly, prince," said the magician; "I had a reason for the delay. +But for these bitter lessons you would still be the slave of the +violent temper which you have conquered, and which, as it was no gift +of mine, I could not remove. Moreover, when the spell which made all +things bend to your wish is taken away, its effects also are undone. +Godson! I recall my gift." + +As the magician spoke the glass sides of the coffin melted into the +air, and the princess sprang up, and threw herself into her husband's +arms. The dog also rose, stretched himself, and wagged his tail. The +dumb nobleman ran to tell the good news to the king, and all the +counsellors came back in a long train from the bottom of the sea, and +set about the affairs of state as if nothing had happened. + +The old king welcomed his children with open arms, and they all lived +happily to the end of their days. + + + + +THE WIDOWS AND THE STRANGERS. + + +In days of yore, there were once two poor old widows who lived in the +same hamlet and under the same roof. But though the cottages joined +and one roof covered them, they had each a separate dwelling; and +although they were alike in age and circumstances, yet in other +respects they were very different. For one dame was covetous, though +she had little to save, and the other was liberal, though she had +little to give. + +Now, on the rising ground opposite to the widows' cottages, stood a +monastery where a few pious and charitable brethren spent their time +in prayer, labour, and good works. And with the alms of these monks, +and the kindness of neighbours, and because their wants were few, the +old women dwelt in comfort, and had daily bread, and lay warm at +night. + +One evening, when the covetous old widow was having supper, there came +a knock at her door. Before she opened it she hastily put away the +remains of her meal. + +"For," said she, "it is a stormy night, and ten to one some belated +vagabond wants shelter; and when there are victuals on the table every +fool must be asked to sup." + +But when she opened the door, a monk came in who had his cowl pulled +over his head to shelter him from the storm. The widow was much +disconcerted at having kept one of the brotherhood waiting, and loudly +apologized, but the monk stopped her, saying, "I fear I cut short your +evening meal, my daughter." + +"Now in the name of ill-luck, how came he to guess that?" thought the +widow, as with anxious civility she pressed the monk to take some +supper after his walk; for the good woman always felt hospitably +inclined towards any one who was likely to return her kindness +sevenfold. + +The brother, however, refused to sup; and as he seated himself the +widow looked sharply through her spectacles to see if she could gather +from any distention of the folds of his frock whether a loaf, a bottle +of cordial, or a new winter's cloak were most likely to crown the +visit. No undue protuberance being visible about the monk's person, +she turned her eyes to his face, and found that her visitor was one of +the brotherhood whom she had not seen before. And not only was his +face unfamiliar, it was utterly unlike the kindly but rough +countenances of her charitable patrons. None that she had ever seen +boasted the noble beauty, the chiselled and refined features of the +monk before her. And she could not but notice that, although only one +rushlight illumined her room, and though the monk's cowl went far to +shade him even from that, yet his face was lit up as if by light from +within, so that his clear skin seemed almost transparent. In short, +her curiosity must have been greatly stirred, had not greed made her +more anxious to learn what he had brought than who he was. + +"It's a terrible night," quoth the monk, at length. "Such tempest +without only gives point to the indoor comforts of the wealthy; but it +chills the very marrow of the poor and destitute." + +"Aye, indeed," sniffed the widow, with a shiver. "If it were not for +the charity of good Christians, what would poor folk do for comfort on +such an evening as this?" + +"It was that very thought, my daughter," said the monk, with a sudden +earnestness on his shining face, "that brought me forth even now +through the storm to your cottage." + +"Heaven reward you!" cried the widow, fervently. + +"Heaven does reward the charitable!" replied the monk. "To no truth do +the Scriptures bear such constant and unbroken witness; even as it is +written: 'He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and +look, what he layeth out it shall be paid him again.'" + +"What a blessed thing it must be to be able to do good!" sighed the +widow, piously wishing in her heart that the holy man would not delay +to earn his recompense. + +"My daughter," said the monk, "that blessing is not withheld from you. +It is to ask your help for those in greater need than yourself that I +am come to-night." And forthwith the good brother began to tell how +two strangers had sought shelter at the monastery. Their house had +been struck by lightning, and burnt with all it contained; and they +themselves, aged, poor, and friendless, were exposed to the fury of +the storm. "Our house is a poor one," continued the monk. "The +strangers' lodging room was already full, and we are quite without the +means of making these poor souls comfortable. You at least have a +sound roof over your head, and if you can spare one or two things for +the night, they shall be restored to you to-morrow, when some of our +guests depart." + +The widow could hardly conceal her vexation and disappointment. "Now, +dear heart, holy father!" cried she, "is there not a rich body in the +place, that you come for charity to a poor old widow like me, that am +in a case rather to borrow myself than to lend to others?" + +"Can you spare us a blanket?" said the monk. "These poor strangers +have been out in the storm, remember." + +The widow started. "What meddling busybody told him that the Baroness +gave me a new blanket at Michaelmas?" thought she; but at last, very +unwillingly, she went to an inner room to fetch a blanket from her +bed. + +"They shan't have the new one, that's flat," muttered the widow; and +she drew out the old one and began to fold it up. But though she had +made much of its thinness and insufficiency to the Baroness, she was +so powerfully affected at parting with it, that all its good qualities +came strongly to her mind. + +"It's a very suitable size," she said to herself, "and easy for my +poor old arms to shake or fold. With careful usage, it would last for +years yet; but who knows how two wandering bodies that have been +tramping miles through the storm may kick about in their sleep? And +who knows if they're decent folk at all? likely enough they're two +hedge birds, who have imposed a pitiful tale on the good fathers, and +never slept under anything finer than a shock of straw in their +lives." + +The more the good woman thought of this, the more sure she felt that +such was the case, and the less willing she became to lend her blanket +to "a couple of good-for-nothing tramps." A sudden idea decided her. +"Ten to one they bring fever with them!" she cried; "and dear knows I +saw enough good bedding burnt after the black fever, three years ago! +It would be a sin and a shame to burn a good blanket like this." And +repeating "a sin and a shame" with great force, the widow restored the +blanket to its place. + +"The coverlet's not worth much," she thought; "but my goodman bought +it the year after we were married, and if anything happened to it I +should never forgive myself. The old shawl is good enough for tramps." +Saying which she took a ragged old shawl from a peg, and began to fold +it up. But even as she brushed and folded, she begrudged the faded +rag. + +"It saves my better one on a bad day," she sighed; "but I suppose the +father must have something." + +And accordingly she took it to the monk, saying, "It's not so good as +it has been, but there's warmth in it yet, and it cost a pretty penny +when new." + +"And is this all that you can spare to the poor houseless strangers?" +asked the monk. + +"Aye, indeed, good father," said she, "and that will cost me many a +twinge of rheumatics. Folk at my age can't lie cold at night for +nothing." + +"These poor strangers," said the monk, "are as aged as yourself, and +have lost everything." + +But as all he said had no effect in moving the widow's compassion, he +departed, and knocked at the door of her neighbour. Here he told the +same tale, which met with a very different hearing. This widow was one +of those liberal souls whose possessions always make them feel uneasy +unless they are being accepted, or used, or borrowed by some one else. +She blessed herself that, thanks to the Baroness, she had a new +blanket fit to lend to the king himself, and only desired to know with +what else she could serve the poor strangers and requite the charities +of the brotherhood. + +The monk confessed that all the slender stock of household goods in +the monastery was in use, and one after another he accepted the loan +of almost everything the widow had. As she gave the things he put them +out through the door, saying that he had a messenger outside; and +having promised that all should be duly restored on the morrow, he +departed, leaving the widow with little else than an old chair in +which she was to pass the night. + +When the monk had gone, the storm raged with greater fury than before, +and at last one terrible flash of lightning struck the widows' house, +and though it did not hurt the old women, it set fire to the roof, +and both cottages were soon ablaze. Now as the terrified old creatures +hobbled out into the storm, they met the monk, who, crying, "Come to +the monastery!" seized an arm of each, and hurried them up the hill. +To such good purpose did he help them, that they seemed to fly, and +arrived at the convent gate they hardly knew how. + +Under a shed by the wall were the goods and chattels of the liberal +widow. + +"Take back thine own, daughter," said the monk; "thy charity hath +brought its own reward." + +"But the strangers, good father?" said the perplexed widow. + +"Ye are the strangers," answered the monk; "and what thy pity thought +meet to be spared for the unfortunate, Heaven in thy misfortune hath +spared to thee." + +Then turning to the other widow, he drew the old shawl from beneath +his frock, and gave it to her, saying, "I give you joy, dame, that +this hath escaped the flames. It is not so good as it has been; but +there is warmth in it yet, and it cost a pretty penny when new." + +Full of confusion, the illiberal widow took back her shawl, murmuring, +"Lack-a-day! If I had but known it was ourselves the good father +meant!" + +The monk gave a shrewd smile. + +"Aye, aye, it would have been different, I doubt not," said he; "but +accept the lesson, my daughter, and when next thou art called upon to +help the unfortunate, think that it is thine own needs that would be +served; and it may be thou shalt judge better as to what thou canst +spare." + +As he spoke, a flash of lightning lit up the ground where the monk +stood, making a vast aureole about him in the darkness of the night. +In the bright light, his countenance appeared stern and awful in its +beauty, and when the flash was passed, the monk had vanished also. + +Furthermore, when the widows sought shelter in the monastery, they +found that the brotherhood knew nothing of their strange visitor. + + + + +KIND WILLIAM AND THE WATER SPRITE. + + +There once lived a poor weaver, whose wife died a few years after +their marriage. He was now alone in the world except for their child, +who was a very quick and industrious little lad, and, moreover, of +such an obliging disposition that he gained the nickname of Kind +William. + +On his seventh birthday his father gave him a little net with a long +handle, and with this Kind William betook himself to a shallow part of +the river to fish. After wandering on for some time, he found a quiet +pool dammed in by stones, and here he dipped for the minnows that +darted about in the clear brown water. At the first and second casts +he caught nothing, but with the third he landed no less than +twenty-one little fishes, and such minnows he had never seen, for as +they leaped and struggled in the net they shone with alternate tints +of green and gold. + +He was gazing at them with wonder and delight, when a voice behind +him cried, in piteous tones-- + +"Oh, my little sisters! Oh, my little sisters!" + +Kind William turned round, and saw, sitting on a rock that stood out +of the stream, a young girl weeping bitterly. She had a very pretty +face, and abundant yellow hair of marvellous length, and of such +uncommon brightness that even in the shade it shone like gold. She was +dressed in grass green, and from her knees downwards she was hidden by +the clumps of fern and rushes that grew by the stream. + +"What ails you, my little lass?" said Kind William. + +But the maid only wept more bitterly, and wringing her hands, +repeated, "Oh, my little sisters! Oh, my little sisters!" presently +adding in the same tone, "The little fishes! Oh, the little fishes!" + +"Dry your eyes, and I will give you half of them," said the +good-natured child; "and if you have no net you shall fish with me +this afternoon." + +But at this proposal the maid's sobs redoubled, and she prayed and +begged with frantic eagerness that he would throw the fish back into +the river. For some time Kind William would not consent to throw away +his prize, but at last he yielded to her excessive grief, and emptied +the net into the pool, where the glittering fishes were soon lost to +sight under the sand and pebbles. + +The girl now laughed and clapped her hands. + +"This good deed you shall never rue, Kind William," said she, "and +even now it shall repay you threefold. How many fish did you catch?" + +"Twenty-one," said Kind William, not without regret in his tone. + +The maid at once began to pull hairs out of her head, and did not stop +till she had counted sixty-three, and laid them together in her +fingers. She then began to wind the lock up into a curl, and it took +far longer to wind than the sixty-three hairs had taken to pull. How +long her hair really was Kind William never could tell, for after it +reached her knees he lost sight of it among the fern; but he began to +suspect that she was no true village maid, but a water sprite, and he +heartily wished himself safe at home. + +"Now," said she, when the lock was wound, "will you promise me three +things?" + +"If I can do so without sin," said Kind William. + +"First," she continued, holding out the lock of hair, "will you keep +this carefully, and never give it away? It will be for your own good." + +"One never gives away gifts," said Kind William, "I promise that." + +"The second thing is to spare what you have spared. Fish up the river +and down the river at your will, but swear never to cast net in this +pool again." + +"One should not do kindness by halves," said Kind William. "I promise +that also." + +"Thirdly, you must never tell what you have now seen and heard till +thrice seven years have passed. And now come hither, my child, and +give me your little finger, that I may see if you can keep a secret." + +But by this time Kind William's hairs were standing on end, and he +gave the last promise more from fear than from any other motive, and +seized his net to go. + +"No hurry, no hurry," said the maiden (and the words sounded like the +rippling of a brook over pebbles). Then bending towards him, with a +strange smile, she added, "You are afraid that I shall pinch too hard, +my pretty boy. Well, give me a farewell kiss before you go." + +"I kiss none but the miller's lass," said Kind William, sturdily; for +she was his little sweetheart. Besides, he was afraid that the water +witch would enchant him and draw him down. At his answer she laughed +till the echoes rang, but Kind William shuddered to hear that the +echoes seemed to come from the river instead of from the hills; and +they rang in his ears like a distant torrent leaping over rocks. + +"Then listen to my song," said the water sprite. With which she drew +some of her golden hairs over her arm, and tuning them as if they had +been the strings of a harp, she began to sing: + + "Warp of woollen and woof of gold: + When seven and seven and seven are told." + +But when Kind William heard that the river was running with the +cadence of the tune, he could bear it no longer, and took to his +heels. When he had run a few yards he heard a splash, as if a salmon +had jumped, and on looking back he found that the yellow-haired maiden +was gone. + +Kind William was trustworthy as well as obliging, and he kept his +word. He said nothing of his adventure. He put the yellow lock into an +old china teapot that had stood untouched on the mantelpiece for +years. And fishing up the river and down the river he never again cast +net into the haunted pool. And in course of time the whole affair +passed from his mind. + +Fourteen years went by, and Kind William was Kind William still. He +was as obliging as ever, and still loved the miller's daughter, who, +for her part, had not forgotten her old playmate. But the miller's +memory was not so good, for the fourteen years had been prosperous +ones with him, and he was rich, whereas they had only brought bad +trade and poverty to the weaver and his son. So the lovers were not +allowed even to speak to each other. + +One evening Kind William wandered by the river-side lamenting his hard +fate. It was his twenty-first birthday, and he might not even receive +the good wishes of the day from his old playmate. It was just growing +dusk, a time when prudent bodies hurry home from the neighbourhood of +fairy rings, sprite-haunted streams, and the like, and Kind William +was beginning to quicken his pace, when a voice from behind him sang: + + "Warp of woollen and woof of gold: + When seven and seven and seven are told." + +Kind William felt sure that he had heard this before, though he could +not recall when or where; but suspecting that it was no mortal voice +that sang, he hurried home without looking behind him. Before he +reached the house he remembered all, and also that on this very day +his promise of secrecy expired. + +Meanwhile the old weaver had been sadly preparing the loom to weave a +small stock of yarn, which he had received in payment for some work. +He had set up the warp, and was about to fill the shuttle, when his +son came in and told the story, and repeated the water sprite's song. + +"Where is the lock of hair, my son?" asked the old man. + +"In the teapot still, if you have not touched it," said Kind William; +"but the dust of fourteen years must have destroyed all gloss and +colour." + +On searching the teapot, however, the lock of hair was found to be as +bright as ever, and it lay in the weaver's hand like a coil of gold. + +"It is the song that puzzles me," said Kind William. "Seven, and +seven, and seven make twenty-one. Now that is just my age." + +"There is your warp of woollen, if that is anything," added the +weaver, gazing at the loom with a melancholy air. + +"And this is golden enough," laughed Kind William, pointing to the +curl. "Come, father, let us see how far one hair will go on the +shuttle." And suiting the action to the word, he began to wind. He +wound the shuttle full, and then sat down to the loom and began to +throw. + +The result was a fabric of such beauty that the Weavers shouted with +amazement, and one single hair served for the woof of the whole piece. + +Before long there was not a town dame or a fine country lady but must +needs have a dress of the new stuff, and before the sixty-three hairs +were used up, the fortunes of the weaver and his son were made. + +About this time the miller's memory became clearer, and he was often +heard to speak of an old boy-and-girl love between his dear daughter +and the wealthy manufacturer of the golden cloth. Within a year and a +day Kind William married his sweetheart, and as money sticks to money, +in the end he added the old miller's riches to his own. + +Moreover there is every reason to believe that he and his wife lived +happily to the end of their days. + +And what became of the water sprite? + +That you must ask somebody else, for I do not know. + + + + +MURDOCH'S RATH[8]. + +[Footnote 8: _Rath_ = a kind of moat-surrounded spot much favoured by +Irish fairies. The ditch is generally overgrown with furze-bushes.] + + +There was not a nicer boy in all Ireland than Pat, and clever at his +trade too, if only he'd had one. + +But from his cradle he learned nothing (small blame to him with no one +to teach him!), so when he came to years of discretion, he earned his +living by running messages for his neighbours; and Pat could always be +trusted to make the best of a bad bargain, and bring back all the +change, for he was the soul of honesty and good-nature. + +It's no wonder then that he was beloved by every one, and got as much +work as he could do, and if the pay had but fitted the work, he'd have +been mighty comfortable; but as it was, what he got wouldn't have kept +him in shoe-leather, but for making both ends meet by wearing his +shoes in his pocket, except when he was in the town, and obliged to +look genteel for the credit of the place he came from. + +Well, all was going on as peaceable as could be, till one market-day, +when business (or it may have been pleasure) detained him till the +heel of the evening, and by nightfall, when he began to make the road +short in good earnest, he was so flustered, rehearsing his messages to +make sure he'd forgotten nothing, that he never bethought him to leave +off his brogues, but tramped on just as if shoe-leather were made to +be knocked to bits on the king's highway. + +And this was what he was after saying: + +"A dozen hanks of grey yarn for Mistress Murphy." + +"Three gross of bright buttons for the tailor." + +"Half an ounce of throat drops for Father Andrew, and an ounce of +snuff for his housekeeper," and so on. + +For these were what he went to the town to fetch, and he was afraid +lest one of the lot might have slipped his memory. + +Now everybody knows there are two ways home from the town; and that's +not meaning the right way and the wrong way, which my grandmother +(rest her soul!) said there was to every place but one that it's not +genteel to name. (There could only be a wrong way _there_, she said.) +The two ways home from the town were the highway, and the way by +Murdoch's Rath. + +Murdoch's Rath was a pleasant enough spot in the daytime, but not +many persons cared to go by it when the sun was down. And in all the +years Pat was going backwards and forwards, he never once came home +except by the high-road till this unlucky evening, when, just at the +place where the two roads part, he got, as one may say, into a sort of +confusion. + +"Halt!" says he to himself (for his own uncle had been a soldier, and +Pat knew the word of command). "The left-hand turn is the right one," +says he, and he was going down the high-road as straight as he could +go, when suddenly he bethought himself. "And what am I doing?" he +says. "This was my left hand going to town, and how in the name of +fortune could it be my left going back, considering that I've turned +round? It's well that I looked into it in time." And with that he went +off as fast down the other road as he started down this. + +But how far he walked he never could tell, before all of a sudden the +moon shone out as bright as day, and Pat found himself in Murdoch's +Rath. + +And this was the smallest part of the wonder; for the Rath was full of +fairies. + +When Pat got in they were dancing round and round till his feet +tingled to look at them, being a good dancer himself. And as he sat on +the side of the Rath, and snapped his fingers to mark the time, the +dancing stopped, and a little man comes up, in a black hat and a green +coat, with white stockings, and red shoes on his feet. + +"Won't you take a turn with us, Pat?" says he, bowing till he nearly +touched the ground. And, indeed, he had not far to go, for he was +barely two feet high. + +"Don't say it twice, sir," says Pat. "It's myself will be proud to +foot the floor wid ye;" and before you could look round, there was Pat +in the circle dancing away for bare life. + +At first his feet felt like feathers for lightness, and it seemed as +if he could have gone on for ever. But at last he grew tired, and +would have liked to stop, but the fairies would not, and so they +danced on and on. Pat tried to think of something _good_ to say, that +he might free himself from the spell, but all he could think of was: + +"A dozen hanks of grey yarn for Missis Murphy." + +"Three gross of bright buttons for the tailor." + +"Half an ounce of throat drops for Father Andrew, and an ounce of +snuff for his housekeeper," and so on. + +And it seemed to Pat that the moon was on the one side of the Rath +when they began to dance, and on the other side when they left off; +but he could not be sure after all that going round. One thing was +plain enough. He danced every bit of leather off the soles of his +feet, and they were blistered so that he could hardly stand; but all +the little folk did was to stand and hold their sides with laughing at +him. + +At last the one who spoke before stepped up to him, and--"Don't break +your heart about it, Pat," says he; "I'll lend you my own shoes till +the morning, for you seem to be a good-natured sort of a boy." + +Well, Pat looked at the fairy man's shoes, that were the size of a +baby's, and he looked at his own feet; but not wishing to be uncivil, +"Thank ye kindly, sir," says he. "And if your honour 'll be good +enough to put them on for me, maybe you won't spoil the shape." For he +thought to himself, "Small blame to me if the little gentleman can't +get them to fit." + +With that he sat down on the side of the Rath, and the fairy man put +on the shoes for him, and no sooner did they touch Pat's feet, than +they became altogether a convenient size, and fitted him like wax. +And, more than that, when he stood up, he didn't feel his blisters at +all. + +"Bring 'em back to the Rath at sunrise, Pat, my boy," says the little +man. + +And as Pat was climbing over the ditch, "Look round, Pat," says he. +And when Pat looked round, there were jewels and pearls lying at the +roots of the furze-bushes on the ditch, as thick as peas. + +"Will you help yourself, or take what's given ye, Pat?" says the fairy +man. + +"Did I ever learn manners?" says Pat. "Would you have me help myself +before company? I'll take what your honour pleases to give me, and be +thankful." + +The fairy man picked a lot of yellow furze-blossoms from the bushes, +and filled Pat's pockets. + +"Keep 'em for love, Pat, me darlin'," says he. + +Pat would have liked some of the jewels, but he put the furze-blossoms +by for love. + +"Good-evening to your honour," says he. + +"And where are you going, Pat, dear?" says the fairy man. + +"I'm going home," says Pat. And if the fairy man didn't know where +that was, small blame to him. + +"Just let me dust them shoes for ye, Pat," says the fairy man. And as +Pat lifted up each foot he breathed on it, and dusted it with the tail +of his green coat. + +"Home!" says he, and when he let go, Pat was at his own doorstep +before he could look round, and his parcels safe and sound with him. + +Next morning he was up with the sun, and carried the fairy man's +shoes back to the Rath. As he came up, the little man looked over the +ditch. + +"The top of the morning to, your honour," says Pat; "here's your +shoes." + +"You're an honest boy, Pat," says the little gentleman. "It's +inconvenienced I am without them, for. I have but the one pair. Have +you looked at the yellow flowers this morning?" he says. + +"I have not, sir," says Pat; "I'd be loth to deceive you. I came off +as soon as I was up." + +"Be sure to look when you get back, Pat," says the fairy man, "and +good luck to ye." + +With which he disappeared, and Pat went home. He looked for the +furze-blossoms, as the fairy man told him, and there's not a word of +truth in this tale if they weren't all pure gold pieces. + +Well, now Pat was so rich, he went to the shoemaker to order another +pair of brogues, and being a kindly, gossiping boy, the shoemaker soon +learned the whole story of the fairy man and the Rath. And this so +stirred up the shoemaker's greed that he resolved to go the very next +night himself, to see if he could not dance with the fairies, and have +like luck. + +He found his way to the Rath all correct, and sure enough the fairies +were dancing, and they asked him to join. He danced the soles off his +brogues, as Pat did, and the fairy man lent him his shoes, and sent +him home in a twinkling. + +As he was going over the ditch, he looked round, and saw the roots of +the furze-bushes glowing with precious stones as if they had been +glow-worms. + +"Will you help yourself, or take what's given ye?" said the fairy man. + +"I'll help myself, if you please," said the cobbler, for he +thought--"If I can't get more than Pat brought home, my fingers must +all be thumbs." + +So he drove his hand into the bushes, and if he didn't get plenty, it +wasn't for want of grasping. + +When he got up in the morning, he went straight to the jewels. But not +a stone of the lot was more precious than roadside pebbles. "I ought +not to look till I come from the Rath," said he. "It's best to do like +Pat all through." + +But he made up his mind not to return the fairy man's shoes. + +"Who knows the virtue that's in them?" he said. So he made a small +pair of red leather shoes, as like them as could be, and he blacked +the others upon his feet, that the fairies might not know them, and at +sunrise he went to the Rath. + +The fairy man was looking over the ditch as before. + +"Good-morning to you," said he. + +"The top of the morning to you, sir," said the cobbler; "here's your +shoes." And he handed him the pair that he had made, with a face as +grave as a judge. + +The fairy man looked at them, but he said nothing, though he did not +put them on. + +"Have you looked at the things you got last night?" says he. + +"I'll not deceive you, sir," says the cobbler. "I came off as soon as +I was up. Sorra peep I took at them." + +"Be sure to look when you get back," says the fairy man. And just as +the cobbler was getting over the ditch to go home, he says: + +"If my eyes don't deceive me," says he, "there's the least taste in +life of dirt on your left shoe. Let me dust it with the tail of my +coat." + +"That means home in a twinkling," thought the cobbler, and he held up +his foot. + +The fairy man dusted it, and muttered something the cobbler did not +hear. Then, "Sure," says he, "it's the dirty pastures that you've come +through, for the other shoe's as bad." + +So the cobbler held up his right foot, and the fairy man rubbed that +with the tail of his green coat. + +When all was done the cobbler's feet seemed to tingle, and then to +itch, and then to smart, and then to burn. And at last he began to +dance, and he danced all round the Rath (the fairy man laughing and +holding his sides), and then round and round again. And he danced till +he cried out with weariness, and tried to shake the shoes off. But +they stuck fast, and the fairies drove him over, the ditch, and +through the prickly furze-bushes, and he danced away. Where he danced +to, I cannot tell you. Whether he ever got rid of the fairy shoes, I +do not know. The jewels never were more than wayside pebbles, and they +were swept out when his cabin was cleaned, which was not too soon, you +may be sure. + +All this happened long ago; but there are those who say that the +covetous cobbler dances still, between sunset and sunrise, round +Murdoch's Rath. + + + + +THE LITTLE DARNER. + + +In days gone by there lived a poor widow who had brought up her only +child so well that the little lass was more helpful and handy than +many a grown-up person. + +When other women's children were tearing and dirtying their clothes, +clamouring at their mothers' skirts for this and that, losing and +breaking and spoiling things, and getting into mischief of all kinds, +the widow's little girl, with her tiny thimble on her finger, could +patch quite neatly. She was to be trusted to put anything in its +proper place, and when meals were over she would stand on a little +stool at the table washing up the dishes. Moreover, she could darn +stockings so well that the darn looked like a part of the stocking. +The slatternly mothers, who spoiled and scolded their children by +turns, and had never taught them to be tidy and obedient, used often +to quote the widow's little girl to their troublesome brats, and say, +"Why don't you help your mother as the widow's daughter helps her?" + +Thus it came about that the helpless, useless, untidy little girls +hated the very name of the widow's daughter, because they were always +being told of her usefulness and neatness. + +Now the widow's child often earned a few pence by herding sheep or +pigs for the farmers, or by darning stockings for their wives, and as +she could be trusted, people were very glad to employ her. One day she +was keeping watch over five little pigs in a field, and, not to waste +time, was darning a pair of stockings as well, when some of the little +girls who had a spite against her resolved to play her a trick. + +Near the field where the little maid and the pigs were there was a +wood, into which all children were strictly forbidden to go. For in +the depths of the wood there lived a terrible Ogre and Ogress, who +kidnapped all children who strayed near their dwelling. Every morning +the Ogre threw a big black bag over his shoulder, and stalked through +the forest, making the ground shake as he walked. If he found any +truant children he popped them into his bag, and when he got home his +wife cooked them for supper. + +The trick played upon the widow's daughter was this. Five little girls +came up to the field where she was herding the five little pigs, and +each chasing a pig, they drove them into the Ogre's wood. In vain the +little maid called to her flock; the pigs ran in a frightened troop +into the wood, and she ran after them. When the five little girls saw +that she had got them together again, they ran in to chase them away +once more, and so they were all in the wood together, when the ground +shook under them, upsetting the six little girls and the five little +pigs; and as they rolled over the Ogre picked them up, and put them +one after another into his bag. + +When they were jolting about with the pigs in the poke as the Ogre +strode homewards, the five spiteful children were as sorry as you +please; and as the pigs were always fighting and struggling to get to +the top, they did not escape without some scratches. And their +screams, and the squealing of the little pigs made such a noise that +the Ogre's wife heard it a mile and a half away in the depths of the +wood; and she lighted a fire under the copper, and filled it with +water, ready to cook whatever her husband brought home. + +As for the widow's little daughter she pulled her needle-book from her +pocket, and every now and then she pushed a needle through the sack, +that it might fall on the ground, and serve as a guide if she should +ever have the chance of finding her way home again. + +When the Ogre arrived, he emptied the sack, and sent the six little +girls and the five little pigs all sprawling on to the floor, saying: + +"These will last us some time. Cook the fattest, and put the rest +into the cellar. And whilst you get dinner ready, I will take another +stroll with the bag. Luck seldom comes singly." + +When he had gone, the Ogress looked over the children, and picked out +the widow's daughter, saying: + +"You look the most good-humoured. And the best-tempered always make +the best eating." + +So she set her down on a stool by the fire till the water should boil, +and locked the others up in the cellar. + +"Tears won't put the fire out," thought the little maid. So instead of +crying she pulled out the old stocking, and went on with her darning. +When the Ogress came back from the cellar she went up to her and +looked at her work. + +"How you darn!" she cried. "Now that's a sort of thing I hate. And the +Ogre does wear such big holes in his stockings, and his feet are so +large, that, though my hand is not a small one, I cannot fill out the +heel with my fist, and then who's to darn it neatly I should like to +know?" + +"If I had a basin big enough to fill out the heel, I think I could do +it," said the little maid. + +The Ogress scratched her big ear thoughtfully for a minute, and then +she said: + +"To lose a chance is to cheat oneself. Why shouldn't this one darn +while the others boil? Yes, I think you shall try. Six days ought to +serve for mending all the stockings, though the Ogre hasn't a whole +pair left, and angry enough he'll be. And when household matters are +not to his mind he puts that big sack over my head, and ties it round +my neck. And if you had ever done housework with your head in a poke, +you'd know what it is! So you shall darn the stockings, and if you do +them well, I'll cook one of the others first instead of you." + +Saying which, the Ogress fetched one of the Ogre's stockings, and the +widow's child put a big basin into the heel to stretch it, and began +to darn. The Ogress watched her till she had put all the threads one +way, and when she began to run the cross threads, interlacing them +with the utmost exactness, the old creature was delighted, and went to +fetch another child to be cooked instead of the widow's. + +When the other little girl came up, she cried and screamed so that the +room rang with her lamentations, and the widow's child laid down her +needle and ceased working. + +"Why don't you go on darning?" asked the Ogress. + +"Alas! dear mother," said she, "the little sister's cries make my +heart beat so that I cannot darn evenly." + +"Then she must go back to the cellar for a bit," said the Ogress. +"And meanwhile I'll sharpen the knife." + +So after she had taken back the crying child, and had watched the +little girl, who now darned away as skilfully as ever, the Ogress took +down a huge knife from the wall, and began to sharpen it on a +grindstone in a corner of the kitchen. As she sharpened the knife, she +glanced from time to time at the little maid, and soon perceived that +she had once more ceased working. + +"Why don't you go on darning?" asked the Ogress. + +"Alas! dear mother," said the child, "when I hear you sharpening that +terrible knife my hands tremble so that I cannot thread my needle." + +"Well, it will do now," growled the Ogress, feeling the edge of the +blade with her horny finger; and, having seen the darning-needle once +more at work, she went to fetch up one of the children. As she went, +she hummed what cookmaids sing-- + + "Dilly, dilly duckling, come and be killed!" + +But it sounded like the wheezing and groaning of a heavy old door upon +its rusty hinges. + +When she came in, with the child in one hand, and the huge knife in +the other, she went up to the little darner to look at her work. The +heel of the Ogre's stocking was exquisitely mended, all but seven +threads; but the little maid sat idle with her hands before her. + +"Why don't you go on darning?" asked the Ogress. + +"Alas! dear mother," was the reply, "when I think of my little +playmate about to die, the tears blind my eyes, so that I cannot see +what stitches I take. Wherefore I beg of you, dear mother, to cook one +of the little pigs instead, that I may be able to go on with my work, +and that a pair of stockings may be ready to-morrow morning when the +Ogre will ask for them; so my playmate's life will be spared, and your +head will not be put into a poke." + +At first the Ogress would not hear of such a thing, but at last she +consented, and made a stew of one of the little pigs instead of +cooking the little girl. + +"But supposing the Ogre goes to count the children," said she; "he +will find one too many." + +"Then let her go, dear mother," said the widow's daughter; "she will +find her way home, and you will never be blamed." + +"But she must stir the stew with her forefinger first," said the +Ogress, "that it may have a human flavour." + +So the little girl had to stir the hot stew with her finger, which +scalded it badly; and then she was set at liberty, and ran home as +hard as she could; and as the little maid's needles sparkled here and +there on the path, she had no difficulty in finding her way. + +The Ogre was quite contented with his dinner, and the Ogress got great +praise for the way in which she had darned his stockings. Thus it went +on for four days more. As the widow's little girl wouldn't work if her +companions were killed, the Ogress cooked the pigs one after another, +and the children were all sent away with burnt forefingers. + +When the fifth had been dismissed, and all the pigs were eaten, the +Ogress said: + +"To-morrow you will have to be stewed, and now I wish I had kept one +of the others that I might have saved you altogether to work for me. +However, there is one comfort, the stockings are finished." + +But meanwhile the other children had got safely home, and had told +their tale. And all the men of the place set off at once to attack the +Ogre, and release the widow's child. Guided by the needles, they +arrived just as the Ogress was sharpening the big knife for the last +time. + +So they killed the Ogre and his wife, and took the industrious little +maid back to her mother. + +The other little girls were now very repentant; and when their +fingers were well, they all learned to darn stockings at once. + +And as there was now no danger about going into the wood, it was no +longer forbidden. And this being the case, the children were much less +anxious to play there than formerly. + + + + +THE FIDDLER IN THE FAIRY RING. + + +Generations ago, there once lived a farmer's son, who had no great +harm in him, and no great good either. He always meant well, but he +had a poor spirit, and was too fond of idle company. + +One day his father sent him to market with some sheep for sale, and +when business was over for the day, the rest of the country-folk made +ready to go home, and more than one of them offered the lad a lift in +his cart. + +"Thank you kindly, all the same," said he, "but I am going back across +the downs with Limping Tim." + +Then out spoke a steady old farmer and bade the lad go home with the +rest, and by the main road. For Limping Tim was an idle, graceless +kind of fellow, who fiddled for his livelihood, but what else he did +to earn the money he squandered, no one knew. And as to the sheep path +over the downs, it stands to reason that the highway is better +travelling after sunset, for the other is no such very short cut; and +has a big fairy ring so near it, that a butter-woman might brush it +with the edge of her market cloak, as she turned the brow of the hill. + +But the farmer's son would go his own way, and that was with Limping +Tim, and across the downs. + +So they started, and the fiddler had his fiddle in his hand, and a +bundle of marketings under his arm, and he sang snatches of strange +songs, the like of which the lad had never heard before. And the moon +drew out their shadows over the short grass till they were as long as +the great stones of Stonehenge. + +At last they turned the hill, and the fairy ring looked dark under the +moon, and the farmer's son blessed himself that they were passing it +quietly, when Limping Tim suddenly pulled his cloak from his back, and +handing it to his companion, cried, "Hold this for a moment, will you? +I'm wanted. They're calling for me." + +"I hear nothing," said the farmer's son. But before he had got the +words out of his mouth, the fiddler had completely disappeared. He +shouted aloud, but in vain, and had begun to think of proceeding on +his way, when the fiddler's voice cried, "Catch!" and there came, +flying at him from the direction of the fairy ring, the bundle of +marketings which the fiddler had been carrying. + +"It's in my way," he then heard the fiddler cry. "Ah, this is dancing! +Come in, my lad, come in!" + +But the farmer's son was not totally without prudence, and he took +good care to keep at a safe distance from the fairy ring. + +"Come back, Tim! Come back!" he shouted, and, receiving no answer, he +adjured his friend to break the bonds that withheld him, and return to +the right way, as wisely as one man can counsel another. + +After talking for some time to no purpose, he again heard his friend's +voice, crying, "Take care of it for me! The money dances out of my +pocket." And therewith the fiddler's purse was hurled to his feet, +where it fell with a heavy chinking of gold within. + +He picked it up, and renewed his warnings and entreaties, but in vain; +and, after waiting for a long time, he made the best of his way home +alone, hoping that the fiddler would follow, and come to reclaim his +property. + +The fiddler never came. And when at last there was a fuss about his +disappearance, the farmer's son, who had but a poor spirit, began to +be afraid to tell the truth of the matter. "Who knows but they may +accuse me of theft?" said he. So he hid the cloak, and the bundle, +and the money-bag in the garden. + +But when three months passed, and still the fiddler did not return, it +was whispered that the farmer's son had been his last companion; and +the place was searched, and they found the cloak, and the bundle, and +the money-bag and the lad was taken to prison. + +Now, when it was too late, he plucked up a spirit, and told the truth; +but no one believed him, and it was said that he had murdered the +fiddler for the sake of his money and goods. And he was taken before +the judge, found guilty, and sentenced to death. + +Fortunately, his old mother was a Wise Woman. And when she heard that +he was condemned, she said, "Only follow my directions, and we may +save you yet; for I guess how it is." + +So she went to the judge, and begged for her son three favours before +his death. + +"I will grant them," said the judge, "if you do not ask for his life." + +"The first," said the old woman, "is, that he may choose the place +where the gallows shall be erected; the second, that he may fix the +hour of his execution; and the third favour is, that you will not fail +to be present." + +"I grant all three," said the judge. But when he learned that the +criminal had chosen a certain hill on the downs for the place of +execution, and an hour before midnight for the time, he sent to beg +the sheriff to bear him company on this important occasion. + +The sheriff placed himself at the judge's disposal, but he commanded +the attendance of the gaoler as some sort of protection; and the +gaoler, for his part, implored his reverence the chaplain to be of the +party, as the hill was not in good spiritual repute. So, when the time +came, the four started together, and the hangman and the farmer's son +went before them to the foot of the gallows. + +Just as the rope was being prepared, the farmer'a son called to the +judge, and said, "If your Honour will walk twenty paces down the hill, +to where you will see a bit of paper, you will learn the fate of the +fiddler." + +"That is, no doubt, a copy of the poor man's last confession," thought +the judge. + +"Murder will out, Mr. Sheriff," said he; and in the interests of truth +and justice he hastened to pick up the paper. + +But the farmer's son had dropped it as he came along, by his mother's +direction, in such a place that the judge could not pick it up without +putting his foot on the edge of the fairy ring. No sooner had he done +so than he perceived an innumerable company of little people dressed +in green cloaks and hoods, who were dancing round in a circle as wide +as the ring itself. + +They were all about two feet high, and had aged faces, brown and +withered, like the knots on gnarled trees in hedge bottoms, and they +squinted horribly; but, in spite of their seeming age, they flew round +and round like children. + +"Mr. Sheriff! Mr. Sheriff!" cried the judge, "come and see the +dancing. And hear the music, too, which is so lively that it makes the +soles of my feet tickle." + +"There is no music, my Lord Judge," said the sheriff, running down the +hill. "It is the wind whistling over the grass that your lordship +hears." + +But when the sheriff had put his foot by the judge's foot, he saw and +heard the same, and he cried out, "Quick, Gaoler, and come down! I +should like you to be witness to this matter. And you may take my arm, +Gaoler, for the music makes me feel unsteady." + +"There is no music, sir," said the gaoler; "but your worship doubtless +hears the creaking of the gallows." + +But no sooner had the gaoler's feet touched the fairy ring, than he +saw and heard like the rest, and he called lustily to the chaplain to +come and stop the unhallowed measure. + +"It is a delusion of the Evil One," said the parson; "there is not a +sound in the air but the distant croaking of some frogs." But when he +too touched the ring, he perceived his mistake. + +At this moment the moon shone out, and in the middle of the ring they +saw Limping Tim the fiddler, playing till great drops stood out on his +forehead, and dancing as madly as he played. + +"Ah, you rascal!" cried the judge. "Is this where you've been all the +time, and a better man than you as good as hanged for you? But you +shall come home now." + +Saying which, he ran in, and seized the fiddler by the arm, but +Limping Tim resisted so stoutly that the sheriff had to go to the +judge's assistance, and even then the fairies so pinched and hindered +them that the sheriff was obliged to call upon the gaoler to put his +arms about his waist, who persuaded the chaplain to add his strength +to the string. But as ill luck would have it, just as they were +getting off, one of the fairies picked up Limping Tim's fiddle, which +had fallen in the scuffle, and began to play. And as he began to play, +every one began to dance--the fiddler, and the judge, and the sheriff, +and the gaoler, and even the chaplain. + +"Hangman! hangman!" screamed the judge, as he lifted first one leg and +then the other to the tune, "come down, and catch hold of his +reverence the chaplain. The prisoner is pardoned, and he can lay hold +too." + +The hangman knew the judge's voice, and ran towards it; but as they +were now quite within the ring he could see nothing, either of him or +his companions. + +The farmer's son followed, and warning the hangman not to touch the +ring, he directed him to stretch his hands forwards in hopes of +catching hold of some one. In a few minutes the wind blew the +chaplain's cassock against the hangman's fingers, and he caught the +parson round the waist. The farmer's son then seized him in like +fashion, and each holding firmly by the other, the fiddler, the judge, +the sheriff, the gaoler, the parson, the hangman, and the farmer's son +all got safely out of the charmed circle. + +"Oh, you scoundrel!" cried the judge to the fiddler; "I have a very +good mind to hang you up on the gallows without further ado." + +But the fiddler only looked like one possessed, and upbraided the +farmer's son for not having the patience to wait three minutes for +him. + +"Three minutes!" cried he; "why, you've been here three months and a +day." + +This the fiddler would not believe, and as he seemed in every way +beside himself, they led him home, still upbraiding his companion, +and crying continually for his fiddle. + +His neighbours watched him closely, but one day he escaped from their +care and wandered away over the hills to seek his fiddle, and came +back no more. + +His dead body was found upon the downs, face downwards, with the +fiddle in his arms. Some said he had really found the fiddle where he +had left it, and had been lost in a mist, and died of exposure. But +others held that he had perished differently, and laid his death at +the door of the fairy dancers. + +As to the farmer's son, it is said that thenceforward he went home +from market by the high-road, and spoke the truth straight out, and +was more careful of his company. + + + + +"I WON'T." + + +"Don't Care"--so they say--fell into a goose-pond; and "I won't" is +apt to come to no better an end. At least, my grandmother tells me +that was how the Miller had to quit his native town, and leave the tip +of his nose behind him. + +It all came of his being allowed to say "I won't" when he was quite a +little boy. His mother thought he looked pretty when he was pouting, +and that wilfulness gave him an air which distinguished him from other +people's children. And when she found out that his lower lip was +becoming so big that it spoilt his beauty, and that his wilfulness +gained his way twice and stood in his way eight times out of ten, it +was too late to alter him. + +Then she said, "Dearest Abinadab, do be more obliging!" + +And he replied (as she had taught him), "I won't." + +He always took what he could get, and would neither give nor give up +to other people. This, he thought, was the way to get more out of life +than one's neighbours. + +Amongst other things, he made a point of taking the middle of the +footpath. + +"Will you allow me to pass you, sir?--I am in a hurry," said a voice +behind him one day. + +"I won't," said Abinadab; on which a poor washerwoman, with her +basket, scrambled down into the road, and Abinadab chuckled. + +Next day he was walking as before. + +"Will you allow me to pass you, sir?--I am in a hurry," said a voice +behind him. + +"I won't," said Abinadab. On which he was knocked into the ditch; and +the Baron walked on, and left him to get out of the mud on whichever +side he liked. + +He quarrelled with his friends till he had none left, and he +quarrelled with the tradesmen of the town till there was only one who +would serve him, and this man offended him at last. + +"I'll show you who's master!" said the Miller. "I won't pay a penny of +your bill--not a penny." + +"Sir," said the tradesman, "my giving you offence now, is no just +reason why you should refuse to pay for what you have had and been +satisfied with. I must beg you to pay me at once." + +"I won't," said the Miller, "and what I say I mean. I won't; I tell +you, I won't." + +So the tradesman summoned him before the Justice, and the Justice +condemned him to pay the bill and the costs of the suit. + +"I won't," said the Miller. + +So they put him in prison, and in prison he would have remained if his +mother had not paid the money to obtain his release. By and by she +died, and left him her blessing and some very good advice, which (as +is sometimes the case with bequests) would have been more useful if it +had come earlier. + +The Miller's mother had taken a great deal of trouble off his hands +which now fell into them. She took in all the small bags of grist +which the country-folk brought to be ground, and kept account of them, +and spoke civilly to the customers, big and little. But these small +matters irritated the Miller. + +"I may be the slave of all the old women in the country-side," said +he; "but I won't--they shall see that I won't." + +So he put up a notice to say that he would only receive grist at a +certain hour on certain days. Now, but a third of the old women could +read the notice, and they did not attend to it. People came as before; +but the Miller locked the door of the mill and sat in the +counting-house and chuckled. + +"My good friend," said his neighbours, "you can't do business in this +way. If a man lives by trade, he must serve his customers. And a +Miller must take in grist when it comes to the mill." + +"Others may if they please," said the Miller; "but I won't. When I +make a rule, I stick to it." + +"Take advice, man, or you'll be ruined," said his friends. + +"I won't," said the Miller. + +In a few weeks all the country-folk turned their donkeys' heads +towards the windmill on the heath. It was a little farther to go, but +the Windmiller took custom when it came to him, gave honest measure, +and added civil words gratis. + +The other Miller was ruined. + +"All you can do now is to leave the mill while you can pay the rent, +and try another trade," said his friends. + +"I won't," said the Miller. "Shall I be turned out of the house where +I was born, because the country-folk are fools?" + +However, he could not pay the rent, and the landlord found another +tenant. + +"You must quit," said he to the Miller. + +"That I won't," said the Miller, "not for fifty new tenants." + +So the landlord sent for the constables, and he was carried out, +which is not a dignified way of changing one's residence. But then it +is not easy to be obstinate and dignified at the same time. + +His wrath against the landlord knew no bounds. + +"Was there ever such a brute?" he cried. "Would any man of spirit hold +his home at the whim of a landlord? I'll never rent another house as +long as I live." + +"But you must live somewhere," said his friends. + +"I won't," said the Miller. + +He was no longer a young man, and the new tenant pitied him. + +"The poor old fellow is out of his senses," he said. And he let him +sleep in one of his barns. One of the mill cats found out that there +was a new warm bed in this barn, and she came and lived there too, and +kept away the mice. + +One night, however, Mrs. Pussy disturbed the Miller's rest. She was in +and out of the window constantly, and meowed horribly into the +bargain. + +"It seems a man can't even sleep in peace," said the Miller. "If this +happens again, you'll go into the mill-race to sing to the fishes." + +The next night the cat was still on the alert, and the following +morning the Miller tied a stone round her neck, and threw her into the +water. + +"Oh, spare the poor thing, there's a good soul," said a bystander. + +"I won't," said the Miller. "I told her what would happen." + +When his back was turned, however, the bystander got Pussy out, and +took her home with him. + +Now the cat was away, the mice could play; and they played hide-and +seek over the Miller's nightcap. + +It came to such a pass that there was no rest to be had. + +"I won't go to bed, I declare I won't," said the Miller. So he sat up +all night in an arm-chair, and threw everything he could lay his hands +on at the corners where he heard the mice scuffling, till the place +was topsy-turvy. + +Towards morning he lit a candle and dressed himself. He was in a +terrible humour; and when he began to shave, his hand shook and he cut +himself. The draughts made the flame of the candle unsteady too, and +the shadow of the Miller's nose (which was a large one) fell in +uncertain shapes upon his cheeks, and interfered with the progress of +the razor. At first he thought he would wait till daylight. Then his +temper got the better of him. + +"I won't," he said, "I won't; why should I?" + +So he began again. He held on by his nose to steady his cheeks, and +he gave it such a spiteful pinch that the tears came into his eyes. + +"Matters have come to a pretty pass, when a man's own nose is to stand +in his light," said he. + +By and by a gust of wind came through the window. Up flared the +candle, and the shadow of the Miller's nose danced half over his face, +and the razor gashed his chin. + +Transported with fury, he struck at it before he could think what he +was doing. The razor was very sharp, and the tip of the Miller's nose +came off as clean as his whiskers. + +When daylight came, and he saw himself in the glass, he resolved to +leave the place. + +"I won't stay here to be a laughing-stock," said he. + +As he trudged out on to the highway, with his bundle on his back, the +Baron met him and pitied him. He dismounted from his horse, and +leading it up to the Miller, he said: + +"Friend, you are elderly to be going far afoot. I will lend you my +mare to take you to your destination. When you are there, knot the +reins and throw them on her shoulder, saying, 'Home!' She will then +return to me. But mark one thing,--she is not used to whip or spur. +Humour her, and she will carry you well and safely." + +The Miller mounted willingly enough, and set forward. At first the +mare was a little restive. The Miller had no spurs on, but, in spite +of the Baron's warning, he kicked her with his heels. On this, she +danced till the Miller's hat and bundle flew right and left, and he +was very near to following them. + +"Ah, you vixen!" he cried. "You think I'll humour you as the Baron +does. But I won't--no, you shall see that I won't!" And gripping his +walking-stick firmly in his hand, he belaboured the Baron's mare as if +she had been a donkey. + +On which she sent the Miller clean over her head, and cantered back to +the castle; and wherever it was that he went to, he had to walk. + +He never returned to his native village, and everybody was glad to be +rid of him. One must bear and forbear with his neighbours, if he hopes +to be regretted when he departs. + +But my grandmother says that long after the mill had fallen into ruin, +the story was told as a warning to wilful children of the Miller who +cut off his nose to spite his own face. + + + + +THE MAGIC JAR. + + +There was once a young fellow whom fortune had blessed with a good +mother, a clever head, and a strong body. But beyond this she had not +much favoured him; and though able and willing to work, he had often +little to do, and less to eat. But his mother had taught him to be +contented with his own lot, and to feel for others. Moreover, from her +he inherited a great love for flowers. + +One day, when his pockets were emptiest, a fair was held in the +neighbouring town, and he must needs go as well as the rest, though he +had no money to spend. But he stuck a buttercup in his cap, for which +he had nothing to pay, and strode along as merrily as the most. + +Towards evening some of the merrymakers became riotous; and a party of +them fell upon an old Jew who was keeping a stall of glass and china, +and would smash his stock. Now as the Jew stood before his booth +beseeching them to spare his property, up came the strong young man, +with the flower still unwithered in his cap, and he took the old Jew's +part and defended him. For from childhood his mother had taught him to +feel for others. + +So those who would have ill-treated the old Jew now moved off, and the +young man stayed with him till he had packed up his wares. + +Then the Jew turned towards him and said, "My son, he who delivers the +oppressed, and has respect unto the aged, has need of no reward, for +the blessing of Him that blesseth is about him. Nevertheless, that I +may not seem ungrateful, choose, I pray thee, one of these china jars; +and take it to thee for thine own. If thou shalt choose well, it may +be of more use to thee than presently appears." + +Thereupon the young man examined the jars, which were highly +ornamented with many figures and devices; but he chose one that was +comparatively plain; only it had a bunch of flowers painted on the +front, round which was a pretty device in spots or circles of gold. + +Then said the Jew, "My son, why have you chosen this jar, when there +are others so much finer?" + +The young man said, "Because the flowers please me, and I have a love +for flowers." + +Then said the Jew, "Happy is he whose tastes are simple! Moreover, +herein is a rare wisdom, and thou hast gained that which is the most +valuable of my possessions. This jar has properties which I will +further explain to thee. It was given to me by a wise woman, subject +to this condition, that I must expose it for sale from sunrise to +sunset at the yearly fair. When I understood this I took counsel with +myself how I should preserve it; and I bought other china jars of more +apparent value, and I marked them all with the same price. For I said +within myself, 'There is no man who does not desire to get as much as +he can for his money, therefore, from its contrast with these others, +my jar is safe.' And it was even so; for truly, many have desired to +buy the jar because of the delicate beauty of the flowers, if I would +have sold it for less than others which seemed more valuable." + +"Many times it has been almost gone, but when I have shown the others +at the same price, my customers have reviled me, saying, 'Dog of a +Jew, dost thou ask as much for this as for these others Which are +manifestly worth double?' and they have either departed, cursing me, +and taking nothing; or they have bought one of the more richly +decorated jars at the same price. For verily in most men the spirit of +covetousness is stronger than the love of beauty, and they rather +desire to get much for their money, than to obtain that which is +suitable and convenient." + +"But in thee, O young man! I have beheld a rare wisdom. To choose that +which is good in thine eyes, and suitable to thy needs, rather than +that which satisfieth the lust of over-reaching; and lo! what I have +so long kept from thousands, has become thine!" + +Then the young man wished to restore to the Jew the jar he valued so +highly, and to choose another. + +But the Jew refused, saying, "A gift cannot be recalled. Moreover, I +will now explain to thee its uses. Within the jar lies a toad, whose +spit is poison. But it will never spit at its master. Every evening +thou must feed it with bread and milk, when it will fall asleep; and +at sunrise in the morning it will awake and breathe heavily against +the side of the jar, which will thus become warm. As it warms the +flowers will blossom out, and become real, and full of perfume, and +thou wilt be able to pluck them without diminishing their number. +Moreover, these twelve round spots of gold will drop off, and become +twelve gold pieces, which will be thine. And thus it will be every +day. Only thou must thyself rise with the sun, and gather the flowers +and the gold with thine own hands. Furthermore, when the jar cools, +the flowers and gilding will be as before. Fare thee well." + +And even as he spoke the Jew lifted the huge crate of china on to his +back, and disappeared among the crowd. + +All came about as the Jew had promised. As he had twelve gold pieces a +day, the young man now wanted for nothing, besides which he had fresh +flowers on his table all the year round. + +Now it is well said, "Thy business is my business, and the business of +all beside;" for every man's affairs are his neighbours' property. +Thus it came about that all those who lived near the young man were +perplexed that he had such beautiful flowers in all seasons; and +esteemed it as an injury to themselves that he should have them and +give no explanation as to whence they came. + +At last it came to the ears of the king, and he also was disturbed. +For he was curious, and fond of prying into small matters; a taste +which ill becomes those of high position. But the king had no child to +succeed him; and he was always suspecting those about him of plotting +to obtain the crown, and thus he came to be for ever prying into the +affairs of his subjects. + +Now when he heard of the young man who had flowers on his table all +the year round, he desired one of his officers to go and question him +as to how he obtained them. But the young man contrived to evade his +questions, and the matter was at rest for a while. + +Then the king sent another messenger, with orders to press the young +man more closely; and because the young man disdained to tell a lie, +he said, "I get the flowers from yon china jar." + +Then the messenger returned, and said to the king, "The young man says +that he gets the flowers from a certain china jar which stands in his +room." + +Then said the king, "Bring the contents of the jar hither to me." And +the messenger returned and brought the toad. + +But when the king laid hold upon the toad, it spat in his face; and he +was poisoned and died. + +Then the toad sat upon the king's mouth, and would not be enticed +away. And every one feared to touch it because it spat poison. And +they called the wise men of the council; and they performed certain +rites to charm away the toad, and yet it would not go. + +But after three days, the master of the toad came to the palace, and +without saying who he was, he desired to be permitted to try and get +the toad from the corpse of the king. + +And when he was taken into the king's chamber, he stood and beckoned +to the toad, saying, "The person of the king and the bodies of the +dead are sacred, wherefore come away." + +And the toad crawled from the king's face and came to him, and did not +spit at him; and he put it back into the jar. + +Then said the wise men, "There is no one so fit to succeed to the +kingdom as this man is; both for wisdom of speech and for the power of +command." + +And what they said pleased the people; and the young man was made +king. And in due time he married an amiable and talented princess, and +had children. And he ruled the kingdom well and wisely, and was +beloved till his death. + +Now when, after the lapse of many years, he died, there was great +grief among the people, and his body was laid out in his own room, and +the people were permitted to come and look upon his face for the last +time. + +And among the crowd there appeared an aged Jew. And he did not weep as +did the others; but he came and stood by the bier, and gazed upon the +face of the dead king in silence. And after a while he exclaimed, and +said: + +"Oh, wonderful spectacle! A man, and not covetous. A ruler, and not +oppressive. Contented in poverty, and moderate in wealth. Elect of the +people, and beloved to the end!" + +And when he had said this, he again became silent, and stood as one +astonished. + +And no one knew when he came in, nor perceived when he departed. + +But when they came to search for the china jar, it was gone, and could +never afterwards be found. + + + + +THE FIRST WIFE'S WEDDING-RING. + + +Many years ago, there lived a certain worthy man who was twice +married. By his first wife he had a son, who soon after his mother's +death resolved to become a soldier, and go to foreign lands. "When one +has seen the world, one values home the more," said he; "and if I live +I shall return." + +So the father gave him a blessing, and his mother's wedding-ring, +saying, "Keep this ring, and then, however long you stay away, and +however changed you may become, by this token I shall know you to be +my true son and heir." + +In a short time the father married again, and by this marriage also he +had one son. + +Years passed by, and the elder brother did not return, and at last +every one believed him to be dead. But in reality he was alive, and +after a long time he turned his steps homewards. He was so much +changed by age and travelling that only his mother would have known +him again, but he had the ring tied safe and fast round his neck. One +night, however, he was too far from shelter to get a bed, so he slept +under a hedge, and when he woke in the morning the string was untied +and the ring was gone. He spent a whole day in searching for it, but +in vain; and at last he resolved to proceed and explain the matter to +his father. + +The old man was overjoyed to see him, and fully believed his tale, but +with the second wife it was otherwise. She was greatly displeased to +think that her child was not now to be the sole heir of his father's +goods; and she so pestered and worked upon the old man by artful and +malicious speeches, that he consented to send away the new-comer till +he should have found the first wife's wedding-ring. + +"Is the homestead I have taken such care of," she cried, "to go to the +first vagrant who comes in with a brown face and a ragged coat, +pretending that he is your son?" + +So the soldier was sent about his business; but his father followed +him to the gate, and slipped some money into his hand, saying, "God +speed you back again with the ring!" + +It was Sunday morning, and the bells were ringing for service as he +turned sadly away. + +"Ding, dong!" rang the bells, "ding, dong! Why do you not come to +church like others? Why are you not dressed in your Sunday clothes, +and wherefore do you heave such doleful sighs, whilst we ring merrily? +Ding, dong! ding, dong!" + +"Is there not a cause?" replied the soldier. "This day I am turned out +of home and heritage, though indeed I am the true heir." + +"Nevertheless we shall ring for your return," said the bells. + +As he went, the sun shone on the green fields, and in the soldier's +eyes, and said, "See how brightly I shine! But you, comrade, why is +your face so cloudy?" + +"Is there not good reason?" replied he. "This day I am turned out of +home and heritage, and yet I am the true heir." + +"Nevertheless I shall shine on your return," said the sun. + +Along the road the hawthorn hedges were white with blossom. "Heyday!" +they cried, "who is this that comes trimp tramp, with a face as long +as a poplar-tree? Cheer up, friend! It is spring! sweet spring! All is +now full of hope and joy, and why should you look so sour?" + +"May I not be excused?" said the soldier. "This day I am turned out, +of home and heritage, and yet I am the true heir." + +"Nevertheless we shall blossom when you return," said the hedges. + +When he had wandered for three days and three nights, all he had was +spent, and there was no shelter to be seen but a dark gloomy forest, +which stretched before him. Just then he saw a small, weazened old +woman, who was trying to lift a bundle of sticks on to her back. + +"That is too heavy for you, good mother," said the soldier; and he +raised and adjusted it for her. + +"Have you just come here?" muttered the old crone; "then the best +thanks I can give you is to bid you get away as fast as you can." + +"I never retreated yet, dame," said the soldier, and on he went. + +Presently he met with a giant, who was strolling along by the edge of +the wood, knocking the cones off the tops of the fir-trees with his +finger-nails. He was an ill-favoured-looking monster, but he said, +civilly enough, "You look in want of employment, comrade. Will you +take service with me?" + +"I must first know two things," answered the soldier; "my work and my +wages." + +"Your work," said the giant, "is to cut a path through this wood to +the other side. But then you shall have a year and a day to do it in. +If you do it within the time, you will find at the other end a +magpie's nest, in which is the ring of which you are in search. The +nest also contains the crown jewels which have been stolen, and if you +take these to the king, you will need no further reward. But, on the +other hand, if the work is not done within the time, you will +thenceforth be my servant without wages." + +"It is a hard bargain," said the soldier, "but need knows no law, and +I agree to the conditions." + +When he came into the giant's abode, he was greatly astonished to see +the little weazened old woman. She showed no sign of recognizing him, +however, and the soldier observed a like discretion. He soon +discovered that she was the giant's wife, and much in dread of her +husband, who treated her with great cruelty. + +"To-morrow you shall begin to work," said the giant. + +"If you please," said the soldier, and before he went to bed he +carried in water and wood for the old woman. + +"There's a kinship in trouble," said he. + +Next morning the giant led him to a certain place on the outskirts of +the forest, and giving him an axe, said, "The sooner you begin, the +better, and you may see that it is not difficult." Saying which, he +took hold of one of the trees by the middle, and snapped it off as one +might pluck a flower. + +"Thus to thee, but how to me?" said the soldier; and when the giant +departed he set to work. But although he was so strong, and worked +willingly, the trees seemed almost as hard as stone, and he made +little progress. When he returned at night the giant asked him how he +got on. + +"The trees are very hard," said he. + +"So they always say," replied the giant; "I have always had idle +servants." + +"I will not be called idle a second time," thought the soldier, and +next day he went early and worked his utmost. But the result was very +small. And when he came home, looking weary and disappointed, he could +not fail to perceive that this gave great satisfaction to the giant. + +Matters had gone on thus for some time, when one morning, as he went +to work, he found the little old woman gathering sticks as before. + +"Listen," said she. "He shall not treat you as he has treated others. +Count seventy to the left from where you are working, and begin again. +But do not let him know that you have made a fresh start. And do a +little at the old place from time to time, as a blind." And before he +could thank her, the old woman was gone. Without more ado, however, he +counted seventy from the old place, and hit the seventieth tree such a +blow with his axe, that it came crashing down then and there. And he +found that, one after another, the trees yielded to his blows as if +they were touch-wood. He did a good day's work, gave a few strokes in +the old spot, and came home, taking care to look as gloomy as before. + +Day by day he got deeper and deeper into the wood, the trees falling +before him like dry elder twigs; and now the hardest part of his work +was walking backwards and fowards to the giant's home, for the forest +seemed almost interminable. But on the three hundred and sixty-sixth +day from his first meeting with the giant, the soldier cut fairly +through on to an open plain, and as the light streamed in, a magpie +flew away, and on searching her nest, the soldier found his mother's +wedding-ring. He also found many precious stones of priceless value, +which were evidently the lost crown jewels. And as his term of service +with the giant was now ended, he did not trouble himself to return, +but with the ring and the jewels in his pocket set off to find his way +to the capital. + +He soon fell in with a good-humoured, fellow who showed him the way, +and pointed out everything of interest on the road. As they drew near, +one of the royal carriages was driving out of the city gates, in which +sat three beautiful ladies who were the king's daughters. + +"The two eldest are engaged to marry two neighbouring princes," said +the companion. + +"And whom is the youngest to marry?" asked the soldier, "for she is by +far the most beautiful." + +"She will never marry," answered his companion, "for she is pledged to +the man who shall find the crown jewels, and cut a path through the +stone-wood forest that borders the king's domains. And that is much as +if she were promised to the man who should fetch down the moon for her +to play with. For the jewels are lost beyond recall, and the wood is +an enchanted forest." + +"Nevertheless she shall be wed with my mother's ring," thought the +soldier. But he kept his own counsel, and only waited till he had +smartened himself up, before he sought an audience of the king. + +His claim to the princess was fully proved; the king heaped honours +and riches upon him; and he made himself so acceptable to his +bride-elect, that the wedding was fixed for an early day. + +"May I bring my old father, madam?" he asked of the princess. + +"That you certainly may," said she. "A good son makes a good husband." + +As he entered his native village the hedges were in blossom, the sun +shone; and the bells rang for his return. + +His stepmother now welcomed him, and was very anxious to go to court +also. But her husband said, "No. You took such good care of the +homestead, it is but fit you should look to it whilst I am away." + +As to the giant, when he found that he had been outwitted, he went +off, and was never more heard of in those parts. But the soldier took +his wife into the city, and cared for her to the day of her death. + + + + +THE MAGICIAN TURNED MISCHIEF-MAKER. + + +There was once a wicked magician who prospered, and did much evil for +many years. But there came a day when Vengeance, disguised as a blind +beggar, overtook him, and outwitted him, and stole his magic wand. +With this he had been accustomed to turn those who offended him into +any shape he pleased; and now that he had lost it he could only +transform himself. + +As Vengeance was returning to his place, he passed through a village, +the inhabitants of which had formerly lived in great terror of the +magician, and told them of the downfall of his power. But they only +said, "Blind beggars have long tongues. One must not believe all one +hears," and shrugged their shoulders, and left him. + +Then Vengeance waved the wand and said, "As you have doubted me, +distress each other;" and so departed. + +By and by he came to another village, and told the news. But here the +villagers were full of delight, and made a feast, and put the blind +beggar in the place of honour; who, when he departed, said, "As you +have done by me, deal with each other always!" and went on to the next +village. + +In this place he was received with even warmer welcome; and when the +feast was over, the people brought him to the bridge which led out of +the village, and gave him a guide-dog to help him on his way. + +Then the blind beggar waved the wand once more and said; + +"Those who are so good to strangers must needs be good to each other. +But that nothing may be wanting to the peace of this place, I grant to +the beasts and birds in it that they may understand the language of +men." + +Then he broke the wand in pieces, and threw it into the stream. And +when the people turned their heads back again from watching the bits +as they floated away, the blind beggar was gone. + +Meanwhile the magician was wild with rage at the loss of his wand, for +all his pleasure was to do harm and hurt. But when he came to himself +he said: "One can do a good deal of harm with his tongue. I will turn +mischief-maker; and when the place is too hot to hold me, I can escape +in what form I please." + +Then he came to the first village, where Vengeance had gone before, +and here he lived for a year and a day in various disguises; and he +made more misery with his tongue than he had ever accomplished in any +other year with his magic wand. For every one distrusted his +neighbour, and was ready to believe ill of him. So parents disowned +their children, and husband and wives parted, and lovers broke faith; +and servants and masters disagreed; and old friends became bitter +enemies, till at last the place was intolerable even to the magician, +and he changed himself into a cockchafer, and flew to the next +village, where, Vengeance had gone before. + +Here also he dwelt for a year and a day, and then he left it because +he could do no harm. For those who loved each other trusted each +other, and the magician made mischief in vain. In one of his disguises +he was detected, and only escaped with his life from the enraged +villagers by changing himself into a cockchafer and flying on to the +next place, where Vengeance had gone before. + +In this village he made less mischief than in the first, and more than +in the second. And he exercised all his art, and changed his disguises +constantly; but the dogs knew him under all. + +One dog--the oldest dog in the place--was keeping watch over the +miller's house, when he saw the magician approaching, in the disguise +of an old woman. + +"Do you see that old witch?" said he to the sparrows, who were picking +up stray bits of grain in the yard. "With her evil tongue she is +parting my master's daughter and the finest young fellow in the +country-side. She puts lies and truth together, with more skill than +you patch moss and feathers to build nests. And when she is asked +where she heard this or that, she says, 'A little bird told me so.'" + +"We never told her," said the sparrows indignantly, "and if we had +your strength, Master Keeper, she should not malign us long!" + +"I believe you are right!" said Master Keeper. "Of what avail is it +that we have learned the language of men, if we do not help them to +the utmost of our powers? She shall torment my young mistress no +more." + +Saying which he flew upon the disguised magician as he entered the +gate, and would have torn him limb from limb, but that the +mischief-maker changed himself as before into a cockchafer, and flew +hastily from the village. + +And thus he might doubtless have escaped to do yet further harm, had +not three cock-sparrows overtaken him just before he crossed the +bridge. + +From three sides they hemmed him in, crying, "Which of us told you?" +"Which of us told you?" "Which of us told you?"--and pecked him to +pieces before he could transform himself again. + +After which peace and prosperity befell all the neighbourhood. + + + + +KNAVE AND FOOL. + + +A Fool and a Knave once set up house together; which shows what a fool +the Fool was. + +The Knave was delighted with the agreement; and the Fool thought +himself most fortunate to have met with a companion who would supply +his lack of mother-wit. + +As neither of them liked work, the Knave proposed that they should +live upon their joint savings as long as these should last; and, to +avoid disputes, that they should use the Fool's share till it came to +an end, and then begin upon the Knave's stocking. + +So, for a short time, they lived in great comfort at the Fool's +expense, and were very good company; for easy times make easy tempers. + +Just when the store was exhausted, the Knave came running to the Fool +with an empty bag and a wry face, crying, "Dear friend, what shall we +do? This bag, which I had safely buried under a gooseberry-bush, has +been taken up by some thief, and all my money stolen. My savings were +twice as large as yours; but now that they are gone, and I can no +longer perform my share of the bargain, I fear our partnership must be +dissolved." + +"Not so, dear friend," said the Fool, who was very good-natured; "we +have shared good luck together, and now we will share poverty. But as +nothing is left, I fear we must seek work." + +"You speak very wisely," said the Knave, "And what, for instance, can +you do?" + +"Very little," said the Fool; "but that little I do well." + +"So do I," said the Knave. "Now can you plough, or sow, or feed +cattle, or plant crops?" + +"Farming is not my business," said the Fool. + +"Nor mine," said the Knave; "but no doubt you are a handicraftsman. +Are you clever at carpentry, mason's work, tailoring, or shoemaking?" + +"I do not doubt that I should have been had I learned the trades," +said the Fool, "but I never was bound apprentice." + +"It is the same with myself," said the Knave; "but you may have finer +talents. Can you paint, or play the fiddle?" + +"I never tried," said the Fool; "so I don't know." + +"Just my case," said the Knave. "And now, since we can't find work, I +propose that we travel till work finds us." + +The two comrades accordingly set forth, and they went on and on, till +they came to the foot of a hill, where a merchantman was standing by +his wagon, which had broken down. + +"You seem two strong men," said he, as they advanced; "if you will +carry this chest of valuables up to the top of the hill, and down to +the bottom on the other side, where there is an inn, I will give you +two gold pieces for your trouble." + +The Knave and the Fool consented to this, saying, "Work has found us +at last;" and they lifted the box on to their shoulders. + +"Turn, and turn about," said the Knave; "but the best turn between +friends is a good turn; so I will lead the way up-hill, which is the +hardest kind of travelling, and you shall go first down-hill, the easy +half of our journey." + +The Fool thought this proposal a very generous one, and, not knowing +that the lower end of their burden was the heavy one, he carried it +all the way. When they got to the inn, the merchant gave each of them +a gold piece, and, as the accommodation was good, they remained where +they were till their money was spent. After this, they lived there +awhile on credit; and when that was exhausted, they rose one morning +whilst the landlord was still in bed, and pursued their journey, +leaving old scores behind them. + +They had been a long time without work or food, when they came upon a +man who sat by the roadside breaking stones, with a quart of porridge +and a spoon in a tin pot beside him. + +"You look hungry, friends," said he, "and I, for my part, want to get +away. If you will break up this heap, you shall have the porridge for +supper. But when you have eaten it, put the pot and spoon under the +hedge, that I may find them when I return." + +"If we eat first, we shall have strength for our work," said the +Knave; "and as there is only one spoon, we must eat by turns. But +fairly divide, friendly abide. As you went first the latter part of +our journey, I will begin on this occasion. When I stop, you fall to, +and eat as many spoonfuls as I ate. Then I will follow you in like +fashion, and so on till the pot is empty." + +"Nothing could be fairer," said the Fool; and the Knave began to eat, +and went on till he had eaten a third of the porridge. The Fool, who +had counted every spoonful, now took his turn, and ate precisely as +much as his comrade. The Knave then began again, and was exact to a +mouthful; but it emptied the pot. Thus the Knave had twice as much as +the Fool, who could not see where he had been cheated. + +They then set to work. + +"As there is only one hammer," said the Knave, "we must work, as we +supped, by turns; and as I began last time, you shall begin this. +After you have worked awhile, I will take the hammer from you, and do +as much myself whilst you rest. Then you shall take it up again, and +so on till the heap is finished." + +"It is not every one who is as just as you," said the Fool; and taking +up the hammer, he set to work with a will. + +The Knave took care to let him go on till he had broken a third of the +stones, and then he did as good a share himself; after which the Fool +began again, and finished the heap. + +By this means the Fool did twice as much work as the Knave, and yet he +could not complain. + +As they moved on again, the Fool perceived that the Knave was taking +the can and the spoon with him. + +"I am sorry to see you do that, friend," said he. + +"It's a very small theft," said the Knave. "The can cannot have cost +more than sixpence when new." + +"That was not what I meant," said the Fool, "so much as that I fear +the owner will find it out." + +"He will only think the things have been stolen by some vagrant," +said the Knave--"which, indeed, they would be if we left them. But as +you seem to have a tender conscience, I will keep them myself." + +After a while they met with a farmer, who offered to give them supper +and a night's lodging, if they would scare the birds from a field of +corn for him till sunset. + +"I will go into the outlying fields," said the Knave, "and as I see +the birds coming, I will turn them back. You, dear friend, remain in +the corn, and scare away the few that may escape me." + +But whilst the Fool clapped and shouted till he was tired, the Knave +went to the other side of the hedge, and lay down for a nap. + +As they sat together at supper, the Fool said, "Dear friend, this is +laborious work. I propose that we ask the farmer to let us tend sheep, +instead. That is a very different affair. One lies on the hillside all +day. The birds do not steal sheep; and all this shouting and clapping +is saved." + +The Knave very willingly agreed, and next morning the two friends +drove a flock of sheep on to the downs. The sheep at once began to +nibble, the dog sat with his tongue out, panting, and the Knave and +Fool lay down on their backs, and covered their faces with their hats +to shield them from the sun. + +Thus they lay till evening, when, the sun being down, they uncovered +their faces, and found that the sheep had all strayed away, and the +dog after them. + +"The only plan for us is to go separate ways in search of the flock," +said the Knave; "only let us agree to meet here again." They +accordingly started in opposite directions; but when the Fool was +fairly off, the Knave returned to his place, and lay down as before. + +By and by the dog brought the sheep back; so that, when the Fool +returned, the Knave got the credit of having found them; for the dog +scorned to explain his part in the matter. + +As they sat together at supper, the Fool said, "The work is not so +easy as I thought. Could we not find a better trade yet?" + +"Can you beg?" said the Knave. "A beggar's trade is both easy and +profitable. Nothing is required but walking and talking. Then one +walks at his own pace, for there is no hurry, and no master, and the +same tale does for every door. And, that all may be fair and equal, +you shall beg at the front door, whilst I ask an alms at the back." + +To this the Fool gladly agreed; and as he was as lean as a hunted cat, +charitable people gave him a penny or two from time to time. +Meanwhile, the Knave went round to the back yard, where he picked up +a fowl, or turkey, or anything that he could lay his hands upon. + +When he returned to the Fool, he would say, "See what has been given +to me, whilst you have only got a few pence." + +At last this made the Fool discontented, and he said, "I should like +now to exchange with you. I will go to the back doors, and you to the +front." + +The Knave consented, and at the next house the Fool went to the back +door; but the mistress of the farm only rated him, and sent him away. +Meanwhile, the Knave, from the front, had watched her leave the +parlour, and slipping in through the window, he took a ham and a +couple of new loaves from the table, and so made off. + +When the friends met, the Fool was crestfallen at his ill luck, and +the Knave complained that all the burden of their support fell upon +him. "See," said he, "what they give me, where you get only a mouthful +of abuse!" And he dined heartily on what he had stolen; but the Fool +only had bits of the breadcrust, and the parings of the ham. + +At the next place the Fool went to the front door as before, and the +Knave secured a fat goose and some plums in the back yard, which he +popped under his cloak. The Fool came away with empty hands, and the +Knave scolded him, saying, "Do you suppose that I mean to share this +fat goose with a lazy beggar like you? Go on, and find for yourself." +With which he sat down and began to eat the plums, whilst the Fool +walked on alone. + +After a while, however, the Knave saw a stir in the direction of the +farm they had left, and he quickly perceived that the loss of the +goose was known, and that the farmer and his men were in pursuit of +the thief. So, hastily picking up the goose, he overtook the Fool, and +pressed it into his arms, saying, "Dear friend, pardon a passing ill +humour, of which I sincerely repent. Are we not partners in good luck +and ill? I was wrong, dear friend; and, in token of my penitence, the +goose shall be yours alone. And here are a few plums with which you +may refresh yourself by the wayside. As for me, I will hasten on to +the next farm, and see if I can beg a bottle of wine to wash down the +dinner, and drink to our good-fellowship." And before the Fool could +thank him, the Knave was off like the wind. + +By and by the farmer and his men came up, and found the Fool eating +the plums, with the goose on the grass beside him. + +They hurried him off to the justice, where his own story met with no +credit. The woman of the next farm came up also, and recognized him +for the man who had begged at her door the day she lost a ham and two +new loaves. In vain he said that these things also had been given to +his friend. The friend never appeared; and the poor Fool was whipped +and put in the stocks. + +Towards evening the Knave hurried up to the village green, where his +friend sat doing penance for the theft. + +"My dear friend," said he, "what do I see? Is such cruelty possible? +But I hear that the justice is not above a bribe, and we must at any +cost obtain your release. I am going at once to pawn my own boots and +cloak, and everything about me that I can spare, and if you have +anything to add, this is no time to hesitate." + +The poor Fool begged his friend to draw off his boots, and to take his +hat and coat as well, and to make all speed on his charitable errand. + +The Knave, took all that he could get, and, leaving his friend sitting +in the stocks in his shirt-sleeves, he disappeared as swiftly as one +could wish a man to carry a reprieve. + +For those good folks to whom everything must be explained in full, it +may be added that the Knave did not come back, and that he kept the +clothes. + +It was very hard on the Fool; but what can one expect if he keeps +company with a Knave? + + + + +UNDER THE SUN. + + +There once lived a farmer who was so avaricious and miserly, and so +hard and close in all his dealings that, as folks say, he would skin a +flint. A Jew and a Yorkshireman had each tried to bargain with him, +and both had had the worst of it. It is needless to say that he never +either gave or lent. + +Now, by thus scraping, and saving, and grinding for many years, he had +become almost wealthy; though, indeed, he was no better fed and +dressed than if he had not a penny to bless himself with. But what +vexed him sorely was that his next neighbour's farm prospered in all +matters better than his own; and this, although the owner was as +open-handed as our farmer was stingy. + +When in spring he ploughed his own worn-out land, and reached the top +of the furrow where his field joined one of the richly-fed fields of +his neighbour, he would cast an envious glance over the hedge, and +say, "So far and no farther?" for he would have liked to have had the +whole under his plough. And so in the autumn, when he gathered his own +scanty crop and had to stop his sickle short of the close ranks of his +neighbour's corn, he would cry, "All this, and none of that?" and go +home sorely discontented. + +Now on the lands of the liberal farmer (whose name was Merryweather) +there lived a dwarf or hillman, who made a wager that he would both +beg and borrow of the covetous farmer, and out-bargain him to boot. So +he went one day to his house, and asked him if he would kindly give +him half a stone of flour to make hasty pudding with; adding, that if +he would lend him a bag to carry it in to the hill, this should be +returned clean and in good condition. + +The farmer saw with half an eye that this was the dwarf from his +neighbour's estate, and as he had always laid the luck of the liberal +farmer to his being favoured by the good people, he resolved to treat +the little man with all civility. + +"Look you, wife," said he, "this is no time to be saving half a stone +of flour when we may make our fortunes at one stroke. I have heard my +grandfather tell of a man who lent a sack of oats to one of the +fairies, and got it back filled with gold pieces. And as good measure +as he gave of oats so he got of gold;" saying which, the farmer took a +canvas bag to the flour-bin, and began to fill it. Meanwhile the dwarf +sat in the larder window and cried--"We've a big party for supper +to-night; give us good measure, neighbour, and you shall have anything +under the sun that you like to ask for." + +When the farmer heard this he was nearly out of his wits with delight, +and his hands shook so that the flour spilled all about the larder +floor. + +"Thank you, dear sir," he said; "it's a bargain, and I agree to it. My +wife hears us, and is witness. Wife! wife!" he cried, running into the +kitchen, "I am to have anything under the sun that I choose to ask +for. I think of asking for neighbour Merryweather's estate, but this +is a chance never likely to happen again, and I should like to make a +wise choice, and that is not easy at a moment's notice." + +"You will have a week to think it over in," said the dwarf, who had +come in behind him; "I must be off now, so give me my flour, and come +to the hill behind your house seven days hence at midnight, and you +shall have your share of the bargain." + +So the farmer tied up the flour-sack, and helped the dwarf with it on +to his back, and as he did so he began thinking how easily the bargain +had been made, and casting about in his mind whether, he could not get +more where he had so easily got much. + +"And half a stone of flour is half a stone of flour," he muttered to +himself, "and whatever it may do with thriftless people, it goes a +long way in our house. And there's the bag--and a terrible lot spilled +on the larder floor--and the string to tie it with, which doubtless +he'll never think of returning--and my time, which must be counted, +and nothing whatever for it all for a week to come." And the outlay so +weighed upon his mind that he cleared his throat and began: + +"Not for seven days, did you say, sir? You know, dear sir, or perhaps, +indeed, you do not know, that when amongst each other we men have to +wait for the settlement of an account, we expect something over and +above the exact amount. Interest we call it, my dear sir." + +"And you want me to give you something extra for waiting a week?" +asked the dwarf. "Pray, what do you expect?" + +"Oh, dear sir, I leave it to you," said the farmer. "Perhaps you may +add some trifle--in the flour-bag, or not, as you think fit--but I +leave it entirely to you." + +"I will give you something over and above what you shall choose," said +the dwarf; "but, as you say, I shall decide what it is to be." With +which he shouldered the flour-sack, and went his way. + +For the next seven days, the farmer had no peace for thinking, and +planning, and scheming how to get the most out of his one wish. His +wife made many suggestions to which he did not agree, but he was +careful not to quarrel with her; "for," he said, "we will not be like +the foolish couple who wasted three wishes on black-puddings. Neither +will I desire useless grandeur and unreasonable elevation, like the +fisherman's wife. I will have a solid and substantial benefit." + +And so, after a week of sleepless nights and anxious days, he came +back to his first thought, and resolved to ask for his neighbour's +estate. + +At last the night came. It was full moon, and the farmer looked +anxiously about, fearing the dwarf might not be true to his +appointment. But at midnight he appeared, with the flour-bag neatly +folded in his hand. + +"You hold to the agreement," said the farmer, "of course. My wife was +witness. I am to have anything under the sun that I ask for; and I am +to have it now." + +"Ask away," said the dwarf. + +"I want neighbour Merryweather's estate," said the farmer. + +"What, all this land below here, that joins on to your own?" + +"Every acre," said the farmer. + +"Farmer Merryweather's fields are under the moon at present," said the +dwarf, coolly, "and thus not within the terms of the agreement. You +must choose again." + +But as the farmer could choose nothing that was not then under the +moon, he soon saw that he had been outwitted, and his rage knew no +bounds at the trick the dwarf had played him. + +"Give me my bag, at any rate," he screamed, "and the string--and your +own extra gift that you promised. For half a loaf is better than no +bread," he muttered, "and I may yet come in for a few gold pieces." + +"There's your bag," cried the dwarf, clapping it over the miser's head +like an extinguisher; "it's clean enough for a nightcap. And there's +your string," he added, tying it tightly round the farmer's throat +till he was almost throttled. "And, for my part, I'll give you what +you deserve;" saying which he gave the farmer such a hearty kick that +he kicked him straight down from the top of the hill to his own back +door. + +"If that does not satisfy you, I'll give you as much again," shouted +the dwarf; and as the farmer made no reply, he went chuckling back to +his hill. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OLD-FASHIONED FAIRY TALES*** + + +******* This file should be named 15592-8.txt or 15592-8.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/5/5/9/15592 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: Old-Fashioned Fairy Tales</p> +<p>Author: Juliana Horatia Gatty Ewing</p> +<p>Release Date: April 9, 2005 [eBook #15592]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OLD-FASHIONED FAIRY TALES***</p> +<br><br><h3>E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Jennifer Goslee,<br> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team</h3><br><br> +<hr class="full" noshade> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> + <h1>OLD-FASHIONED + <br> + FAIRY TALES.</h1> + + <p> </p> + + <p> </p> + + <h5>BY</h5> + + <h2>JULIANA HORATIA EWING.</h2> + + <p> </p> + + <p> </p> + + <p class="center">LONDON: + <br> + SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE, + <br> + NORTHUMBERLAND AVENUE, W.C. + <br> + NEW YORK: E. & J.B. YOUNG & CO.</p> + + <p> </p> + + <p> </p> + + <p class="center">[Published under the direction of the General + Literature Committee.]</p> + + <p> </p> + + <p> </p> + + <div class="center"> + DEDICATED + <br> + <br> + <span class="smcap">to my dear sister,</span> + <br> + <br> + UNDINE MARCIA GATTY. + </div> + + <p class="author">J.H.E.</p> + + <p> </p> + + <p> </p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <span>"Know'st thou not the little path + <br></span> <span>That winds about the Ferny brae, + <br></span> <span>That is the road to bonnie Elfland, + <br></span> <span>Where thou and I this night maun + gae." + <br></span> + </div> + </div> + + <p class="center"><i>Thomas the Rhymer.</i></p> + + <p> </p> + + <p> </p> + + <p> </p> + + <p> </p> + + <h2><a name="PREFACE" + id="PREFACE"></a>PREFACE.</h2> + + <p>As the title of this story-book may possibly suggest that + the tales are old fairy tales told afresh, it seems well to + explain that this is not so.</p> + + <p>Except for the use of common "properties" of Fairy Drama, + and a scrupulous endeavour to conform to tradition in local + colour and detail, the stories are all new.</p> + + <p>They have appeared at intervals during some years past in + "<span class="smcap">Aunt Judy's Magazine for Young + People</span>," and were written in conformity to certain + theories respecting stories of this kind, with only two of + which shall the kindly reader of prefaces be troubled.</p> + + <p>First, that there are ideas and types, occurring in the + myths of all countries, which are common properties, to use + which does not lay the teller of fairy tales open to the charge + of plagiarism. Such as the idea of the weak outwitting the + strong; the failure of man to choose wisely when he may have + his wish; or the desire of sprites to exchange their careless + and unfettered existence for the pains and penalties of + humanity, if they may thereby share in the hopes of the human + soul.</p> + + <p>Secondly, that in these household stories (the models for + which were originally oral tradition) the thing most to be + avoided is a discursive or descriptive style of writing. + Brevity and epigram must ever be soul of their wit, and they + should be written as tales that are told.</p> + + <p>The degree in which, if at all, the following tales fulfil + these conditions, nursery critics must decide.</p> + + <p>There are older critics before whom fairy tales, as such, + need excuse, even if they do not meet with positive + disapprobation.</p> + + <p>On this score I can only say that, for myself, I believe + them to be—beyond all need of defence—most valuable + literature for the young. I do not believe that wonder-tales + confuse children's ideas of truth. If there are young + intellects so imperfect as to be incapable of distinguishing + between fancy and falsehood, it is surely most desirable to + develop in them the power to do so; but, as a rule, in + childhood we appreciate the distinction with a vivacity which, + as elders, our care-clogged memories fail to recall.</p> + + <p>Moreover fairy tales have positive uses in education, which + no cramming of facts, and no merely domestic fiction can + serve.</p> + + <p>Like Proverbs and Parables, they deal with first principles + under the simplest forms. They convey knowledge of the world, + shrewd lessons of virtue and vice, of common sense and sense of + humour, of the seemly and the absurd, of pleasure and pain, + success and failure, in narratives where the plot moves briskly + and dramatically from a beginning to an end. They treat, not of + the corner of a nursery or a playground, but of the world at + large, and life in perspective; of forces visible and + invisible; of Life, Death, and Immortality.</p> + + <p>For causes obvious to the student of early myths, they + foster sympathy with nature, and no class of child-literature + has done so much to inculcate the love of animals.</p> + + <p>They cultivate the Imagination, that great gift which time + and experience lead one more and more to value—handmaid + of Faith, of Hope, and, perhaps most of all, of Charity!</p> + + <p>It is true that some of the old fairy tales do not teach the + high and useful lessons that most of them do; and that they + unquestionably deal now and again with phases of grown-up life, + and with crimes and catastrophes, that seem unsuitable for + nursery entertainment.</p> + + <p>As to the latter question, it must be remembered that the + brevity of the narrative—whether it be a love story or a + robber story—deprives it of all harm; a point which + writers of modern fairy tales do not always realize for their + guidance.</p> + + <p>The writer of the following tales has endeavoured to bear + this principle in mind, and it is hoped that the + morals—and it is of the essence of fairy tales to have a + moral—of all of them are beyond reproach.</p> + + <p>For the rest they are committed to the indulgence of the + gentle reader.</p> + + <p>Hans Anderssen, perhaps the greatest writer of modern fairy + tales, was content to say:</p> + + <p class="center"><span class="smcap">"Fairy Tale Never + Dies."</span></p> + + <p class="author">J. H. E.</p> + + <p> </p> + + <p> </p> + + <p> </p> + + <h3>CONTENTS</h3> + + <p style="margin-left:10%;"><a href="#PREFACE">PREFACE</a> + <br> + <a href="#GOOD_LUCK_IS_BETTER_THAN_GOLD">GOOD LUCK IS BETTER + THAN GOLD.</a> + <br> + <a href="#THE_HILLMAN_AND_THE_HOUSEWIFE">THE HILLMAN AND THE + HOUSEWIFE.</a> + <br> + <a href="#THE_NECK">THE NECK.</a> + <br> + <a href="#THE_NIX_IN_MISCHIEF">THE NIX IN MISCHIEF.</a> + <br> + <a href="#THE_COBBLER_AND_THE_GHOSTS">THE COBBLER AND THE + GHOSTS.</a> + <br> + <a href="#THE_LAIRD_AND_THE_MAN_OF_PEACE">THE LAIRD AND THE + MAN OF PEACE.</a> + <br> + <a href="#THE_OGRE_COURTING">THE OGRE COURTING.</a> + <br> + <a href="#THE_MAGICIANS_GIFTS">THE MAGICIANS' GIFTS.</a> + <br> + <a href="#THE_WIDOWS_AND_THE_STRANGERS">THE WIDOWS AND THE + STRANGERS.</a> + <br> + <a href="#KIND_WILLIAM_AND_THE_WATER_SPRITE">KIND WILLIAM AND + THE WATER SPRITE.</a> + <br> + <a href="#MURDOCHS_RATH8">MURDOCH'S RATH.</a> + <br> + <a href="#THE_LITTLE_DARNER">THE LITTLE DARNER.</a> + <br> + <a href="#THE_FIDDLER_IN_THE_FAIRY_RING">THE FIDDLER IN THE + FAIRY RING.</a> + <br> + <a href="#I_WONT">"I WON'T."</a> + <br> + <a href="#THE_MAGIC_JAR">THE MAGIC JAR.</a> + <br> + <a href="#THE_FIRST_WIFES_WEDDING-RING">THE FIRST WIFE'S + WEDDING-RING.</a> + <br> + <a href="#THE_MAGICIAN_TURNED_MISCHIEF-MAKER">THE MAGICIAN + TURNED MISCHIEF-MAKER.</a> + <br> + <a href="#KNAVE_AND_FOOL">KNAVE AND FOOL.</a> + <br> + <a href="#UNDER_THE_SUN">UNDER THE SUN.</a></p> + + <p> </p> + + <p> </p> + + <h1><a name="OLD-FASHIONED_FAIRY_TALES" + id="OLD-FASHIONED_FAIRY_TALES"></a>OLD-FASHIONED FAIRY + TALES.</h1> + + <p> </p> + + <p> </p> + + <h2><a name="GOOD_LUCK_IS_BETTER_THAN_GOLD" + id="GOOD_LUCK_IS_BETTER_THAN_GOLD"></a>GOOD LUCK IS BETTER + THAN GOLD.</h2> + + <p>There was once upon a time a child who had Good Luck for his + godfather.</p> + + <p>"I am not Fortune," said Good Luck to the parents; "I have + no gifts to bestow, but whenever he needs help I will be at + hand."</p> + + <p>"Nothing could be better," said the old couple. They were + delighted. But what pleases the father often fails to satisfy + the son: moreover, every man thinks that he deserves just a + little more than he has got, and does not reckon it to the + purpose if his father had less.</p> + + <p>Many a one would be thankful to have as good reasons for + contentment as he who had Good Luck for his godfather.</p> + + <p>If he fell, Good Luck popped something soft in the way to + break his fall; if he fought, Good Luck directed his blows, or + tripped up his adversary; if he got into a scrape, Good Luck + helped him out of it; and if ever Misfortune met him, Good Luck + contrived to hustle her on the pathway till his godson got + safely by.</p> + + <p>In games of hazard the godfather played over his shoulder. + In matters of choice he chose for him. And when the lad began + to work on his father's farm the farmer began to get rich. For + no bird or field-mouse touched a seed that his son had sown, + and every plant he planted throve when Good Luck smiled on + it.</p> + + <p>The boy was not fond of work, but when he did go into the + fields, Good Luck followed him.</p> + + <p>"Your christening-day was a blessed day for us all," said + the old farmer.</p> + + <p>"He has never given me so much as a lucky sixpence," + muttered Good Luck's godson.</p> + + <p>"I am not Fortune—I make no presents," said the + godfather.</p> + + <p>When we are discontented it is oftener to please our + neighbours than ourselves. It was because the other boys had + said—"Simon, the shoemaker's son, has an alderman for his + godfather. He gave him a silver spoon with the Apostle Peter + for the handle; but thy godfather is more powerful than any + alderman"—that Good Luck's godson complained, "He has + never given me so much as a bent sixpence."</p> + + <p>By and by the old farmer died, and his son grew up, and had + the largest farm in the country. The other boys grew up also, + and as they looked over the farmer's boundary-wall, they would + say:</p> + + <p>"Good-morning, Neighbour. That is certainly a fine farm of + yours. Your cattle thrive without loss. Your crops grow in the + rain and are reaped with the sunshine. Mischance never comes + your road. What you have worked for you enjoy. Such success + would turn the heads of poor folk like us. At the same time one + would think a man need hardly work for his living at all who + has Good Luck for his godfather."</p> + + <p>"That is very true," thought the farmer. "Many a man is + prosperous, and reaps what he sows, who had no more than the + clerk and the sexton for gossips at his christening."</p> + + <p>"What is the matter, Godson?" asked Good Luck, who was with + him in the field.</p> + + <p>"I want to be rich," said the farmer.</p> + + <p>"You will not have to wait long," replied the godfather. "In + every field you sow, in every flock you rear there is increase + without abatement. Your wealth is already tenfold greater than + your father's."</p> + + <p>"Aye, aye," replied the farmer. "Good wages for good work. + But many a young man has gold at his command who need never + turn a sod, and none of the Good People came to <i>his</i> + christening. Fortunatus's Purse now, or even a sack or two of + gold—"</p> + + <p>"Peace!" cried the godfather; "I have said that I give no + gifts."</p> + + <p>Though he had not Fortunatus's Purse, the farmer had now + money and to spare, and when the harvest was gathered in, he + bought a fine suit of clothes, and took his best horse and went + to the royal city to see the sights.</p> + + <p>The pomp and splendour, the festivities and fine clothes + dazzled him.</p> + + <p>"This is a gay life which these young courtiers lead," said + he. "A man has nothing to do but to enjoy himself."</p> + + <p>"If he has plenty of gold in his pocket," said a + bystander.</p> + + <p>By and by the Princess passed in her carriage. She was the + King's only daughter. She had hair made of sunshine, and her + eyes were stars.</p> + + <p>"What an exquisite creature!" cried the farmer. "What would + not one give to possess her?"</p> + + <p>"She has as many suitors as hairs on her head," replied the + bystander. "She wants to marry the Prince of Moonshine, but he + only dresses in silver, and the King thinks he might find a + richer son-in-law. The Princess will go to the highest + bidder."</p> + + <p>"And I have Good Luck for my godfather, and am not even at + court!" cried the farmer; and he put spurs to his horse, and + rode home.</p> + + <p>Good Luck was taking care of the farm.</p> + + <p>"Listen, Godfather!" cried the young man. "I am in love with + the King's daughter, and want her to wife."</p> + + <p>"It is not an easy matter," replied Good Luck, "but I will + do what I can for you. Say that by good luck you saved the + Princess's life, or perhaps better the King's—for they + say he is selfish—"</p> + + <p>"Tush!" cried the farmer. "The King is covetous, and wants a + rich son-in-law."</p> + + <p>"A wise man may bring wealth to a kingdom with his head, if + not with his hands," said Good Luck, "and I can show you a + district where the earth only wants mining to be flooded with + wealth. Besides, there are a thousand opportunities that can be + turned to account and influence. By wits and work, and with + Good Luck to help him, many a poorer man than you has risen to + greatness."</p> + + <p>"Wits and work!" cried the indignant godson. "You speak + well—truly! A hillman would have made a better godfather. + Give me as much gold as will fill three meal-bins, and you may + keep the rest of your help for those who want it."</p> + + <p>Now at this moment by Good Luck stood Dame Fortune. She + likes handsome young men, and there was some little jealousy + between her and the godfather so she smiled at the quarrel.</p> + + <p>"You would rather have had me for your gossip?" said + she.</p> + + <p>"If you would give me three wishes, I would," replied the + farmer boldly, "and I would trouble you no more."</p> + + <p>"Will you make him over to me?" said Dame Fortune to the + godfather.</p> + + <p>"If he wishes it," replied Good Luck. "But if he accepts + your gifts he has no further claim on me."</p> + + <p>"Nor on me either," said the Dame. "Hark ye, young man, you + mortals are apt to make a hobble of your three wishes, and you + may end with a sausage at your nose, like your betters."</p> + + <p>"I have thought of it too often," replied the farmer, "and I + know what I want. For my first wish I desire imperishable + beauty."</p> + + <p>"It is yours," said Dame Fortune, smiling as she looked at + him.</p> + + <p>"The face of a prince and the manners of a clown are poor + partners," said the farmer. "My second wish is for suitable + learning and courtly manners, which cannot be gained at the + plough-tail."</p> + + <p>"You have them in perfection," said the Dame, as the young + man thanked her by a graceful bow.</p> + + <p>"Thirdly," said he, "I demand a store of gold that I can + never exhaust."</p> + + <p>"I will lead you to it," said Dame Fortune; and the young + man was so eager to follow her that he did not even look back + to bid farewell to his godfather.</p> + + <p>He was soon at court. He lived in the utmost pomp. He had a + suit of armour made for himself out of beaten gold. No metal + less precious might come near his person, except for the blade + of his sword. This was obliged to be made of steel, for gold is + not always strong enough to defend one's life or his honour. + But the Princess still loved the Prince of Moonshine.</p> + + <p>"Stuff and nonsense!" said the King. "I shall give you to + the Prince of Gold."</p> + + <p>"I wish I had the good luck to please her," muttered the + young Prince. But he had not, for all his beauty and his + wealth. However, she was to marry him, and that was + something.</p> + + <p>The preparations for the wedding were magnificent.</p> + + <p>"It is a great expense," sighed the King, "but then I get + the Prince of Gold for a son-in-law."</p> + + <p>The Prince and his bride drove round the city in a triumphal + procession. Her hair fell over her like sunshine, but the + starlight of her eyes was cold.</p> + + <p>In the train rode the Prince of Moonshine, dressed in + silver, and with no colour in his face.</p> + + <p>As the bridal chariot approached one of the city gates, two + black ravens hovered over it, and then flew away, and settled + on a tree.</p> + + <p>Good Luck was sitting under the tree to see his godson's + triumph, and he heard the birds talking above him.</p> + + <p>"Has the Prince of Gold no friend who can tell him that + there is a loose stone above the archway that is tottering to + fall?" said they. And Good Luck covered his face with his + mantle as the Prince drove through.</p> + + <p>Just as they were passing out of the gateway the stone fell + on to the Prince's head. He wore a casque of pure gold, but his + neck was broken.</p> + <br> + + + <div class="blockquot"> + <p>"We can't have all this expense for nothing," said the + King: so he married his daughter to the Prince of + Moonshine. If one can't get gold one must be content with + silver.</p> + </div> + <br> + + + <p>"Will you come to the funeral?" asked Dame Fortune of the + godfather.</p> + + <p>"Not I," replied Good Luck. "I had no hand in <i>this</i> + matter."</p> + + <p>The rain came down in torrents. The black feathers on the + ravens' backs looked as if they had been oiled.</p> + + <p>"Caw! caw!" said they. "It was an unlucky end."</p> + + <p>However, the funeral was a very magnificent one, for there + was no stint of gold.</p> + <hr style="width: 65%;"> + + <h2><a name="THE_HILLMAN_AND_THE_HOUSEWIFE" + id="THE_HILLMAN_AND_THE_HOUSEWIFE"></a>THE HILLMAN AND THE + HOUSEWIFE.</h2> + + <p>It is well known that the Good People cannot abide meanness. + They like to be liberally dealt with when they beg or borrow of + the human race; and, on the other hand, to those who come to + them in need, they are invariably generous.</p> + + <p>Now there once lived a certain Housewife who had a sharp eye + to her own interests in temporal matters, and gave alms of what + she had no use for, for the good of her soul. One day a Hillman + knocked at her door.</p> + + <p>"Can you lend us a saucepan, good Mother?" said he. "There's + a wedding in the hill, and all the pots are in use."</p> + + <p>"Is he to have one?" asked the servant lass who had opened + the door.</p> + + <p>"Aye, to be sure," answered the Housewife. "One must be + neighbourly."</p> + + <p>But when the maid was taking a saucepan from the shelf, she + pinched her arm, and whispered sharply—"Not that, you + slut! Get the old one out of the cupboard. It leaks, and the + Hillmen are so neat, and such nimble workers, that they are + sure to mend it before they send it home. So one obliges the + Good People, and saves sixpence in tinkering. But you'll never + learn to be notable whilst your head is on your shoulders."</p> + + <p>Thus reproached, the maid fetched the saucepan, which had + been laid by till the tinker's next visit, and gave it to the + dwarf, who thanked her, and went away.</p> + + <p>In due time the saucepan was returned, and, as the Housewife + had foreseen, it was neatly mended and ready for use.</p> + + <p>At supper-time the maid filled the pan with milk, and set it + on the fire for the children's supper. But in a few minutes the + milk was so burnt and smoked that no one could touch it, and + even the pigs refused the wash into which it was thrown.</p> + + <p>"Ah, good-for-nothing hussy!" cried the Housewife, as she + refilled the pan herself, "you would ruin the richest with your + carelessness. There's a whole quart of good milk wasted at + once!"</p> + + <p>"<i>And that's twopence</i>," cried a voice which seemed to + come from the chimney, in a whining tone, like some nattering, + discontented old body going over her grievances.</p> + + <p>The Housewife had not left the saucepan for two minutes, + when the milk boiled over, and it was all burnt and smoked as + before.</p> + + <p>"The pan must be dirty," muttered the good woman, in great + vexation; "and there are two full quarts of milk as good as + thrown to the dogs."</p> + + <p>"<i>And that's fourpence</i>," added the voice in the + chimney.</p> + + <p>After a thorough cleaning, the saucepan was once more filled + and set on the fire, but with no better success. The milk was + hopelessly spoilt, and the housewife shed tears of vexation at + the waste, crying, "Never before did such a thing befall me + since I kept house! Three quarts of new milk burnt for one + meal!"</p> + + <p>"<i>And that's sixpence</i>," cried the voice from the + chimney. "<i>You didn't save the tinkering after all + Mother!</i>"</p> + + <p>With which the Hillman himself came tumbling down the + chimney, and went off laughing through the door.</p> + + <p>But thenceforward the saucepan was as good as any other.</p> + <hr style="width: 65%;"> + + <h2><a name="THE_NECK" + id="THE_NECK"></a>THE NECK.</h2> + + <h3 class="center"><span class="smcap">a legend of a + lake.</span></h3> + + <p>On a certain lake there once lived a Neck, or Water Sprite, + who desired, above all things, to obtain a human soul. Now when + the sun shone this Neck rose up and sat upon the waves and + played upon his harp. And he played so sweetly that the winds + stayed to listen to him, and the sun lingered in his setting, + and the moon rose before her time. And the strain was in praise + of immortality.</p> + + <p>Furthermore, out of the lake there rose a great rock, + whereon dwelt an aged hermit, who by reason of his loneliness + was afflicted with a spirit of melancholy; so that when the fit + was on him, he was constantly tempted to throw himself into the + water, for his life was burdensome to him. But one day, when + this gloomy madness had driven him to the edge of the rock to + cast himself down, the Neck rose at the same moment, and + sitting upon a wave, began to play. And the strain was in + praise of immortality. And the melody went straight to the + heart of the hermit as a sunbeam goes into a dark cave, and it + dispelled his gloom, and he thought all to be as well with him + as before it had seemed ill. And he called to the Neck and + said, "What is that which thou dost play, my son?"</p> + + <p>And the Neck answered, "It is in praise of immortality."</p> + + <p>Then said the hermit, "I beg that thou wilt play frequently + beneath this rock; for I am an aged and solitary man, and by + reason of my loneliness, life becomes a burden to me, and I am + tempted to throw it away. But by this gracious strain the evil + has been dispelled. Wherefore I beg thee to come often and to + play as long as is convenient. And yet I cannot offer thee any + reward, for I am poor and without possessions."</p> + + <p>Then the Neck replied, "There are treasures below the water + as above, and I desire no earthly riches. But if thou canst + tell me how I may gain a human soul, I will play on till thou + shalt bid me cease."</p> + + <p>And the hermit said, "I must consider the matter. But I will + return to-morrow at this time and answer thee."</p> + + <p>Then the next day he returned as he had said, and the Neck + was waiting impatiently on the lake, and he cried, "What news, + my father?"</p> + + <p>And the hermit said, "If that at any time some human being + will freely give his life for thee, thou wilt gain a human + soul. But thou also must die the selfsame day."</p> + + <p>"The short life for the long one!" cried the Neck; and he + played a melody so full of happiness that the blood danced + through the hermit's veins as if he were a boy again. But the + next day when he came as usual the Neck called to him and said, + "My father, I have been thinking. Thou art aged and feeble, and + at the most there are but few days of life remaining to thee. + Moreover, by reason of thy loneliness even these are a burden. + Surely there is none more fit than thou to be the means of + procuring me a human soul. Wherefore I beg of thee, let us die + to-day."</p> + + <p>But the hermit cried out angrily, "Wretch! Is this thy + gratitude? Wouldst thou murder me?"</p> + + <p>"Nay, old man," replied the Neck, "thou shalt part easily + with thy little fag-end of life. I can play upon my harp a + strain of such surpassing sadness that no human heart that + hears it but must break. And yet the pain of that heartbreak + shall be such that thou wilt not know it from rapture. + Moreover, when the sun sets below the water, my spirit also + will depart without suffering. Wherefore I beg of thee, let us + die to-day."</p> + + <p>"Truly," said the hermit, "it is because thou art only a + Neck, and nothing better, that thou dost not know the value of + human life."</p> + + <p>"And art thou a man, possessed already of a soul, and + destined for immortality," cried the Neck, "and dost haggle and + grudge to benefit me by the sacrifice of a few uncertain days, + when it is but to exchange them for the life that knows no + end?"</p> + + <p>"Our days are always uncertain," replied the hermit; "but + existence is very sweet, even to the most wretched. Moreover, I + see not that thou hast any claim upon mine." Saying which he + returned to his cell, but the Neck, flinging aside his harp, + sat upon the water, and wept bitterly.</p> + + <p>Days passed, and the hermit did not show himself, and at + last the Neck resolved to go and visit him. So he took his + harp, and taking also the form of a boy with long fair hair and + a crimson cap, he appeared in the hermit's cell. There he found + the old man stretched upon his pallet, for lie was dying. When + he saw the Neck he was glad, and said, "I have desired to see + thee, for I repent myself that I did not according to thy + wishes. Yet is the desire of life stronger in the human breast + than thou canst understand. Nevertheless I am sorry, and I am + sorry also that, as I am sick unto death, my life will no + longer avail thee. But when I am dead, do thou take all that + belongs to me, and dress thyself in my robe, and go out into + the world, and do works of mercy, and perchance some one whom + thou hast benefited will be found willing to die with thee, + that thou mayst obtain a soul."</p> + + <p>"Now indeed I thank thee!" cried the Neck. "But yet one word + more—what are these works of which thou speakest?"</p> + + <p>"The corporal works of mercy are seven," gasped the hermit, + raising himself on his arm. "To feed the hungry and give the + thirsty drink, to visit the sick, to redeem captives, to clothe + the naked, to shelter the stranger and the houseless, to visit + the widow and fatherless, and to bury the dead." Then even as + he spoke the last words the hermit died. And the Neck clothed + himself in his robe, and, not to delay in following the + directions given to him, he buried the hermit with pious care, + and planted flowers upon his grave. After which he went forth + into the world.</p> + + <p>Now for three hundred years did the Neck go about doing acts + of mercy and charity towards men. And amongst the hungry, and + the naked, and the sick, and the poor, and the captives, there + were not a few who seemed to be weary of this life of many + sorrows. But when he had fed the hungry, and clothed the naked, + and relieved the sick, and made the poor rich, and set the + captive free, life was too dear to all of them to be given up. + Therefore he betook himself to the most miserable amongst men, + and offering nothing but an easy death in a good cause, he + hoped to find some aged and want-worn creature who would do him + the kindness he desired. But of those who must look forward to + the fewest days and to the most misery there was not one but, + like the fabled woodcutter, chose to trudge out to the end his + miserable span.</p> + + <p>So when three hundred years were past, the Neck's heart + failed him, and he said, "All this avails nothing. Wherefore I + will return to the lake, and there abide what shall befall." + And this he accordingly did.</p> + + <p>Now one evening there came a tempest down from the hills, + and there was a sudden squall on the lake. And a certain young + man in a boat upon the lake was overtaken by the storm. And as + he struggled hard, and it seemed as if every moment must be his + last, a young maid who was his sweetheart came down to the + shore, and cried aloud in her agony, "Alas, that his young life + should be cut short thus!"</p> + + <p>"Trouble not thyself," said the Neck; "this life is so short + and so uncertain, that if he were rescued to-day he might be + taken from thee to-morrow. Only in eternity is love secure. + Wherefore be patient, and thou shalt soon follow him."</p> + + <p>"And who art thou that mockest my sorrow?" cried the + maiden.</p> + + <p>"One who has watched the passing misfortunes of many + generations before thine," replied the Neck.</p> + + <p>And when the maiden looked, and saw one like a little old + man wringing out his beard into the lake, she knew it was a + Neck, and cried, "Now surely thou art a Neck, and they say, + 'When Necks play, the winds wisht;' wherefore I beg of thee to + play upon thy harp, and it may be that the storm will lull, and + my beloved will be saved."</p> + + <p>But the Neck answered, "It is not worth while."</p> + + <p>And when the maiden could not persuade him, she fell upon + her face in bitter grief, and cried, "Oh, my Beloved! Would GOD + I could die for thee!"</p> + + <p>"And yet thou wouldst not if thou couldst," said the + Neck.</p> + + <p>"If it be in thy power to prove me—prove me!" cried + the maiden; "for indeed he is the only stay of aged parents, + and he is young and unprepared for death. Moreover his life is + dearer to me than my own."</p> + + <p>Then the Neck related his own story, and said, "If thou wilt + do this for me, which none yet has done whom I have benefited, + I will play upon my harp, and if the winds wisht, thou must die + this easy death; but if I fail in my part, I shall not expect + thine to be fulfilled. And we must both abide what shall + befall, even as others." And to this the maiden consented most + willingly. Only she said, "Do this for me, I beg of thee. Let + him come so near that I may just see his face before I die." + And it was so agreed.</p> + + <p>Then the aged Neck drew forth his harp and began to play. + And as he played the wind stayed, as one who pauses to hearken + with cleft lips, and the lake rose and fell gently, like the + bosom of a girl moved by some plaintive song, and the sun burst + forth as if to see who made such sweet music. And so through + this happy change the young man got safe to land. Then the Neck + turned to the maiden and said, "Dost thou hold to thy promise?" + And she bowed her head.</p> + + <p>"In the long life be thy recompense!" cried the Neck, + fervently, and taking his harp again, he poured his whole + spirit into the strain. And as he played, it seemed as if the + night wind moaned among pine-trees, but it was more mournful. + And it was as the wail of a mother for her only son, and yet + fuller of grief. Or like a Dead March wrung from the heart of a + great musician—loading the air with sorrow—and yet + all these were as nothing to it for sadness. And when the + maiden heard it, it was more than she could bear, and her heart + broke, as the Neck had said. Then the young man sprang to + shore, and when she could see his face clearly, her soul + passed, and her body fell like a snapped flower to the + earth.</p> + + <p>Now when the young man knew what was befallen, he fell upon + the Neck to kill him, who said, "Thou mayest spare thyself this + trouble, for in a few moments I shall be dead. But do thou take + my robe and my harp, and thou shalt be a famous musician."</p> + + <p>Now even as the Neck spoke the sun sank, and he fell upon + his face. And when the young man lifted the robe, behold there + was nothing under it but the harp, across which there swept + such a wild and piteous chord that all the strings burst as if + with unutterable grief.</p> + + <p>Then the young man lifted the body of his sweetheart in his + arms, and carried her home, and she was buried with many + tears.</p> + + <p>And in due time he put fresh strings to the harp, which, + though it was not as when it was in the hands of the Neck, yet + it made most exquisite music. And the young man became a famous + musician. For out of suffering comes song.</p> + + <p>Furthermore, he occupied himself in good works until that + his time also came.</p> + <hr style='width: 45%;'> + + <p>And in Eternity Love was made secure.</p> + <hr style="width: 65%;"> + + <h2><a name="THE_NIX_IN_MISCHIEF" + id="THE_NIX_IN_MISCHIEF"></a>THE NIX IN MISCHIEF.</h2> + + <p>A certain lake in Germany was once the home of a Nix, who + became tired of the monotony of life under water, and wished to + go into the upper world and amuse himself.</p> + + <p>His friends and relations all tried to dissuade him. "Be + wise," said they, "and remain where you are safe, seeing that + no business summons you from the lake. Few of our kindred have + had dealings with the human race without suffering from their + curiosity or clumsiness; and, do them what good you may, in the + long run you will reap nothing but ingratitude. From how many + waters have they not already banished us? Wherefore let well + alone, and stay where you are."</p> + + <p>But this counsel did not please the Nix—(as, indeed, + there is no reason to suppose that advice is more palatable + under water than on dry land)—and he only said, "I shall + not expect gratitude, for I have no intention of conferring + benefits; but I wish to amuse myself. The Dwarfs and Kobolds + play what pranks they please on men and women, and they do not + always have the worst of it. When I hear of their adventures, + the soles of my feet tingle. This is a sign of travelling, and + am I to be debarred from fun because I live in a lake instead + of a hill?"</p> + + <p>His friends repeated their warnings, but to no purpose. The + Nix remained unconvinced, and spent his time in dreaming of the + clever tricks by which he should outwit the human race, and the + fame he would thereby acquire on his return to the lake.</p> + + <p>Mischief seldom lacks opportunity, and shortly after this it + happened that a young girl came down to the lake for water to + wash with; and dipping her pail just above the Nix's head, in a + moment he jumped in, and was brought safe to land. The maid was + Bess, the washerwoman's daughter; and as she had had one good + scolding that morning for oversleeping herself, and another + about noon for dawdling with her work, she took up the pail and + set off home without delay.</p> + + <p>But though she held it steadily enough, the bucket shook, + and the water spilled hither and thither. Thinking that her + right arm might be tired, she moved the weight to her left, but + with no better success, for the water still spilled at every + step. "One would think there were fishes in the pail," said + Bess, as she set it down. But there was nothing to be seen but + a thin red water-worm wriggling at the bottom, such as you may + see any day in a soft-water tub. It was in this shape, however, + that the Nix had disguised himself, and he almost writhed out + of his skin with delight at the success of his first essay in + mischief.</p> + + <p>When they once more set forward the Nix leaped and jumped + harder than ever, so that not only was the water spilled, but + the maiden's dress was soaked, and her tears dropped almost as + fast as the wet dripped from her clothes.</p> + + <p>"The pail is bewitched!" cried the poor girl. "How my mother + will beat me for this! And my back aches as if I were carrying + lead, and yet the water is nearly all gone."</p> + + <p>"This is something like fun!" laughed the Nix. "When I go + home and relate <i>my</i> adventures, no dwarfs pranks will be + named again!" But when Bess looked into the pail, he was the + same slimy, stupid-looking worm as before. She dared not return + to the lake for more water—"for," said she, "I should be + as much beaten for being late as for bringing short measure, + and have the labour to boot." So she took up her burden again, + and the Nix began his dance afresh, and by the time they came + to their journey's end, there was not a quart of water in the + pail.</p> + + <p>"Was ever a poor woman plagued with such a careless hussy?" + cried the mother when she saw the dripping dress; and, as Bess + had expected, she seasoned her complaints with a hearty slap. + "And look what she calls a pailful of water!" added the mother, + with a second blow.</p> + + <p>"Late in the morning's unlucky all day," thought poor Bess, + and, as her mother curled her, she screamed till the house rang + with the noise; for she had good lungs, and knew that it is + well to cry out before one gets too much hurt.</p> + + <p>Meanwhile the Nix thought she was enduring agonies, and + could hardly contain his mischievous glee; and when the woman + bade her "warm some water quickly for the wash," he was in no + way disturbed, for he had never seen boiling water, and only + anticipated fresh sport as he slipped from the pail into the + kettle.</p> + + <p>"Now," cried the mother sharply, "see if you can lift + <i>that</i> without slopping your clothes."</p> + + <p>"Aye, aye," laughed the Nix, "see if you can, my dear!" and + as poor Bess seized it in her sturdy red hands he began to + dance as before. But the kettle had a lid, which the pail had + not. Moreover Bess was a strong, strapping lass, and, + stimulated by the remembrance of her mother's slaps, with a + vigorous effort she set the kettle on the fire. "I shall be + glad when I'm safely in bed," she muttered. "Everything goes + wrong to-day."</p> + + <p>"It is warm in here," said the Nix to himself, after a + while; "in fact—stuffy. But one must pay something for a + frolic, and it tickles my ears to hear that old woman rating + her daughter for my pranks. Give me time and opportunity, and + I'll set the whole stupid race by the ears. There she goes + again! It is worth enduring a little discomfort, though it + certainly is warm, and I fancy it grows warmer."</p> + + <p>By degrees the bottom of the kettle grew quite hot, and + burnt the Nix, so that he had to jump up and down in the water + to keep himself cool. The noise of this made the woman think + that the kettle was boiling, and she began to scold her + daughter as before, shouting, "Are you coming with that tub + to-night or not? The water is hot already."</p> + + <p>This time the Nix laughed (as they say) on the other side of + his mouth; for the water had now become as hot as the bottom of + the kettle, and he screamed at the top of his shrill tiny voice + with pain.</p> + + <p>"How the kettle sings to-night!" said Bess, "and how it + rains!" she added. For at that moment a tremendous storm burst + around the house, and the rain poured down in sheets of water, + as if it meant to wash everything into the lake. The kettle now + really boiled, and the lid danced up and down with the frantic + leaping and jumping of the agonized Nix, who puffed and blew + till his breath came out of the spout in clouds of steam.</p> + + <p>"If your eyes were as sharp as your ears you'd see that the + water is boiling over," snapped the woman; and giving her + daughter a passing push, she hurried to the fire-place, and + lifted the kettle on to the ground.</p> + + <p>But no sooner had she set it down, than the lid flew off, + and out jumped a little man with green teeth and a tall green + hat, who ran out of the door wringing his hands and + crying—</p> + + <p>"Three hundred and three years have I lived in the water of + this lake, and I never knew it boil before!"</p> + + <p>As he crossed the threshold, a clap of thunder broke with + what sounded like a peal of laughter from many voices, and then + the storm ceased as suddenly as it had begun.</p> + + <p>The woman now saw how matters stood, and did not fail next + morning to fasten an old horseshoe to the door of her house. + And seeing that she had behaved unjustly to her daughter, she + bought her the gayest set of pink ribbons that were to be found + at the next fair.</p> + + <p>It is on record that Bess (who cared little for slaps and + sharp speeches) thought this the best bargain she had ever + made. But whether the Nix was equally well satisfied is not + known.</p> + <hr style="width: 65%;"> + + <h2><a name="THE_COBBLER_AND_THE_GHOSTS" + id="THE_COBBLER_AND_THE_GHOSTS"></a>THE COBBLER AND THE + GHOSTS.</h2> + + <p>Long ago there lived a cobbler who had very poor wits, but + by strict industry he could earn enough to keep himself and his + widowed mother in comfort.</p> + + <p>In this manner he had lived for many years in peace and + prosperity, when a distant relative died who left him a certain + sum of money. This so elated the cobbler that he could think of + nothing else, and his only talk was of the best way of spending + the legacy.</p> + + <p>His mother advised him to lay it by against a rainy day.</p> + + <p>"For," said she, "we have lived long in much comfort as we + are, and have need of nothing; but when you grow old, or if it + should please Heaven that you become disabled, you will then be + glad of your savings."</p> + + <p>But to this the cobbler would not listen. "No," said he, "if + we save the money it may be stolen, but if we spend it well, we + shall have the use of what we buy, and may sell it again if we + are so minded."</p> + + <p>He then proposed one purchase after another, and each was + more foolish than the rest. When this had gone on for some + time, one morning he exclaimed: "I have it at last! We will buy + the house. It cannot be stolen or lost, and when it is ours we + shall have no rent to pay, and I shall not have to work so + hard."</p> + + <p>"He will never hit on a wiser plan than that," thought the + widow; "it is not to be expected." So she fully consented to + this arrangement, which was duly carried out; and the bargain + left the cobbler with a few shillings, which he tied up in a + bag and put in his pocket, having first changed them into + pence, that they might make more noise when he jingled the bag + as he walked down the street.</p> + + <p>Presently he said; "It is not fit that a man who lives in + his own house, and has ready money in his pocket too, should + spend the whole day in labouring with his hands. Since by good + luck I can read, it would be well that I should borrow a book + from the professor, for study is an occupation suitable to my + present position."</p> + + <p>Accordingly, he went to the professor, whom he found seated + in his library, and preferred his request.</p> + + <p>"What book do you want?" asked the professor.</p> + + <p>The cobbler stood and scratched his head thoughtfully. The + professor thought that he was trying to recall the name of the + work; but in reality he was saying to himself: "How much + additional knowledge one requires if he has risen ever so + little in life! Now, if I did but know where it is proper to + begin in a case full of books like this! Should one take the + first on the top shelf, or the bottom shelf, to the left, or to + the right?"</p> + + <p>At last he resolved to choose the book nearest to him; so + drawing it out from the rest, he answered—</p> + + <p>"This one, if it please you, learned sir." The professor + lent it to him, and he took it home and began to read.</p> + + <p>It was, as it happened, a book about ghosts and apparitions; + and the cobbler's mind was soon so full of these marvels that + he could talk of nothing else, and hardly did a stroke of work + for reading and pondering over what he read. He could find none + of his neighbours who had seen a ghost, though most had heard + of such things, and many believed in them.</p> + + <p>"Live and learn," thought the cobbler; "here is fame as well + as wealth. If I could but see a ghost there would be no more to + desire." And with this intent he sallied forth late one night + to the churchyard.</p> + + <p>Meanwhile a thief (who had heard the jingle of his + money-bag) resolved to profit by the cobbler's whim; so + wrapping himself in a sheet, he laid wait for him in a field + that he must cross to reach the church.</p> + + <p>When the cobbler saw the white figure, he made sure, that he + had now seen a ghost, and already felt proud of his own + acquaintance, as a remarkable character. Meanwhile, the thief + stood quite still, and the cobbler walked boldly up to him, + expecting that the phantom would either vanish or prove so + impalpable that he could pass through it as through a mist, of + which he had read many notable instances in the professor's + book. He soon found out his mistake, however, for the supposed + ghost grappled him, and without loss of time relieved him of + his money-bag. The cobbler (who was not wanting in courage) + fastened as tightly on to the sheet, which he still held with + desperate firmness when the thief had slipped through his + fingers; and after waiting in vain for further marvels, he + carried the sheet home to his mother, and narrated his + encounter with the ghost.</p> + + <p>"Alack-a-day! that I should have a son with so little wit!" + cried the old woman; "it was no ghost, but a thief, who is now + making merry with all the money we possessed."</p> + + <p>"We have his sheet," replied her son; "and that is due + solely to my determination. How could I have acted better?"</p> + + <p>"You should have grasped the man, not the sheet," said the + widow, "and pummelled him till he cried out and dropped the + money-bag."</p> + + <p>"Live and learn," said the cobbler. The next night he went + out as before, and this time reached the churchyard unmolested. + He was just climbing the stile, when he again saw what seemed + to be a white figure standing near the church. As before, it + proved solid, and this time he pummelled it till his fingers + bled, and for very weariness he was obliged to go home and + relate his exploits. The ghost had not cried out, however, nor + even so much as moved, for it was neither more nor less than a + tall tombstone shining white in the moonlight.</p> + + <p>"Alack-a-day!" cried the old woman, "that I should have a + son with so little wit as to beat a gravestone till his + knuckles are sore! Now if he had covered it with something + black that it might not alarm timid women or children, that + would at least have been an act of charity."</p> + + <p>"Live and learn," said the cobbler. The following night he + again set forth, but this time in another direction. As he was + crossing a field behind his house he saw some long pieces of + linen which his mother had put out to bleach in the dew.</p> + + <p>"More ghosts!" cried the shoemaker, "and they know who is + behind them. They have fallen flat at the sound of my + footsteps. But one must think of others as well as oneself, and + it is not every heart that is as stout as mine." Saying which + he returned to the house for something black to throw over the + prostrate ghosts. Now the kitchen chimney had been swept that + morning, and by the back door stood a sack of soot.</p> + + <p>"What is blacker than soot?" said the cobbler; and taking + the sack, he shook it out over the pieces of linen till not a + thread of white was to be seen. After which he went home, and + boasted of his good deeds.</p> + + <p>The widow now saw that she must be more careful as to what + she said; so, after weighing the matter for some time, she + suggested to the cobbler that the next night he should watch + for ghosts at home; "for they are to be seen," said she, "as + well when one is in bed as in the fields."</p> + + <p>"There you are right," said the cobbler, "for I have this + day read of a ghost that appeared to a man in his own house. + The candles burnt blue, and when he had called thrice upon the + apparition, he became senseless."</p> + + <p>"That was his mistake," said the old woman. "He should have + turned a deaf ear, and even pretended to slumber; but it is not + every one who has courage for this. If one could really fall + asleep in the face of the apparition, there would be true + bravery."</p> + + <p>"Leave that to me," said the cobbler. And the widow went off + chuckling, to herself, "If he comes to any mischance by holding + his tongue and going to sleep, ill-luck has got him by the leg, + and counsel is wasted on him."</p> + + <p>As soon as his mother was in bed, the cobbler prepared for + his watch. First he got together all the candles in the house, + and stuck them here and there about the kitchen, and sat down + to watch till they should burn blue. After waiting some time, + during which the candles only guttered with the draughts, the + cobbler decided to go to rest for a while. "It is too early + yet," he thought; "I shall see nothing till midnight."</p> + + <p>Very soon, however, he fell asleep; but towards morning he + awoke, and in the dim light perceived a figure in white at his + bedside. It was a blacksmith who lived near, and he had run in + in his night-shirt without so much as slippers on his feet.</p> + + <p>"The ghost at last!" thought the cobbler, and, remembering + his mother's advice, he turned over and shut his eyes.</p> + + <p>"Neighbour! neighbour!" cried the blacksmith, "your house is + on fire!"</p> + + <p>"An old bird is not to be caught with chaff," chuckled the + cobbler to himself; and he pulled the bed-clothes over his + head.</p> + + <p>"Neighbour!" roared the blacksmith, snatching at the quilt + to drag it off, "are you mad? The house is burning over your + head. Get up for your life!"</p> + + <p>"I have the courage of a general, and more," thought the + cobbler; and holding tightly on to the clothes he pretended to + snore.</p> + + <p>"If you will burn, bum!" cried the blacksmith angrily, "but + I mean to save my bones"—with which he ran off.</p> + + <p>And burnt the cobbler undoubtedly would have been, had not + his mother's cries at last convinced him that the candles had + set fire to his house, which was wrapped in flames. With some + difficulty he escaped with his life, but of all he possessed + nothing remained to him but his tools and a few articles of + furniture that the widow had saved.</p> + + <p>As he was now again reduced to poverty, he was obliged to + work as diligently as in former years, and passed the rest of + his days in the same peace and prosperity which he had before + enjoyed.</p> + <hr style="width: 65%;"> + + <h2><a name="THE_LAIRD_AND_THE_MAN_OF_PEACE" + id="THE_LAIRD_AND_THE_MAN_OF_PEACE"></a>THE LAIRD AND THE + MAN OF PEACE.</h2> + + <p>In the Highlands of Scotland there once lived a Laird of + Brockburn, who would not believe in fairies. Although his sixth + cousin on the mother's side, as he returned one night from a + wedding, had seen the Men of Peace hunting on the sides of Ben + Muich Dhui, dressed in green, and with silver-mounted bridles + to their horses which jingled as they rode; and though Rory the + fiddler having gone to play at a christening did never come + home, but crossing a hill near Brockburn in a mist was seduced + into a <i>Shian</i><a name="FNanchor_1_1" + id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" + class="fnanchor">[1]</a> or fairy turret, where, as all + decent bodies well believe, he is playing still—in + spite, I say, of the wise saws and experience of all his + neighbours, Brockburn remained obstinately incredulous.</p> + + <p>Not that he bore any ill-will to the Good People, or spoke + uncivilly of them; indeed he always disavowed any feeling of + disrespect towards them if they existed, saying that he was a + man of peace himself, and anxious to live peaceably with + whatever neighbours he had, but that till he had seen one of + the <i>Daoiné Shi</i><a name="FNanchor_2_2" + id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" + class="fnanchor">[2]</a> he could not believe in them.</p> + + <p>Now one afternoon, between Hallowmas and Yule, it chanced + that the Laird, being out on the hills looking for some cattle, + got parted from his men and dogs and was overtaken by a mist, + in which, familiar as the country was to him, he lost his + way.</p> + + <p>In vain he raised his voice high, and listened low, no sound + of man or beast came back to him through the thickening + vapour.</p> + + <p>Then night fell, and darkness was added to the fog, so that + Brockburn needed to sound every step with his + <i>rung</i><a name="FNanchor_3_3" + id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" + class="fnanchor">[3]</a> before he took it.</p> + + <p>Suddenly light footsteps pattered beside him, then Something + rubbed against him, then It ran between his legs. The delighted + Laird made sure that his favourite collie had found him once + more.</p> + + <p>"Wow, Jock, man!" he cried; "but ye needna throw me on my + face. What's got ye the night, that <i>you</i> should lose your + way in a bit mist?"</p> + + <p>To this a voice from the level of his elbow replied, in + piping but patronizing tones;</p> + + <p>"Never did I lose my way in a mist since the night that Finn + crossed over to Ireland in the Dawn of History. Eh, Laird! I'm + weel acquaint with every bit path on the hill-side these + hundreds of years, and I'll guide ye safe hame, never + fear!"</p> + + <p>The hairs on Brockburn's head stood on end till they lifted + his broad bonnet, and a damp chill broke out over him that was + not the fog. But, for all that, he stoutly resisted the + evidence of his senses, and only felt about him for the + collie's head to pat, crying:</p> + + <p>"Bark! Jock, my mannie, bark! Then I'll recognize your + voice, ye ken. It's no canny to hear ye speak like a Christian, + my wee doggie."</p> + + <p>"I'm nae your doggie, I'm a Man of Peace," was the reply. + "Dinna miscall your betters, Brockburn: why will ye not credit + our existence, man?"</p> + + <p>"Seein's believin'," said the Laird, stubbornly; "but the + mist's ower thick for seein' the night, ye ken."</p> + + <p>"Turn roun' to your left, man, and ye'll see," said the + Dwarf, and catching Brockburn by the arm, he twisted him + swiftly round three times, when a sudden blaze of light poured + through the mist, and revealed a crag of the mountain well + known to the Laird, and which he now saw to be a kind of + turret, or tower.</p> + + <p>Lights shone gaily through the crevices or windows of the + <i>Shian</i>, and sounds of revelry came forth, among which + fiddling was conspicuous. The tune played at that moment was + "Delvyn-side."</p> + + <p>Blinded by the light, and amazed at what he saw, the Laird + staggered, and was silent.</p> + + <p>"Keep to your feet, man—keep to your feet!" said the + Dwarf, laughing. "I doubt ye're fou, Brockburn!"</p> + + <p>"I'm nae fou," said the Laird, slowly, his rung grasped + firmly in his hand, and his bonnet set back from his face, + which was deadly pale. "But—man-<i>is yon Rory?</i> I'd + know his fiddle in a thousand."</p> + + <p>"Ask no questions, and ye'll be tellt no lees," said the + Dwarf. Then stepping up to the door of the <i>Shian</i>, he + stood so that the light from within fell full upon him, and the + astonished Laird saw a tiny but well-proportioned man, with + delicate features, and golden hair flowing over his shoulders. + He wore a cloak of green cloth, lined with daisies, and had + silver shoes. His beautiful face quivered with amusement, and + he cried triumphantly, "D'ye see me?—d'ye see me noo, + Brockburn?"</p> + + <p>"Aye, aye," said the Laird; "and seein's believin'."</p> + + <p>"Then roun' wi' ye!" shouted the Man of Peace; and once more + seizing the Laird by the arm, he turned him swiftly + round—this time, to the right—and at the third turn + the light vanished, and Brockburn and the Man of Peace were + once more alone together in the mist.</p> + + <p>"Aweel, Brockburn," said the Man of Peace, "I'll alloo ye're + candid, and have a convincible mind. I'm no ill disposit to ye, + and yese get safe hame, man."</p> + + <p>As he spoke he stooped down, and picking up half-a-dozen big + stones from the mountain-side, he gave them to the Laird, + saying, "If the gudewife asks ye about the bit stanes, say ye + got them in a compliment."<a name="FNanchor_4_4" + id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" + class="fnanchor">[4]</a></p> + + <p>Brockburn put them into his pocket, briefly saying, "I'm + obleeged to ye;" but as he followed the Man of Peace down the + hill-side, he found the obligation so heavy, that from time to + time he threw a stone away, unobserved, as he hoped, by his + companion. When the first stone fell, the Man of Peace looked + sharply round, saying:</p> + + <p>"What's yon?"</p> + + <p>"It'll be me striking my rung upon the ground," said the + Laird.</p> + + <p>"You're mad," said the Man of Peace, and Brockburn felt sure + that he knew the truth, and was displeased. But as they went + on, the stones were so heavy, and bumped the Laird's side so + hard, that he threw away a second, dropping it as gently as he + could. But the sound of its fall did not escape the ears of the + Man of Peace, who cried as before:</p> + + <p>"What's yon?"</p> + + <p>"It's jest a nasty hoast<a name="FNanchor_5_5" + id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" + class="fnanchor">[5]</a> that I have," said the Laird.</p> + + <p>"Man, you're daft," said the Dwarf, contemptuously; "that's + what ails ye."</p> + + <p>The Laird now resolved to be prudent, but the inconvenience + of his burden was so great that after a while he resolved to + risk the displeasure of the Man of Peace once more, and gently + slipped a third stone to the ground.</p> + + <p>"Third time's lucky," he thought. But the proverb failed + him, for the Dwarf turned as before, shouting: "What's + yon?"</p> + + <p>"It'll be my new brogues<a name="FNanchor_6_6" + id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" + class="fnanchor">[6]</a> that ye hear bumpin' Upon the + muckle stanes," said the Laird.</p> + + <p>"Ye're fou, Brockburn, I tellt ye so. Ye're fou!" growled + the Man of Peace, angrily, and the Laird dared not drop any + more of the Dwarfs gifts. After a while his companion's + good-humour seemed to return, and he became talkative and + generous.</p> + + <p>"I mind your great-grandfather weel, Brockburn. He was a + hamely man, I found his sheep for him one nicht on this verra + hill-side. Mair by token, ye'll find your beasties at hame, and + the men and the dogs forebye."</p> + + <p>The Laird thanked him heartily, and after a while the Dwarf + became more liberal-spirited still.</p> + + <p>"Yese no have to say that ye've been with the <i>Daoiné + Shi</i> and are no the better for it," he said. "I'm thinking + I'll grant ye three wushes. But choose wisely, man, and dinna + throw <i>them</i> away. I hae my fears that ye're no without a + bee in your bonnet, Brockburn."</p> + + <p>Incensed by this insinuation, the Laird defended his own + sagacity at some length, and retorted on his companion with + doubts of the power of the <i>Daoiné Shi</i> to grant + wishes.</p> + + <p>"The proof of the pudding's in the eating o't," said the Man + of Peace. "Wush away, Brockburn, and mak the nut as hard to + crack as ye will."</p> + + <p>The Laird at once began to cast about in his mind for three + wishes sufficiently comprehensive to secure his lifelong + prosperity; but the more he beat his brains the less could he + satisfy himself.</p> + + <p>How many miles he wandered thus, the Dwarf keeping silently + beside him, he never knew, before he sank exhausted on the + ground, saying:</p> + + <p>"I'm thinking, man, that if ye could bring hame to me, in + place of bringing me hame, I'd misdoubt your powers nae mair. + It's a far cry to Loch Awe,<a name="FNanchor_7_7" + id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" + class="fnanchor">[7]</a> ye ken, and it's a weary long road + to Brockburn."</p> + + <p>"Is this your wush?" asked the Man of Peace.</p> + + <p>"This is my wush," said the Laird, striking his rung upon + the ground.</p> + + <p>The words had scarcely passed his lips when the whole + homestead of Brockburn, house and farm buildings, was planted + upon the bleak hill-side.</p> + + <p>The astonished Laird now began to bewail the rash wish which + had removed his home from the sheltered and fertile valley + where it originally stood to the barren side of a bleak + mountain.</p> + + <p>The Man of Peace, however, would not take any hints as to + undoing his work of his own accord. All he said was:</p> + + <p>"If ye wush it away, so it'll be. But then ye'll only have + one wush left. Ye've small discretion the nicht, Brockburn, I'm + feared."</p> + + <p>"To leave the steading in sic a spot is no to be thought + on," sighed the Laird, as he spent his second wish in undoing + his first. But he cannily added the provision:</p> + + <p>"And ye may tak me wi' it."</p> + + <p>The words were no sooner spoken than the homestead was back + in its place, and Brockburn himself was lying in his own bed, + Jock, his favourite collie, barking and licking his face by + turns for joy.</p> + + <p>"Whisht, whisht, Jock!" said the Laird. "Ye wouldna bark + when I begged of ye, so ye may hand your peace noo."</p> + + <p>And pushing the collie from him, he sat up in bed and looked + anxiously but vainly round the chamber for the Man of + Peace.</p> + + <p>"Lie doun, lie doun," cried the gudewife from beside him. + "Ye're surely out o' your wuts, Brockburn. Would ye gang + stravaging about the country again the nicht?"</p> + + <p>"Where is he?" cried the Laird.</p> + + <p>"There's not a soul here but your lawful wife and your ain + dear doggie. Was there ae body that ye expected?" asked his + wife.</p> + + <p>"The Man o' Peace, woman!" cried Brockburn. "I've ane o' my + wushes to get, and I maun hae't."</p> + + <p>"The man's mad!" was the gudewife's comment. "Ye've surely + forgotten yoursel, Brockburn. Ye never believed in the + <i>Daoiné Shi</i> before."</p> + + <p>"Seein's believin'," said the Laird. "I forgathered with a + Man o' Peace the nicht on the hill, and I wush I just saw him + again."</p> + + <p>As the Laird spoke the window of the chamber was lit up from + without, and the Man of Peace appeared sitting on the + window-ledge in his daisy-lined cloak, his feet hanging down + into the room, the silver shoes glittering as they dangled.</p> + + <p>"I'm here, Brockburn!" he cried. "But eh, man! ye've had + your last wush."</p> + + <p>And even as the stupefied Laird gazed, the light slowly died + away, and the Man of Peace vanished also.</p> + + <p>On the following morning the Laird was roused from sleep by + loud cries of surprise and admiration.</p> + + <p>The good wife had been stirring for some hours, and in + emptying the pockets of her good man's coat she had found three + huge cairngorms of exquisite tint and lustre. Brockburn thus + discovered the value of the gifts, half of which he had thrown + away.</p> + + <p>But no subsequent visits to the hill-side led to their + recovery. Many a time did the Laird bring home a heavy + pocketful of stones, at the thrifty gude-wife's bidding, but + they only proved to be the common stones of the mountain-side. + The <i>Shian</i> could never be distinguished from any other + crag, and the <i>Daoiné Shi</i> were visible no more.</p> + + <p>Yet it is said that the Laird of Brockburn prospered and + throve thereafter, in acre, stall, and steading, as those + seldom prosper who have not the good word of the People of + Peace.</p> + <hr style="width: 65%;"> + + <h2><a name="THE_OGRE_COURTING" + id="THE_OGRE_COURTING"></a>THE OGRE COURTING.</h2> + + <p>In days when ogres were still the terror of certain + districts, there was one who had long kept a whole + neighbourhood in fear without any one daring to dispute his + tyranny.</p> + + <p>By thefts and exactions, by heavy ransoms from merchants too + old and tough to be eaten, in one way and another, the Ogre had + become very rich; and although those who knew could tell of + huge cellars full of gold and jewels, and yards and barns + groaning with the weight of stolen goods, the richer he grew + the more anxious and covetous he became. Moreover, day by day, + he added to his stores; for though (like most ogres) he was as + stupid as he was strong, no one had ever been found, by force + or fraud, to get the better of him.</p> + + <p>What he took from the people was not their heaviest + grievance. Even to be killed and eaten by him was not the + chance they thought of most. A man can die but once; and if he + is a sailor, a shark may eat him, which is not so much better + than being devoured by an ogre. No, that was not the worst. The + worst was this—he would keep getting married. And as he + liked little wives, all the short women lived in fear and + dread. And as his wives always died very soon, he was + constantly courting fresh ones.</p> + + <p>Some said he ate his wives; some said he tormented, and + others, that he only worked them to death. Everybody knew it + was not a desirable match, and yet there was not a father who + dare refuse his daughter if she were asked for. The Ogre only + cared for two things in a woman—he liked her to be + little, and a good housewife.</p> + + <p>Now it was when the Ogre had just lost his twenty-fourth + wife (within the memory of man) that these two qualities were + eminently united in the person of the smallest and most notable + woman of the district, the daughter of a certain poor farmer. + He was so poor that he could not afford properly to dower his + daughter, who had in consequence remained single beyond her + first youth. Everybody felt sure that Managing Molly must now + be married to the Ogre. The tall girls stretched themselves + till they looked like maypoles, and said, "Poor thing!" The + slatterns gossiped from house to house, the heels of their + shoes clacking as they went, and cried that this was what came + of being too thrifty.</p> + + <p>And sure enough, in due time, the giant widower came to the + farmer as he was in the field looking over his crops, and + proposed for Molly there and then. The farmer was so much put + out that he did not know what he said in reply, either when he + was saying it, or afterwards, when his friends asked about it. + But he remembered that the Ogre had invited himself to sup at + the farm that day week.</p> + + <p>Managing Molly did not distress herself at the news.</p> + + <p>"Do what I bid you, and say as I say," said she to her + father, "and if the Ogre does not change his mind, at any rate + you shall not come empty-handed out of the business."</p> + + <p>By his daughter's desire the farmer now procured a large + number of hares, and a barrel of white wine, which expenses + completely emptied his slender stocking, and on the day of the + Ogre's visit, she made a delicious and savoury stew with the + hares in the biggest pickling tub, and the wine-barrel was set + on a bench near the table.</p> + + <p>When the Ogre came, Molly served up the stew, and the Ogre + sat down to sup, his head just touching the kitchen rafters. + The stew was perfect, and there was plenty of it. For what + Molly and her father ate was hardly to be counted in the + tubful. The Ogre was very much pleased, and said politely:</p> + + <p>"I'm afraid, my dear, that you have been put to great + trouble and expense on my account, I have a large appetite, and + like to sup well."</p> + + <p>"Don't mention it, sir," said Molly. "The fewer rats the + more corn. How do <i>you</i> cook them?"</p> + + <p>"Not one of all the extravagant hussies I have had as wives + ever cooked them at all," said the Ogre; and he thought to + himself, "Such a stew out of rats! What frugality! What a + housewife!"</p> + + <p>When he broached the wine, he was no less pleased, for it + was of the best.</p> + + <p>"This, at any rate, must have cost you a great deal, + neighbour," said he, drinking the farmer's health as Molly left + the room.</p> + + <p>"I don't know that rotten apples could be better used," said + the farmer; "but I leave all that to Molly. Do you brew at + home?"</p> + + <p>"We give <i>our</i> rotten apples to the pigs," growled the + Ogre. "But things will be better ordered when she is my + wife."</p> + + <p>The Ogre was now in great haste to conclude the match, and + asked what dowry the farmer would give his daughter.</p> + + <p>"I should never dream of giving a dowry with Molly," said + the farmer, boldly. "Whoever gets her, gets dowry enough. On + the contrary, I shall expect a good round sum from the man who + deprives me of her. Our wealthiest farmer is just widowed, and + therefore sure to be in a hurry for marriage. He has an eye to + the main chance, and would not grudge to pay well for such a + wife, I'll warrant."</p> + + <p>"I'm no churl myself," said the Ogre, who was anxious to + secure his thrifty bride at any price; and he named a large sum + of money, thinking, "We shall live on rats henceforward, and + the beef and mutton will soon cover the dowry."</p> + + <p>"Double that, and we'll see," said the farmer, stoutly.</p> + + <p>But the Ogre became angry, and cried; "What are you thinking + of, man? Who is to hinder my carrying your lass off, without + 'with your leave' or 'by your leave,' dowry or none?"</p> + + <p>"How little you know her!" said the farmer. "She is so firm + that she would be cut to pieces sooner than give you any + benefit of her thrift, unless you dealt fairly in the + matter."</p> + + <p>"Well, well," said the Ogre, "let us meet each other." And + he named a sum larger than he at first proposed, and less than + the farmer had asked. This the farmer agreed to, as it was + enough to make him prosperous for life.</p> + + <p>"Bring it in a sack to-morrow morning," said he to the Ogre, + "and then you can speak to Molly; she's gone to bed now."</p> + + <p>The next morning, accordingly, the Ogre appeared, carrying + the dowry in a sack, and Molly came to meet him.</p> + + <p>"There are two things," said she, "I would ask of any lover + of mine: a new farmhouse, built as I should direct, with a view + to economy; and a feather-bed of fresh goose feathers, filled + when the old woman plucks her geese. If I don't sleep well, I + cannot work well."</p> + + <p>"That is better than asking for finery," thought the Ogre; + "and after all the house will be my own." So, to save the + expense of labour, he built it himself, and worked hard, day + after day, under Molly's orders, till winter came. Then it was + finished.</p> + + <p>"Now for the feather-bed," said Molly. "I'll sew up the + ticking, and when the old woman plucks her geese, I'll let you + know."</p> + + <p>When it snows, they say the old woman up yonder is plucking + her geese, and so at the first snowstorm Molly sent for the + Ogre.</p> + + <p>"Now you see the feathers falling," said she, "so fill the + bed."</p> + + <p>"How am I to catch them?" cried the Ogre.</p> + + <p>"Stupid! don't you see them lying there in a heap?" cried + Molly; "get a shovel, and set to work."</p> + + <p>The Ogre accordingly carried in shovelfuls of snow to the + bed, but as it melted as fast as he put it in, his labour never + seemed done. Towards night the room got so cold that the snow + would not melt, and now the bed was soon filled.</p> + + <p>Molly hastily covered it with sheets and blankets, and said: + "Pray rest here to-night, and tell me if the bed is not comfort + itself. To-morrow we will be married."</p> + + <p>So the tired Ogre lay down on the bed he had filled, but, do + what he would, he could not get warm.</p> + + <p>"The sheets must be damp," said he, and in the morning he + woke with such horrible pains in his bones that he could hardly + move, and half the bed had melted away. "It's no use," he + groaned, "she's a very managing woman, but to sleep on such a + bed would be the death of me." And he went off home as quickly + as he could, before Managing Molly could call upon him to be + married; for she was so managing that he was more than half + afraid of her already.</p> + + <p>When Molly found that he had gone, she sent the farmer after + him.</p> + + <p>"What does he want?" cried the Ogre, when they told him the + farmer was at the door.</p> + + <p>"He says the bride is waiting for you," was the reply.</p> + + <p>"Tell him I'm too ill to be married," said the Ogre.</p> + + <p>But the messenger soon returned:</p> + + <p>"He says she wants to know what you will give her to make up + for the disappointment."</p> + + <p>"She's got the dowry, and the farm, and the feather-bed," + groaned the Ogre; "what more does she want?"</p> + + <p>But again the messenger returned:</p> + + <p>"She says you've pressed the feather-bed flat, and she wants + some more goose feathers."</p> + + <p>"There are geese enough in the yard," yelled the Ogre, "Let + him drive them home; and if he has another word to say, put him + down to roast."</p> + + <p>The farmer, who overheard this order, lost no time in taking + his leave, and as he passed through the yard he drove home as + fine a flock of geese as you will see on a common.</p> + + <p>It is said that the Ogre never recovered from the effects of + sleeping on the old woman's goose feathers, and was less + powerful than before.</p> + + <p>As for Managing Molly, being now well dowered, she had no + lack of offers of marriage, and was soon mated to her mind.</p> + <hr style="width: 65%;"> + + <h2><a name="THE_MAGICIANS_GIFTS" + id="THE_MAGICIANS_GIFTS"></a>THE MAGICIANS' GIFTS.</h2> + + <p>There was once a king in whose dominions lived no less than + three magicians.</p> + + <p>When the king's eldest son was christened, the king invited + the three magicians to the christening feast, and to make the + compliment the greater, he asked one of them to stand + godfather. But the other two, who were not asked to be + godfathers, were so angry at what they held to be a slight, + that they only waited to see how they might best revenge + themselves upon the infant prince.</p> + + <p>When the moment came for presenting the christening gifts, + the godfather magician advanced to the cradle and said, "My + gift is this: Whatever he wishes for he shall have. And only I + who give shall be able to recall this gift." For he perceived + the jealousy of the other magicians, and knew that, if + possible, they would undo what he did. But the second magician + muttered in his beard, "And yet I will change it to a curse." + And coming up to the cradle, he said, "The wishes that he has + thus obtained he shall not be able to revoke or change."</p> + + <p>Then the third magician grumbled beneath his black robe, "If + he were very wise and prudent he might yet be happy. But I will + secure his punishment." So he also drew near to the cradle, and + said, "For my part, I give him a hasty temper."</p> + + <p>After which, the two dissatisfied magicians withdrew + together, saying, "Should we permit ourselves to be slighted + for nothing?"</p> + + <p>But the king and his courtiers were not at all + disturbed.</p> + + <p>"My son has only to be sure of what he wants," said the + king, "and then, I suppose, he will not desire to recall his + wishes."</p> + + <p>And the courtiers added, "If a prince may not have a hasty + temper, who may, we should like to know?"</p> + + <p>And everybody laughed, except the godfather magician, who + went out sighing and shaking his head, and was seen no + more.</p> + + <p>Whilst the king's son was yet a child, the gift of the + godfather magician began to take effect. There was nothing so + rare and precious that he could not obtain it, or so difficult + that it could not be accomplished by his mere wish. But, on the + other hand, no matter how inconsiderately he spoke, or how + often he changed his mind, what he had once wished must remain + as he had wished it, in spite of himself; and as he often + wished for things that were bad for him, and oftener still + wished for a thing one day and regretted it the next, his power + was the source of quite as much pain as pleasure to him. Then + his temper was so hot, that he was apt hastily to wish ill to + those who offended him, and afterwards bitterly to regret the + mischief that he could not undo. Thus, one after another, the + king appointed his trustiest counsellors to the charge of his + son, who, sooner or later, in the discharge of their duty, were + sure to be obliged to thwart him; on which the impatient prince + would cry, "I wish you were at the bottom of the sea with your + rules and regulations;" and the counsellors disappeared + accordingly, and returned no more.</p> + + <p>When there was not a wise man left at court, and the king + himself lived in daily dread of being the next victim, he said, + "Only one thing remains to be done: to find the godfather + magician, and persuade him to withdraw his gift."</p> + + <p>So the king offered rewards, and sent out messengers in + every direction, but the magician was not to be found. At last, + one day he met a blind beggar, who said to him, "Three nights + ago I dreamed that I went by the narrowest of seven roads to + seek what you are looking for, and was successful."</p> + + <p>When the king returned home, he asked his courtiers, "Where + are there seven roads lying near to each other, some broad, and + some narrow?" And one of them replied, "Twenty-one miles to the + west of the palace is a four-cross road, where three + field-paths also diverge."</p> + + <p>To this place the king made his way, and taking the + narrowest of the field-paths, went on and on till it led him + straight into a cave, where an old woman sat over a fire.</p> + + <p>"Does a magician live here?" asked the king.</p> + + <p>"No one lives here but myself," said the old woman. "But as + I am a wise woman I may be able to help you if you need + it."</p> + + <p>The king then told her of his perplexities, and how he was + desirous of finding the magician, to persuade him to recall his + gift.</p> + + <p>"He could not recall the other gifts," said the wise woman. + "Therefore it is better that the prince should be taught to use + his power prudently and to control his temper. And since all + the persons capable of guiding him have disappeared, I will + return with you and take charge of him myself. Over me he will + have no power."</p> + + <p>To this the king consented, and they returned together to + the palace, where the wise woman became guardian to the prince, + and she fulfilled her duties so well that he became much more + discreet and self-controlled. Only at times his violent temper + got the better of him, and led him to wish what he afterwards + vainly regretted.</p> + + <p>Thus all went well till the prince became a man, when, + though he had great affection for her, he felt ashamed of + having an old woman for his counsellor, and he said, "I + certainly wish that I had a faithful and discreet adviser of my + own age and sex."</p> + + <p>On that very day a young nobleman offered himself as + companion to the prince, and as he was a young man of great + ability, he was accepted: whereupon the old woman took her + departure, and was never seen again.</p> + + <p>The young nobleman performed his part so well that the + prince became deeply attached to him, and submitted in every + way to his counsels. But at last a day came when, being in a + rage, the advice of his friend irritated him, and he cried + hastily, "Will you drive me mad with your long sermons? I wish + you would hold your tongue for ever." On which the young + nobleman became dumb, and so remained. For he was not, as the + wise woman had been, independent of the prince's power.</p> + + <p>The prince's grief and remorse knew no bounds. "Am I not + under a curse?" said he. "Truly I ought to be cast out from + human society, and sent to live with wild beasts in a + wilderness. I only bring evil upon those I love + best—indeed, there is no hope for me unless I can find my + godfather, and make him recall this fatal gift."</p> + + <p>So the prince mounted his horse, and, accompanied by his + dumb friend, who still remained faithful to him, he set forth + to find the magician. They took no followers, except the + prince's dog, a noble hound, who was so quick of hearing that + he understood all that was said to him, and was, next to the + young nobleman, the wisest person at court.</p> + + <p>"Mark well, my dog," said the prince to him, "we stay + nowhere till we find my godfather, and when we find him we go + no further. I rely on your sagacity to help us."</p> + + <p>The dog licked the prince's hand, and then trotted so + resolutely down a certain road that the two friends allowed him + to lead them and followed close behind.</p> + + <p>They travelled in this way to the edge of the king's + dominions, only halting for needful rest and refreshment. At + last the dog led them through a wood, and towards evening they + found themselves in the depths of the forest, with no sign of + any shelter for the night. Presently they heard a little bell, + such as is rung for prayer, and the dog ran down a side path + and led them straight to a kind of grotto, at the door of which + stood an aged hermit.</p> + + <p>"Does a magician live here?" asked the prince.</p> + + <p>"No one lives here but myself," said the hermit, "but I am + old, and have meditated much. My advice is at your service if + you need it."</p> + + <p>The prince then related his history, and how he was now + seeking the magician godfather, to rid himself of his gift.</p> + + <p>"And yet that will not cure your temper," said the hermit. + "It were better that you employed yourself in learning to + control that, and to use your power prudently."</p> + + <p>"No, no," replied the prince; "I must find the + magician."</p> + + <p>And when the hermit pressed his advice, he cried, "Provoke + me not, good father, or I may be base enough to wish you ill; + and the evil I do I cannot undo."</p> + + <p>And he departed, followed by his friend, and calling his + dog. But the dog seated himself at the hermit's feet, and would + not move. Again and again the prince called him, but he only + whined and wagged his tail, and refused to move. Coaxing and + scolding were both in vain, and when at last the prince tried + to drag him off by force, the dog growled.</p> + + <p>"Base brute!" cried the prince, flinging him from him in a + transport of rage. "How have I been so deceived in you? I wish + you were hanged!" And even as he spoke the dog vanished, and as + the prince turned his head he saw the poor beast's body + dangling from a tree above him. The sight overwhelmed him, and + he began bitterly to lament his cruelty.</p> + + <p>"Will no one hang me also," he cried, "and rid the world of + such a monster?"</p> + + <p>"It is easier to die repenting than to live amending," said + the hermit; "yet is the latter course the better one. Wherefore + abide with me, my son, and learn in solitude those lessons of + self-government without which no man is fit to rule + others."</p> + + <p>"It is impossible," said the prince. "These fits of passion + are as a madness that comes upon me, and they are beyond cure. + It only remains to find my godfather, that he may make me less + baneful to others by taking away the power I abuse." And + raising the body of the dog tenderly in his arms, he laid it + before him on his horse, and rode away, the dumb nobleman + following him.</p> + + <p>They now entered the dominions of another king, and in due + time arrived at the capital. The prince presented himself to + the king, and asked if he had a magician in his kingdom.</p> + + <p>"Not to my knowledge," replied the king. "But I have a + remarkably wise daughter, and if you want counsel she may be + able to help you."</p> + + <p>The princess accordingly was sent for, and she was so + beautiful, as well as witty, that the prince fell in love with + her, and begged the king to give her to him to wife. The king, + of course, was unable to refuse what the prince wished, and the + wedding was celebrated without delay; and by the advice of his + wife the prince placed the body of his faithful dog in a glass + coffin, and kept it near him, that he might constantly be + reminded of the evil results of giving way to his anger.</p> + + <p>For a time all went well. At first the prince never said a + harsh word to his wife; but by and by familiarity made him less + careful, and one day she said something that offended him, and + he fell into a violent rage. As he went storming up and down, + the princess wrung her hands, and cried, "Ah, my dear husband, + I beg of you to be careful what you say to me. You say you + loved your dog, and yet you know where he lies."</p> + + <p>"I know that I wish you were with him, with your prating!" + cried the prince, in a fury; and the words were scarcely out of + his mouth when the princess vanished from his side, and when he + ran to the glass coffin, there she lay, pale and lifeless, with + her head upon the body of the hound.</p> + + <p>The prince was now beside himself with remorse and misery, + and when the dumb nobleman made signs that they should pursue + their search for the magician, he only cried, "Too late! too + late!"</p> + + <p>But after a while he said, "I will return to the hermit, and + pass the rest of my miserable life in solitude and penance. And + you, dear friend, go back to my father."</p> + + <p>But the dumb nobleman shook his head, and could not be + persuaded to leave the prince. Then they took the glass coffin + on their shoulders, and on foot, and weeping as they went, they + retraced their steps to the forest.</p> + + <p>For some time the prince remained with the hermit, and + submitted himself to his direction. Then the hermit bade him + return to his father, and he obeyed.</p> + + <p>Every day the prince stood by the glass coffin, and beat his + breast and cried, "Behold, murderer, the fruits of anger!" And + he tried hard to overcome the violence of his temper. When he + lost heart he remembered a saying of the hermit: "Patience had + far to go, but she was crowned at last." And after a while the + prince became as gentle as he had before been violent. And the + king and all the court rejoiced at the change; but the prince + remained sad at heart, thinking of the princess.</p> + + <p>One day he was sitting alone, when a man approached him, + dressed in a long black robe.</p> + + <p>"Good-day, godson," said he.</p> + + <p>"Who calls me godson?" said the prince.</p> + + <p>"The magician you have so long sought," said the godfather. + "I have come to reclaim my gift."</p> + + <p>"What cruelty led you to bestow it upon me?" asked the + prince.</p> + + <p>"The king, your father, would have been dissatisfied with + any ordinary present from me," said the magician, "forgetting + that the responsibilities of common gifts, and very limited + power, are more than enough for most men to deal with. But I + have not neglected you. I was the wise woman who brought you + up. Again, I was the hermit, as your dog was sage enough to + discover. I am come now to reclaim what has caused you such + suffering."</p> + + <p>"Alas!" cried the prince, "why is your kindness so tardy? If + you have not forgotten me, why have you withheld this benefit + till it is too late for my happiness? My friend is dumb, my + wife is dead, my dog is hanged. When wishes cannot reach these, + do you think it matters to me what I may command?"</p> + + <p>"Softly, prince," said the magician; "I had a reason for the + delay. But for these bitter lessons you would still be the + slave of the violent temper which you have conquered, and + which, as it was no gift of mine, I could not remove. Moreover, + when the spell which made all things bend to your wish is taken + away, its effects also are undone. Godson! I recall my + gift."</p> + + <p>As the magician spoke the glass sides of the coffin melted + into the air, and the princess sprang up, and threw herself + into her husband's arms. The dog also rose, stretched himself, + and wagged his tail. The dumb nobleman ran to tell the good + news to the king, and all the counsellors came back in a long + train from the bottom of the sea, and set about the affairs of + state as if nothing had happened.</p> + + <p>The old king welcomed his children with open arms, and they + all lived happily to the end of their days.</p> + <hr style="width: 65%;"> + + <h2><a name="THE_WIDOWS_AND_THE_STRANGERS" + id="THE_WIDOWS_AND_THE_STRANGERS"></a>THE WIDOWS AND THE + STRANGERS.</h2> + + <p>In days of yore, there were once two poor old widows who + lived in the same hamlet and under the same roof. But though + the cottages joined and one roof covered them, they had each a + separate dwelling; and although they were alike in age and + circumstances, yet in other respects they were very different. + For one dame was covetous, though she had little to save, and + the other was liberal, though she had little to give.</p> + + <p>Now, on the rising ground opposite to the widows' cottages, + stood a monastery where a few pious and charitable brethren + spent their time in prayer, labour, and good works. And with + the alms of these monks, and the kindness of neighbours, and + because their wants were few, the old women dwelt in comfort, + and had daily bread, and lay warm at night.</p> + + <p>One evening, when the covetous old widow was having supper, + there came a knock at her door. Before she opened it she + hastily put away the remains of her meal.</p> + + <p>"For," said she, "it is a stormy night, and ten to one some + belated vagabond wants shelter; and when there are victuals on + the table every fool must be asked to sup."</p> + + <p>But when she opened the door, a monk came in who had his + cowl pulled over his head to shelter him from the storm. The + widow was much disconcerted at having kept one of the + brotherhood waiting, and loudly apologized, but the monk + stopped her, saying, "I fear I cut short your evening meal, my + daughter."</p> + + <p>"Now in the name of ill-luck, how came he to guess that?" + thought the widow, as with anxious civility she pressed the + monk to take some supper after his walk; for the good woman + always felt hospitably inclined towards any one who was likely + to return her kindness sevenfold.</p> + + <p>The brother, however, refused to sup; and as he seated + himself the widow looked sharply through her spectacles to see + if she could gather from any distention of the folds of his + frock whether a loaf, a bottle of cordial, or a new winter's + cloak were most likely to crown the visit. No undue + protuberance being visible about the monk's person, she turned + her eyes to his face, and found that her visitor was one of the + brotherhood whom she had not seen before. And not only was his + face unfamiliar, it was utterly unlike the kindly but rough + countenances of her charitable patrons. None that she had ever + seen boasted the noble beauty, the chiselled and refined + features of the monk before her. And she could not but notice + that, although only one rushlight illumined her room, and + though the monk's cowl went far to shade him even from that, + yet his face was lit up as if by light from within, so that his + clear skin seemed almost transparent. In short, her curiosity + must have been greatly stirred, had not greed made her more + anxious to learn what he had brought than who he was.</p> + + <p>"It's a terrible night," quoth the monk, at length. "Such + tempest without only gives point to the indoor comforts of the + wealthy; but it chills the very marrow of the poor and + destitute."</p> + + <p>"Aye, indeed," sniffed the widow, with a shiver. "If it were + not for the charity of good Christians, what would poor folk do + for comfort on such an evening as this?"</p> + + <p>"It was that very thought, my daughter," said the monk, with + a sudden earnestness on his shining face, "that brought me + forth even now through the storm to your cottage."</p> + + <p>"Heaven reward you!" cried the widow, fervently.</p> + + <p>"Heaven does reward the charitable!" replied the monk. "To + no truth do the Scriptures bear such constant and unbroken + witness; even as it is written: 'He that hath pity upon the + poor lendeth unto the Lord; and look, what he layeth out it + shall be paid him again.'"</p> + + <p>"What a blessed thing it must be to be able to do good!" + sighed the widow, piously wishing in her heart that the holy + man would not delay to earn his recompense.</p> + + <p>"My daughter," said the monk, "that blessing is not withheld + from you. It is to ask your help for those in greater need than + yourself that I am come to-night." And forthwith the good + brother began to tell how two strangers had sought shelter at + the monastery. Their house had been struck by lightning, and + burnt with all it contained; and they themselves, aged, poor, + and friendless, were exposed to the fury of the storm. "Our + house is a poor one," continued the monk. "The strangers' + lodging room was already full, and we are quite without the + means of making these poor souls comfortable. You at least have + a sound roof over your head, and if you can spare one or two + things for the night, they shall be restored to you to-morrow, + when some of our guests depart."</p> + + <p>The widow could hardly conceal her vexation and + disappointment. "Now, dear heart, holy father!" cried she, "is + there not a rich body in the place, that you come for charity + to a poor old widow like me, that am in a case rather to borrow + myself than to lend to others?"</p> + + <p>"Can you spare us a blanket?" said the monk. "These poor + strangers have been out in the storm, remember."</p> + + <p>The widow started. "What meddling busybody told him that the + Baroness gave me a new blanket at Michaelmas?" thought she; but + at last, very unwillingly, she went to an inner room to fetch a + blanket from her bed.</p> + + <p>"They shan't have the new one, that's flat," muttered the + widow; and she drew out the old one and began to fold it up. + But though she had made much of its thinness and insufficiency + to the Baroness, she was so powerfully affected at parting with + it, that all its good qualities came strongly to her mind.</p> + + <p>"It's a very suitable size," she said to herself, "and easy + for my poor old arms to shake or fold. With careful usage, it + would last for years yet; but who knows how two wandering + bodies that have been tramping miles through the storm may kick + about in their sleep? And who knows if they're decent folk at + all? likely enough they're two hedge birds, who have imposed a + pitiful tale on the good fathers, and never slept under + anything finer than a shock of straw in their lives."</p> + + <p>The more the good woman thought of this, the more sure she + felt that such was the case, and the less willing she became to + lend her blanket to "a couple of good-for-nothing tramps." A + sudden idea decided her. "Ten to one they bring fever with + them!" she cried; "and dear knows I saw enough good bedding + burnt after the black fever, three years ago! It would be a sin + and a shame to burn a good blanket like this." And repeating "a + sin and a shame" with great force, the widow restored the + blanket to its place.</p> + + <p>"The coverlet's not worth much," she thought; "but my + goodman bought it the year after we were married, and if + anything happened to it I should never forgive myself. The old + shawl is good enough for tramps." Saying which she took a + ragged old shawl from a peg, and began to fold it up. But even + as she brushed and folded, she begrudged the faded rag.</p> + + <p>"It saves my better one on a bad day," she sighed; "but I + suppose the father must have something."</p> + + <p>And accordingly she took it to the monk, saying, "It's not + so good as it has been, but there's warmth in it yet, and it + cost a pretty penny when new."</p> + + <p>"And is this all that you can spare to the poor houseless + strangers?" asked the monk.</p> + + <p>"Aye, indeed, good father," said she, "and that will cost me + many a twinge of rheumatics. Folk at my age can't lie cold at + night for nothing."</p> + + <p>"These poor strangers," said the monk, "are as aged as + yourself, and have lost everything."</p> + + <p>But as all he said had no effect in moving the widow's + compassion, he departed, and knocked at the door of her + neighbour. Here he told the same tale, which met with a very + different hearing. This widow was one of those liberal souls + whose possessions always make them feel uneasy unless they are + being accepted, or used, or borrowed by some one else. She + blessed herself that, thanks to the Baroness, she had a new + blanket fit to lend to the king himself, and only desired to + know with what else she could serve the poor strangers and + requite the charities of the brotherhood.</p> + + <p>The monk confessed that all the slender stock of household + goods in the monastery was in use, and one after another he + accepted the loan of almost everything the widow had. As she + gave the things he put them out through the door, saying that + he had a messenger outside; and having promised that all should + be duly restored on the morrow, he departed, leaving the widow + with little else than an old chair in which she was to pass the + night.</p> + + <p>When the monk had gone, the storm raged with greater fury + than before, and at last one terrible flash of lightning struck + the widows' house, and though it did not hurt the old women, it + set fire to the roof, and both cottages were soon ablaze. Now + as the terrified old creatures hobbled out into the storm, they + met the monk, who, crying, "Come to the monastery!" seized an + arm of each, and hurried them up the hill. To such good purpose + did he help them, that they seemed to fly, and arrived at the + convent gate they hardly knew how.</p> + + <p>Under a shed by the wall were the goods and chattels of the + liberal widow.</p> + + <p>"Take back thine own, daughter," said the monk; "thy charity + hath brought its own reward."</p> + + <p>"But the strangers, good father?" said the perplexed + widow.</p> + + <p>"Ye are the strangers," answered the monk; "and what thy + pity thought meet to be spared for the unfortunate, Heaven in + thy misfortune hath spared to thee."</p> + + <p>Then turning to the other widow, he drew the old shawl from + beneath his frock, and gave it to her, saying, "I give you joy, + dame, that this hath escaped the flames. It is not so good as + it has been; but there is warmth in it yet, and it cost a + pretty penny when new."</p> + + <p>Full of confusion, the illiberal widow took back her shawl, + murmuring, "Lack-a-day! If I had but known it was ourselves the + good father meant!"</p> + + <p>The monk gave a shrewd smile.</p> + + <p>"Aye, aye, it would have been different, I doubt not," said + he; "but accept the lesson, my daughter, and when next thou art + called upon to help the unfortunate, think that it is thine own + needs that would be served; and it may be thou shalt judge + better as to what thou canst spare."</p> + + <p>As he spoke, a flash of lightning lit up the ground where + the monk stood, making a vast aureole about him in the darkness + of the night. In the bright light, his countenance appeared + stern and awful in its beauty, and when the flash was passed, + the monk had vanished also.</p> + + <p>Furthermore, when the widows sought shelter in the + monastery, they found that the brotherhood knew nothing of + their strange visitor.</p> + <hr style="width: 65%;"> + + <h2><a name="KIND_WILLIAM_AND_THE_WATER_SPRITE" + id="KIND_WILLIAM_AND_THE_WATER_SPRITE"></a>KIND WILLIAM AND + THE WATER SPRITE.</h2> + + <p>There once lived a poor weaver, whose wife died a few years + after their marriage. He was now alone in the world except for + their child, who was a very quick and industrious little lad, + and, moreover, of such an obliging disposition that he gained + the nickname of Kind William.</p> + + <p>On his seventh birthday his father gave him a little net + with a long handle, and with this Kind William betook himself + to a shallow part of the river to fish. After wandering on for + some time, he found a quiet pool dammed in by stones, and here + he dipped for the minnows that darted about in the clear brown + water. At the first and second casts he caught nothing, but + with the third he landed no less than twenty-one little fishes, + and such minnows he had never seen, for as they leaped and + struggled in the net they shone with alternate tints of green + and gold.</p> + + <p>He was gazing at them with wonder and delight, when a voice + behind him cried, in piteous tones—</p> + + <p>"Oh, my little sisters! Oh, my little sisters!"</p> + + <p>Kind William turned round, and saw, sitting on a rock that + stood out of the stream, a young girl weeping bitterly. She had + a very pretty face, and abundant yellow hair of marvellous + length, and of such uncommon brightness that even in the shade + it shone like gold. She was dressed in grass green, and from + her knees downwards she was hidden by the clumps of fern and + rushes that grew by the stream.</p> + + <p>"What ails you, my little lass?" said Kind William.</p> + + <p>But the maid only wept more bitterly, and wringing her + hands, repeated, "Oh, my little sisters! Oh, my little + sisters!" presently adding in the same tone, "The little + fishes! Oh, the little fishes!"</p> + + <p>"Dry your eyes, and I will give you half of them," said the + good-natured child; "and if you have no net you shall fish with + me this afternoon."</p> + + <p>But at this proposal the maid's sobs redoubled, and she + prayed and begged with frantic eagerness that he would throw + the fish back into the river. For some time Kind William would + not consent to throw away his prize, but at last he yielded to + her excessive grief, and emptied the net into the pool, where + the glittering fishes were soon lost to sight under the sand + and pebbles.</p> + + <p>The girl now laughed and clapped her hands.</p> + + <p>"This good deed you shall never rue, Kind William," said + she, "and even now it shall repay you threefold. How many fish + did you catch?"</p> + + <p>"Twenty-one," said Kind William, not without regret in his + tone.</p> + + <p>The maid at once began to pull hairs out of her head, and + did not stop till she had counted sixty-three, and laid them + together in her fingers. She then began to wind the lock up + into a curl, and it took far longer to wind than the + sixty-three hairs had taken to pull. How long her hair really + was Kind William never could tell, for after it reached her + knees he lost sight of it among the fern; but he began to + suspect that she was no true village maid, but a water sprite, + and he heartily wished himself safe at home.</p> + + <p>"Now," said she, when the lock was wound, "will you promise + me three things?"</p> + + <p>"If I can do so without sin," said Kind William.</p> + + <p>"First," she continued, holding out the lock of hair, "will + you keep this carefully, and never give it away? It will be for + your own good."</p> + + <p>"One never gives away gifts," said Kind William, "I promise + that."</p> + + <p>"The second thing is to spare what you have spared. Fish up + the river and down the river at your will, but swear never to + cast net in this pool again."</p> + + <p>"One should not do kindness by halves," said Kind William. + "I promise that also."</p> + + <p>"Thirdly, you must never tell what you have now seen and + heard till thrice seven years have passed. And now come hither, + my child, and give me your little finger, that I may see if you + can keep a secret."</p> + + <p>But by this time Kind William's hairs were standing on end, + and he gave the last promise more from fear than from any other + motive, and seized his net to go.</p> + + <p>"No hurry, no hurry," said the maiden (and the words sounded + like the rippling of a brook over pebbles). Then bending + towards him, with a strange smile, she added, "You are afraid + that I shall pinch too hard, my pretty boy. Well, give me a + farewell kiss before you go."</p> + + <p>"I kiss none but the miller's lass," said Kind William, + sturdily; for she was his little sweetheart. Besides, he was + afraid that the water witch would enchant him and draw him + down. At his answer she laughed till the echoes rang, but Kind + William shuddered to hear that the echoes seemed to come from + the river instead of from the hills; and they rang in his ears + like a distant torrent leaping over rocks.</p> + + <p>"Then listen to my song," said the water sprite. With which + she drew some of her golden hairs over her arm, and tuning them + as if they had been the strings of a harp, she began to + sing:</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <span>"Warp of woollen and woof of gold: + <br></span> <span>When seven and seven and seven are + told." + <br></span> + </div> + </div> + + <p>But when Kind William heard that the river was running with + the cadence of the tune, he could bear it no longer, and took + to his heels. When he had run a few yards he heard a splash, as + if a salmon had jumped, and on looking back he found that the + yellow-haired maiden was gone.</p> + + <p>Kind William was trustworthy as well as obliging, and he + kept his word. He said nothing of his adventure. He put the + yellow lock into an old china teapot that had stood untouched + on the mantelpiece for years. And fishing up the river and down + the river he never again cast net into the haunted pool. And in + course of time the whole affair passed from his mind.</p> + + <p>Fourteen years went by, and Kind William was Kind William + still. He was as obliging as ever, and still loved the miller's + daughter, who, for her part, had not forgotten her old + playmate. But the miller's memory was not so good, for the + fourteen years had been prosperous ones with him, and he was + rich, whereas they had only brought bad trade and poverty to + the weaver and his son. So the lovers were not allowed even to + speak to each other.</p> + + <p>One evening Kind William wandered by the river-side + lamenting his hard fate. It was his twenty-first birthday, and + he might not even receive the good wishes of the day from his + old playmate. It was just growing dusk, a time when prudent + bodies hurry home from the neighbourhood of fairy rings, + sprite-haunted streams, and the like, and Kind William was + beginning to quicken his pace, when a voice from behind him + sang:</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <span>"Warp of woollen and woof of gold: + <br></span> <span>When seven and seven and seven are + told." + <br></span> + </div> + </div> + + <p>Kind William felt sure that he had heard this before, though + he could not recall when or where; but suspecting that it was + no mortal voice that sang, he hurried home without looking + behind him. Before he reached the house he remembered all, and + also that on this very day his promise of secrecy expired.</p> + + <p>Meanwhile the old weaver had been sadly preparing the loom + to weave a small stock of yarn, which he had received in + payment for some work. He had set up the warp, and was about to + fill the shuttle, when his son came in and told the story, and + repeated the water sprite's song.</p> + + <p>"Where is the lock of hair, my son?" asked the old man.</p> + + <p>"In the teapot still, if you have not touched it," said Kind + William; "but the dust of fourteen years must have destroyed + all gloss and colour."</p> + + <p>On searching the teapot, however, the lock of hair was found + to be as bright as ever, and it lay in the weaver's hand like a + coil of gold.</p> + + <p>"It is the song that puzzles me," said Kind William. "Seven, + and seven, and seven make twenty-one. Now that is just my + age."</p> + + <p>"There is your warp of woollen, if that is anything," added + the weaver, gazing at the loom with a melancholy air.</p> + + <p>"And this is golden enough," laughed Kind William, pointing + to the curl. "Come, father, let us see how far one hair will go + on the shuttle." And suiting the action to the word, he began + to wind. He wound the shuttle full, and then sat down to the + loom and began to throw.</p> + + <p>The result was a fabric of such beauty that the Weavers + shouted with amazement, and one single hair served for the woof + of the whole piece.</p> + + <p>Before long there was not a town dame or a fine country lady + but must needs have a dress of the new stuff, and before the + sixty-three hairs were used up, the fortunes of the weaver and + his son were made.</p> + + <p>About this time the miller's memory became clearer, and he + was often heard to speak of an old boy-and-girl love between + his dear daughter and the wealthy manufacturer of the golden + cloth. Within a year and a day Kind William married his + sweetheart, and as money sticks to money, in the end he added + the old miller's riches to his own.</p> + + <p>Moreover there is every reason to believe that he and his + wife lived happily to the end of their days.</p> + + <p>And what became of the water sprite?</p> + + <p>That you must ask somebody else, for I do not know.</p> + <hr style="width: 65%;"> + + <h2><a name="MURDOCHS_RATH8" + id="MURDOCHS_RATH8"></a>MURDOCH'S RATH.<a name= + "FNanchor_8_8" + id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" + class="fnanchor">[8]</a></h2> + + <p>There was not a nicer boy in all Ireland than Pat, and + clever at his trade too, if only he'd had one.</p> + + <p>But from his cradle he learned nothing (small blame to him + with no one to teach him!), so when he came to years of + discretion, he earned his living by running messages for his + neighbours; and Pat could always be trusted to make the best of + a bad bargain, and bring back all the change, for he was the + soul of honesty and good-nature.</p> + + <p>It's no wonder then that he was beloved by every one, and + got as much work as he could do, and if the pay had but fitted + the work, he'd have been mighty comfortable; but as it was, + what he got wouldn't have kept him in shoe-leather, but for + making both ends meet by wearing his shoes in his pocket, + except when he was in the town, and obliged to look genteel for + the credit of the place he came from.</p> + + <p>Well, all was going on as peaceable as could be, till one + market-day, when business (or it may have been pleasure) + detained him till the heel of the evening, and by nightfall, + when he began to make the road short in good earnest, he was so + flustered, rehearsing his messages to make sure he'd forgotten + nothing, that he never bethought him to leave off his brogues, + but tramped on just as if shoe-leather were made to be knocked + to bits on the king's highway.</p> + + <p>And this was what he was after saying:</p> + + <p>"A dozen hanks of grey yarn for Mistress Murphy."</p> + + <p>"Three gross of bright buttons for the tailor."</p> + + <p>"Half an ounce of throat drops for Father Andrew, and an + ounce of snuff for his housekeeper," and so on.</p> + + <p>For these were what he went to the town to fetch, and he was + afraid lest one of the lot might have slipped his memory.</p> + + <p>Now everybody knows there are two ways home from the town; + and that's not meaning the right way and the wrong way, which + my grandmother (rest her soul!) said there was to every place + but one that it's not genteel to name. (There could only be a + wrong way <i>there</i>, she said.) The two ways home from the + town were the highway, and the way by Murdoch's Rath.</p> + + <p>Murdoch's Rath was a pleasant enough spot in the daytime, + but not many persons cared to go by it when the sun was down. + And in all the years Pat was going backwards and forwards, he + never once came home except by the high-road till this unlucky + evening, when, just at the place where the two roads part, he + got, as one may say, into a sort of confusion.</p> + + <p>"Halt!" says he to himself (for his own uncle had been a + soldier, and Pat knew the word of command). "The left-hand turn + is the right one," says he, and he was going down the high-road + as straight as he could go, when suddenly he bethought himself. + "And what am I doing?" he says. "This was my left hand going to + town, and how in the name of fortune could it be my left going + back, considering that I've turned round? It's well that I + looked into it in time." And with that he went off as fast down + the other road as he started down this.</p> + + <p>But how far he walked he never could tell, before all of a + sudden the moon shone out as bright as day, and Pat found + himself in Murdoch's Rath.</p> + + <p>And this was the smallest part of the wonder; for the Rath + was full of fairies.</p> + + <p>When Pat got in they were dancing round and round till his + feet tingled to look at them, being a good dancer himself. And + as he sat on the side of the Rath, and snapped his fingers to + mark the time, the dancing stopped, and a little man comes up, + in a black hat and a green coat, with white stockings, and red + shoes on his feet.</p> + + <p>"Won't you take a turn with us, Pat?" says he, bowing till + he nearly touched the ground. And, indeed, he had not far to + go, for he was barely two feet high.</p> + + <p>"Don't say it twice, sir," says Pat. "It's myself will be + proud to foot the floor wid ye;" and before you could look + round, there was Pat in the circle dancing away for bare + life.</p> + + <p>At first his feet felt like feathers for lightness, and it + seemed as if he could have gone on for ever. But at last he + grew tired, and would have liked to stop, but the fairies would + not, and so they danced on and on. Pat tried to think of + something <i>good</i> to say, that he might free himself from + the spell, but all he could think of was:</p> + + <p>"A dozen hanks of grey yarn for Missis Murphy."</p> + + <p>"Three gross of bright buttons for the tailor."</p> + + <p>"Half an ounce of throat drops for Father Andrew, and an + ounce of snuff for his housekeeper," and so on.</p> + + <p>And it seemed to Pat that the moon was on the one side of + the Rath when they began to dance, and on the other side when + they left off; but he could not be sure after all that going + round. One thing was plain enough. He danced every bit of + leather off the soles of his feet, and they were blistered so + that he could hardly stand; but all the little folk did was to + stand and hold their sides with laughing at him.</p> + + <p>At last the one who spoke before stepped up to him, + and—"Don't break your heart about it, Pat," says he; + "I'll lend you my own shoes till the morning, for you seem to + be a good-natured sort of a boy."</p> + + <p>Well, Pat looked at the fairy man's shoes, that were the + size of a baby's, and he looked at his own feet; but not + wishing to be uncivil, "Thank ye kindly, sir," says he. "And if + your honour 'll be good enough to put them on for me, maybe you + won't spoil the shape." For he thought to himself, "Small blame + to me if the little gentleman can't get them to fit."</p> + + <p>With that he sat down on the side of the Rath, and the fairy + man put on the shoes for him, and no sooner did they touch + Pat's feet, than they became altogether a convenient size, and + fitted him like wax. And, more than that, when he stood up, he + didn't feel his blisters at all.</p> + + <p>"Bring 'em back to the Rath at sunrise, Pat, my boy," says + the little man.</p> + + <p>And as Pat was climbing over the ditch, "Look round, Pat," + says he. And when Pat looked round, there were jewels and + pearls lying at the roots of the furze-bushes on the ditch, as + thick as peas.</p> + + <p>"Will you help yourself, or take what's given ye, Pat?" says + the fairy man.</p> + + <p>"Did I ever learn manners?" says Pat. "Would you have me + help myself before company? I'll take what your honour pleases + to give me, and be thankful."</p> + + <p>The fairy man picked a lot of yellow furze-blossoms from the + bushes, and filled Pat's pockets.</p> + + <p>"Keep 'em for love, Pat, me darlin'," says he.</p> + + <p>Pat would have liked some of the jewels, but he put the + furze-blossoms by for love.</p> + + <p>"Good-evening to your honour," says he.</p> + + <p>"And where are you going, Pat, dear?" says the fairy + man.</p> + + <p>"I'm going home," says Pat. And if the fairy man didn't know + where that was, small blame to him.</p> + + <p>"Just let me dust them shoes for ye, Pat," says the fairy + man. And as Pat lifted up each foot he breathed on it, and + dusted it with the tail of his green coat.</p> + + <p>"Home!" says he, and when he let go, Pat was at his own + doorstep before he could look round, and his parcels safe and + sound with him.</p> + + <p>Next morning he was up with the sun, and carried the fairy + man's shoes back to the Rath. As he came up, the little man + looked over the ditch.</p> + + <p>"The top of the morning to, your honour," says Pat; "here's + your shoes."</p> + + <p>"You're an honest boy, Pat," says the little gentleman. + "It's inconvenienced I am without them, for. I have but the one + pair. Have you looked at the yellow flowers this morning?" he + says.</p> + + <p>"I have not, sir," says Pat; "I'd be loth to deceive you. I + came off as soon as I was up."</p> + + <p>"Be sure to look when you get back, Pat," says the fairy + man, "and good luck to ye."</p> + + <p>With which he disappeared, and Pat went home. He looked for + the furze-blossoms, as the fairy man told him, and there's not + a word of truth in this tale if they weren't all pure gold + pieces.</p> + + <p>Well, now Pat was so rich, he went to the shoemaker to order + another pair of brogues, and being a kindly, gossiping boy, the + shoemaker soon learned the whole story of the fairy man and the + Rath. And this so stirred up the shoemaker's greed that he + resolved to go the very next night himself, to see if he could + not dance with the fairies, and have like luck.</p> + + <p>He found his way to the Rath all correct, and sure enough + the fairies were dancing, and they asked him to join. He danced + the soles off his brogues, as Pat did, and the fairy man lent + him his shoes, and sent him home in a twinkling.</p> + + <p>As he was going over the ditch, he looked round, and saw the + roots of the furze-bushes glowing with precious stones as if + they had been glow-worms.</p> + + <p>"Will you help yourself, or take what's given ye?" said the + fairy man.</p> + + <p>"I'll help myself, if you please," said the cobbler, for he + thought—"If I can't get more than Pat brought home, my + fingers must all be thumbs."</p> + + <p>So he drove his hand into the bushes, and if he didn't get + plenty, it wasn't for want of grasping.</p> + + <p>When he got up in the morning, he went straight to the + jewels. But not a stone of the lot was more precious than + roadside pebbles. "I ought not to look till I come from the + Rath," said he. "It's best to do like Pat all through."</p> + + <p>But he made up his mind not to return the fairy man's + shoes.</p> + + <p>"Who knows the virtue that's in them?" he said. So he made a + small pair of red leather shoes, as like them as could be, and + he blacked the others upon his feet, that the fairies might not + know them, and at sunrise he went to the Rath.</p> + + <p>The fairy man was looking over the ditch as before.</p> + + <p>"Good-morning to you," said he.</p> + + <p>"The top of the morning to you, sir," said the cobbler; + "here's your shoes." And he handed him the pair that he had + made, with a face as grave as a judge.</p> + + <p>The fairy man looked at them, but he said nothing, though he + did not put them on.</p> + + <p>"Have you looked at the things you got last night?" says + he.</p> + + <p>"I'll not deceive you, sir," says the cobbler. "I came off + as soon as I was up. Sorra peep I took at them."</p> + + <p>"Be sure to look when you get back," says the fairy man. And + just as the cobbler was getting over the ditch to go home, he + says:</p> + + <p>"If my eyes don't deceive me," says he, "there's the least + taste in life of dirt on your left shoe. Let me dust it with + the tail of my coat."</p> + + <p>"That means home in a twinkling," thought the cobbler, and + he held up his foot.</p> + + <p>The fairy man dusted it, and muttered something the cobbler + did not hear. Then, "Sure," says he, "it's the dirty pastures + that you've come through, for the other shoe's as bad."</p> + + <p>So the cobbler held up his right foot, and the fairy man + rubbed that with the tail of his green coat.</p> + + <p>When all was done the cobbler's feet seemed to tingle, and + then to itch, and then to smart, and then to burn. And at last + he began to dance, and he danced all round the Rath (the fairy + man laughing and holding his sides), and then round and round + again. And he danced till he cried out with weariness, and + tried to shake the shoes off. But they stuck fast, and the + fairies drove him over, the ditch, and through the prickly + furze-bushes, and he danced away. Where he danced to, I cannot + tell you. Whether he ever got rid of the fairy shoes, I do not + know. The jewels never were more than wayside pebbles, and they + were swept out when his cabin was cleaned, which was not too + soon, you may be sure.</p> + + <p>All this happened long ago; but there are those who say that + the covetous cobbler dances still, between sunset and sunrise, + round Murdoch's Rath.</p> + <hr style="width: 65%;"> + + <h2><a name="THE_LITTLE_DARNER" + id="THE_LITTLE_DARNER"></a>THE LITTLE DARNER.</h2> + + <p>In days gone by there lived a poor widow who had brought up + her only child so well that the little lass was more helpful + and handy than many a grown-up person.</p> + + <p>When other women's children were tearing and dirtying their + clothes, clamouring at their mothers' skirts for this and that, + losing and breaking and spoiling things, and getting into + mischief of all kinds, the widow's little girl, with her tiny + thimble on her finger, could patch quite neatly. She was to be + trusted to put anything in its proper place, and when meals + were over she would stand on a little stool at the table + washing up the dishes. Moreover, she could darn stockings so + well that the darn looked like a part of the stocking. The + slatternly mothers, who spoiled and scolded their children by + turns, and had never taught them to be tidy and obedient, used + often to quote the widow's little girl to their troublesome + brats, and say, "Why don't you help your mother as the widow's + daughter helps her?"</p> + + <p>Thus it came about that the helpless, useless, untidy little + girls hated the very name of the widow's daughter, because they + were always being told of her usefulness and neatness.</p> + + <p>Now the widow's child often earned a few pence by herding + sheep or pigs for the farmers, or by darning stockings for + their wives, and as she could be trusted, people were very glad + to employ her. One day she was keeping watch over five little + pigs in a field, and, not to waste time, was darning a pair of + stockings as well, when some of the little girls who had a + spite against her resolved to play her a trick.</p> + + <p>Near the field where the little maid and the pigs were there + was a wood, into which all children were strictly forbidden to + go. For in the depths of the wood there lived a terrible Ogre + and Ogress, who kidnapped all children who strayed near their + dwelling. Every morning the Ogre threw a big black bag over his + shoulder, and stalked through the forest, making the ground + shake as he walked. If he found any truant children he popped + them into his bag, and when he got home his wife cooked them + for supper.</p> + + <p>The trick played upon the widow's daughter was this. Five + little girls came up to the field where she was herding the + five little pigs, and each chasing a pig, they drove them into + the Ogre's wood. In vain the little maid called to her flock; + the pigs ran in a frightened troop into the wood, and she ran + after them. When the five little girls saw that she had got + them together again, they ran in to chase them away once more, + and so they were all in the wood together, when the ground + shook under them, upsetting the six little girls and the five + little pigs; and as they rolled over the Ogre picked them up, + and put them one after another into his bag.</p> + + <p>When they were jolting about with the pigs in the poke as + the Ogre strode homewards, the five spiteful children were as + sorry as you please; and as the pigs were always fighting and + struggling to get to the top, they did not escape without some + scratches. And their screams, and the squealing of the little + pigs made such a noise that the Ogre's wife heard it a mile and + a half away in the depths of the wood; and she lighted a fire + under the copper, and filled it with water, ready to cook + whatever her husband brought home.</p> + + <p>As for the widow's little daughter she pulled her + needle-book from her pocket, and every now and then she pushed + a needle through the sack, that it might fall on the ground, + and serve as a guide if she should ever have the chance of + finding her way home again.</p> + + <p>When the Ogre arrived, he emptied the sack, and sent the six + little girls and the five little pigs all sprawling on to the + floor, saying:</p> + + <p>"These will last us some time. Cook the fattest, and put the + rest into the cellar. And whilst you get dinner ready, I will + take another stroll with the bag. Luck seldom comes + singly."</p> + + <p>When he had gone, the Ogress looked over the children, and + picked out the widow's daughter, saying:</p> + + <p>"You look the most good-humoured. And the best-tempered + always make the best eating."</p> + + <p>So she set her down on a stool by the fire till the water + should boil, and locked the others up in the cellar.</p> + + <p>"Tears won't put the fire out," thought the little maid. So + instead of crying she pulled out the old stocking, and went on + with her darning. When the Ogress came back from the cellar she + went up to her and looked at her work.</p> + + <p>"How you darn!" she cried. "Now that's a sort of thing I + hate. And the Ogre does wear such big holes in his stockings, + and his feet are so large, that, though my hand is not a small + one, I cannot fill out the heel with my fist, and then who's to + darn it neatly I should like to know?"</p> + + <p>"If I had a basin big enough to fill out the heel, I think I + could do it," said the little maid.</p> + + <p>The Ogress scratched her big ear thoughtfully for a minute, + and then she said:</p> + + <p>"To lose a chance is to cheat oneself. Why shouldn't this + one darn while the others boil? Yes, I think you shall try. Six + days ought to serve for mending all the stockings, though the + Ogre hasn't a whole pair left, and angry enough he'll be. And + when household matters are not to his mind he puts that big + sack over my head, and ties it round my neck. And if you had + ever done housework with your head in a poke, you'd know what + it is! So you shall darn the stockings, and if you do them + well, I'll cook one of the others first instead of you."</p> + + <p>Saying which, the Ogress fetched one of the Ogre's + stockings, and the widow's child put a big basin into the heel + to stretch it, and began to darn. The Ogress watched her till + she had put all the threads one way, and when she began to run + the cross threads, interlacing them with the utmost exactness, + the old creature was delighted, and went to fetch another child + to be cooked instead of the widow's.</p> + + <p>When the other little girl came up, she cried and screamed + so that the room rang with her lamentations, and the widow's + child laid down her needle and ceased working.</p> + + <p>"Why don't you go on darning?" asked the Ogress.</p> + + <p>"Alas! dear mother," said she, "the little sister's cries + make my heart beat so that I cannot darn evenly."</p> + + <p>"Then she must go back to the cellar for a bit," said the + Ogress. "And meanwhile I'll sharpen the knife."</p> + + <p>So after she had taken back the crying child, and had + watched the little girl, who now darned away as skilfully as + ever, the Ogress took down a huge knife from the wall, and + began to sharpen it on a grindstone in a corner of the kitchen. + As she sharpened the knife, she glanced from time to time at + the little maid, and soon perceived that she had once more + ceased working.</p> + + <p>"Why don't you go on darning?" asked the Ogress.</p> + + <p>"Alas! dear mother," said the child, "when I hear you + sharpening that terrible knife my hands tremble so that I + cannot thread my needle."</p> + + <p>"Well, it will do now," growled the Ogress, feeling the edge + of the blade with her horny finger; and, having seen the + darning-needle once more at work, she went to fetch up one of + the children. As she went, she hummed what cookmaids + sing—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <span>"Dilly, dilly duckling, come and be killed!" + <br></span> + </div> + </div> + + <p>But it sounded like the wheezing and groaning of a heavy old + door upon its rusty hinges.</p> + + <p>When she came in, with the child in one hand, and the huge + knife in the other, she went up to the little darner to look at + her work. The heel of the Ogre's stocking was exquisitely + mended, all but seven threads; but the little maid sat idle + with her hands before her.</p> + + <p>"Why don't you go on darning?" asked the Ogress.</p> + + <p>"Alas! dear mother," was the reply, "when I think of my + little playmate about to die, the tears blind my eyes, so that + I cannot see what stitches I take. Wherefore I beg of you, dear + mother, to cook one of the little pigs instead, that I may be + able to go on with my work, and that a pair of stockings may be + ready to-morrow morning when the Ogre will ask for them; so my + playmate's life will be spared, and your head will not be put + into a poke."</p> + + <p>At first the Ogress would not hear of such a thing, but at + last she consented, and made a stew of one of the little pigs + instead of cooking the little girl.</p> + + <p>"But supposing the Ogre goes to count the children," said + she; "he will find one too many."</p> + + <p>"Then let her go, dear mother," said the widow's daughter; + "she will find her way home, and you will never be blamed."</p> + + <p>"But she must stir the stew with her forefinger first," said + the Ogress, "that it may have a human flavour."</p> + + <p>So the little girl had to stir the hot stew with her finger, + which scalded it badly; and then she was set at liberty, and + ran home as hard as she could; and as the little maid's needles + sparkled here and there on the path, she had no difficulty in + finding her way.</p> + + <p>The Ogre was quite contented with his dinner, and the Ogress + got great praise for the way in which she had darned his + stockings. Thus it went on for four days more. As the widow's + little girl wouldn't work if her companions were killed, the + Ogress cooked the pigs one after another, and the children were + all sent away with burnt forefingers.</p> + + <p>When the fifth had been dismissed, and all the pigs were + eaten, the Ogress said:</p> + + <p>"To-morrow you will have to be stewed, and now I wish I had + kept one of the others that I might have saved you altogether + to work for me. However, there is one comfort, the stockings + are finished."</p> + + <p>But meanwhile the other children had got safely home, and + had told their tale. And all the men of the place set off at + once to attack the Ogre, and release the widow's child. Guided + by the needles, they arrived just as the Ogress was sharpening + the big knife for the last time.</p> + + <p>So they killed the Ogre and his wife, and took the + industrious little maid back to her mother.</p> + + <p>The other little girls were now very repentant; and when + their fingers were well, they all learned to darn stockings at + once.</p> + + <p>And as there was now no danger about going into the wood, it + was no longer forbidden. And this being the case, the children + were much less anxious to play there than formerly.</p> + <hr style="width: 65%;"> + + <h2><a name="THE_FIDDLER_IN_THE_FAIRY_RING" + id="THE_FIDDLER_IN_THE_FAIRY_RING"></a>THE FIDDLER IN THE + FAIRY RING.</h2> + + <p>Generations ago, there once lived a farmer's son, who had no + great harm in him, and no great good either. He always meant + well, but he had a poor spirit, and was too fond of idle + company.</p> + + <p>One day his father sent him to market with some sheep for + sale, and when business was over for the day, the rest of the + country-folk made ready to go home, and more than one of them + offered the lad a lift in his cart.</p> + + <p>"Thank you kindly, all the same," said he, "but I am going + back across the downs with Limping Tim."</p> + + <p>Then out spoke a steady old farmer and bade the lad go home + with the rest, and by the main road. For Limping Tim was an + idle, graceless kind of fellow, who fiddled for his livelihood, + but what else he did to earn the money he squandered, no one + knew. And as to the sheep path over the downs, it stands to + reason that the highway is better travelling after sunset, for + the other is no such very short cut; and has a big fairy ring + so near it, that a butter-woman might brush it with the edge of + her market cloak, as she turned the brow of the hill.</p> + + <p>But the farmer's son would go his own way, and that was with + Limping Tim, and across the downs.</p> + + <p>So they started, and the fiddler had his fiddle in his hand, + and a bundle of marketings under his arm, and he sang snatches + of strange songs, the like of which the lad had never heard + before. And the moon drew out their shadows over the short + grass till they were as long as the great stones of + Stonehenge.</p> + + <p>At last they turned the hill, and the fairy ring looked dark + under the moon, and the farmer's son blessed himself that they + were passing it quietly, when Limping Tim suddenly pulled his + cloak from his back, and handing it to his companion, cried, + "Hold this for a moment, will you? I'm wanted. They're calling + for me."</p> + + <p>"I hear nothing," said the farmer's son. But before he had + got the words out of his mouth, the fiddler had completely + disappeared. He shouted aloud, but in vain, and had begun to + think of proceeding on his way, when the fiddler's voice cried, + "Catch!" and there came, flying at him from the direction of + the fairy ring, the bundle of marketings which the fiddler had + been carrying.</p> + + <p>"It's in my way," he then heard the fiddler cry. "Ah, this + is dancing! Come in, my lad, come in!"</p> + + <p>But the farmer's son was not totally without prudence, and + he took good care to keep at a safe distance from the fairy + ring.</p> + + <p>"Come back, Tim! Come back!" he shouted, and, receiving no + answer, he adjured his friend to break the bonds that withheld + him, and return to the right way, as wisely as one man can + counsel another.</p> + + <p>After talking for some time to no purpose, he again heard + his friend's voice, crying, "Take care of it for me! The money + dances out of my pocket." And therewith the fiddler's purse was + hurled to his feet, where it fell with a heavy chinking of gold + within.</p> + + <p>He picked it up, and renewed his warnings and entreaties, + but in vain; and, after waiting for a long time, he made the + best of his way home alone, hoping that the fiddler would + follow, and come to reclaim his property.</p> + + <p>The fiddler never came. And when at last there was a fuss + about his disappearance, the farmer's son, who had but a poor + spirit, began to be afraid to tell the truth of the matter. + "Who knows but they may accuse me of theft?" said he. So he hid + the cloak, and the bundle, and the money-bag in the garden.</p> + + <p>But when three months passed, and still the fiddler did not + return, it was whispered that the farmer's son had been his + last companion; and the place was searched, and they found the + cloak, and the bundle, and the money-bag and the lad was taken + to prison.</p> + + <p>Now, when it was too late, he plucked up a spirit, and told + the truth; but no one believed him, and it was said that he had + murdered the fiddler for the sake of his money and goods. And + he was taken before the judge, found guilty, and sentenced to + death.</p> + + <p>Fortunately, his old mother was a Wise Woman. And when she + heard that he was condemned, she said, "Only follow my + directions, and we may save you yet; for I guess how it + is."</p> + + <p>So she went to the judge, and begged for her son three + favours before his death.</p> + + <p>"I will grant them," said the judge, "if you do not ask for + his life."</p> + + <p>"The first," said the old woman, "is, that he may choose the + place where the gallows shall be erected; the second, that he + may fix the hour of his execution; and the third favour is, + that you will not fail to be present."</p> + + <p>"I grant all three," said the judge. But when he learned + that the criminal had chosen a certain hill on the downs for + the place of execution, and an hour before midnight for the + time, he sent to beg the sheriff to bear him company on this + important occasion.</p> + + <p>The sheriff placed himself at the judge's disposal, but he + commanded the attendance of the gaoler as some sort of + protection; and the gaoler, for his part, implored his + reverence the chaplain to be of the party, as the hill was not + in good spiritual repute. So, when the time came, the four + started together, and the hangman and the farmer's son went + before them to the foot of the gallows.</p> + + <p>Just as the rope was being prepared, the farmer'a son called + to the judge, and said, "If your Honour will walk twenty paces + down the hill, to where you will see a bit of paper, you will + learn the fate of the fiddler."</p> + + <p>"That is, no doubt, a copy of the poor man's last + confession," thought the judge.</p> + + <p>"Murder will out, Mr. Sheriff," said he; and in the + interests of truth and justice he hastened to pick up the + paper.</p> + + <p>But the farmer's son had dropped it as he came along, by his + mother's direction, in such a place that the judge could not + pick it up without putting his foot on the edge of the fairy + ring. No sooner had he done so than he perceived an innumerable + company of little people dressed in green cloaks and hoods, who + were dancing round in a circle as wide as the ring itself.</p> + + <p>They were all about two feet high, and had aged faces, brown + and withered, like the knots on gnarled trees in hedge bottoms, + and they squinted horribly; but, in spite of their seeming age, + they flew round and round like children.</p> + + <p>"Mr. Sheriff! Mr. Sheriff!" cried the judge, "come and see + the dancing. And hear the music, too, which is so lively that + it makes the soles of my feet tickle."</p> + + <p>"There is no music, my Lord Judge," said the sheriff, + running down the hill. "It is the wind whistling over the grass + that your lordship hears."</p> + + <p>But when the sheriff had put his foot by the judge's foot, + he saw and heard the same, and he cried out, "Quick, Gaoler, + and come down! I should like you to be witness to this matter. + And you may take my arm, Gaoler, for the music makes me feel + unsteady."</p> + + <p>"There is no music, sir," said the gaoler; "but your worship + doubtless hears the creaking of the gallows."</p> + + <p>But no sooner had the gaoler's feet touched the fairy ring, + than he saw and heard like the rest, and he called lustily to + the chaplain to come and stop the unhallowed measure.</p> + + <p>"It is a delusion of the Evil One," said the parson; "there + is not a sound in the air but the distant croaking of some + frogs." But when he too touched the ring, he perceived his + mistake.</p> + + <p>At this moment the moon shone out, and in the middle of the + ring they saw Limping Tim the fiddler, playing till great drops + stood out on his forehead, and dancing as madly as he + played.</p> + + <p>"Ah, you rascal!" cried the judge. "Is this where you've + been all the time, and a better man than you as good as hanged + for you? But you shall come home now."</p> + + <p>Saying which, he ran in, and seized the fiddler by the arm, + but Limping Tim resisted so stoutly that the sheriff had to go + to the judge's assistance, and even then the fairies so pinched + and hindered them that the sheriff was obliged to call upon the + gaoler to put his arms about his waist, who persuaded the + chaplain to add his strength to the string. But as ill luck + would have it, just as they were getting off, one of the + fairies picked up Limping Tim's fiddle, which had fallen in the + scuffle, and began to play. And as he began to play, every one + began to dance—the fiddler, and the judge, and the + sheriff, and the gaoler, and even the chaplain.</p> + + <p>"Hangman! hangman!" screamed the judge, as he lifted first + one leg and then the other to the tune, "come down, and catch + hold of his reverence the chaplain. The prisoner is pardoned, + and he can lay hold too."</p> + + <p>The hangman knew the judge's voice, and ran towards it; but + as they were now quite within the ring he could see nothing, + either of him or his companions.</p> + + <p>The farmer's son followed, and warning the hangman not to + touch the ring, he directed him to stretch his hands forwards + in hopes of catching hold of some one. In a few minutes the + wind blew the chaplain's cassock against the hangman's fingers, + and he caught the parson round the waist. The farmer's son then + seized him in like fashion, and each holding firmly by the + other, the fiddler, the judge, the sheriff, the gaoler, the + parson, the hangman, and the farmer's son all got safely out of + the charmed circle.</p> + + <p>"Oh, you scoundrel!" cried the judge to the fiddler; "I have + a very good mind to hang you up on the gallows without further + ado."</p> + + <p>But the fiddler only looked like one possessed, and + upbraided the farmer's son for not having the patience to wait + three minutes for him.</p> + + <p>"Three minutes!" cried he; "why, you've been here three + months and a day."</p> + + <p>This the fiddler would not believe, and as he seemed in + every way beside himself, they led him home, still upbraiding + his companion, and crying continually for his fiddle.</p> + + <p>His neighbours watched him closely, but one day he escaped + from their care and wandered away over the hills to seek his + fiddle, and came back no more.</p> + + <p>His dead body was found upon the downs, face downwards, with + the fiddle in his arms. Some said he had really found the + fiddle where he had left it, and had been lost in a mist, and + died of exposure. But others held that he had perished + differently, and laid his death at the door of the fairy + dancers.</p> + + <p>As to the farmer's son, it is said that thenceforward he + went home from market by the high-road, and spoke the truth + straight out, and was more careful of his company.</p> + <hr style="width: 65%;"> + + <h2><a name="I_WONT" + id="I_WONT"></a>"I WON'T."</h2> + + <p>"Don't Care"—so they say—fell into a goose-pond; + and "I won't" is apt to come to no better an end. At least, my + grandmother tells me that was how the Miller had to quit his + native town, and leave the tip of his nose behind him.</p> + + <p>It all came of his being allowed to say "I won't" when he + was quite a little boy. His mother thought he looked pretty + when he was pouting, and that wilfulness gave him an air which + distinguished him from other people's children. And when she + found out that his lower lip was becoming so big that it spoilt + his beauty, and that his wilfulness gained his way twice and + stood in his way eight times out of ten, it was too late to + alter him.</p> + + <p>Then she said, "Dearest Abinadab, do be more obliging!"</p> + + <p>And he replied (as she had taught him), "I won't."</p> + + <p>He always took what he could get, and would neither give nor + give up to other people. This, he thought, was the way to get + more out of life than one's neighbours.</p> + + <p>Amongst other things, he made a point of taking the middle + of the footpath.</p> + + <p>"Will you allow me to pass you, sir?—I am in a hurry," + said a voice behind him one day.</p> + + <p>"I won't," said Abinadab; on which a poor washerwoman, with + her basket, scrambled down into the road, and Abinadab + chuckled.</p> + + <p>Next day he was walking as before.</p> + + <p>"Will you allow me to pass you, sir?—I am in a hurry," + said a voice behind him.</p> + + <p>"I won't," said Abinadab. On which he was knocked into the + ditch; and the Baron walked on, and left him to get out of the + mud on whichever side he liked.</p> + + <p>He quarrelled with his friends till he had none left, and he + quarrelled with the tradesmen of the town till there was only + one who would serve him, and this man offended him at last.</p> + + <p>"I'll show you who's master!" said the Miller. "I won't pay + a penny of your bill—not a penny."</p> + + <p>"Sir," said the tradesman, "my giving you offence now, is no + just reason why you should refuse to pay for what you have had + and been satisfied with. I must beg you to pay me at once."</p> + + <p>"I won't," said the Miller, "and what I say I mean. I won't; + I tell you, I won't."</p> + + <p>So the tradesman summoned him before the Justice, and the + Justice condemned him to pay the bill and the costs of the + suit.</p> + + <p>"I won't," said the Miller.</p> + + <p>So they put him in prison, and in prison he would have + remained if his mother had not paid the money to obtain his + release. By and by she died, and left him her blessing and some + very good advice, which (as is sometimes the case with + bequests) would have been more useful if it had come + earlier.</p> + + <p>The Miller's mother had taken a great deal of trouble off + his hands which now fell into them. She took in all the small + bags of grist which the country-folk brought to be ground, and + kept account of them, and spoke civilly to the customers, big + and little. But these small matters irritated the Miller.</p> + + <p>"I may be the slave of all the old women in the + country-side," said he; "but I won't—they shall see that + I won't."</p> + + <p>So he put up a notice to say that he would only receive + grist at a certain hour on certain days. Now, but a third of + the old women could read the notice, and they did not attend to + it. People came as before; but the Miller locked the door of + the mill and sat in the counting-house and chuckled.</p> + + <p>"My good friend," said his neighbours, "you can't do + business in this way. If a man lives by trade, he must serve + his customers. And a Miller must take in grist when it comes to + the mill."</p> + + <p>"Others may if they please," said the Miller; "but I won't. + When I make a rule, I stick to it."</p> + + <p>"Take advice, man, or you'll be ruined," said his + friends.</p> + + <p>"I won't," said the Miller.</p> + + <p>In a few weeks all the country-folk turned their donkeys' + heads towards the windmill on the heath. It was a little + farther to go, but the Windmiller took custom when it came to + him, gave honest measure, and added civil words gratis.</p> + + <p>The other Miller was ruined.</p> + + <p>"All you can do now is to leave the mill while you can pay + the rent, and try another trade," said his friends.</p> + + <p>"I won't," said the Miller. "Shall I be turned out of the + house where I was born, because the country-folk are + fools?"</p> + + <p>However, he could not pay the rent, and the landlord found + another tenant.</p> + + <p>"You must quit," said he to the Miller.</p> + + <p>"That I won't," said the Miller, "not for fifty new + tenants."</p> + + <p>So the landlord sent for the constables, and he was carried + out, which is not a dignified way of changing one's residence. + But then it is not easy to be obstinate and dignified at the + same time.</p> + + <p>His wrath against the landlord knew no bounds.</p> + + <p>"Was there ever such a brute?" he cried. "Would any man of + spirit hold his home at the whim of a landlord? I'll never rent + another house as long as I live."</p> + + <p>"But you must live somewhere," said his friends.</p> + + <p>"I won't," said the Miller.</p> + + <p>He was no longer a young man, and the new tenant pitied + him.</p> + + <p>"The poor old fellow is out of his senses," he said. And he + let him sleep in one of his barns. One of the mill cats found + out that there was a new warm bed in this barn, and she came + and lived there too, and kept away the mice.</p> + + <p>One night, however, Mrs. Pussy disturbed the Miller's rest. + She was in and out of the window constantly, and meowed + horribly into the bargain.</p> + + <p>"It seems a man can't even sleep in peace," said the Miller. + "If this happens again, you'll go into the mill-race to sing to + the fishes."</p> + + <p>The next night the cat was still on the alert, and the + following morning the Miller tied a stone round her neck, and + threw her into the water.</p> + + <p>"Oh, spare the poor thing, there's a good soul," said a + bystander.</p> + + <p>"I won't," said the Miller. "I told her what would + happen."</p> + + <p>When his back was turned, however, the bystander got Pussy + out, and took her home with him.</p> + + <p>Now the cat was away, the mice could play; and they played + hide-and seek over the Miller's nightcap.</p> + + <p>It came to such a pass that there was no rest to be had.</p> + + <p>"I won't go to bed, I declare I won't," said the Miller. So + he sat up all night in an arm-chair, and threw everything he + could lay his hands on at the corners where he heard the mice + scuffling, till the place was topsy-turvy.</p> + + <p>Towards morning he lit a candle and dressed himself. He was + in a terrible humour; and when he began to shave, his hand + shook and he cut himself. The draughts made the flame of the + candle unsteady too, and the shadow of the Miller's nose (which + was a large one) fell in uncertain shapes upon his cheeks, and + interfered with the progress of the razor. At first he thought + he would wait till daylight. Then his temper got the better of + him.</p> + + <p>"I won't," he said, "I won't; why should I?"</p> + + <p>So he began again. He held on by his nose to steady his + cheeks, and he gave it such a spiteful pinch that the tears + came into his eyes.</p> + + <p>"Matters have come to a pretty pass, when a man's own nose + is to stand in his light," said he.</p> + + <p>By and by a gust of wind came through the window. Up flared + the candle, and the shadow of the Miller's nose danced half + over his face, and the razor gashed his chin.</p> + + <p>Transported with fury, he struck at it before he could think + what he was doing. The razor was very sharp, and the tip of the + Miller's nose came off as clean as his whiskers.</p> + + <p>When daylight came, and he saw himself in the glass, he + resolved to leave the place.</p> + + <p>"I won't stay here to be a laughing-stock," said he.</p> + + <p>As he trudged out on to the highway, with his bundle on his + back, the Baron met him and pitied him. He dismounted from his + horse, and leading it up to the Miller, he said:</p> + + <p>"Friend, you are elderly to be going far afoot. I will lend + you my mare to take you to your destination. When you are + there, knot the reins and throw them on her shoulder, saying, + 'Home!' She will then return to me. But mark one + thing,—she is not used to whip or spur. Humour her, and + she will carry you well and safely."</p> + + <p>The Miller mounted willingly enough, and set forward. At + first the mare was a little restive. The Miller had no spurs + on, but, in spite of the Baron's warning, he kicked her with + his heels. On this, she danced till the Miller's hat and bundle + flew right and left, and he was very near to following + them.</p> + + <p>"Ah, you vixen!" he cried. "You think I'll humour you as the + Baron does. But I won't—no, you shall see that I won't!" + And gripping his walking-stick firmly in his hand, he + belaboured the Baron's mare as if she had been a donkey.</p> + + <p>On which she sent the Miller clean over her head, and + cantered back to the castle; and wherever it was that he went + to, he had to walk.</p> + + <p>He never returned to his native village, and everybody was + glad to be rid of him. One must bear and forbear with his + neighbours, if he hopes to be regretted when he departs.</p> + + <p>But my grandmother says that long after the mill had fallen + into ruin, the story was told as a warning to wilful children + of the Miller who cut off his nose to spite his own face.</p> + <hr style="width: 65%;"> + + <h2><a name="THE_MAGIC_JAR" + id="THE_MAGIC_JAR"></a>THE MAGIC JAR.</h2> + + <p>There was once a young fellow whom fortune had blessed with + a good mother, a clever head, and a strong body. But beyond + this she had not much favoured him; and though able and willing + to work, he had often little to do, and less to eat. But his + mother had taught him to be contented with his own lot, and to + feel for others. Moreover, from her he inherited a great love + for flowers.</p> + + <p>One day, when his pockets were emptiest, a fair was held in + the neighbouring town, and he must needs go as well as the + rest, though he had no money to spend. But he stuck a buttercup + in his cap, for which he had nothing to pay, and strode along + as merrily as the most.</p> + + <p>Towards evening some of the merrymakers became riotous; and + a party of them fell upon an old Jew who was keeping a stall of + glass and china, and would smash his stock. Now as the Jew + stood before his booth beseeching them to spare his property, + up came the strong young man, with the flower still unwithered + in his cap, and he took the old Jew's part and defended him. + For from childhood his mother had taught him to feel for + others.</p> + + <p>So those who would have ill-treated the old Jew now moved + off, and the young man stayed with him till he had packed up + his wares.</p> + + <p>Then the Jew turned towards him and said, "My son, he who + delivers the oppressed, and has respect unto the aged, has need + of no reward, for the blessing of Him that blesseth is about + him. Nevertheless, that I may not seem ungrateful, choose, I + pray thee, one of these china jars; and take it to thee for + thine own. If thou shalt choose well, it may be of more use to + thee than presently appears."</p> + + <p>Thereupon the young man examined the jars, which were highly + ornamented with many figures and devices; but he chose one that + was comparatively plain; only it had a bunch of flowers painted + on the front, round which was a pretty device in spots or + circles of gold.</p> + + <p>Then said the Jew, "My son, why have you chosen this jar, + when there are others so much finer?"</p> + + <p>The young man said, "Because the flowers please me, and I + have a love for flowers."</p> + + <p>Then said the Jew, "Happy is he whose tastes are simple! + Moreover, herein is a rare wisdom, and thou hast gained that + which is the most valuable of my possessions. This jar has + properties which I will further explain to thee. It was given + to me by a wise woman, subject to this condition, that I must + expose it for sale from sunrise to sunset at the yearly fair. + When I understood this I took counsel with myself how I should + preserve it; and I bought other china jars of more apparent + value, and I marked them all with the same price. For I said + within myself, 'There is no man who does not desire to get as + much as he can for his money, therefore, from its contrast with + these others, my jar is safe.' And it was even so; for truly, + many have desired to buy the jar because of the delicate beauty + of the flowers, if I would have sold it for less than others + which seemed more valuable."</p> + + <p>"Many times it has been almost gone, but when I have shown + the others at the same price, my customers have reviled me, + saying, 'Dog of a Jew, dost thou ask as much for this as for + these others Which are manifestly worth double?' and they have + either departed, cursing me, and taking nothing; or they have + bought one of the more richly decorated jars at the same price. + For verily in most men the spirit of covetousness is stronger + than the love of beauty, and they rather desire to get much for + their money, than to obtain that which is suitable and + convenient."</p> + + <p>"But in thee, O young man! I have beheld a rare wisdom. To + choose that which is good in thine eyes, and suitable to thy + needs, rather than that which satisfieth the lust of + over-reaching; and lo! what I have so long kept from thousands, + has become thine!"</p> + + <p>Then the young man wished to restore to the Jew the jar he + valued so highly, and to choose another.</p> + + <p>But the Jew refused, saying, "A gift cannot be recalled. + Moreover, I will now explain to thee its uses. Within the jar + lies a toad, whose spit is poison. But it will never spit at + its master. Every evening thou must feed it with bread and + milk, when it will fall asleep; and at sunrise in the morning + it will awake and breathe heavily against the side of the jar, + which will thus become warm. As it warms the flowers will + blossom out, and become real, and full of perfume, and thou + wilt be able to pluck them without diminishing their number. + Moreover, these twelve round spots of gold will drop off, and + become twelve gold pieces, which will be thine. And thus it + will be every day. Only thou must thyself rise with the sun, + and gather the flowers and the gold with thine own hands. + Furthermore, when the jar cools, the flowers and gilding will + be as before. Fare thee well."</p> + + <p>And even as he spoke the Jew lifted the huge crate of china + on to his back, and disappeared among the crowd.</p> + + <p>All came about as the Jew had promised. As he had twelve + gold pieces a day, the young man now wanted for nothing, + besides which he had fresh flowers on his table all the year + round.</p> + + <p>Now it is well said, "Thy business is my business, and the + business of all beside;" for every man's affairs are his + neighbours' property. Thus it came about that all those who + lived near the young man were perplexed that he had such + beautiful flowers in all seasons; and esteemed it as an injury + to themselves that he should have them and give no explanation + as to whence they came.</p> + + <p>At last it came to the ears of the king, and he also was + disturbed. For he was curious, and fond of prying into small + matters; a taste which ill becomes those of high position. But + the king had no child to succeed him; and he was always + suspecting those about him of plotting to obtain the crown, and + thus he came to be for ever prying into the affairs of his + subjects.</p> + + <p>Now when he heard of the young man who had flowers on his + table all the year round, he desired one of his officers to go + and question him as to how he obtained them. But the young man + contrived to evade his questions, and the matter was at rest + for a while.</p> + + <p>Then the king sent another messenger, with orders to press + the young man more closely; and because the young man disdained + to tell a lie, he said, "I get the flowers from yon china + jar."</p> + + <p>Then the messenger returned, and said to the king, "The + young man says that he gets the flowers from a certain china + jar which stands in his room."</p> + + <p>Then said the king, "Bring the contents of the jar hither to + me." And the messenger returned and brought the toad.</p> + + <p>But when the king laid hold upon the toad, it spat in his + face; and he was poisoned and died.</p> + + <p>Then the toad sat upon the king's mouth, and would not be + enticed away. And every one feared to touch it because it spat + poison. And they called the wise men of the council; and they + performed certain rites to charm away the toad, and yet it + would not go.</p> + + <p>But after three days, the master of the toad came to the + palace, and without saying who he was, he desired to be + permitted to try and get the toad from the corpse of the + king.</p> + + <p>And when he was taken into the king's chamber, he stood and + beckoned to the toad, saying, "The person of the king and the + bodies of the dead are sacred, wherefore come away."</p> + + <p>And the toad crawled from the king's face and came to him, + and did not spit at him; and he put it back into the jar.</p> + + <p>Then said the wise men, "There is no one so fit to succeed + to the kingdom as this man is; both for wisdom of speech and + for the power of command."</p> + + <p>And what they said pleased the people; and the young man was + made king. And in due time he married an amiable and talented + princess, and had children. And he ruled the kingdom well and + wisely, and was beloved till his death.</p> + + <p>Now when, after the lapse of many years, he died, there was + great grief among the people, and his body was laid out in his + own room, and the people were permitted to come and look upon + his face for the last time.</p> + + <p>And among the crowd there appeared an aged Jew. And he did + not weep as did the others; but he came and stood by the bier, + and gazed upon the face of the dead king in silence. And after + a while he exclaimed, and said:</p> + + <p>"Oh, wonderful spectacle! A man, and not covetous. A ruler, + and not oppressive. Contented in poverty, and moderate in + wealth. Elect of the people, and beloved to the end!"</p> + + <p>And when he had said this, he again became silent, and stood + as one astonished.</p> + + <p>And no one knew when he came in, nor perceived when he + departed.</p> + + <p>But when they came to search for the china jar, it was gone, + and could never afterwards be found.</p> + <hr style="width: 65%;"> + + <h2><a name="THE_FIRST_WIFES_WEDDING-RING" + id="THE_FIRST_WIFES_WEDDING-RING"></a>THE FIRST WIFE'S + WEDDING-RING.</h2> + + <p>Many years ago, there lived a certain worthy man who was + twice married. By his first wife he had a son, who soon after + his mother's death resolved to become a soldier, and go to + foreign lands. "When one has seen the world, one values home + the more," said he; "and if I live I shall return."</p> + + <p>So the father gave him a blessing, and his mother's + wedding-ring, saying, "Keep this ring, and then, however long + you stay away, and however changed you may become, by this + token I shall know you to be my true son and heir."</p> + + <p>In a short time the father married again, and by this + marriage also he had one son.</p> + + <p>Years passed by, and the elder brother did not return, and + at last every one believed him to be dead. But in reality he + was alive, and after a long time he turned his steps homewards. + He was so much changed by age and travelling that only his + mother would have known him again, but he had the ring tied + safe and fast round his neck. One night, however, he was too + far from shelter to get a bed, so he slept under a hedge, and + when he woke in the morning the string was untied and the ring + was gone. He spent a whole day in searching for it, but in + vain; and at last he resolved to proceed and explain the matter + to his father.</p> + + <p>The old man was overjoyed to see him, and fully believed his + tale, but with the second wife it was otherwise. She was + greatly displeased to think that her child was not now to be + the sole heir of his father's goods; and she so pestered and + worked upon the old man by artful and malicious speeches, that + he consented to send away the new-comer till he should have + found the first wife's wedding-ring.</p> + + <p>"Is the homestead I have taken such care of," she cried, "to + go to the first vagrant who comes in with a brown face and a + ragged coat, pretending that he is your son?"</p> + + <p>So the soldier was sent about his business; but his father + followed him to the gate, and slipped some money into his hand, + saying, "God speed you back again with the ring!"</p> + + <p>It was Sunday morning, and the bells were ringing for + service as he turned sadly away.</p> + + <p>"Ding, dong!" rang the bells, "ding, dong! Why do you not + come to church like others? Why are you not dressed in your + Sunday clothes, and wherefore do you heave such doleful sighs, + whilst we ring merrily? Ding, dong! ding, dong!"</p> + + <p>"Is there not a cause?" replied the soldier. "This day I am + turned out of home and heritage, though indeed I am the true + heir."</p> + + <p>"Nevertheless we shall ring for your return," said the + bells.</p> + + <p>As he went, the sun shone on the green fields, and in the + soldier's eyes, and said, "See how brightly I shine! But you, + comrade, why is your face so cloudy?"</p> + + <p>"Is there not good reason?" replied he. "This day I am + turned out of home and heritage, and yet I am the true + heir."</p> + + <p>"Nevertheless I shall shine on your return," said the + sun.</p> + + <p>Along the road the hawthorn hedges were white with blossom. + "Heyday!" they cried, "who is this that comes trimp tramp, with + a face as long as a poplar-tree? Cheer up, friend! It is + spring! sweet spring! All is now full of hope and joy, and why + should you look so sour?"</p> + + <p>"May I not be excused?" said the soldier. "This day I am + turned out, of home and heritage, and yet I am the true + heir."</p> + + <p>"Nevertheless we shall blossom when you return," said the + hedges.</p> + + <p>When he had wandered for three days and three nights, all he + had was spent, and there was no shelter to be seen but a dark + gloomy forest, which stretched before him. Just then he saw a + small, weazened old woman, who was trying to lift a bundle of + sticks on to her back.</p> + + <p>"That is too heavy for you, good mother," said the soldier; + and he raised and adjusted it for her.</p> + + <p>"Have you just come here?" muttered the old crone; "then the + best thanks I can give you is to bid you get away as fast as + you can."</p> + + <p>"I never retreated yet, dame," said the soldier, and on he + went.</p> + + <p>Presently he met with a giant, who was strolling along by + the edge of the wood, knocking the cones off the tops of the + fir-trees with his finger-nails. He was an ill-favoured-looking + monster, but he said, civilly enough, "You look in want of + employment, comrade. Will you take service with me?"</p> + + <p>"I must first know two things," answered the soldier; "my + work and my wages."</p> + + <p>"Your work," said the giant, "is to cut a path through this + wood to the other side. But then you shall have a year and a + day to do it in. If you do it within the time, you will find at + the other end a magpie's nest, in which is the ring of which + you are in search. The nest also contains the crown jewels + which have been stolen, and if you take these to the king, you + will need no further reward. But, on the other hand, if the + work is not done within the time, you will thenceforth be my + servant without wages."</p> + + <p>"It is a hard bargain," said the soldier, "but need knows no + law, and I agree to the conditions."</p> + + <p>When he came into the giant's abode, he was greatly + astonished to see the little weazened old woman. She showed no + sign of recognizing him, however, and the soldier observed a + like discretion. He soon discovered that she was the giant's + wife, and much in dread of her husband, who treated her with + great cruelty.</p> + + <p>"To-morrow you shall begin to work," said the giant.</p> + + <p>"If you please," said the soldier, and before he went to bed + he carried in water and wood for the old woman.</p> + + <p>"There's a kinship in trouble," said he.</p> + + <p>Next morning the giant led him to a certain place on the + outskirts of the forest, and giving him an axe, said, "The + sooner you begin, the better, and you may see that it is not + difficult." Saying which, he took hold of one of the trees by + the middle, and snapped it off as one might pluck a flower.</p> + + <p>"Thus to thee, but how to me?" said the soldier; and when + the giant departed he set to work. But although he was so + strong, and worked willingly, the trees seemed almost as hard + as stone, and he made little progress. When he returned at + night the giant asked him how he got on.</p> + + <p>"The trees are very hard," said he.</p> + + <p>"So they always say," replied the giant; "I have always had + idle servants."</p> + + <p>"I will not be called idle a second time," thought the + soldier, and next day he went early and worked his utmost. But + the result was very small. And when he came home, looking weary + and disappointed, he could not fail to perceive that this gave + great satisfaction to the giant.</p> + + <p>Matters had gone on thus for some time, when one morning, as + he went to work, he found the little old woman gathering sticks + as before.</p> + + <p>"Listen," said she. "He shall not treat you as he has + treated others. Count seventy to the left from where you are + working, and begin again. But do not let him know that you have + made a fresh start. And do a little at the old place from time + to time, as a blind." And before he could thank her, the old + woman was gone. Without more ado, however, he counted seventy + from the old place, and hit the seventieth tree such a blow + with his axe, that it came crashing down then and there. And he + found that, one after another, the trees yielded to his blows + as if they were touch-wood. He did a good day's work, gave a + few strokes in the old spot, and came home, taking care to look + as gloomy as before.</p> + + <p>Day by day he got deeper and deeper into the wood, the trees + falling before him like dry elder twigs; and now the hardest + part of his work was walking backwards and fowards to the + giant's home, for the forest seemed almost interminable. But on + the three hundred and sixty-sixth day from his first meeting + with the giant, the soldier cut fairly through on to an open + plain, and as the light streamed in, a magpie flew away, and on + searching her nest, the soldier found his mother's + wedding-ring. He also found many precious stones of priceless + value, which were evidently the lost crown jewels. And as his + term of service with the giant was now ended, he did not + trouble himself to return, but with the ring and the jewels in + his pocket set off to find his way to the capital.</p> + + <p>He soon fell in with a good-humoured, fellow who showed him + the way, and pointed out everything of interest on the road. As + they drew near, one of the royal carriages was driving out of + the city gates, in which sat three beautiful ladies who were + the king's daughters.</p> + + <p>"The two eldest are engaged to marry two neighbouring + princes," said the companion.</p> + + <p>"And whom is the youngest to marry?" asked the soldier, "for + she is by far the most beautiful."</p> + + <p>"She will never marry," answered his companion, "for she is + pledged to the man who shall find the crown jewels, and cut a + path through the stone-wood forest that borders the king's + domains. And that is much as if she were promised to the man + who should fetch down the moon for her to play with. For the + jewels are lost beyond recall, and the wood is an enchanted + forest."</p> + + <p>"Nevertheless she shall be wed with my mother's ring," + thought the soldier. But he kept his own counsel, and only + waited till he had smartened himself up, before he sought an + audience of the king.</p> + + <p>His claim to the princess was fully proved; the king heaped + honours and riches upon him; and he made himself so acceptable + to his bride-elect, that the wedding was fixed for an early + day.</p> + + <p>"May I bring my old father, madam?" he asked of the + princess.</p> + + <p>"That you certainly may," said she. "A good son makes a good + husband."</p> + + <p>As he entered his native village the hedges were in blossom, + the sun shone; and the bells rang for his return.</p> + + <p>His stepmother now welcomed him, and was very anxious to go + to court also. But her husband said, "No. You took such good + care of the homestead, it is but fit you should look to it + whilst I am away."</p> + + <p>As to the giant, when he found that he had been outwitted, + he went off, and was never more heard of in those parts. But + the soldier took his wife into the city, and cared for her to + the day of her death.</p> + <hr style="width: 65%;"> + + <h2><a name="THE_MAGICIAN_TURNED_MISCHIEF-MAKER" + id="THE_MAGICIAN_TURNED_MISCHIEF-MAKER"></a>THE MAGICIAN + TURNED MISCHIEF-MAKER.</h2> + + <p>There was once a wicked magician who prospered, and did much + evil for many years. But there came a day when Vengeance, + disguised as a blind beggar, overtook him, and outwitted him, + and stole his magic wand. With this he had been accustomed to + turn those who offended him into any shape he pleased; and now + that he had lost it he could only transform himself.</p> + + <p>As Vengeance was returning to his place, he passed through a + village, the inhabitants of which had formerly lived in great + terror of the magician, and told them of the downfall of his + power. But they only said, "Blind beggars have long tongues. + One must not believe all one hears," and shrugged their + shoulders, and left him.</p> + + <p>Then Vengeance waved the wand and said, "As you have doubted + me, distress each other;" and so departed.</p> + + <p>By and by he came to another village, and told the news. But + here the villagers were full of delight, and made a feast, and + put the blind beggar in the place of honour; who, when he + departed, said, "As you have done by me, deal with each other + always!" and went on to the next village.</p> + + <p>In this place he was received with even warmer welcome; and + when the feast was over, the people brought him to the bridge + which led out of the village, and gave him a guide-dog to help + him on his way.</p> + + <p>Then the blind beggar waved the wand once more and said;</p> + + <p>"Those who are so good to strangers must needs be good to + each other. But that nothing may be wanting to the peace of + this place, I grant to the beasts and birds in it that they may + understand the language of men."</p> + + <p>Then he broke the wand in pieces, and threw it into the + stream. And when the people turned their heads back again from + watching the bits as they floated away, the blind beggar was + gone.</p> + + <p>Meanwhile the magician was wild with rage at the loss of his + wand, for all his pleasure was to do harm and hurt. But when he + came to himself he said: "One can do a good deal of harm with + his tongue. I will turn mischief-maker; and when the place is + too hot to hold me, I can escape in what form I please."</p> + + <p>Then he came to the first village, where Vengeance had gone + before, and here he lived for a year and a day in various + disguises; and he made more misery with his tongue than he had + ever accomplished in any other year with his magic wand. For + every one distrusted his neighbour, and was ready to believe + ill of him. So parents disowned their children, and husband and + wives parted, and lovers broke faith; and servants and masters + disagreed; and old friends became bitter enemies, till at last + the place was intolerable even to the magician, and he changed + himself into a cockchafer, and flew to the next village, where, + Vengeance had gone before.</p> + + <p>Here also he dwelt for a year and a day, and then he left it + because he could do no harm. For those who loved each other + trusted each other, and the magician made mischief in vain. In + one of his disguises he was detected, and only escaped with his + life from the enraged villagers by changing himself into a + cockchafer and flying on to the next place, where Vengeance had + gone before.</p> + + <p>In this village he made less mischief than in the first, and + more than in the second. And he exercised all his art, and + changed his disguises constantly; but the dogs knew him under + all.</p> + + <p>One dog—the oldest dog in the place—was keeping + watch over the miller's house, when he saw the magician + approaching, in the disguise of an old woman.</p> + + <p>"Do you see that old witch?" said he to the sparrows, who + were picking up stray bits of grain in the yard. "With her evil + tongue she is parting my master's daughter and the finest young + fellow in the country-side. She puts lies and truth together, + with more skill than you patch moss and feathers to build + nests. And when she is asked where she heard this or that, she + says, 'A little bird told me so.'"</p> + + <p>"We never told her," said the sparrows indignantly, "and if + we had your strength, Master Keeper, she should not malign us + long!"</p> + + <p>"I believe you are right!" said Master Keeper. "Of what + avail is it that we have learned the language of men, if we do + not help them to the utmost of our powers? She shall torment my + young mistress no more."</p> + + <p>Saying which he flew upon the disguised magician as he + entered the gate, and would have torn him limb from limb, but + that the mischief-maker changed himself as before into a + cockchafer, and flew hastily from the village.</p> + + <p>And thus he might doubtless have escaped to do yet further + harm, had not three cock-sparrows overtaken him just before he + crossed the bridge.</p> + + <p>From three sides they hemmed him in, crying, "Which of us + told you?" "Which of us told you?" "Which of us told + you?"—and pecked him to pieces before he could transform + himself again.</p> + + <p>After which peace and prosperity befell all the + neighbourhood.</p> + <hr style="width: 65%;"> + + <h2><a name="KNAVE_AND_FOOL" + id="KNAVE_AND_FOOL"></a>KNAVE AND FOOL.</h2> + + <p>A Fool and a Knave once set up house together; which shows + what a fool the Fool was.</p> + + <p>The Knave was delighted with the agreement; and the Fool + thought himself most fortunate to have met with a companion who + would supply his lack of mother-wit.</p> + + <p>As neither of them liked work, the Knave proposed that they + should live upon their joint savings as long as these should + last; and, to avoid disputes, that they should use the Fool's + share till it came to an end, and then begin upon the Knave's + stocking.</p> + + <p>So, for a short time, they lived in great comfort at the + Fool's expense, and were very good company; for easy times make + easy tempers.</p> + + <p>Just when the store was exhausted, the Knave came running to + the Fool with an empty bag and a wry face, crying, "Dear + friend, what shall we do? This bag, which I had safely buried + under a gooseberry-bush, has been taken up by some thief, and + all my money stolen. My savings were twice as large as yours; + but now that they are gone, and I can no longer perform my + share of the bargain, I fear our partnership must be + dissolved."</p> + + <p>"Not so, dear friend," said the Fool, who was very + good-natured; "we have shared good luck together, and now we + will share poverty. But as nothing is left, I fear we must seek + work."</p> + + <p>"You speak very wisely," said the Knave, "And what, for + instance, can you do?"</p> + + <p>"Very little," said the Fool; "but that little I do + well."</p> + + <p>"So do I," said the Knave. "Now can you plough, or sow, or + feed cattle, or plant crops?"</p> + + <p>"Farming is not my business," said the Fool.</p> + + <p>"Nor mine," said the Knave; "but no doubt you are a + handicraftsman. Are you clever at carpentry, mason's work, + tailoring, or shoemaking?"</p> + + <p>"I do not doubt that I should have been had I learned the + trades," said the Fool, "but I never was bound apprentice."</p> + + <p>"It is the same with myself," said the Knave; "but you may + have finer talents. Can you paint, or play the fiddle?"</p> + + <p>"I never tried," said the Fool; "so I don't know."</p> + + <p>"Just my case," said the Knave. "And now, since we can't + find work, I propose that we travel till work finds us."</p> + + <p>The two comrades accordingly set forth, and they went on and + on, till they came to the foot of a hill, where a merchantman + was standing by his wagon, which had broken down.</p> + + <p>"You seem two strong men," said he, as they advanced; "if + you will carry this chest of valuables up to the top of the + hill, and down to the bottom on the other side, where there is + an inn, I will give you two gold pieces for your trouble."</p> + + <p>The Knave and the Fool consented to this, saying, "Work has + found us at last;" and they lifted the box on to their + shoulders.</p> + + <p>"Turn, and turn about," said the Knave; "but the best turn + between friends is a good turn; so I will lead the way up-hill, + which is the hardest kind of travelling, and you shall go first + down-hill, the easy half of our journey."</p> + + <p>The Fool thought this proposal a very generous one, and, not + knowing that the lower end of their burden was the heavy one, + he carried it all the way. When they got to the inn, the + merchant gave each of them a gold piece, and, as the + accommodation was good, they remained where they were till + their money was spent. After this, they lived there awhile on + credit; and when that was exhausted, they rose one morning + whilst the landlord was still in bed, and pursued their + journey, leaving old scores behind them.</p> + + <p>They had been a long time without work or food, when they + came upon a man who sat by the roadside breaking stones, with a + quart of porridge and a spoon in a tin pot beside him.</p> + + <p>"You look hungry, friends," said he, "and I, for my part, + want to get away. If you will break up this heap, you shall + have the porridge for supper. But when you have eaten it, put + the pot and spoon under the hedge, that I may find them when I + return."</p> + + <p>"If we eat first, we shall have strength for our work," said + the Knave; "and as there is only one spoon, we must eat by + turns. But fairly divide, friendly abide. As you went first the + latter part of our journey, I will begin on this occasion. When + I stop, you fall to, and eat as many spoonfuls as I ate. Then I + will follow you in like fashion, and so on till the pot is + empty."</p> + + <p>"Nothing could be fairer," said the Fool; and the Knave + began to eat, and went on till he had eaten a third of the + porridge. The Fool, who had counted every spoonful, now took + his turn, and ate precisely as much as his comrade. The Knave + then began again, and was exact to a mouthful; but it emptied + the pot. Thus the Knave had twice as much as the Fool, who + could not see where he had been cheated.</p> + + <p>They then set to work.</p> + + <p>"As there is only one hammer," said the Knave, "we must + work, as we supped, by turns; and as I began last time, you + shall begin this. After you have worked awhile, I will take the + hammer from you, and do as much myself whilst you rest. Then + you shall take it up again, and so on till the heap is + finished."</p> + + <p>"It is not every one who is as just as you," said the Fool; + and taking up the hammer, he set to work with a will.</p> + + <p>The Knave took care to let him go on till he had broken a + third of the stones, and then he did as good a share himself; + after which the Fool began again, and finished the heap.</p> + + <p>By this means the Fool did twice as much work as the Knave, + and yet he could not complain.</p> + + <p>As they moved on again, the Fool perceived that the Knave + was taking the can and the spoon with him.</p> + + <p>"I am sorry to see you do that, friend," said he.</p> + + <p>"It's a very small theft," said the Knave. "The can cannot + have cost more than sixpence when new."</p> + + <p>"That was not what I meant," said the Fool, "so much as that + I fear the owner will find it out."</p> + + <p>"He will only think the things have been stolen by some + vagrant," said the Knave—"which, indeed, they would be if + we left them. But as you seem to have a tender conscience, I + will keep them myself."</p> + + <p>After a while they met with a farmer, who offered to give + them supper and a night's lodging, if they would scare the + birds from a field of corn for him till sunset.</p> + + <p>"I will go into the outlying fields," said the Knave, "and + as I see the birds coming, I will turn them back. You, dear + friend, remain in the corn, and scare away the few that may + escape me."</p> + + <p>But whilst the Fool clapped and shouted till he was tired, + the Knave went to the other side of the hedge, and lay down for + a nap.</p> + + <p>As they sat together at supper, the Fool said, "Dear friend, + this is laborious work. I propose that we ask the farmer to let + us tend sheep, instead. That is a very different affair. One + lies on the hillside all day. The birds do not steal sheep; and + all this shouting and clapping is saved."</p> + + <p>The Knave very willingly agreed, and next morning the two + friends drove a flock of sheep on to the downs. The sheep at + once began to nibble, the dog sat with his tongue out, panting, + and the Knave and Fool lay down on their backs, and covered + their faces with their hats to shield them from the sun.</p> + + <p>Thus they lay till evening, when, the sun being down, they + uncovered their faces, and found that the sheep had all strayed + away, and the dog after them.</p> + + <p>"The only plan for us is to go separate ways in search of + the flock," said the Knave; "only let us agree to meet here + again." They accordingly started in opposite directions; but + when the Fool was fairly off, the Knave returned to his place, + and lay down as before.</p> + + <p>By and by the dog brought the sheep back; so that, when the + Fool returned, the Knave got the credit of having found them; + for the dog scorned to explain his part in the matter.</p> + + <p>As they sat together at supper, the Fool said, "The work is + not so easy as I thought. Could we not find a better trade + yet?"</p> + + <p>"Can you beg?" said the Knave. "A beggar's trade is both + easy and profitable. Nothing is required but walking and + talking. Then one walks at his own pace, for there is no hurry, + and no master, and the same tale does for every door. And, that + all may be fair and equal, you shall beg at the front door, + whilst I ask an alms at the back."</p> + + <p>To this the Fool gladly agreed; and as he was as lean as a + hunted cat, charitable people gave him a penny or two from time + to time. Meanwhile, the Knave went round to the back yard, + where he picked up a fowl, or turkey, or anything that he could + lay his hands upon.</p> + + <p>When he returned to the Fool, he would say, "See what has + been given to me, whilst you have only got a few pence."</p> + + <p>At last this made the Fool discontented, and he said, "I + should like now to exchange with you. I will go to the back + doors, and you to the front."</p> + + <p>The Knave consented, and at the next house the Fool went to + the back door; but the mistress of the farm only rated him, and + sent him away. Meanwhile, the Knave, from the front, had + watched her leave the parlour, and slipping in through the + window, he took a ham and a couple of new loaves from the + table, and so made off.</p> + + <p>When the friends met, the Fool was crestfallen at his ill + luck, and the Knave complained that all the burden of their + support fell upon him. "See," said he, "what they give me, + where you get only a mouthful of abuse!" And he dined heartily + on what he had stolen; but the Fool only had bits of the + breadcrust, and the parings of the ham.</p> + + <p>At the next place the Fool went to the front door as before, + and the Knave secured a fat goose and some plums in the back + yard, which he popped under his cloak. The Fool came away with + empty hands, and the Knave scolded him, saying, "Do you suppose + that I mean to share this fat goose with a lazy beggar like + you? Go on, and find for yourself." With which he sat down and + began to eat the plums, whilst the Fool walked on alone.</p> + + <p>After a while, however, the Knave saw a stir in the + direction of the farm they had left, and he quickly perceived + that the loss of the goose was known, and that the farmer and + his men were in pursuit of the thief. So, hastily picking up + the goose, he overtook the Fool, and pressed it into his arms, + saying, "Dear friend, pardon a passing ill humour, of which I + sincerely repent. Are we not partners in good luck and ill? I + was wrong, dear friend; and, in token of my penitence, the + goose shall be yours alone. And here are a few plums with which + you may refresh yourself by the wayside. As for me, I will + hasten on to the next farm, and see if I can beg a bottle of + wine to wash down the dinner, and drink to our + good-fellowship." And before the Fool could thank him, the + Knave was off like the wind.</p> + + <p>By and by the farmer and his men came up, and found the Fool + eating the plums, with the goose on the grass beside him.</p> + + <p>They hurried him off to the justice, where his own story met + with no credit. The woman of the next farm came up also, and + recognized him for the man who had begged at her door the day + she lost a ham and two new loaves. In vain he said that these + things also had been given to his friend. The friend never + appeared; and the poor Fool was whipped and put in the + stocks.</p> + + <p>Towards evening the Knave hurried up to the village green, + where his friend sat doing penance for the theft.</p> + + <p>"My dear friend," said he, "what do I see? Is such cruelty + possible? But I hear that the justice is not above a bribe, and + we must at any cost obtain your release. I am going at once to + pawn my own boots and cloak, and everything about me that I can + spare, and if you have anything to add, this is no time to + hesitate."</p> + + <p>The poor Fool begged his friend to draw off his boots, and + to take his hat and coat as well, and to make all speed on his + charitable errand.</p> + + <p>The Knave, took all that he could get, and, leaving his + friend sitting in the stocks in his shirt-sleeves, he + disappeared as swiftly as one could wish a man to carry a + reprieve.</p> + + <p>For those good folks to whom everything must be explained in + full, it may be added that the Knave did not come back, and + that he kept the clothes.</p> + + <p>It was very hard on the Fool; but what can one expect if he + keeps company with a Knave?</p> + <hr style="width: 65%;"> + + <h2><a name="UNDER_THE_SUN" + id="UNDER_THE_SUN"></a>UNDER THE SUN.</h2> + + <p>There once lived a farmer who was so avaricious and miserly, + and so hard and close in all his dealings that, as folks say, + he would skin a flint. A Jew and a Yorkshireman had each tried + to bargain with him, and both had had the worst of it. It is + needless to say that he never either gave or lent.</p> + + <p>Now, by thus scraping, and saving, and grinding for many + years, he had become almost wealthy; though, indeed, he was no + better fed and dressed than if he had not a penny to bless + himself with. But what vexed him sorely was that his next + neighbour's farm prospered in all matters better than his own; + and this, although the owner was as open-handed as our farmer + was stingy.</p> + + <p>When in spring he ploughed his own worn-out land, and + reached the top of the furrow where his field joined one of the + richly-fed fields of his neighbour, he would cast an envious + glance over the hedge, and say, "So far and no farther?" for he + would have liked to have had the whole under his plough. And so + in the autumn, when he gathered his own scanty crop and had to + stop his sickle short of the close ranks of his neighbour's + corn, he would cry, "All this, and none of that?" and go home + sorely discontented.</p> + + <p>Now on the lands of the liberal farmer (whose name was + Merryweather) there lived a dwarf or hillman, who made a wager + that he would both beg and borrow of the covetous farmer, and + out-bargain him to boot. So he went one day to his house, and + asked him if he would kindly give him half a stone of flour to + make hasty pudding with; adding, that if he would lend him a + bag to carry it in to the hill, this should be returned clean + and in good condition.</p> + + <p>The farmer saw with half an eye that this was the dwarf from + his neighbour's estate, and as he had always laid the luck of + the liberal farmer to his being favoured by the good people, he + resolved to treat the little man with all civility.</p> + + <p>"Look you, wife," said he, "this is no time to be saving + half a stone of flour when we may make our fortunes at one + stroke. I have heard my grandfather tell of a man who lent a + sack of oats to one of the fairies, and got it back filled with + gold pieces. And as good measure as he gave of oats so he got + of gold;" saying which, the farmer took a canvas bag to the + flour-bin, and began to fill it. Meanwhile the dwarf sat in the + larder window and cried—"We've a big party for supper + to-night; give us good measure, neighbour, and you shall have + anything under the sun that you like to ask for."</p> + + <p>When the farmer heard this he was nearly out of his wits + with delight, and his hands shook so that the flour spilled all + about the larder floor.</p> + + <p>"Thank you, dear sir," he said; "it's a bargain, and I agree + to it. My wife hears us, and is witness. Wife! wife!" he cried, + running into the kitchen, "I am to have anything under the sun + that I choose to ask for. I think of asking for neighbour + Merryweather's estate, but this is a chance never likely to + happen again, and I should like to make a wise choice, and that + is not easy at a moment's notice."</p> + + <p>"You will have a week to think it over in," said the dwarf, + who had come in behind him; "I must be off now, so give me my + flour, and come to the hill behind your house seven days hence + at midnight, and you shall have your share of the bargain."</p> + + <p>So the farmer tied up the flour-sack, and helped the dwarf + with it on to his back, and as he did so he began thinking how + easily the bargain had been made, and casting about in his mind + whether, he could not get more where he had so easily got + much.</p> + + <p>"And half a stone of flour is half a stone of flour," he + muttered to himself, "and whatever it may do with thriftless + people, it goes a long way in our house. And there's the + bag—and a terrible lot spilled on the larder + floor—and the string to tie it with, which doubtless + he'll never think of returning—and my time, which must be + counted, and nothing whatever for it all for a week to come." + And the outlay so weighed upon his mind that he cleared his + throat and began:</p> + + <p>"Not for seven days, did you say, sir? You know, dear sir, + or perhaps, indeed, you do not know, that when amongst each + other we men have to wait for the settlement of an account, we + expect something over and above the exact amount. Interest we + call it, my dear sir."</p> + + <p>"And you want me to give you something extra for waiting a + week?" asked the dwarf. "Pray, what do you expect?"</p> + + <p>"Oh, dear sir, I leave it to you," said the farmer. "Perhaps + you may add some trifle—in the flour-bag, or not, as you + think fit—but I leave it entirely to you."</p> + + <p>"I will give you something over and above what you shall + choose," said the dwarf; "but, as you say, I shall decide what + it is to be." With which he shouldered the flour-sack, and went + his way.</p> + + <p>For the next seven days, the farmer had no peace for + thinking, and planning, and scheming how to get the most out of + his one wish. His wife made many suggestions to which he did + not agree, but he was careful not to quarrel with her; "for," + he said, "we will not be like the foolish couple who wasted + three wishes on black-puddings. Neither will I desire useless + grandeur and unreasonable elevation, like the fisherman's wife. + I will have a solid and substantial benefit."</p> + + <p>And so, after a week of sleepless nights and anxious days, + he came back to his first thought, and resolved to ask for his + neighbour's estate.</p> + + <p>At last the night came. It was full moon, and the farmer + looked anxiously about, fearing the dwarf might not be true to + his appointment. But at midnight he appeared, with the + flour-bag neatly folded in his hand.</p> + + <p>"You hold to the agreement," said the farmer, "of course. My + wife was witness. I am to have anything under the sun that I + ask for; and I am to have it now."</p> + + <p>"Ask away," said the dwarf.</p> + + <p>"I want neighbour Merryweather's estate," said the + farmer.</p> + + <p>"What, all this land below here, that joins on to your + own?"</p> + + <p>"Every acre," said the farmer.</p> + + <p>"Farmer Merryweather's fields are under the moon at + present," said the dwarf, coolly, "and thus not within the + terms of the agreement. You must choose again."</p> + + <p>But as the farmer could choose nothing that was not then + under the moon, he soon saw that he had been outwitted, and his + rage knew no bounds at the trick the dwarf had played him.</p> + + <p>"Give me my bag, at any rate," he screamed, "and the + string—and your own extra gift that you promised. For + half a loaf is better than no bread," he muttered, "and I may + yet come in for a few gold pieces."</p> + + <p>"There's your bag," cried the dwarf, clapping it over the + miser's head like an extinguisher; "it's clean enough for a + nightcap. And there's your string," he added, tying it tightly + round the farmer's throat till he was almost throttled. "And, + for my part, I'll give you what you deserve;" saying which he + gave the farmer such a hearty kick that he kicked him straight + down from the top of the hill to his own back door.</p> + + <p>"If that does not satisfy you, I'll give you as much again," + shouted the dwarf; and as the farmer made no reply, he went + chuckling back to his hill.</p> + + <p> </p> + + + <div class="footnotes"> + <p> Footnotes</p> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_1_1" + id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> + <i>Shian</i>, a Gaelic name for fairy towers, which + by day are not to be told from mountain crags.</p> + </div> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_2_2" + id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> + <i>Daoiné Shi</i> (pronounced <i>Dheener Shee</i>) = + Men of Peace.</p> + </div> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_3_3" + id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> + <i>Rung</i> = a thick stick.</p> + </div> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_4_4" + id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> + "In a compliment" = "as a present."</p> + </div> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_5_5" + id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> + "Hoast" = cough.</p> + </div> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_6_6" + id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> + "Brogues" = shoes.</p> + </div> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_7_7" + id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> + "It's a far cry to Loch Awe."—<i>Scotch + Proverb</i>.</p> + </div> + + <div class="footnote"> + <p><a name="Footnote_8_8" + id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href= + "#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> + <i>Rath</i> = a kind of moat-surrounded spot much + favoured by Irish fairies. 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For +example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: + +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/0/2/3/10234 + +or filename 24689 would be found at: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/4/6/8/24689 + +An alternative method of locating eBooks: +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL">https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL</a> + +*** END: FULL LICENSE *** +</pre> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/15592.txt b/15592.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..fbe20cd --- /dev/null +++ b/15592.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4458 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Old-Fashioned Fairy Tales, by Juliana Horatia +Gatty Ewing + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Old-Fashioned Fairy Tales + + +Author: Juliana Horatia Gatty Ewing + +Release Date: April 9, 2005 [eBook #15592] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OLD-FASHIONED FAIRY TALES*** + + +E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Jennifer Goslee, and the Project +Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + + +OLD-FASHIONED FAIRY TALES + +by + +JULIANA HORATIA EWING. + +London: +Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, +Northumberland Avenue, W.C. +New York: E. & J.B. Young & Co. +[Published under the direction of the General Literature Committee.] + + + + + + + + DEDICATED TO MY DEAR SISTER, UNDINE MARCIA GATTY. + + J.H.E. + + + + + "Know'st thou not the little path + That winds about the Ferny brae, + That is the road to bonnie Elfland, + Where thou and I this night maun gae." + + _Thomas the Rhymer_. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +As the title of this story-book may possibly suggest that the tales +are old fairy tales told afresh, it seems well to explain that this is +not so. + +Except for the use of common "properties" of Fairy Drama, and a +scrupulous endeavour to conform to tradition in local colour and +detail, the stories are all new. + +They have appeared at intervals during some years past in "AUNT JUDY'S +MAGAZINE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE," and were written in conformity to certain +theories respecting stories of this kind, with only two of which shall +the kindly reader of prefaces be troubled. + +First, that there are ideas and types, occurring in the myths of all +countries, which are common properties, to use which does not lay the +teller of fairy tales open to the charge of plagiarism. Such as the +idea of the weak outwitting the strong; the failure of man to choose +wisely when he may have his wish; or the desire of sprites to exchange +their careless and unfettered existence for the pains and penalties of +humanity, if they may thereby share in the hopes of the human soul. + +Secondly, that in these household stories (the models for which were +originally oral tradition) the thing most to be avoided is a +discursive or descriptive style of writing. Brevity and epigram must +ever be soul of their wit, and they should be written as tales that +are told. + +The degree in which, if at all, the following tales fulfil these +conditions, nursery critics must decide. + +There are older critics before whom fairy tales, as such, need excuse, +even if they do not meet with positive disapprobation. + +On this score I can only say that, for myself, I believe them to +be--beyond all need of defence--most valuable literature for the +young. I do not believe that wonder-tales confuse children's ideas of +truth. If there are young intellects so imperfect as to be incapable +of distinguishing between fancy and falsehood, it is surely most +desirable to develop in them the power to do so; but, as a rule, in +childhood we appreciate the distinction with a vivacity which, as +elders, our care-clogged memories fail to recall. + +Moreover fairy tales have positive uses in education, which no +cramming of facts, and no merely domestic fiction can serve. + +Like Proverbs and Parables, they deal with first principles under the +simplest forms. They convey knowledge of the world, shrewd lessons of +virtue and vice, of common sense and sense of humour, of the seemly +and the absurd, of pleasure and pain, success and failure, in +narratives where the plot moves briskly and dramatically from a +beginning to an end. They treat, not of the corner of a nursery or a +playground, but of the world at large, and life in perspective; of +forces visible and invisible; of Life, Death, and Immortality. + +For causes obvious to the student of early myths, they foster sympathy +with nature, and no class of child-literature has done so much to +inculcate the love of animals. + +They cultivate the Imagination, that great gift which time and +experience lead one more and more to value--handmaid of Faith, of +Hope, and, perhaps most of all, of Charity! + +It is true that some of the old fairy tales do not teach the high and +useful lessons that most of them do; and that they unquestionably deal +now and again with phases of grown-up life, and with crimes and +catastrophes, that seem unsuitable for nursery entertainment. + +As to the latter question, it must be remembered that the brevity of +the narrative--whether it be a love story or a robber story--deprives +it of all harm; a point which writers of modern fairy tales do not +always realize for their guidance. + +The writer of the following tales has endeavoured to bear this +principle in mind, and it is hoped that the morals--and it is of the +essence of fairy tales to have a moral--of all of them are beyond +reproach. + +For the rest they are committed to the indulgence of the gentle +reader. + +Hans Anderssen, perhaps the greatest writer of modern fairy tales, was +content to say: + + "FAIRY TALE NEVER DIES." + + J.H.E. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + PAGE GOOD LUCK IS BETTER THAN GOLD + + THE HILLMAN AND THE HOUSEWIFE + + THE NECK, A LEGEND OF A LAKE + + THE NIX IN MISCHIEF + + THE COBBLER AND THE GHOSTS + + THE LAIRD AND THE MAN OF PEACE + + THE OGRE COURTING + + THE MAGICIANS' GIFTS + + THE WIDOWS AND THE STRANGERS + + KIND WILLIAM AND THE WATER SPRITE + + MURDOCH'S RATH + + THE LITTLE DARNER + + THE FIDDLER IN THE FAIRY RING + + "I WON'T" + + THE MAGIC JAR + + THE FIRST WIFE'S WEDDING-RING + + THE MAGICIAN TURNED MISCHIEF-MAKER + + KNAVE AND FOOL + + UNDER THE SUN + + + + + + +GOOD LUCK IS BETTER THAN GOLD. + + +There was once upon a time a child who had Good Luck for his godfather. + +"I am not Fortune," said Good Luck to the parents; "I have no gifts to +bestow, but whenever he needs help I will be at hand." + +"Nothing could be better," said the old couple. They were delighted. +But what pleases the father often fails to satisfy the son: moreover, +every man thinks that he deserves just a little more than he has got, +and does not reckon it to the purpose if his father had less. + +Many a one would be thankful to have as good reasons for contentment +as he who had Good Luck for his godfather. + +If he fell, Good Luck popped something soft in the way to break his +fall; if he fought, Good Luck directed his blows, or tripped up his +adversary; if he got into a scrape, Good Luck helped him out of it; +and if ever Misfortune met him, Good Luck contrived to hustle her on +the pathway till his godson got safely by. + +In games of hazard the godfather played over his shoulder. In matters +of choice he chose for him. And when the lad began to work on his +father's farm the farmer began to get rich. For no bird or field-mouse +touched a seed that his son had sown, and every plant he planted +throve when Good Luck smiled on it. + +The boy was not fond of work, but when he did go into the fields, Good +Luck followed him. + +"Your christening-day was a blessed day for us all," said the old +farmer. + +"He has never given me so much as a lucky sixpence," muttered Good +Luck's godson. + +"I am not Fortune--I make no presents," said the godfather. + +When we are discontented it is oftener to please our neighbours than +ourselves. It was because the other boys had said--"Simon, the +shoemaker's son, has an alderman for his godfather. He gave him a +silver spoon with the Apostle Peter for the handle; but thy godfather +is more powerful than any alderman"--that Good Luck's godson +complained, "He has never given me so much as a bent sixpence." + +By and by the old farmer died, and his son grew up, and had the +largest farm in the country. The other boys grew up also, and as they +looked over the farmer's boundary-wall, they would say: + +"Good-morning, Neighbour. That is certainly a fine farm of yours. Your +cattle thrive without loss. Your crops grow in the rain and are reaped +with the sunshine. Mischance never comes your road. What you have +worked for you enjoy. Such success would turn the heads of poor folk +like us. At the same time one would think a man need hardly work for +his living at all who has Good Luck for his godfather." + +"That is very true," thought the farmer. "Many a man is prosperous, +and reaps what he sows, who had no more than the clerk and the sexton +for gossips at his christening." + +"What is the matter, Godson?" asked Good Luck, who was with him in the +field. + +"I want to be rich," said the farmer. + +"You will not have to wait long," replied the godfather. "In every +field you sow, in every flock you rear there is increase without +abatement. Your wealth is already tenfold greater than your father's." + +"Aye, aye," replied the farmer. "Good wages for good work. But many a +young man has gold at his command who need never turn a sod, and none +of the Good People came to _his_ christening. Fortunatus's Purse now, +or even a sack or two of gold--" + +"Peace!" cried the godfather; "I have said that I give no gifts." + +Though he had not Fortunatus's Purse, the farmer had now money and to +spare, and when the harvest was gathered in, he bought a fine suit of +clothes, and took his best horse and went to the royal city to see the +sights. + +The pomp and splendour, the festivities and fine clothes dazzled him. + +"This is a gay life which these young courtiers lead," said he. "A man +has nothing to do but to enjoy himself." + +"If he has plenty of gold in his pocket," said a bystander. + +By and by the Princess passed in her carriage. She was the King's only +daughter. She had hair made of sunshine, and her eyes were stars. + +"What an exquisite creature!" cried the farmer. "What would not one +give to possess her?" + +"She has as many suitors as hairs on her head," replied the bystander. +"She wants to marry the Prince of Moonshine, but he only dresses in +silver, and the King thinks he might find a richer son-in-law. The +Princess will go to the highest bidder." + +"And I have Good Luck for my godfather, and am not even at court!" +cried the farmer; and he put spurs to his horse, and rode home. + +Good Luck was taking care of the farm. + +"Listen, Godfather!" cried the young man. "I am in love with the +King's daughter, and want her to wife." + +"It is not an easy matter," replied Good Luck, "but I will do what I +can for you. Say that by good luck you saved the Princess's life, or +perhaps better the King's--for they say he is selfish--" + +"Tush!" cried the farmer. "The King is covetous, and wants a rich +son-in-law." + +"A wise man may bring wealth to a kingdom with his head, if not with +his hands," said Good Luck, "and I can show you a district where the +earth only wants mining to be flooded with wealth. Besides, there are +a thousand opportunities that can be turned to account and influence. +By wits and work, and with Good Luck to help him, many a poorer man +than you has risen to greatness." + +"Wits and work!" cried the indignant godson. "You speak well--truly! A +hillman would have made a better godfather. Give me as much gold as +will fill three meal-bins, and you may keep the rest of your help for +those who want it." + +Now at this moment by Good Luck stood Dame Fortune. She likes handsome +young men, and there was some little jealousy between her and the +godfather so she smiled at the quarrel. + +"You would rather have had me for your gossip?" said she. + +"If you would give me three wishes, I would," replied the farmer +boldly, "and I would trouble you no more." + +"Will you make him over to me?" said Dame Fortune to the godfather. + +"If he wishes it," replied Good Luck. "But if he accepts your gifts he +has no further claim on me." + +"Nor on me either," said the Dame. "Hark ye, young man, you mortals +are apt to make a hobble of your three wishes, and you may end with a +sausage at your nose, like your betters." + +"I have thought of it too often," replied the farmer, "and I know what +I want. For my first wish I desire imperishable beauty." + +"It is yours," said Dame Fortune, smiling as she looked at him. + +"The face of a prince and the manners of a clown are poor partners," +said the farmer. "My second wish is for suitable learning and courtly +manners, which cannot be gained at the plough-tail." + +"You have them in perfection," said the Dame, as the young man thanked +her by a graceful bow. + +"Thirdly," said he, "I demand a store of gold that I can never +exhaust." + +"I will lead you to it," said Dame Fortune; and the young man was so +eager to follow her that he did not even look back to bid farewell to +his godfather. + +He was soon at court. He lived in the utmost pomp. He had a suit of +armour made for himself out of beaten gold. No metal less precious +might come near his person, except for the blade of his sword. This +was obliged to be made of steel, for gold is not always strong enough +to defend one's life or his honour. But the Princess still loved the +Prince of Moonshine. + +"Stuff and nonsense!" said the King. "I shall give you to the Prince +of Gold." + +"I wish I had the good luck to please her," muttered the young Prince. +But he had not, for all his beauty and his wealth. However, she was to +marry him, and that was something. + +The preparations for the wedding were magnificent. + +"It is a great expense," sighed the King, "but then I get the Prince +of Gold for a son-in-law." + +The Prince and his bride drove round the city in a triumphal +procession. Her hair fell over her like sunshine, but the starlight of +her eyes was cold. + +In the train rode the Prince of Moonshine, dressed in silver, and +with no colour in his face. + +As the bridal chariot approached one of the city gates, two black +ravens hovered over it, and then flew away, and settled on a tree. + +Good Luck was sitting under the tree to see his godson's triumph, and +he heard the birds talking above him. + +"Has the Prince of Gold no friend who can tell him that there is a +loose stone above the archway that is tottering to fall?" said they. +And Good Luck covered his face with his mantle as the Prince drove +through. + +Just as they were passing out of the gateway the stone fell on to the +Prince's head. He wore a casque of pure gold, but his neck was broken. + + + "We can't have all this expense for nothing," said the King: + so he married his daughter to the Prince of Moonshine. If one + can't get gold one must be content with silver. + + +"Will you come to the funeral?" asked Dame Fortune of the godfather. + +"Not I," replied Good Luck. "I had no hand in _this_ matter." + +The rain came down in torrents. The black feathers on the ravens' +backs looked as if they had been oiled. + +"Caw! caw!" said they. "It was an unlucky end." + +However, the funeral was a very magnificent one, for there was no +stint of gold. + + + + +THE HILLMAN AND THE HOUSEWIFE. + + +It is well known that the Good People cannot abide meanness. They like +to be liberally dealt with when they beg or borrow of the human race; +and, on the other hand, to those who come to them in need, they are +invariably generous. + +Now there once lived a certain Housewife who had a sharp eye to her +own interests in temporal matters, and gave alms of what she had no +use for, for the good of her soul. One day a Hillman knocked at her +door. + +"Can you lend us a saucepan, good Mother?" said he. "There's a wedding +in the hill, and all the pots are in use." + +"Is he to have one?" asked the servant lass who had opened the door. + +"Aye, to be sure," answered the Housewife. "One must be neighbourly." + +But when the maid was taking a saucepan from the shelf, she pinched +her arm, and whispered sharply--"Not that, you slut! Get the old one +out of the cupboard. It leaks, and the Hillmen are so neat, and such +nimble workers, that they are sure to mend it before they send it +home. So one obliges the Good People, and saves sixpence in tinkering. +But you'll never learn to be notable whilst your head is on your +shoulders." + +Thus reproached, the maid fetched the saucepan, which had been laid by +till the tinker's next visit, and gave it to the dwarf, who thanked +her, and went away. + +In due time the saucepan was returned, and, as the Housewife had +foreseen, it was neatly mended and ready for use. + +At supper-time the maid filled the pan with milk, and set it on the +fire for the children's supper. But in a few minutes the milk was so +burnt and smoked that no one could touch it, and even the pigs refused +the wash into which it was thrown. + +"Ah, good-for-nothing hussy!" cried the Housewife, as she refilled the +pan herself, "you would ruin the richest with your carelessness. +There's a whole quart of good milk wasted at once!" + +"_And that's twopence_," cried a voice which seemed to come from the +chimney, in a whining tone, like some nattering, discontented old body +going over her grievances. + +The Housewife had not left the saucepan for two minutes, when the +milk boiled over, and it was all burnt and smoked as before. + +"The pan must be dirty," muttered the good woman, in great vexation; +"and there are two full quarts of milk as good as thrown to the dogs." + +"_And that's fourpence_," added the voice in the chimney. + +After a thorough cleaning, the saucepan was once more filled and set +on the fire, but with no better success. The milk was hopelessly +spoilt, and the housewife shed tears of vexation at the waste, crying, +"Never before did such a thing befall me since I kept house! Three +quarts of new milk burnt for one meal!" + +"_And that's sixpence_," cried the voice from the chimney. "_You +didn't save the tinkering after all Mother_!" + +With which the Hillman himself came tumbling down the chimney, and +went off laughing through the door. + +But thenceforward the saucepan was as good as any other. + + + + +THE NECK. + +A Legend of a Lake. + + +On a certain lake there once lived a Neck, or Water Sprite, who +desired, above all things, to obtain a human soul. Now when the sun +shone this Neck rose up and sat upon the waves and played upon his +harp. And he played so sweetly that the winds stayed to listen to him, +and the sun lingered in his setting, and the moon rose before her +time. And the strain was in praise of immortality. + +Furthermore, out of the lake there rose a great rock, whereon dwelt an +aged hermit, who by reason of his loneliness was afflicted with a +spirit of melancholy; so that when the fit was on him, he was +constantly tempted to throw himself into the water, for his life was +burdensome to him. But one day, when this gloomy madness had driven +him to the edge of the rock to cast himself down, the Neck rose at the +same moment, and sitting upon a wave, began to play. And the strain +was in praise of immortality. And the melody went straight to the +heart of the hermit as a sunbeam goes into a dark cave, and it +dispelled his gloom, and he thought all to be as well with him as +before it had seemed ill. And he called to the Neck and said, "What is +that which thou dost play, my son?" + +And the Neck answered, "It is in praise of immortality." + +Then said the hermit, "I beg that thou wilt play frequently beneath +this rock; for I am an aged and solitary man, and by reason of my +loneliness, life becomes a burden to me, and I am tempted to throw it +away. But by this gracious strain the evil has been dispelled. +Wherefore I beg thee to come often and to play as long as is +convenient. And yet I cannot offer thee any reward, for I am poor and +without possessions." + +Then the Neck replied, "There are treasures below the water as above, +and I desire no earthly riches. But if thou canst tell me how I may +gain a human soul, I will play on till thou shalt bid me cease." + +And the hermit said, "I must consider the matter. But I will return +to-morrow at this time and answer thee." + +Then the next day he returned as he had said, and the Neck was +waiting impatiently on the lake, and he cried, "What news, my father?" + +And the hermit said, "If that at any time some human being will freely +give his life for thee, thou wilt gain a human soul. But thou also +must die the selfsame day." + +"The short life for the long one!" cried the Neck; and he played a +melody so full of happiness that the blood danced through the hermit's +veins as if he were a boy again. But the next day when he came as +usual the Neck called to him and said, "My father, I have been +thinking. Thou art aged and feeble, and at the most there are but few +days of life remaining to thee. Moreover, by reason of thy loneliness +even these are a burden. Surely there is none more fit than thou to be +the means of procuring me a human soul. Wherefore I beg of thee, let +us die to-day." + +But the hermit cried out angrily, "Wretch! Is this thy gratitude? +Wouldst thou murder me?" + +"Nay, old man," replied the Neck, "thou shalt part easily with thy +little fag-end of life. I can play upon my harp a strain of such +surpassing sadness that no human heart that hears it but must break. +And yet the pain of that heartbreak shall be such that thou wilt not +know it from rapture. Moreover, when the sun sets below the water, my +spirit also will depart without suffering. Wherefore I beg of thee, +let us die to-day." + +"Truly," said the hermit, "it is because thou art only a Neck, and +nothing better, that thou dost not know the value of human life." + +"And art thou a man, possessed already of a soul, and destined for +immortality," cried the Neck, "and dost haggle and grudge to benefit +me by the sacrifice of a few uncertain days, when it is but to +exchange them for the life that knows no end?" + +"Our days are always uncertain," replied the hermit; "but existence is +very sweet, even to the most wretched. Moreover, I see not that thou +hast any claim upon mine." Saying which he returned to his cell, but +the Neck, flinging aside his harp, sat upon the water, and wept +bitterly. + +Days passed, and the hermit did not show himself, and at last the Neck +resolved to go and visit him. So he took his harp, and taking also the +form of a boy with long fair hair and a crimson cap, he appeared in +the hermit's cell. There he found the old man stretched upon his +pallet, for lie was dying. When he saw the Neck he was glad, and said, +"I have desired to see thee, for I repent myself that I did not +according to thy wishes. Yet is the desire of life stronger in the +human breast than thou canst understand. Nevertheless I am sorry, and +I am sorry also that, as I am sick unto death, my life will no longer +avail thee. But when I am dead, do thou take all that belongs to me, +and dress thyself in my robe, and go out into the world, and do works +of mercy, and perchance some one whom thou hast benefited will be +found willing to die with thee, that thou mayst obtain a soul." + +"Now indeed I thank thee!" cried the Neck. "But yet one word +more--what are these works of which thou speakest?" + +"The corporal works of mercy are seven," gasped the hermit, raising +himself on his arm. "To feed the hungry and give the thirsty drink, to +visit the sick, to redeem captives, to clothe the naked, to shelter +the stranger and the houseless, to visit the widow and fatherless, and +to bury the dead." Then even as he spoke the last words the hermit +died. And the Neck clothed himself in his robe, and, not to delay in +following the directions given to him, he buried the hermit with pious +care, and planted flowers upon his grave. After which he went forth +into the world. + +Now for three hundred years did the Neck go about doing acts of mercy +and charity towards men. And amongst the hungry, and the naked, and +the sick, and the poor, and the captives, there were not a few who +seemed to be weary of this life of many sorrows. But when he had fed +the hungry, and clothed the naked, and relieved the sick, and made +the poor rich, and set the captive free, life was too dear to all of +them to be given up. Therefore he betook himself to the most miserable +amongst men, and offering nothing but an easy death in a good cause, +he hoped to find some aged and want-worn creature who would do him the +kindness he desired. But of those who must look forward to the fewest +days and to the most misery there was not one but, like the fabled +woodcutter, chose to trudge out to the end his miserable span. + +So when three hundred years were past, the Neck's heart failed him, +and he said, "All this avails nothing. Wherefore I will return to the +lake, and there abide what shall befall." And this he accordingly did. + +Now one evening there came a tempest down from the hills, and there +was a sudden squall on the lake. And a certain young man in a boat +upon the lake was overtaken by the storm. And as he struggled hard, +and it seemed as if every moment must be his last, a young maid who +was his sweetheart came down to the shore, and cried aloud in her +agony, "Alas, that his young life should be cut short thus!" + +"Trouble not thyself," said the Neck; "this life is so short and so +uncertain, that if he were rescued to-day he might be taken from thee +to-morrow. Only in eternity is love secure. Wherefore be patient, and +thou shalt soon follow him." + +"And who art thou that mockest my sorrow?" cried the maiden. + +"One who has watched the passing misfortunes of many generations +before thine," replied the Neck. + +And when the maiden looked, and saw one like a little old man wringing +out his beard into the lake, she knew it was a Neck, and cried, "Now +surely thou art a Neck, and they say, 'When Necks play, the winds +wisht;' wherefore I beg of thee to play upon thy harp, and it may be +that the storm will lull, and my beloved will be saved." + +But the Neck answered, "It is not worth while." + +And when the maiden could not persuade him, she fell upon her face in +bitter grief, and cried, "Oh, my Beloved! Would GOD I could die for +thee!" + +"And yet thou wouldst not if thou couldst," said the Neck. + +"If it be in thy power to prove me--prove me!" cried the maiden; "for +indeed he is the only stay of aged parents, and he is young and +unprepared for death. Moreover his life is dearer to me than my own." + +Then the Neck related his own story, and said, "If thou wilt do this +for me, which none yet has done whom I have benefited, I will play +upon my harp, and if the winds wisht, thou must die this easy death; +but if I fail in my part, I shall not expect thine to be fulfilled. +And we must both abide what shall befall, even as others." And to this +the maiden consented most willingly. Only she said, "Do this for me, I +beg of thee. Let him come so near that I may just see his face before +I die." And it was so agreed. + +Then the aged Neck drew forth his harp and began to play. And as he +played the wind stayed, as one who pauses to hearken with cleft lips, +and the lake rose and fell gently, like the bosom of a girl moved by +some plaintive song, and the sun burst forth as if to see who made +such sweet music. And so through this happy change the young man got +safe to land. Then the Neck turned to the maiden and said, "Dost thou +hold to thy promise?" And she bowed her head. + +"In the long life be thy recompense!" cried the Neck, fervently, and +taking his harp again, he poured his whole spirit into the strain. And +as he played, it seemed as if the night wind moaned among pine-trees, +but it was more mournful. And it was as the wail of a mother for her +only son, and yet fuller of grief. Or like a Dead March wrung from the +heart of a great musician--loading the air with sorrow--and yet all +these were as nothing to it for sadness. And when the maiden heard it, +it was more than she could bear, and her heart broke, as the Neck had +said. Then the young man sprang to shore, and when she could see his +face clearly, her soul passed, and her body fell like a snapped flower +to the earth. + +Now when the young man knew what was befallen, he fell upon the Neck +to kill him, who said, "Thou mayest spare thyself this trouble, for in +a few moments I shall be dead. But do thou take my robe and my harp, +and thou shalt be a famous musician." + +Now even as the Neck spoke the sun sank, and he fell upon his face. +And when the young man lifted the robe, behold there was nothing under +it but the harp, across which there swept such a wild and piteous +chord that all the strings burst as if with unutterable grief. + +Then the young man lifted the body of his sweetheart in his arms, and +carried her home, and she was buried with many tears. + +And in due time he put fresh strings to the harp, which, though it was +not as when it was in the hands of the Neck, yet it made most +exquisite music. And the young man became a famous musician. For out +of suffering comes song. + +Furthermore, he occupied himself in good works until that his time +also came. + + * * * * * + +And in Eternity Love was made secure. + + + + +THE NIX IN MISCHIEF. + + +A certain lake in Germany was once the home of a Nix, who became tired +of the monotony of life under water, and wished to go into the upper +world and amuse himself. + +His friends and relations all tried to dissuade him. "Be wise," said +they, "and remain where you are safe, seeing that no business summons +you from the lake. Few of our kindred have had dealings with the human +race without suffering from their curiosity or clumsiness; and, do +them what good you may, in the long run you will reap nothing but +ingratitude. From how many waters have they not already banished us? +Wherefore let well alone, and stay where you are." + +But this counsel did not please the Nix--(as, indeed, there is no +reason to suppose that advice is more palatable under water than on +dry land)--and he only said, "I shall not expect gratitude, for I have +no intention of conferring benefits; but I wish to amuse myself. The +Dwarfs and Kobolds play what pranks they please on men and women, and +they do not always have the worst of it. When I hear of their +adventures, the soles of my feet tingle. This is a sign of travelling, +and am I to be debarred from fun because I live in a lake instead of a +hill?" + +His friends repeated their warnings, but to no purpose. The Nix +remained unconvinced, and spent his time in dreaming of the clever +tricks by which he should outwit the human race, and the fame he would +thereby acquire on his return to the lake. + +Mischief seldom lacks opportunity, and shortly after this it happened +that a young girl came down to the lake for water to wash with; and +dipping her pail just above the Nix's head, in a moment he jumped in, +and was brought safe to land. The maid was Bess, the washerwoman's +daughter; and as she had had one good scolding that morning for +oversleeping herself, and another about noon for dawdling with her +work, she took up the pail and set off home without delay. + +But though she held it steadily enough, the bucket shook, and the +water spilled hither and thither. Thinking that her right arm might be +tired, she moved the weight to her left, but with no better success, +for the water still spilled at every step. "One would think there were +fishes in the pail," said Bess, as she set it down. But there was +nothing to be seen but a thin red water-worm wriggling at the bottom, +such as you may see any day in a soft-water tub. It was in this shape, +however, that the Nix had disguised himself, and he almost writhed out +of his skin with delight at the success of his first essay in +mischief. + +When they once more set forward the Nix leaped and jumped harder than +ever, so that not only was the water spilled, but the maiden's dress +was soaked, and her tears dropped almost as fast as the wet dripped +from her clothes. + +"The pail is bewitched!" cried the poor girl. "How my mother will beat +me for this! And my back aches as if I were carrying lead, and yet the +water is nearly all gone." + +"This is something like fun!" laughed the Nix. "When I go home and +relate _my_ adventures, no dwarfs pranks will be named again!" But +when Bess looked into the pail, he was the same slimy, stupid-looking +worm as before. She dared not return to the lake for more +water--"for," said she, "I should be as much beaten for being late as +for bringing short measure, and have the labour to boot." So she took +up her burden again, and the Nix began his dance afresh, and by the +time they came to their journey's end, there was not a quart of water +in the pail. + +"Was ever a poor woman plagued with such a careless hussy?" cried the +mother when she saw the dripping dress; and, as Bess had expected, she +seasoned her complaints with a hearty slap. "And look what she calls a +pailful of water!" added the mother, with a second blow. + +"Late in the morning's unlucky all day," thought poor Bess, and, as +her mother curled her, she screamed till the house rang with the +noise; for she had good lungs, and knew that it is well to cry out +before one gets too much hurt. + +Meanwhile the Nix thought she was enduring agonies, and could hardly +contain his mischievous glee; and when the woman bade her "warm some +water quickly for the wash," he was in no way disturbed, for he had +never seen boiling water, and only anticipated fresh sport as he +slipped from the pail into the kettle. + +"Now," cried the mother sharply, "see if you can lift _that_ without +slopping your clothes." + +"Aye, aye," laughed the Nix, "see if you can, my dear!" and as poor +Bess seized it in her sturdy red hands he began to dance as before. +But the kettle had a lid, which the pail had not. Moreover Bess was a +strong, strapping lass, and, stimulated by the remembrance of her +mother's slaps, with a vigorous effort she set the kettle on the fire. +"I shall be glad when I'm safely in bed," she muttered. "Everything +goes wrong to-day." + +"It is warm in here," said the Nix to himself, after a while; "in +fact--stuffy. But one must pay something for a frolic, and it tickles +my ears to hear that old woman rating her daughter for my pranks. Give +me time and opportunity, and I'll set the whole stupid race by the +ears. There she goes again! It is worth enduring a little discomfort, +though it certainly is warm, and I fancy it grows warmer." + +By degrees the bottom of the kettle grew quite hot, and burnt the Nix, +so that he had to jump up and down in the water to keep himself cool. +The noise of this made the woman think that the kettle was boiling, +and she began to scold her daughter as before, shouting, "Are you +coming with that tub to-night or not? The water is hot already." + +This time the Nix laughed (as they say) on the other side of his +mouth; for the water had now become as hot as the bottom of the +kettle, and he screamed at the top of his shrill tiny voice with pain. + +"How the kettle sings to-night!" said Bess, "and how it rains!" she +added. For at that moment a tremendous storm burst around the house, +and the rain poured down in sheets of water, as if it meant to wash +everything into the lake. The kettle now really boiled, and the lid +danced up and down with the frantic leaping and jumping of the +agonized Nix, who puffed and blew till his breath came out of the +spout in clouds of steam. + +"If your eyes were as sharp as your ears you'd see that the water is +boiling over," snapped the woman; and giving her daughter a passing +push, she hurried to the fire-place, and lifted the kettle on to the +ground. + +But no sooner had she set it down, than the lid flew off, and out +jumped a little man with green teeth and a tall green hat, who ran out +of the door wringing his hands and crying-- + +"Three hundred and three years have I lived in the water of this lake, +and I never knew it boil before!" + +As he crossed the threshold, a clap of thunder broke with what sounded +like a peal of laughter from many voices, and then the storm ceased as +suddenly as it had begun. + +The woman now saw how matters stood, and did not fail next morning to +fasten an old horseshoe to the door of her house. And seeing that she +had behaved unjustly to her daughter, she bought her the gayest set +of pink ribbons that were to be found at the next fair. + +It is on record that Bess (who cared little for slaps and sharp +speeches) thought this the best bargain she had ever made. But whether +the Nix was equally well satisfied is not known. + + + + +THE COBBLER AND THE GHOSTS. + + +Long ago there lived a cobbler who had very poor wits, but by strict +industry he could earn enough to keep himself and his widowed mother +in comfort. + +In this manner he had lived for many years in peace and prosperity, +when a distant relative died who left him a certain sum of money. This +so elated the cobbler that he could think of nothing else, and his +only talk was of the best way of spending the legacy. + +His mother advised him to lay it by against a rainy day. + +"For," said she, "we have lived long in much comfort as we are, and +have need of nothing; but when you grow old, or if it should please +Heaven that you become disabled, you will then be glad of your +savings." + +But to this the cobbler would not listen. "No," said he, "if we save +the money it may be stolen, but if we spend it well, we shall have +the use of what we buy, and may sell it again if we are so minded." + +He then proposed one purchase after another, and each was more foolish +than the rest. When this had gone on for some time, one morning he +exclaimed: "I have it at last! We will buy the house. It cannot be +stolen or lost, and when it is ours we shall have no rent to pay, and +I shall not have to work so hard." + +"He will never hit on a wiser plan than that," thought the widow; "it +is not to be expected." So she fully consented to this arrangement, +which was duly carried out; and the bargain left the cobbler with a +few shillings, which he tied up in a bag and put in his pocket, having +first changed them into pence, that they might make more noise when he +jingled the bag as he walked down the street. + +Presently he said; "It is not fit that a man who lives in his own +house, and has ready money in his pocket too, should spend the whole +day in labouring with his hands. Since by good luck I can read, it +would be well that I should borrow a book from the professor, for +study is an occupation suitable to my present position." + +Accordingly, he went to the professor, whom he found seated in his +library, and preferred his request. + +"What book do you want?" asked the professor. + +The cobbler stood and scratched his head thoughtfully. The professor +thought that he was trying to recall the name of the work; but in +reality he was saying to himself: "How much additional knowledge one +requires if he has risen ever so little in life! Now, if I did but +know where it is proper to begin in a case full of books like this! +Should one take the first on the top shelf, or the bottom shelf, to +the left, or to the right?" + +At last he resolved to choose the book nearest to him; so drawing it +out from the rest, he answered-- + +"This one, if it please you, learned sir." The professor lent it to +him, and he took it home and began to read. + +It was, as it happened, a book about ghosts and apparitions; and the +cobbler's mind was soon so full of these marvels that he could talk of +nothing else, and hardly did a stroke of work for reading and +pondering over what he read. He could find none of his neighbours who +had seen a ghost, though most had heard of such things, and many +believed in them. + +"Live and learn," thought the cobbler; "here is fame as well as +wealth. If I could but see a ghost there would be no more to desire." +And with this intent he sallied forth late one night to the +churchyard. + +Meanwhile a thief (who had heard the jingle of his money-bag) +resolved to profit by the cobbler's whim; so wrapping himself in a +sheet, he laid wait for him in a field that he must cross to reach the +church. + +When the cobbler saw the white figure, he made sure, that he had now +seen a ghost, and already felt proud of his own acquaintance, as a +remarkable character. Meanwhile, the thief stood quite still, and the +cobbler walked boldly up to him, expecting that the phantom would +either vanish or prove so impalpable that he could pass through it as +through a mist, of which he had read many notable instances in the +professor's book. He soon found out his mistake, however, for the +supposed ghost grappled him, and without loss of time relieved him of +his money-bag. The cobbler (who was not wanting in courage) fastened +as tightly on to the sheet, which he still held with desperate +firmness when the thief had slipped through his fingers; and after +waiting in vain for further marvels, he carried the sheet home to his +mother, and narrated his encounter with the ghost. + +"Alack-a-day! that I should have a son with so little wit!" cried the +old woman; "it was no ghost, but a thief, who is now making merry with +all the money we possessed." + +"We have his sheet," replied her son; "and that is due solely to my +determination. How could I have acted better?" + +"You should have grasped the man, not the sheet," said the widow, +"and pummelled him till he cried out and dropped the money-bag." + +"Live and learn," said the cobbler. The next night he went out as +before, and this time reached the churchyard unmolested. He was just +climbing the stile, when he again saw what seemed to be a white figure +standing near the church. As before, it proved solid, and this time he +pummelled it till his fingers bled, and for very weariness he was +obliged to go home and relate his exploits. The ghost had not cried +out, however, nor even so much as moved, for it was neither more nor +less than a tall tombstone shining white in the moonlight. + +"Alack-a-day!" cried the old woman, "that I should have a son with so +little wit as to beat a gravestone till his knuckles are sore! Now if +he had covered it with something black that it might not alarm timid +women or children, that would at least have been an act of charity." + +"Live and learn," said the cobbler. The following night he again set +forth, but this time in another direction. As he was crossing a field +behind his house he saw some long pieces of linen which his mother had +put out to bleach in the dew. + +"More ghosts!" cried the shoemaker, "and they know who is behind them. +They have fallen flat at the sound of my footsteps. But one must +think of others as well as oneself, and it is not every heart that is +as stout as mine." Saying which he returned to the house for something +black to throw over the prostrate ghosts. Now the kitchen chimney had +been swept that morning, and by the back door stood a sack of soot. + +"What is blacker than soot?" said the cobbler; and taking the sack, he +shook it out over the pieces of linen till not a thread of white was +to be seen. After which he went home, and boasted of his good deeds. + +The widow now saw that she must be more careful as to what she said; +so, after weighing the matter for some time, she suggested to the +cobbler that the next night he should watch for ghosts at home; "for +they are to be seen," said she, "as well when one is in bed as in the +fields." + +"There you are right," said the cobbler, "for I have this day read of +a ghost that appeared to a man in his own house. The candles burnt +blue, and when he had called thrice upon the apparition, he became +senseless." + +"That was his mistake," said the old woman. "He should have turned a +deaf ear, and even pretended to slumber; but it is not every one who +has courage for this. If one could really fall asleep in the face of +the apparition, there would be true bravery." + +"Leave that to me," said the cobbler. And the widow went off +chuckling, to herself, "If he comes to any mischance by holding his +tongue and going to sleep, ill-luck has got him by the leg, and +counsel is wasted on him." + +As soon as his mother was in bed, the cobbler prepared for his watch. +First he got together all the candles in the house, and stuck them +here and there about the kitchen, and sat down to watch till they +should burn blue. After waiting some time, during which the candles +only guttered with the draughts, the cobbler decided to go to rest for +a while. "It is too early yet," he thought; "I shall see nothing till +midnight." + +Very soon, however, he fell asleep; but towards morning he awoke, and +in the dim light perceived a figure in white at his bedside. It was a +blacksmith who lived near, and he had run in in his night-shirt +without so much as slippers on his feet. + +"The ghost at last!" thought the cobbler, and, remembering his +mother's advice, he turned over and shut his eyes. + +"Neighbour! neighbour!" cried the blacksmith, "your house is on fire!" + +"An old bird is not to be caught with chaff," chuckled the cobbler to +himself; and he pulled the bed-clothes over his head. + +"Neighbour!" roared the blacksmith, snatching at the quilt to drag it +off, "are you mad? The house is burning over your head. Get up for +your life!" + +"I have the courage of a general, and more," thought the cobbler; and +holding tightly on to the clothes he pretended to snore. + +"If you will burn, bum!" cried the blacksmith angrily, "but I mean to +save my bones"--with which he ran off. + +And burnt the cobbler undoubtedly would have been, had not his +mother's cries at last convinced him that the candles had set fire to +his house, which was wrapped in flames. With some difficulty he +escaped with his life, but of all he possessed nothing remained to him +but his tools and a few articles of furniture that the widow had +saved. + +As he was now again reduced to poverty, he was obliged to work as +diligently as in former years, and passed the rest of his days in the +same peace and prosperity which he had before enjoyed. + + + + +THE LAIRD AND THE MAN OF PEACE. + + +In the Highlands of Scotland there once lived a Laird of Brockburn, +who would not believe in fairies. Although his sixth cousin on the +mother's side, as he returned one night from a wedding, had seen the +Men of Peace hunting on the sides of Ben Muich Dhui, dressed in green, +and with silver-mounted bridles to their horses which jingled as they +rode; and though Rory the fiddler having gone to play at a christening +did never come home, but crossing a hill near Brockburn in a mist was +seduced into a _Shian_[1] or fairy turret, where, as all decent bodies +well believe, he is playing still--in spite, I say, of the wise saws +and experience of all his neighbours, Brockburn remained obstinately +incredulous. + +[Footnote 1: _Shian_, a Gaelic name for fairy towers, which by day are +not to be told from mountain crags.] + +Not that he bore any ill-will to the Good People, or spoke uncivilly +of them; indeed he always disavowed any feeling of disrespect towards +them if they existed, saying that he was a man of peace himself, and +anxious to live peaceably with whatever neighbours he had, but that +till he had seen one of the _Daoine Shi_[2] he could not believe in +them. + +[Footnote 2: _Daoine Shi_ (pronounced _Dheener Shee_) = Men of Peace.] + +Now one afternoon, between Hallowmas and Yule, it chanced that the +Laird, being out on the hills looking for some cattle, got parted from +his men and dogs and was overtaken by a mist, in which, familiar as +the country was to him, he lost his way. + +In vain he raised his voice high, and listened low, no sound of man or +beast came back to him through the thickening vapour. + +Then night fell, and darkness was added to the fog, so that Brockburn +needed to sound every step with his _rung_[3] before he took it. + +[Footnote 3: _Rung_ = a thick stick.] + +Suddenly light footsteps pattered beside him, then Something rubbed +against him, then It ran between his legs. The delighted Laird made +sure that his favourite collie had found him once more. + +"Wow, Jock, man!" he cried; "but ye needna throw me on my face. What's +got ye the night, that _you_ should lose your way in a bit mist?" + +To this a voice from the level of his elbow replied, in piping but +patronizing tones; + +"Never did I lose my way in a mist since the night that Finn crossed +over to Ireland in the Dawn of History. Eh, Laird! I'm weel acquaint +with every bit path on the hill-side these hundreds of years, and I'll +guide ye safe hame, never fear!" + +The hairs on Brockburn's head stood on end till they lifted his broad +bonnet, and a damp chill broke out over him that was not the fog. But, +for all that, he stoutly resisted the evidence of his senses, and only +felt about him for the collie's head to pat, crying: + +"Bark! Jock, my mannie, bark! Then I'll recognize your voice, ye ken. +It's no canny to hear ye speak like a Christian, my wee doggie." + +"I'm nae your doggie, I'm a Man of Peace," was the reply. "Dinna +miscall your betters, Brockburn: why will ye not credit our existence, +man?" + +"Seein's believin'," said the Laird, stubbornly; "but the mist's ower +thick for seein' the night, ye ken." + +"Turn roun' to your left, man, and ye'll see," said the Dwarf, and +catching Brockburn by the arm, he twisted him swiftly round three +times, when a sudden blaze of light poured through the mist, and +revealed a crag of the mountain well known to the Laird, and which he +now saw to be a kind of turret, or tower. + +Lights shone gaily through the crevices or windows of the _Shian_, +and sounds of revelry came forth, among which fiddling was +conspicuous. The tune played at that moment was "Delvyn-side." + +Blinded by the light, and amazed at what he saw, the Laird staggered, +and was silent. + +"Keep to your feet, man--keep to your feet!" said the Dwarf, laughing. +"I doubt ye're fou, Brockburn!" + +"I'm nae fou," said the Laird, slowly, his rung grasped firmly in his +hand, and his bonnet set back from his face, which was deadly pale. +"But--man-_is yon Rory?_ I'd know his fiddle in a thousand." + +"Ask no questions, and ye'll be tellt no lees," said the Dwarf. Then +stepping up to the door of the _Shian_, he stood so that the light +from within fell full upon him, and the astonished Laird saw a tiny +but well-proportioned man, with delicate features, and golden hair +flowing over his shoulders. He wore a cloak of green cloth, lined with +daisies, and had silver shoes. His beautiful face quivered with +amusement, and he cried triumphantly, "D'ye see me?--d'ye see me noo, +Brockburn?" + +"Aye, aye," said the Laird; "and seein's believin'." + +"Then roun' wi' ye!" shouted the Man of Peace; and once more seizing +the Laird by the arm, he turned him swiftly round--this time, to the +right--and at the third turn the light vanished, and Brockburn and +the Man of Peace were once more alone together in the mist. + +"Aweel, Brockburn," said the Man of Peace, "I'll alloo ye're candid, +and have a convincible mind. I'm no ill disposit to ye, and yese get +safe hame, man." + +As he spoke he stooped down, and picking up half-a-dozen big stones +from the mountain-side, he gave them to the Laird, saying, "If the +gudewife asks ye about the bit stanes, say ye got them in a +compliment."[4] + +[Footnote 4: "In a compliment" = "as a present."] + +Brockburn put them into his pocket, briefly saying, "I'm obleeged to +ye;" but as he followed the Man of Peace down the hill-side, he found +the obligation so heavy, that from time to time he threw a stone away, +unobserved, as he hoped, by his companion. When the first stone fell, +the Man of Peace looked sharply round, saying: + +"What's yon?" + +"It'll be me striking my rung upon the ground," said the Laird. + +"You're mad," said the Man of Peace, and Brockburn felt sure that he +knew the truth, and was displeased. But as they went on, the stones +were so heavy, and bumped the Laird's side so hard, that he threw away +a second, dropping it as gently as he could. But the sound of its +fall did not escape the ears of the Man of Peace, who cried as before: + +"What's yon?" + +"It's jest a nasty hoast[5] that I have," said the Laird. + +[Footnote 5: "Hoast" = cough.] + +"Man, you're daft," said the Dwarf, contemptuously; "that's what ails +ye." + +The Laird now resolved to be prudent, but the inconvenience of his +burden was so great that after a while he resolved to risk the +displeasure of the Man of Peace once more, and gently slipped a third +stone to the ground. + +"Third time's lucky," he thought. But the proverb failed him, for the +Dwarf turned as before, shouting: "What's yon?" + +"It'll be my new brogues[6] that ye hear bumpin' Upon the muckle +stanes," said the Laird. + +[Footnote 6: "Brogues" = shoes.] + +"Ye're fou, Brockburn, I tellt ye so. Ye're fou!" growled the Man of +Peace, angrily, and the Laird dared not drop any more of the Dwarfs +gifts. After a while his companion's good-humour seemed to return, and +he became talkative and generous. + +"I mind your great-grandfather weel, Brockburn. He was a hamely man, I +found his sheep for him one nicht on this verra hill-side. Mair by +token, ye'll find your beasties at hame, and the men and the dogs +forebye." + +The Laird thanked him heartily, and after a while the Dwarf became +more liberal-spirited still. + +"Yese no have to say that ye've been with the _Daoine Shi_ and are no +the better for it," he said. "I'm thinking I'll grant ye three wushes. +But choose wisely, man, and dinna throw _them_ away. I hae my fears +that ye're no without a bee in your bonnet, Brockburn." + +Incensed by this insinuation, the Laird defended his own sagacity at +some length, and retorted on his companion with doubts of the power of +the _Daoine Shi_ to grant wishes. + +"The proof of the pudding's in the eating o't," said the Man of Peace. +"Wush away, Brockburn, and mak the nut as hard to crack as ye will." + +The Laird at once began to cast about in his mind for three wishes +sufficiently comprehensive to secure his lifelong prosperity; but the +more he beat his brains the less could he satisfy himself. + +How many miles he wandered thus, the Dwarf keeping silently beside +him, he never knew, before he sank exhausted on the ground, saying: + +"I'm thinking, man, that if ye could bring hame to me, in place of +bringing me hame, I'd misdoubt your powers nae mair. It's a far cry to +Loch Awe,[7] ye ken, and it's a weary long road to Brockburn." + +[Footnote 7: "It's a far cry to Loch Awe."--_Scotch Proverb_.] + +"Is this your wush?" asked the Man of Peace. + +"This is my wush," said the Laird, striking his rung upon the ground. + +The words had scarcely passed his lips when the whole homestead of +Brockburn, house and farm buildings, was planted upon the bleak +hill-side. + +The astonished Laird now began to bewail the rash wish which had +removed his home from the sheltered and fertile valley where it +originally stood to the barren side of a bleak mountain. + +The Man of Peace, however, would not take any hints as to undoing his +work of his own accord. All he said was: + +"If ye wush it away, so it'll be. But then ye'll only have one wush +left. Ye've small discretion the nicht, Brockburn, I'm feared." + +"To leave the steading in sic a spot is no to be thought on," sighed +the Laird, as he spent his second wish in undoing his first. But he +cannily added the provision: + +"And ye may tak me wi' it." + +The words were no sooner spoken than the homestead was back in its +place, and Brockburn himself was lying in his own bed, Jock, his +favourite collie, barking and licking his face by turns for joy. + +"Whisht, whisht, Jock!" said the Laird. "Ye wouldna bark when I begged +of ye, so ye may hand your peace noo." + +And pushing the collie from him, he sat up in bed and looked anxiously +but vainly round the chamber for the Man of Peace. + +"Lie doun, lie doun," cried the gudewife from beside him. "Ye're +surely out o' your wuts, Brockburn. Would ye gang stravaging about the +country again the nicht?" + +"Where is he?" cried the Laird. + +"There's not a soul here but your lawful wife and your ain dear +doggie. Was there ae body that ye expected?" asked his wife. + +"The Man o' Peace, woman!" cried Brockburn. "I've ane o' my wushes to +get, and I maun hae't." + +"The man's mad!" was the gudewife's comment. "Ye've surely forgotten +yoursel, Brockburn. Ye never believed in the _Daoine Shi_ before." + +"Seein's believin'," said the Laird. "I forgathered with a Man o' +Peace the nicht on the hill, and I wush I just saw him again." + +As the Laird spoke the window of the chamber was lit up from without, +and the Man of Peace appeared sitting on the window-ledge in his +daisy-lined cloak, his feet hanging down into the room, the silver +shoes glittering as they dangled. + +"I'm here, Brockburn!" he cried. "But eh, man! ye've had your last +wush." + +And even as the stupefied Laird gazed, the light slowly died away, and +the Man of Peace vanished also. + +On the following morning the Laird was roused from sleep by loud cries +of surprise and admiration. + +The good wife had been stirring for some hours, and in emptying the +pockets of her good man's coat she had found three huge cairngorms of +exquisite tint and lustre. Brockburn thus discovered the value of the +gifts, half of which he had thrown away. + +But no subsequent visits to the hill-side led to their recovery. Many +a time did the Laird bring home a heavy pocketful of stones, at the +thrifty gudewife's bidding, but they only proved to be the common +stones of the mountain-side. The _Shian_ could never be distinguished +from any other crag, and the _Daoine Shi_ were visible no more. + +Yet it is said that the Laird of Brockburn prospered and throve +thereafter, in acre, stall, and steading, as those seldom prosper who +have not the good word of the People of Peace. + + + + +THE OGRE COURTING. + + +In days when ogres were still the terror of certain districts, there +was one who had long kept a whole neighbourhood in fear without any +one daring to dispute his tyranny. + +By thefts and exactions, by heavy ransoms from merchants too old and +tough to be eaten, in one way and another, the Ogre had become very +rich; and although those who knew could tell of huge cellars full of +gold and jewels, and yards and barns groaning with the weight of +stolen goods, the richer he grew the more anxious and covetous he +became. Moreover, day by day, he added to his stores; for though (like +most ogres) he was as stupid as he was strong, no one had ever been +found, by force or fraud, to get the better of him. + +What he took from the people was not their heaviest grievance. Even to +be killed and eaten by him was not the chance they thought of most. A +man can die but once; and if he is a sailor, a shark may eat him, +which is not so much better than being devoured by an ogre. No, that +was not the worst. The worst was this--he would keep getting married. +And as he liked little wives, all the short women lived in fear and +dread. And as his wives always died very soon, he was constantly +courting fresh ones. + +Some said he ate his wives; some said he tormented, and others, that +he only worked them to death. Everybody knew it was not a desirable +match, and yet there was not a father who dare refuse his daughter if +she were asked for. The Ogre only cared for two things in a woman--he +liked her to be little, and a good housewife. + +Now it was when the Ogre had just lost his twenty-fourth wife (within +the memory of man) that these two qualities were eminently united in +the person of the smallest and most notable woman of the district, the +daughter of a certain poor farmer. He was so poor that he could not +afford properly to dower his daughter, who had in consequence remained +single beyond her first youth. Everybody felt sure that Managing Molly +must now be married to the Ogre. The tall girls stretched themselves +till they looked like maypoles, and said, "Poor thing!" The slatterns +gossiped from house to house, the heels of their shoes clacking as +they went, and cried that this was what came of being too thrifty. + +And sure enough, in due time, the giant widower came to the farmer as +he was in the field looking over his crops, and proposed for Molly +there and then. The farmer was so much put out that he did not know +what he said in reply, either when he was saying it, or afterwards, +when his friends asked about it. But he remembered that the Ogre had +invited himself to sup at the farm that day week. + +Managing Molly did not distress herself at the news. + +"Do what I bid you, and say as I say," said she to her father, "and if +the Ogre does not change his mind, at any rate you shall not come +empty-handed out of the business." + +By his daughter's desire the farmer now procured a large number of +hares, and a barrel of white wine, which expenses completely emptied +his slender stocking, and on the day of the Ogre's visit, she made a +delicious and savoury stew with the hares in the biggest pickling tub, +and the wine-barrel was set on a bench near the table. + +When the Ogre came, Molly served up the stew, and the Ogre sat down to +sup, his head just touching the kitchen rafters. The stew was perfect, +and there was plenty of it. For what Molly and her father ate was +hardly to be counted in the tubful. The Ogre was very much pleased, +and said politely: + +"I'm afraid, my dear, that you have been put to great trouble and +expense on my account, I have a large appetite, and like to sup well." + +"Don't mention it, sir," said Molly. "The fewer rats the more corn. +How do _you_ cook them?" + +"Not one of all the extravagant hussies I have had as wives ever +cooked them at all," said the Ogre; and he thought to himself, "Such a +stew out of rats! What frugality! What a housewife!" + +When he broached the wine, he was no less pleased, for it was of the +best. + +"This, at any rate, must have cost you a great deal, neighbour," said +he, drinking the farmer's health as Molly left the room. + +"I don't know that rotten apples could be better used," said the +farmer; "but I leave all that to Molly. Do you brew at home?" + +"We give _our_ rotten apples to the pigs," growled the Ogre. "But +things will be better ordered when she is my wife." + +The Ogre was now in great haste to conclude the match, and asked what +dowry the farmer would give his daughter. + +"I should never dream of giving a dowry with Molly," said the farmer, +boldly. "Whoever gets her, gets dowry enough. On the contrary, I shall +expect a good round sum from the man who deprives me of her. Our +wealthiest farmer is just widowed, and therefore sure to be in a +hurry for marriage. He has an eye to the main chance, and would not +grudge to pay well for such a wife, I'll warrant." + +"I'm no churl myself," said the Ogre, who was anxious to secure his +thrifty bride at any price; and he named a large sum of money, +thinking, "We shall live on rats henceforward, and the beef and mutton +will soon cover the dowry." + +"Double that, and we'll see," said the farmer, stoutly. + +But the Ogre became angry, and cried; "What are you thinking of, man? +Who is to hinder my carrying your lass off, without 'with your leave' +or 'by your leave,' dowry or none?" + +"How little you know her!" said the farmer. "She is so firm that she +would be cut to pieces sooner than give you any benefit of her thrift, +unless you dealt fairly in the matter." + +"Well, well," said the Ogre, "let us meet each other." And he named a +sum larger than he at first proposed, and less than the farmer had +asked. This the farmer agreed to, as it was enough to make him +prosperous for life. + +"Bring it in a sack to-morrow morning," said he to the Ogre, "and then +you can speak to Molly; she's gone to bed now." + +The next morning, accordingly, the Ogre appeared, carrying the dowry +in a sack, and Molly came to meet him. + +"There are two things," said she, "I would ask of any lover of mine: a +new farmhouse, built as I should direct, with a view to economy; and a +feather-bed of fresh goose feathers, filled when the old woman plucks +her geese. If I don't sleep well, I cannot work well." + +"That is better than asking for finery," thought the Ogre; "and after +all the house will be my own." So, to save the expense of labour, he +built it himself, and worked hard, day after day, under Molly's +orders, till winter came. Then it was finished. + +"Now for the feather-bed," said Molly. "I'll sew up the ticking, and +when the old woman plucks her geese, I'll let you know." + +When it snows, they say the old woman up yonder is plucking her geese, +and so at the first snowstorm Molly sent for the Ogre. + +"Now you see the feathers falling," said she, "so fill the bed." + +"How am I to catch them?" cried the Ogre. + +"Stupid! don't you see them lying there in a heap?" cried Molly; "get +a shovel, and set to work." + +The Ogre accordingly carried in shovelfuls of snow to the bed, but as +it melted as fast as he put it in, his labour never seemed done. +Towards night the room got so cold that the snow would not melt, and +now the bed was soon filled. + +Molly hastily covered it with sheets and blankets, and said: "Pray +rest here to-night, and tell me if the bed is not comfort itself. +To-morrow we will be married." + +So the tired Ogre lay down on the bed he had filled, but, do what he +would, he could not get warm. + +"The sheets must be damp," said he, and in the morning he woke with +such horrible pains in his bones that he could hardly move, and half +the bed had melted away. "It's no use," he groaned, "she's a very +managing woman, but to sleep on such a bed would be the death of me." +And he went off home as quickly as he could, before Managing Molly +could call upon him to be married; for she was so managing that he was +more than half afraid of her already. + +When Molly found that he had gone, she sent the farmer after him. + +"What does he want?" cried the Ogre, when they told him the farmer was +at the door. + +"He says the bride is waiting for you," was the reply. + +"Tell him I'm too ill to be married," said the Ogre. + +But the messenger soon returned: + +"He says she wants to know what you will give her to make up for the +disappointment." + +"She's got the dowry, and the farm, and the feather-bed," groaned the +Ogre; "what more does she want?" + +But again the messenger returned: + +"She says you've pressed the feather-bed flat, and she wants some more +goose feathers." + +"There are geese enough in the yard," yelled the Ogre, "Let him drive +them home; and if he has another word to say, put him down to roast." + +The farmer, who overheard this order, lost no time in taking his +leave, and as he passed through the yard he drove home as fine a flock +of geese as you will see on a common. + +It is said that the Ogre never recovered from the effects of sleeping +on the old woman's goose feathers, and was less powerful than before. + +As for Managing Molly, being now well dowered, she had no lack of +offers of marriage, and was soon mated to her mind. + + + + +THE MAGICIANS' GIFTS. + + +There was once a king in whose dominions lived no less than three +magicians. + +When the king's eldest son was christened, the king invited the three +magicians to the christening feast, and to make the compliment the +greater, he asked one of them to stand godfather. But the other two, +who were not asked to be godfathers, were so angry at what they held +to be a slight, that they only waited to see how they might best +revenge themselves upon the infant prince. + +When the moment came for presenting the christening gifts, the +godfather magician advanced to the cradle and said, "My gift is this: +Whatever he wishes for he shall have. And only I who give shall be +able to recall this gift." For he perceived the jealousy of the other +magicians, and knew that, if possible, they would undo what he did. +But the second magician muttered in his beard, "And yet I will change +it to a curse." And coming up to the cradle, he said, "The wishes +that he has thus obtained he shall not be able to revoke or change." + +Then the third magician grumbled beneath his black robe, "If he were +very wise and prudent he might yet be happy. But I will secure his +punishment." So he also drew near to the cradle, and said, "For my +part, I give him a hasty temper." + +After which, the two dissatisfied magicians withdrew together, saying, +"Should we permit ourselves to be slighted for nothing?" + +But the king and his courtiers were not at all disturbed. + +"My son has only to be sure of what he wants," said the king, "and +then, I suppose, he will not desire to recall his wishes." + +And the courtiers added, "If a prince may not have a hasty temper, who +may, we should like to know?" + +And everybody laughed, except the godfather magician, who went out +sighing and shaking his head, and was seen no more. + +Whilst the king's son was yet a child, the gift of the godfather +magician began to take effect. There was nothing so rare and precious +that he could not obtain it, or so difficult that it could not be +accomplished by his mere wish. But, on the other hand, no matter how +inconsiderately he spoke, or how often he changed his mind, what he +had once wished must remain as he had wished it, in spite of himself; +and as he often wished for things that were bad for him, and oftener +still wished for a thing one day and regretted it the next, his power +was the source of quite as much pain as pleasure to him. Then his +temper was so hot, that he was apt hastily to wish ill to those who +offended him, and afterwards bitterly to regret the mischief that he +could not undo. Thus, one after another, the king appointed his +trustiest counsellors to the charge of his son, who, sooner or later, +in the discharge of their duty, were sure to be obliged to thwart him; +on which the impatient prince would cry, "I wish you were at the +bottom of the sea with your rules and regulations;" and the +counsellors disappeared accordingly, and returned no more. + +When there was not a wise man left at court, and the king himself +lived in daily dread of being the next victim, he said, "Only one +thing remains to be done: to find the godfather magician, and persuade +him to withdraw his gift." + +So the king offered rewards, and sent out messengers in every +direction, but the magician was not to be found. At last, one day he +met a blind beggar, who said to him, "Three nights ago I dreamed that +I went by the narrowest of seven roads to seek what you are looking +for, and was successful." + +When the king returned home, he asked his courtiers, "Where are there +seven roads lying near to each other, some broad, and some narrow?" +And one of them replied, "Twenty-one miles to the west of the palace +is a four-cross road, where three field-paths also diverge." + +To this place the king made his way, and taking the narrowest of the +field-paths, went on and on till it led him straight into a cave, +where an old woman sat over a fire. + +"Does a magician live here?" asked the king. + +"No one lives here but myself," said the old woman. "But as I am a +wise woman I may be able to help you if you need it." + +The king then told her of his perplexities, and how he was desirous of +finding the magician, to persuade him to recall his gift. + +"He could not recall the other gifts," said the wise woman. "Therefore +it is better that the prince should be taught to use his power +prudently and to control his temper. And since all the persons capable +of guiding him have disappeared, I will return with you and take +charge of him myself. Over me he will have no power." + +To this the king consented, and they returned together to the palace, +where the wise woman became guardian to the prince, and she fulfilled +her duties so well that he became much more discreet and +self-controlled. Only at times his violent temper got the better of +him, and led him to wish what he afterwards vainly regretted. + +Thus all went well till the prince became a man, when, though he had +great affection for her, he felt ashamed of having an old woman for +his counsellor, and he said, "I certainly wish that I had a faithful +and discreet adviser of my own age and sex." + +On that very day a young nobleman offered himself as companion to the +prince, and as he was a young man of great ability, he was accepted: +whereupon the old woman took her departure, and was never seen again. + +The young nobleman performed his part so well that the prince became +deeply attached to him, and submitted in every way to his counsels. +But at last a day came when, being in a rage, the advice of his friend +irritated him, and he cried hastily, "Will you drive me mad with your +long sermons? I wish you would hold your tongue for ever." On which +the young nobleman became dumb, and so remained. For he was not, as +the wise woman had been, independent of the prince's power. + +The prince's grief and remorse knew no bounds. "Am I not under a +curse?" said he. "Truly I ought to be cast out from human society, and +sent to live with wild beasts in a wilderness. I only bring evil upon +those I love best--indeed, there is no hope for me unless I can find +my godfather, and make him recall this fatal gift." + +So the prince mounted his horse, and, accompanied by his dumb friend, +who still remained faithful to him, he set forth to find the magician. +They took no followers, except the prince's dog, a noble hound, who +was so quick of hearing that he understood all that was said to him, +and was, next to the young nobleman, the wisest person at court. + +"Mark well, my dog," said the prince to him, "we stay nowhere till we +find my godfather, and when we find him we go no further. I rely on +your sagacity to help us." + +The dog licked the prince's hand, and then trotted so resolutely down +a certain road that the two friends allowed him to lead them and +followed close behind. + +They travelled in this way to the edge of the king's dominions, only +halting for needful rest and refreshment. At last the dog led them +through a wood, and towards evening they found themselves in the +depths of the forest, with no sign of any shelter for the night. +Presently they heard a little bell, such as is rung for prayer, and +the dog ran down a side path and led them straight to a kind of +grotto, at the door of which stood an aged hermit. + +"Does a magician live here?" asked the prince. + +"No one lives here but myself," said the hermit, "but I am old, and +have meditated much. My advice is at your service if you need it." + +The prince then related his history, and how he was now seeking the +magician godfather, to rid himself of his gift. + +"And yet that will not cure your temper," said the hermit. "It were +better that you employed yourself in learning to control that, and to +use your power prudently." + +"No, no," replied the prince; "I must find the magician." + +And when the hermit pressed his advice, he cried, "Provoke me not, +good father, or I may be base enough to wish you ill; and the evil I +do I cannot undo." + +And he departed, followed by his friend, and calling his dog. But the +dog seated himself at the hermit's feet, and would not move. Again and +again the prince called him, but he only whined and wagged his tail, +and refused to move. Coaxing and scolding were both in vain, and when +at last the prince tried to drag him off by force, the dog growled. + +"Base brute!" cried the prince, flinging him from him in a transport +of rage. "How have I been so deceived in you? I wish you were hanged!" +And even as he spoke the dog vanished, and as the prince turned his +head he saw the poor beast's body dangling from a tree above him. The +sight overwhelmed him, and he began bitterly to lament his cruelty. + +"Will no one hang me also," he cried, "and rid the world of such a +monster?" + +"It is easier to die repenting than to live amending," said the +hermit; "yet is the latter course the better one. Wherefore abide with +me, my son, and learn in solitude those lessons of self-government +without which no man is fit to rule others." + +"It is impossible," said the prince. "These fits of passion are as a +madness that comes upon me, and they are beyond cure. It only remains +to find my godfather, that he may make me less baneful to others by +taking away the power I abuse." And raising the body of the dog +tenderly in his arms, he laid it before him on his horse, and rode +away, the dumb nobleman following him. + +They now entered the dominions of another king, and in due time +arrived at the capital. The prince presented himself to the king, and +asked if he had a magician in his kingdom. + +"Not to my knowledge," replied the king. "But I have a remarkably wise +daughter, and if you want counsel she may be able to help you." + +The princess accordingly was sent for, and she was so beautiful, as +well as witty, that the prince fell in love with her, and begged the +king to give her to him to wife. The king, of course, was unable to +refuse what the prince wished, and the wedding was celebrated without +delay; and by the advice of his wife the prince placed the body of his +faithful dog in a glass coffin, and kept it near him, that he might +constantly be reminded of the evil results of giving way to his anger. + +For a time all went well. At first the prince never said a harsh word +to his wife; but by and by familiarity made him less careful, and one +day she said something that offended him, and he fell into a violent +rage. As he went storming up and down, the princess wrung her hands, +and cried, "Ah, my dear husband, I beg of you to be careful what you +say to me. You say you loved your dog, and yet you know where he +lies." + +"I know that I wish you were with him, with your prating!" cried the +prince, in a fury; and the words were scarcely out of his mouth when +the princess vanished from his side, and when he ran to the glass +coffin, there she lay, pale and lifeless, with her head upon the body +of the hound. + +The prince was now beside himself with remorse and misery, and when +the dumb nobleman made signs that they should pursue their search for +the magician, he only cried, "Too late! too late!" + +But after a while he said, "I will return to the hermit, and pass the +rest of my miserable life in solitude and penance. And you, dear +friend, go back to my father." + +But the dumb nobleman shook his head, and could not be persuaded to +leave the prince. Then they took the glass coffin on their shoulders, +and on foot, and weeping as they went, they retraced their steps to +the forest. + +For some time the prince remained with the hermit, and submitted +himself to his direction. Then the hermit bade him return to his +father, and he obeyed. + +Every day the prince stood by the glass coffin, and beat his breast +and cried, "Behold, murderer, the fruits of anger!" And he tried hard +to overcome the violence of his temper. When he lost heart he +remembered a saying of the hermit: "Patience had far to go, but she +was crowned at last." And after a while the prince became as gentle as +he had before been violent. And the king and all the court rejoiced +at the change; but the prince remained sad at heart, thinking of the +princess. + +One day he was sitting alone, when a man approached him, dressed in a +long black robe. + +"Good-day, godson," said he. + +"Who calls me godson?" said the prince. + +"The magician you have so long sought," said the godfather. "I have +come to reclaim my gift." + +"What cruelty led you to bestow it upon me?" asked the prince. + +"The king, your father, would have been dissatisfied with any ordinary +present from me," said the magician, "forgetting that the +responsibilities of common gifts, and very limited power, are more +than enough for most men to deal with. But I have not neglected you. I +was the wise woman who brought you up. Again, I was the hermit, as +your dog was sage enough to discover. I am come now to reclaim what +has caused you such suffering." + +"Alas!" cried the prince, "why is your kindness so tardy? If you have +not forgotten me, why have you withheld this benefit till it is too +late for my happiness? My friend is dumb, my wife is dead, my dog is +hanged. When wishes cannot reach these, do you think it matters to me +what I may command?" + +"Softly, prince," said the magician; "I had a reason for the delay. +But for these bitter lessons you would still be the slave of the +violent temper which you have conquered, and which, as it was no gift +of mine, I could not remove. Moreover, when the spell which made all +things bend to your wish is taken away, its effects also are undone. +Godson! I recall my gift." + +As the magician spoke the glass sides of the coffin melted into the +air, and the princess sprang up, and threw herself into her husband's +arms. The dog also rose, stretched himself, and wagged his tail. The +dumb nobleman ran to tell the good news to the king, and all the +counsellors came back in a long train from the bottom of the sea, and +set about the affairs of state as if nothing had happened. + +The old king welcomed his children with open arms, and they all lived +happily to the end of their days. + + + + +THE WIDOWS AND THE STRANGERS. + + +In days of yore, there were once two poor old widows who lived in the +same hamlet and under the same roof. But though the cottages joined +and one roof covered them, they had each a separate dwelling; and +although they were alike in age and circumstances, yet in other +respects they were very different. For one dame was covetous, though +she had little to save, and the other was liberal, though she had +little to give. + +Now, on the rising ground opposite to the widows' cottages, stood a +monastery where a few pious and charitable brethren spent their time +in prayer, labour, and good works. And with the alms of these monks, +and the kindness of neighbours, and because their wants were few, the +old women dwelt in comfort, and had daily bread, and lay warm at +night. + +One evening, when the covetous old widow was having supper, there came +a knock at her door. Before she opened it she hastily put away the +remains of her meal. + +"For," said she, "it is a stormy night, and ten to one some belated +vagabond wants shelter; and when there are victuals on the table every +fool must be asked to sup." + +But when she opened the door, a monk came in who had his cowl pulled +over his head to shelter him from the storm. The widow was much +disconcerted at having kept one of the brotherhood waiting, and loudly +apologized, but the monk stopped her, saying, "I fear I cut short your +evening meal, my daughter." + +"Now in the name of ill-luck, how came he to guess that?" thought the +widow, as with anxious civility she pressed the monk to take some +supper after his walk; for the good woman always felt hospitably +inclined towards any one who was likely to return her kindness +sevenfold. + +The brother, however, refused to sup; and as he seated himself the +widow looked sharply through her spectacles to see if she could gather +from any distention of the folds of his frock whether a loaf, a bottle +of cordial, or a new winter's cloak were most likely to crown the +visit. No undue protuberance being visible about the monk's person, +she turned her eyes to his face, and found that her visitor was one of +the brotherhood whom she had not seen before. And not only was his +face unfamiliar, it was utterly unlike the kindly but rough +countenances of her charitable patrons. None that she had ever seen +boasted the noble beauty, the chiselled and refined features of the +monk before her. And she could not but notice that, although only one +rushlight illumined her room, and though the monk's cowl went far to +shade him even from that, yet his face was lit up as if by light from +within, so that his clear skin seemed almost transparent. In short, +her curiosity must have been greatly stirred, had not greed made her +more anxious to learn what he had brought than who he was. + +"It's a terrible night," quoth the monk, at length. "Such tempest +without only gives point to the indoor comforts of the wealthy; but it +chills the very marrow of the poor and destitute." + +"Aye, indeed," sniffed the widow, with a shiver. "If it were not for +the charity of good Christians, what would poor folk do for comfort on +such an evening as this?" + +"It was that very thought, my daughter," said the monk, with a sudden +earnestness on his shining face, "that brought me forth even now +through the storm to your cottage." + +"Heaven reward you!" cried the widow, fervently. + +"Heaven does reward the charitable!" replied the monk. "To no truth do +the Scriptures bear such constant and unbroken witness; even as it is +written: 'He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and +look, what he layeth out it shall be paid him again.'" + +"What a blessed thing it must be to be able to do good!" sighed the +widow, piously wishing in her heart that the holy man would not delay +to earn his recompense. + +"My daughter," said the monk, "that blessing is not withheld from you. +It is to ask your help for those in greater need than yourself that I +am come to-night." And forthwith the good brother began to tell how +two strangers had sought shelter at the monastery. Their house had +been struck by lightning, and burnt with all it contained; and they +themselves, aged, poor, and friendless, were exposed to the fury of +the storm. "Our house is a poor one," continued the monk. "The +strangers' lodging room was already full, and we are quite without the +means of making these poor souls comfortable. You at least have a +sound roof over your head, and if you can spare one or two things for +the night, they shall be restored to you to-morrow, when some of our +guests depart." + +The widow could hardly conceal her vexation and disappointment. "Now, +dear heart, holy father!" cried she, "is there not a rich body in the +place, that you come for charity to a poor old widow like me, that am +in a case rather to borrow myself than to lend to others?" + +"Can you spare us a blanket?" said the monk. "These poor strangers +have been out in the storm, remember." + +The widow started. "What meddling busybody told him that the Baroness +gave me a new blanket at Michaelmas?" thought she; but at last, very +unwillingly, she went to an inner room to fetch a blanket from her +bed. + +"They shan't have the new one, that's flat," muttered the widow; and +she drew out the old one and began to fold it up. But though she had +made much of its thinness and insufficiency to the Baroness, she was +so powerfully affected at parting with it, that all its good qualities +came strongly to her mind. + +"It's a very suitable size," she said to herself, "and easy for my +poor old arms to shake or fold. With careful usage, it would last for +years yet; but who knows how two wandering bodies that have been +tramping miles through the storm may kick about in their sleep? And +who knows if they're decent folk at all? likely enough they're two +hedge birds, who have imposed a pitiful tale on the good fathers, and +never slept under anything finer than a shock of straw in their +lives." + +The more the good woman thought of this, the more sure she felt that +such was the case, and the less willing she became to lend her blanket +to "a couple of good-for-nothing tramps." A sudden idea decided her. +"Ten to one they bring fever with them!" she cried; "and dear knows I +saw enough good bedding burnt after the black fever, three years ago! +It would be a sin and a shame to burn a good blanket like this." And +repeating "a sin and a shame" with great force, the widow restored the +blanket to its place. + +"The coverlet's not worth much," she thought; "but my goodman bought +it the year after we were married, and if anything happened to it I +should never forgive myself. The old shawl is good enough for tramps." +Saying which she took a ragged old shawl from a peg, and began to fold +it up. But even as she brushed and folded, she begrudged the faded +rag. + +"It saves my better one on a bad day," she sighed; "but I suppose the +father must have something." + +And accordingly she took it to the monk, saying, "It's not so good as +it has been, but there's warmth in it yet, and it cost a pretty penny +when new." + +"And is this all that you can spare to the poor houseless strangers?" +asked the monk. + +"Aye, indeed, good father," said she, "and that will cost me many a +twinge of rheumatics. Folk at my age can't lie cold at night for +nothing." + +"These poor strangers," said the monk, "are as aged as yourself, and +have lost everything." + +But as all he said had no effect in moving the widow's compassion, he +departed, and knocked at the door of her neighbour. Here he told the +same tale, which met with a very different hearing. This widow was one +of those liberal souls whose possessions always make them feel uneasy +unless they are being accepted, or used, or borrowed by some one else. +She blessed herself that, thanks to the Baroness, she had a new +blanket fit to lend to the king himself, and only desired to know with +what else she could serve the poor strangers and requite the charities +of the brotherhood. + +The monk confessed that all the slender stock of household goods in +the monastery was in use, and one after another he accepted the loan +of almost everything the widow had. As she gave the things he put them +out through the door, saying that he had a messenger outside; and +having promised that all should be duly restored on the morrow, he +departed, leaving the widow with little else than an old chair in +which she was to pass the night. + +When the monk had gone, the storm raged with greater fury than before, +and at last one terrible flash of lightning struck the widows' house, +and though it did not hurt the old women, it set fire to the roof, +and both cottages were soon ablaze. Now as the terrified old creatures +hobbled out into the storm, they met the monk, who, crying, "Come to +the monastery!" seized an arm of each, and hurried them up the hill. +To such good purpose did he help them, that they seemed to fly, and +arrived at the convent gate they hardly knew how. + +Under a shed by the wall were the goods and chattels of the liberal +widow. + +"Take back thine own, daughter," said the monk; "thy charity hath +brought its own reward." + +"But the strangers, good father?" said the perplexed widow. + +"Ye are the strangers," answered the monk; "and what thy pity thought +meet to be spared for the unfortunate, Heaven in thy misfortune hath +spared to thee." + +Then turning to the other widow, he drew the old shawl from beneath +his frock, and gave it to her, saying, "I give you joy, dame, that +this hath escaped the flames. It is not so good as it has been; but +there is warmth in it yet, and it cost a pretty penny when new." + +Full of confusion, the illiberal widow took back her shawl, murmuring, +"Lack-a-day! If I had but known it was ourselves the good father +meant!" + +The monk gave a shrewd smile. + +"Aye, aye, it would have been different, I doubt not," said he; "but +accept the lesson, my daughter, and when next thou art called upon to +help the unfortunate, think that it is thine own needs that would be +served; and it may be thou shalt judge better as to what thou canst +spare." + +As he spoke, a flash of lightning lit up the ground where the monk +stood, making a vast aureole about him in the darkness of the night. +In the bright light, his countenance appeared stern and awful in its +beauty, and when the flash was passed, the monk had vanished also. + +Furthermore, when the widows sought shelter in the monastery, they +found that the brotherhood knew nothing of their strange visitor. + + + + +KIND WILLIAM AND THE WATER SPRITE. + + +There once lived a poor weaver, whose wife died a few years after +their marriage. He was now alone in the world except for their child, +who was a very quick and industrious little lad, and, moreover, of +such an obliging disposition that he gained the nickname of Kind +William. + +On his seventh birthday his father gave him a little net with a long +handle, and with this Kind William betook himself to a shallow part of +the river to fish. After wandering on for some time, he found a quiet +pool dammed in by stones, and here he dipped for the minnows that +darted about in the clear brown water. At the first and second casts +he caught nothing, but with the third he landed no less than +twenty-one little fishes, and such minnows he had never seen, for as +they leaped and struggled in the net they shone with alternate tints +of green and gold. + +He was gazing at them with wonder and delight, when a voice behind +him cried, in piteous tones-- + +"Oh, my little sisters! Oh, my little sisters!" + +Kind William turned round, and saw, sitting on a rock that stood out +of the stream, a young girl weeping bitterly. She had a very pretty +face, and abundant yellow hair of marvellous length, and of such +uncommon brightness that even in the shade it shone like gold. She was +dressed in grass green, and from her knees downwards she was hidden by +the clumps of fern and rushes that grew by the stream. + +"What ails you, my little lass?" said Kind William. + +But the maid only wept more bitterly, and wringing her hands, +repeated, "Oh, my little sisters! Oh, my little sisters!" presently +adding in the same tone, "The little fishes! Oh, the little fishes!" + +"Dry your eyes, and I will give you half of them," said the +good-natured child; "and if you have no net you shall fish with me +this afternoon." + +But at this proposal the maid's sobs redoubled, and she prayed and +begged with frantic eagerness that he would throw the fish back into +the river. For some time Kind William would not consent to throw away +his prize, but at last he yielded to her excessive grief, and emptied +the net into the pool, where the glittering fishes were soon lost to +sight under the sand and pebbles. + +The girl now laughed and clapped her hands. + +"This good deed you shall never rue, Kind William," said she, "and +even now it shall repay you threefold. How many fish did you catch?" + +"Twenty-one," said Kind William, not without regret in his tone. + +The maid at once began to pull hairs out of her head, and did not stop +till she had counted sixty-three, and laid them together in her +fingers. She then began to wind the lock up into a curl, and it took +far longer to wind than the sixty-three hairs had taken to pull. How +long her hair really was Kind William never could tell, for after it +reached her knees he lost sight of it among the fern; but he began to +suspect that she was no true village maid, but a water sprite, and he +heartily wished himself safe at home. + +"Now," said she, when the lock was wound, "will you promise me three +things?" + +"If I can do so without sin," said Kind William. + +"First," she continued, holding out the lock of hair, "will you keep +this carefully, and never give it away? It will be for your own good." + +"One never gives away gifts," said Kind William, "I promise that." + +"The second thing is to spare what you have spared. Fish up the river +and down the river at your will, but swear never to cast net in this +pool again." + +"One should not do kindness by halves," said Kind William. "I promise +that also." + +"Thirdly, you must never tell what you have now seen and heard till +thrice seven years have passed. And now come hither, my child, and +give me your little finger, that I may see if you can keep a secret." + +But by this time Kind William's hairs were standing on end, and he +gave the last promise more from fear than from any other motive, and +seized his net to go. + +"No hurry, no hurry," said the maiden (and the words sounded like the +rippling of a brook over pebbles). Then bending towards him, with a +strange smile, she added, "You are afraid that I shall pinch too hard, +my pretty boy. Well, give me a farewell kiss before you go." + +"I kiss none but the miller's lass," said Kind William, sturdily; for +she was his little sweetheart. Besides, he was afraid that the water +witch would enchant him and draw him down. At his answer she laughed +till the echoes rang, but Kind William shuddered to hear that the +echoes seemed to come from the river instead of from the hills; and +they rang in his ears like a distant torrent leaping over rocks. + +"Then listen to my song," said the water sprite. With which she drew +some of her golden hairs over her arm, and tuning them as if they had +been the strings of a harp, she began to sing: + + "Warp of woollen and woof of gold: + When seven and seven and seven are told." + +But when Kind William heard that the river was running with the +cadence of the tune, he could bear it no longer, and took to his +heels. When he had run a few yards he heard a splash, as if a salmon +had jumped, and on looking back he found that the yellow-haired maiden +was gone. + +Kind William was trustworthy as well as obliging, and he kept his +word. He said nothing of his adventure. He put the yellow lock into an +old china teapot that had stood untouched on the mantelpiece for +years. And fishing up the river and down the river he never again cast +net into the haunted pool. And in course of time the whole affair +passed from his mind. + +Fourteen years went by, and Kind William was Kind William still. He +was as obliging as ever, and still loved the miller's daughter, who, +for her part, had not forgotten her old playmate. But the miller's +memory was not so good, for the fourteen years had been prosperous +ones with him, and he was rich, whereas they had only brought bad +trade and poverty to the weaver and his son. So the lovers were not +allowed even to speak to each other. + +One evening Kind William wandered by the river-side lamenting his hard +fate. It was his twenty-first birthday, and he might not even receive +the good wishes of the day from his old playmate. It was just growing +dusk, a time when prudent bodies hurry home from the neighbourhood of +fairy rings, sprite-haunted streams, and the like, and Kind William +was beginning to quicken his pace, when a voice from behind him sang: + + "Warp of woollen and woof of gold: + When seven and seven and seven are told." + +Kind William felt sure that he had heard this before, though he could +not recall when or where; but suspecting that it was no mortal voice +that sang, he hurried home without looking behind him. Before he +reached the house he remembered all, and also that on this very day +his promise of secrecy expired. + +Meanwhile the old weaver had been sadly preparing the loom to weave a +small stock of yarn, which he had received in payment for some work. +He had set up the warp, and was about to fill the shuttle, when his +son came in and told the story, and repeated the water sprite's song. + +"Where is the lock of hair, my son?" asked the old man. + +"In the teapot still, if you have not touched it," said Kind William; +"but the dust of fourteen years must have destroyed all gloss and +colour." + +On searching the teapot, however, the lock of hair was found to be as +bright as ever, and it lay in the weaver's hand like a coil of gold. + +"It is the song that puzzles me," said Kind William. "Seven, and +seven, and seven make twenty-one. Now that is just my age." + +"There is your warp of woollen, if that is anything," added the +weaver, gazing at the loom with a melancholy air. + +"And this is golden enough," laughed Kind William, pointing to the +curl. "Come, father, let us see how far one hair will go on the +shuttle." And suiting the action to the word, he began to wind. He +wound the shuttle full, and then sat down to the loom and began to +throw. + +The result was a fabric of such beauty that the Weavers shouted with +amazement, and one single hair served for the woof of the whole piece. + +Before long there was not a town dame or a fine country lady but must +needs have a dress of the new stuff, and before the sixty-three hairs +were used up, the fortunes of the weaver and his son were made. + +About this time the miller's memory became clearer, and he was often +heard to speak of an old boy-and-girl love between his dear daughter +and the wealthy manufacturer of the golden cloth. Within a year and a +day Kind William married his sweetheart, and as money sticks to money, +in the end he added the old miller's riches to his own. + +Moreover there is every reason to believe that he and his wife lived +happily to the end of their days. + +And what became of the water sprite? + +That you must ask somebody else, for I do not know. + + + + +MURDOCH'S RATH[8]. + +[Footnote 8: _Rath_ = a kind of moat-surrounded spot much favoured by +Irish fairies. The ditch is generally overgrown with furze-bushes.] + + +There was not a nicer boy in all Ireland than Pat, and clever at his +trade too, if only he'd had one. + +But from his cradle he learned nothing (small blame to him with no one +to teach him!), so when he came to years of discretion, he earned his +living by running messages for his neighbours; and Pat could always be +trusted to make the best of a bad bargain, and bring back all the +change, for he was the soul of honesty and good-nature. + +It's no wonder then that he was beloved by every one, and got as much +work as he could do, and if the pay had but fitted the work, he'd have +been mighty comfortable; but as it was, what he got wouldn't have kept +him in shoe-leather, but for making both ends meet by wearing his +shoes in his pocket, except when he was in the town, and obliged to +look genteel for the credit of the place he came from. + +Well, all was going on as peaceable as could be, till one market-day, +when business (or it may have been pleasure) detained him till the +heel of the evening, and by nightfall, when he began to make the road +short in good earnest, he was so flustered, rehearsing his messages to +make sure he'd forgotten nothing, that he never bethought him to leave +off his brogues, but tramped on just as if shoe-leather were made to +be knocked to bits on the king's highway. + +And this was what he was after saying: + +"A dozen hanks of grey yarn for Mistress Murphy." + +"Three gross of bright buttons for the tailor." + +"Half an ounce of throat drops for Father Andrew, and an ounce of +snuff for his housekeeper," and so on. + +For these were what he went to the town to fetch, and he was afraid +lest one of the lot might have slipped his memory. + +Now everybody knows there are two ways home from the town; and that's +not meaning the right way and the wrong way, which my grandmother +(rest her soul!) said there was to every place but one that it's not +genteel to name. (There could only be a wrong way _there_, she said.) +The two ways home from the town were the highway, and the way by +Murdoch's Rath. + +Murdoch's Rath was a pleasant enough spot in the daytime, but not +many persons cared to go by it when the sun was down. And in all the +years Pat was going backwards and forwards, he never once came home +except by the high-road till this unlucky evening, when, just at the +place where the two roads part, he got, as one may say, into a sort of +confusion. + +"Halt!" says he to himself (for his own uncle had been a soldier, and +Pat knew the word of command). "The left-hand turn is the right one," +says he, and he was going down the high-road as straight as he could +go, when suddenly he bethought himself. "And what am I doing?" he +says. "This was my left hand going to town, and how in the name of +fortune could it be my left going back, considering that I've turned +round? It's well that I looked into it in time." And with that he went +off as fast down the other road as he started down this. + +But how far he walked he never could tell, before all of a sudden the +moon shone out as bright as day, and Pat found himself in Murdoch's +Rath. + +And this was the smallest part of the wonder; for the Rath was full of +fairies. + +When Pat got in they were dancing round and round till his feet +tingled to look at them, being a good dancer himself. And as he sat on +the side of the Rath, and snapped his fingers to mark the time, the +dancing stopped, and a little man comes up, in a black hat and a green +coat, with white stockings, and red shoes on his feet. + +"Won't you take a turn with us, Pat?" says he, bowing till he nearly +touched the ground. And, indeed, he had not far to go, for he was +barely two feet high. + +"Don't say it twice, sir," says Pat. "It's myself will be proud to +foot the floor wid ye;" and before you could look round, there was Pat +in the circle dancing away for bare life. + +At first his feet felt like feathers for lightness, and it seemed as +if he could have gone on for ever. But at last he grew tired, and +would have liked to stop, but the fairies would not, and so they +danced on and on. Pat tried to think of something _good_ to say, that +he might free himself from the spell, but all he could think of was: + +"A dozen hanks of grey yarn for Missis Murphy." + +"Three gross of bright buttons for the tailor." + +"Half an ounce of throat drops for Father Andrew, and an ounce of +snuff for his housekeeper," and so on. + +And it seemed to Pat that the moon was on the one side of the Rath +when they began to dance, and on the other side when they left off; +but he could not be sure after all that going round. One thing was +plain enough. He danced every bit of leather off the soles of his +feet, and they were blistered so that he could hardly stand; but all +the little folk did was to stand and hold their sides with laughing at +him. + +At last the one who spoke before stepped up to him, and--"Don't break +your heart about it, Pat," says he; "I'll lend you my own shoes till +the morning, for you seem to be a good-natured sort of a boy." + +Well, Pat looked at the fairy man's shoes, that were the size of a +baby's, and he looked at his own feet; but not wishing to be uncivil, +"Thank ye kindly, sir," says he. "And if your honour 'll be good +enough to put them on for me, maybe you won't spoil the shape." For he +thought to himself, "Small blame to me if the little gentleman can't +get them to fit." + +With that he sat down on the side of the Rath, and the fairy man put +on the shoes for him, and no sooner did they touch Pat's feet, than +they became altogether a convenient size, and fitted him like wax. +And, more than that, when he stood up, he didn't feel his blisters at +all. + +"Bring 'em back to the Rath at sunrise, Pat, my boy," says the little +man. + +And as Pat was climbing over the ditch, "Look round, Pat," says he. +And when Pat looked round, there were jewels and pearls lying at the +roots of the furze-bushes on the ditch, as thick as peas. + +"Will you help yourself, or take what's given ye, Pat?" says the fairy +man. + +"Did I ever learn manners?" says Pat. "Would you have me help myself +before company? I'll take what your honour pleases to give me, and be +thankful." + +The fairy man picked a lot of yellow furze-blossoms from the bushes, +and filled Pat's pockets. + +"Keep 'em for love, Pat, me darlin'," says he. + +Pat would have liked some of the jewels, but he put the furze-blossoms +by for love. + +"Good-evening to your honour," says he. + +"And where are you going, Pat, dear?" says the fairy man. + +"I'm going home," says Pat. And if the fairy man didn't know where +that was, small blame to him. + +"Just let me dust them shoes for ye, Pat," says the fairy man. And as +Pat lifted up each foot he breathed on it, and dusted it with the tail +of his green coat. + +"Home!" says he, and when he let go, Pat was at his own doorstep +before he could look round, and his parcels safe and sound with him. + +Next morning he was up with the sun, and carried the fairy man's +shoes back to the Rath. As he came up, the little man looked over the +ditch. + +"The top of the morning to, your honour," says Pat; "here's your +shoes." + +"You're an honest boy, Pat," says the little gentleman. "It's +inconvenienced I am without them, for. I have but the one pair. Have +you looked at the yellow flowers this morning?" he says. + +"I have not, sir," says Pat; "I'd be loth to deceive you. I came off +as soon as I was up." + +"Be sure to look when you get back, Pat," says the fairy man, "and +good luck to ye." + +With which he disappeared, and Pat went home. He looked for the +furze-blossoms, as the fairy man told him, and there's not a word of +truth in this tale if they weren't all pure gold pieces. + +Well, now Pat was so rich, he went to the shoemaker to order another +pair of brogues, and being a kindly, gossiping boy, the shoemaker soon +learned the whole story of the fairy man and the Rath. And this so +stirred up the shoemaker's greed that he resolved to go the very next +night himself, to see if he could not dance with the fairies, and have +like luck. + +He found his way to the Rath all correct, and sure enough the fairies +were dancing, and they asked him to join. He danced the soles off his +brogues, as Pat did, and the fairy man lent him his shoes, and sent +him home in a twinkling. + +As he was going over the ditch, he looked round, and saw the roots of +the furze-bushes glowing with precious stones as if they had been +glow-worms. + +"Will you help yourself, or take what's given ye?" said the fairy man. + +"I'll help myself, if you please," said the cobbler, for he +thought--"If I can't get more than Pat brought home, my fingers must +all be thumbs." + +So he drove his hand into the bushes, and if he didn't get plenty, it +wasn't for want of grasping. + +When he got up in the morning, he went straight to the jewels. But not +a stone of the lot was more precious than roadside pebbles. "I ought +not to look till I come from the Rath," said he. "It's best to do like +Pat all through." + +But he made up his mind not to return the fairy man's shoes. + +"Who knows the virtue that's in them?" he said. So he made a small +pair of red leather shoes, as like them as could be, and he blacked +the others upon his feet, that the fairies might not know them, and at +sunrise he went to the Rath. + +The fairy man was looking over the ditch as before. + +"Good-morning to you," said he. + +"The top of the morning to you, sir," said the cobbler; "here's your +shoes." And he handed him the pair that he had made, with a face as +grave as a judge. + +The fairy man looked at them, but he said nothing, though he did not +put them on. + +"Have you looked at the things you got last night?" says he. + +"I'll not deceive you, sir," says the cobbler. "I came off as soon as +I was up. Sorra peep I took at them." + +"Be sure to look when you get back," says the fairy man. And just as +the cobbler was getting over the ditch to go home, he says: + +"If my eyes don't deceive me," says he, "there's the least taste in +life of dirt on your left shoe. Let me dust it with the tail of my +coat." + +"That means home in a twinkling," thought the cobbler, and he held up +his foot. + +The fairy man dusted it, and muttered something the cobbler did not +hear. Then, "Sure," says he, "it's the dirty pastures that you've come +through, for the other shoe's as bad." + +So the cobbler held up his right foot, and the fairy man rubbed that +with the tail of his green coat. + +When all was done the cobbler's feet seemed to tingle, and then to +itch, and then to smart, and then to burn. And at last he began to +dance, and he danced all round the Rath (the fairy man laughing and +holding his sides), and then round and round again. And he danced till +he cried out with weariness, and tried to shake the shoes off. But +they stuck fast, and the fairies drove him over, the ditch, and +through the prickly furze-bushes, and he danced away. Where he danced +to, I cannot tell you. Whether he ever got rid of the fairy shoes, I +do not know. The jewels never were more than wayside pebbles, and they +were swept out when his cabin was cleaned, which was not too soon, you +may be sure. + +All this happened long ago; but there are those who say that the +covetous cobbler dances still, between sunset and sunrise, round +Murdoch's Rath. + + + + +THE LITTLE DARNER. + + +In days gone by there lived a poor widow who had brought up her only +child so well that the little lass was more helpful and handy than +many a grown-up person. + +When other women's children were tearing and dirtying their clothes, +clamouring at their mothers' skirts for this and that, losing and +breaking and spoiling things, and getting into mischief of all kinds, +the widow's little girl, with her tiny thimble on her finger, could +patch quite neatly. She was to be trusted to put anything in its +proper place, and when meals were over she would stand on a little +stool at the table washing up the dishes. Moreover, she could darn +stockings so well that the darn looked like a part of the stocking. +The slatternly mothers, who spoiled and scolded their children by +turns, and had never taught them to be tidy and obedient, used often +to quote the widow's little girl to their troublesome brats, and say, +"Why don't you help your mother as the widow's daughter helps her?" + +Thus it came about that the helpless, useless, untidy little girls +hated the very name of the widow's daughter, because they were always +being told of her usefulness and neatness. + +Now the widow's child often earned a few pence by herding sheep or +pigs for the farmers, or by darning stockings for their wives, and as +she could be trusted, people were very glad to employ her. One day she +was keeping watch over five little pigs in a field, and, not to waste +time, was darning a pair of stockings as well, when some of the little +girls who had a spite against her resolved to play her a trick. + +Near the field where the little maid and the pigs were there was a +wood, into which all children were strictly forbidden to go. For in +the depths of the wood there lived a terrible Ogre and Ogress, who +kidnapped all children who strayed near their dwelling. Every morning +the Ogre threw a big black bag over his shoulder, and stalked through +the forest, making the ground shake as he walked. If he found any +truant children he popped them into his bag, and when he got home his +wife cooked them for supper. + +The trick played upon the widow's daughter was this. Five little girls +came up to the field where she was herding the five little pigs, and +each chasing a pig, they drove them into the Ogre's wood. In vain the +little maid called to her flock; the pigs ran in a frightened troop +into the wood, and she ran after them. When the five little girls saw +that she had got them together again, they ran in to chase them away +once more, and so they were all in the wood together, when the ground +shook under them, upsetting the six little girls and the five little +pigs; and as they rolled over the Ogre picked them up, and put them +one after another into his bag. + +When they were jolting about with the pigs in the poke as the Ogre +strode homewards, the five spiteful children were as sorry as you +please; and as the pigs were always fighting and struggling to get to +the top, they did not escape without some scratches. And their +screams, and the squealing of the little pigs made such a noise that +the Ogre's wife heard it a mile and a half away in the depths of the +wood; and she lighted a fire under the copper, and filled it with +water, ready to cook whatever her husband brought home. + +As for the widow's little daughter she pulled her needle-book from her +pocket, and every now and then she pushed a needle through the sack, +that it might fall on the ground, and serve as a guide if she should +ever have the chance of finding her way home again. + +When the Ogre arrived, he emptied the sack, and sent the six little +girls and the five little pigs all sprawling on to the floor, saying: + +"These will last us some time. Cook the fattest, and put the rest +into the cellar. And whilst you get dinner ready, I will take another +stroll with the bag. Luck seldom comes singly." + +When he had gone, the Ogress looked over the children, and picked out +the widow's daughter, saying: + +"You look the most good-humoured. And the best-tempered always make +the best eating." + +So she set her down on a stool by the fire till the water should boil, +and locked the others up in the cellar. + +"Tears won't put the fire out," thought the little maid. So instead of +crying she pulled out the old stocking, and went on with her darning. +When the Ogress came back from the cellar she went up to her and +looked at her work. + +"How you darn!" she cried. "Now that's a sort of thing I hate. And the +Ogre does wear such big holes in his stockings, and his feet are so +large, that, though my hand is not a small one, I cannot fill out the +heel with my fist, and then who's to darn it neatly I should like to +know?" + +"If I had a basin big enough to fill out the heel, I think I could do +it," said the little maid. + +The Ogress scratched her big ear thoughtfully for a minute, and then +she said: + +"To lose a chance is to cheat oneself. Why shouldn't this one darn +while the others boil? Yes, I think you shall try. Six days ought to +serve for mending all the stockings, though the Ogre hasn't a whole +pair left, and angry enough he'll be. And when household matters are +not to his mind he puts that big sack over my head, and ties it round +my neck. And if you had ever done housework with your head in a poke, +you'd know what it is! So you shall darn the stockings, and if you do +them well, I'll cook one of the others first instead of you." + +Saying which, the Ogress fetched one of the Ogre's stockings, and the +widow's child put a big basin into the heel to stretch it, and began +to darn. The Ogress watched her till she had put all the threads one +way, and when she began to run the cross threads, interlacing them +with the utmost exactness, the old creature was delighted, and went to +fetch another child to be cooked instead of the widow's. + +When the other little girl came up, she cried and screamed so that the +room rang with her lamentations, and the widow's child laid down her +needle and ceased working. + +"Why don't you go on darning?" asked the Ogress. + +"Alas! dear mother," said she, "the little sister's cries make my +heart beat so that I cannot darn evenly." + +"Then she must go back to the cellar for a bit," said the Ogress. +"And meanwhile I'll sharpen the knife." + +So after she had taken back the crying child, and had watched the +little girl, who now darned away as skilfully as ever, the Ogress took +down a huge knife from the wall, and began to sharpen it on a +grindstone in a corner of the kitchen. As she sharpened the knife, she +glanced from time to time at the little maid, and soon perceived that +she had once more ceased working. + +"Why don't you go on darning?" asked the Ogress. + +"Alas! dear mother," said the child, "when I hear you sharpening that +terrible knife my hands tremble so that I cannot thread my needle." + +"Well, it will do now," growled the Ogress, feeling the edge of the +blade with her horny finger; and, having seen the darning-needle once +more at work, she went to fetch up one of the children. As she went, +she hummed what cookmaids sing-- + + "Dilly, dilly duckling, come and be killed!" + +But it sounded like the wheezing and groaning of a heavy old door upon +its rusty hinges. + +When she came in, with the child in one hand, and the huge knife in +the other, she went up to the little darner to look at her work. The +heel of the Ogre's stocking was exquisitely mended, all but seven +threads; but the little maid sat idle with her hands before her. + +"Why don't you go on darning?" asked the Ogress. + +"Alas! dear mother," was the reply, "when I think of my little +playmate about to die, the tears blind my eyes, so that I cannot see +what stitches I take. Wherefore I beg of you, dear mother, to cook one +of the little pigs instead, that I may be able to go on with my work, +and that a pair of stockings may be ready to-morrow morning when the +Ogre will ask for them; so my playmate's life will be spared, and your +head will not be put into a poke." + +At first the Ogress would not hear of such a thing, but at last she +consented, and made a stew of one of the little pigs instead of +cooking the little girl. + +"But supposing the Ogre goes to count the children," said she; "he +will find one too many." + +"Then let her go, dear mother," said the widow's daughter; "she will +find her way home, and you will never be blamed." + +"But she must stir the stew with her forefinger first," said the +Ogress, "that it may have a human flavour." + +So the little girl had to stir the hot stew with her finger, which +scalded it badly; and then she was set at liberty, and ran home as +hard as she could; and as the little maid's needles sparkled here and +there on the path, she had no difficulty in finding her way. + +The Ogre was quite contented with his dinner, and the Ogress got great +praise for the way in which she had darned his stockings. Thus it went +on for four days more. As the widow's little girl wouldn't work if her +companions were killed, the Ogress cooked the pigs one after another, +and the children were all sent away with burnt forefingers. + +When the fifth had been dismissed, and all the pigs were eaten, the +Ogress said: + +"To-morrow you will have to be stewed, and now I wish I had kept one +of the others that I might have saved you altogether to work for me. +However, there is one comfort, the stockings are finished." + +But meanwhile the other children had got safely home, and had told +their tale. And all the men of the place set off at once to attack the +Ogre, and release the widow's child. Guided by the needles, they +arrived just as the Ogress was sharpening the big knife for the last +time. + +So they killed the Ogre and his wife, and took the industrious little +maid back to her mother. + +The other little girls were now very repentant; and when their +fingers were well, they all learned to darn stockings at once. + +And as there was now no danger about going into the wood, it was no +longer forbidden. And this being the case, the children were much less +anxious to play there than formerly. + + + + +THE FIDDLER IN THE FAIRY RING. + + +Generations ago, there once lived a farmer's son, who had no great +harm in him, and no great good either. He always meant well, but he +had a poor spirit, and was too fond of idle company. + +One day his father sent him to market with some sheep for sale, and +when business was over for the day, the rest of the country-folk made +ready to go home, and more than one of them offered the lad a lift in +his cart. + +"Thank you kindly, all the same," said he, "but I am going back across +the downs with Limping Tim." + +Then out spoke a steady old farmer and bade the lad go home with the +rest, and by the main road. For Limping Tim was an idle, graceless +kind of fellow, who fiddled for his livelihood, but what else he did +to earn the money he squandered, no one knew. And as to the sheep path +over the downs, it stands to reason that the highway is better +travelling after sunset, for the other is no such very short cut; and +has a big fairy ring so near it, that a butter-woman might brush it +with the edge of her market cloak, as she turned the brow of the hill. + +But the farmer's son would go his own way, and that was with Limping +Tim, and across the downs. + +So they started, and the fiddler had his fiddle in his hand, and a +bundle of marketings under his arm, and he sang snatches of strange +songs, the like of which the lad had never heard before. And the moon +drew out their shadows over the short grass till they were as long as +the great stones of Stonehenge. + +At last they turned the hill, and the fairy ring looked dark under the +moon, and the farmer's son blessed himself that they were passing it +quietly, when Limping Tim suddenly pulled his cloak from his back, and +handing it to his companion, cried, "Hold this for a moment, will you? +I'm wanted. They're calling for me." + +"I hear nothing," said the farmer's son. But before he had got the +words out of his mouth, the fiddler had completely disappeared. He +shouted aloud, but in vain, and had begun to think of proceeding on +his way, when the fiddler's voice cried, "Catch!" and there came, +flying at him from the direction of the fairy ring, the bundle of +marketings which the fiddler had been carrying. + +"It's in my way," he then heard the fiddler cry. "Ah, this is dancing! +Come in, my lad, come in!" + +But the farmer's son was not totally without prudence, and he took +good care to keep at a safe distance from the fairy ring. + +"Come back, Tim! Come back!" he shouted, and, receiving no answer, he +adjured his friend to break the bonds that withheld him, and return to +the right way, as wisely as one man can counsel another. + +After talking for some time to no purpose, he again heard his friend's +voice, crying, "Take care of it for me! The money dances out of my +pocket." And therewith the fiddler's purse was hurled to his feet, +where it fell with a heavy chinking of gold within. + +He picked it up, and renewed his warnings and entreaties, but in vain; +and, after waiting for a long time, he made the best of his way home +alone, hoping that the fiddler would follow, and come to reclaim his +property. + +The fiddler never came. And when at last there was a fuss about his +disappearance, the farmer's son, who had but a poor spirit, began to +be afraid to tell the truth of the matter. "Who knows but they may +accuse me of theft?" said he. So he hid the cloak, and the bundle, +and the money-bag in the garden. + +But when three months passed, and still the fiddler did not return, it +was whispered that the farmer's son had been his last companion; and +the place was searched, and they found the cloak, and the bundle, and +the money-bag and the lad was taken to prison. + +Now, when it was too late, he plucked up a spirit, and told the truth; +but no one believed him, and it was said that he had murdered the +fiddler for the sake of his money and goods. And he was taken before +the judge, found guilty, and sentenced to death. + +Fortunately, his old mother was a Wise Woman. And when she heard that +he was condemned, she said, "Only follow my directions, and we may +save you yet; for I guess how it is." + +So she went to the judge, and begged for her son three favours before +his death. + +"I will grant them," said the judge, "if you do not ask for his life." + +"The first," said the old woman, "is, that he may choose the place +where the gallows shall be erected; the second, that he may fix the +hour of his execution; and the third favour is, that you will not fail +to be present." + +"I grant all three," said the judge. But when he learned that the +criminal had chosen a certain hill on the downs for the place of +execution, and an hour before midnight for the time, he sent to beg +the sheriff to bear him company on this important occasion. + +The sheriff placed himself at the judge's disposal, but he commanded +the attendance of the gaoler as some sort of protection; and the +gaoler, for his part, implored his reverence the chaplain to be of the +party, as the hill was not in good spiritual repute. So, when the time +came, the four started together, and the hangman and the farmer's son +went before them to the foot of the gallows. + +Just as the rope was being prepared, the farmer'a son called to the +judge, and said, "If your Honour will walk twenty paces down the hill, +to where you will see a bit of paper, you will learn the fate of the +fiddler." + +"That is, no doubt, a copy of the poor man's last confession," thought +the judge. + +"Murder will out, Mr. Sheriff," said he; and in the interests of truth +and justice he hastened to pick up the paper. + +But the farmer's son had dropped it as he came along, by his mother's +direction, in such a place that the judge could not pick it up without +putting his foot on the edge of the fairy ring. No sooner had he done +so than he perceived an innumerable company of little people dressed +in green cloaks and hoods, who were dancing round in a circle as wide +as the ring itself. + +They were all about two feet high, and had aged faces, brown and +withered, like the knots on gnarled trees in hedge bottoms, and they +squinted horribly; but, in spite of their seeming age, they flew round +and round like children. + +"Mr. Sheriff! Mr. Sheriff!" cried the judge, "come and see the +dancing. And hear the music, too, which is so lively that it makes the +soles of my feet tickle." + +"There is no music, my Lord Judge," said the sheriff, running down the +hill. "It is the wind whistling over the grass that your lordship +hears." + +But when the sheriff had put his foot by the judge's foot, he saw and +heard the same, and he cried out, "Quick, Gaoler, and come down! I +should like you to be witness to this matter. And you may take my arm, +Gaoler, for the music makes me feel unsteady." + +"There is no music, sir," said the gaoler; "but your worship doubtless +hears the creaking of the gallows." + +But no sooner had the gaoler's feet touched the fairy ring, than he +saw and heard like the rest, and he called lustily to the chaplain to +come and stop the unhallowed measure. + +"It is a delusion of the Evil One," said the parson; "there is not a +sound in the air but the distant croaking of some frogs." But when he +too touched the ring, he perceived his mistake. + +At this moment the moon shone out, and in the middle of the ring they +saw Limping Tim the fiddler, playing till great drops stood out on his +forehead, and dancing as madly as he played. + +"Ah, you rascal!" cried the judge. "Is this where you've been all the +time, and a better man than you as good as hanged for you? But you +shall come home now." + +Saying which, he ran in, and seized the fiddler by the arm, but +Limping Tim resisted so stoutly that the sheriff had to go to the +judge's assistance, and even then the fairies so pinched and hindered +them that the sheriff was obliged to call upon the gaoler to put his +arms about his waist, who persuaded the chaplain to add his strength +to the string. But as ill luck would have it, just as they were +getting off, one of the fairies picked up Limping Tim's fiddle, which +had fallen in the scuffle, and began to play. And as he began to play, +every one began to dance--the fiddler, and the judge, and the sheriff, +and the gaoler, and even the chaplain. + +"Hangman! hangman!" screamed the judge, as he lifted first one leg and +then the other to the tune, "come down, and catch hold of his +reverence the chaplain. The prisoner is pardoned, and he can lay hold +too." + +The hangman knew the judge's voice, and ran towards it; but as they +were now quite within the ring he could see nothing, either of him or +his companions. + +The farmer's son followed, and warning the hangman not to touch the +ring, he directed him to stretch his hands forwards in hopes of +catching hold of some one. In a few minutes the wind blew the +chaplain's cassock against the hangman's fingers, and he caught the +parson round the waist. The farmer's son then seized him in like +fashion, and each holding firmly by the other, the fiddler, the judge, +the sheriff, the gaoler, the parson, the hangman, and the farmer's son +all got safely out of the charmed circle. + +"Oh, you scoundrel!" cried the judge to the fiddler; "I have a very +good mind to hang you up on the gallows without further ado." + +But the fiddler only looked like one possessed, and upbraided the +farmer's son for not having the patience to wait three minutes for +him. + +"Three minutes!" cried he; "why, you've been here three months and a +day." + +This the fiddler would not believe, and as he seemed in every way +beside himself, they led him home, still upbraiding his companion, +and crying continually for his fiddle. + +His neighbours watched him closely, but one day he escaped from their +care and wandered away over the hills to seek his fiddle, and came +back no more. + +His dead body was found upon the downs, face downwards, with the +fiddle in his arms. Some said he had really found the fiddle where he +had left it, and had been lost in a mist, and died of exposure. But +others held that he had perished differently, and laid his death at +the door of the fairy dancers. + +As to the farmer's son, it is said that thenceforward he went home +from market by the high-road, and spoke the truth straight out, and +was more careful of his company. + + + + +"I WON'T." + + +"Don't Care"--so they say--fell into a goose-pond; and "I won't" is +apt to come to no better an end. At least, my grandmother tells me +that was how the Miller had to quit his native town, and leave the tip +of his nose behind him. + +It all came of his being allowed to say "I won't" when he was quite a +little boy. His mother thought he looked pretty when he was pouting, +and that wilfulness gave him an air which distinguished him from other +people's children. And when she found out that his lower lip was +becoming so big that it spoilt his beauty, and that his wilfulness +gained his way twice and stood in his way eight times out of ten, it +was too late to alter him. + +Then she said, "Dearest Abinadab, do be more obliging!" + +And he replied (as she had taught him), "I won't." + +He always took what he could get, and would neither give nor give up +to other people. This, he thought, was the way to get more out of life +than one's neighbours. + +Amongst other things, he made a point of taking the middle of the +footpath. + +"Will you allow me to pass you, sir?--I am in a hurry," said a voice +behind him one day. + +"I won't," said Abinadab; on which a poor washerwoman, with her +basket, scrambled down into the road, and Abinadab chuckled. + +Next day he was walking as before. + +"Will you allow me to pass you, sir?--I am in a hurry," said a voice +behind him. + +"I won't," said Abinadab. On which he was knocked into the ditch; and +the Baron walked on, and left him to get out of the mud on whichever +side he liked. + +He quarrelled with his friends till he had none left, and he +quarrelled with the tradesmen of the town till there was only one who +would serve him, and this man offended him at last. + +"I'll show you who's master!" said the Miller. "I won't pay a penny of +your bill--not a penny." + +"Sir," said the tradesman, "my giving you offence now, is no just +reason why you should refuse to pay for what you have had and been +satisfied with. I must beg you to pay me at once." + +"I won't," said the Miller, "and what I say I mean. I won't; I tell +you, I won't." + +So the tradesman summoned him before the Justice, and the Justice +condemned him to pay the bill and the costs of the suit. + +"I won't," said the Miller. + +So they put him in prison, and in prison he would have remained if his +mother had not paid the money to obtain his release. By and by she +died, and left him her blessing and some very good advice, which (as +is sometimes the case with bequests) would have been more useful if it +had come earlier. + +The Miller's mother had taken a great deal of trouble off his hands +which now fell into them. She took in all the small bags of grist +which the country-folk brought to be ground, and kept account of them, +and spoke civilly to the customers, big and little. But these small +matters irritated the Miller. + +"I may be the slave of all the old women in the country-side," said +he; "but I won't--they shall see that I won't." + +So he put up a notice to say that he would only receive grist at a +certain hour on certain days. Now, but a third of the old women could +read the notice, and they did not attend to it. People came as before; +but the Miller locked the door of the mill and sat in the +counting-house and chuckled. + +"My good friend," said his neighbours, "you can't do business in this +way. If a man lives by trade, he must serve his customers. And a +Miller must take in grist when it comes to the mill." + +"Others may if they please," said the Miller; "but I won't. When I +make a rule, I stick to it." + +"Take advice, man, or you'll be ruined," said his friends. + +"I won't," said the Miller. + +In a few weeks all the country-folk turned their donkeys' heads +towards the windmill on the heath. It was a little farther to go, but +the Windmiller took custom when it came to him, gave honest measure, +and added civil words gratis. + +The other Miller was ruined. + +"All you can do now is to leave the mill while you can pay the rent, +and try another trade," said his friends. + +"I won't," said the Miller. "Shall I be turned out of the house where +I was born, because the country-folk are fools?" + +However, he could not pay the rent, and the landlord found another +tenant. + +"You must quit," said he to the Miller. + +"That I won't," said the Miller, "not for fifty new tenants." + +So the landlord sent for the constables, and he was carried out, +which is not a dignified way of changing one's residence. But then it +is not easy to be obstinate and dignified at the same time. + +His wrath against the landlord knew no bounds. + +"Was there ever such a brute?" he cried. "Would any man of spirit hold +his home at the whim of a landlord? I'll never rent another house as +long as I live." + +"But you must live somewhere," said his friends. + +"I won't," said the Miller. + +He was no longer a young man, and the new tenant pitied him. + +"The poor old fellow is out of his senses," he said. And he let him +sleep in one of his barns. One of the mill cats found out that there +was a new warm bed in this barn, and she came and lived there too, and +kept away the mice. + +One night, however, Mrs. Pussy disturbed the Miller's rest. She was in +and out of the window constantly, and meowed horribly into the +bargain. + +"It seems a man can't even sleep in peace," said the Miller. "If this +happens again, you'll go into the mill-race to sing to the fishes." + +The next night the cat was still on the alert, and the following +morning the Miller tied a stone round her neck, and threw her into the +water. + +"Oh, spare the poor thing, there's a good soul," said a bystander. + +"I won't," said the Miller. "I told her what would happen." + +When his back was turned, however, the bystander got Pussy out, and +took her home with him. + +Now the cat was away, the mice could play; and they played hide-and +seek over the Miller's nightcap. + +It came to such a pass that there was no rest to be had. + +"I won't go to bed, I declare I won't," said the Miller. So he sat up +all night in an arm-chair, and threw everything he could lay his hands +on at the corners where he heard the mice scuffling, till the place +was topsy-turvy. + +Towards morning he lit a candle and dressed himself. He was in a +terrible humour; and when he began to shave, his hand shook and he cut +himself. The draughts made the flame of the candle unsteady too, and +the shadow of the Miller's nose (which was a large one) fell in +uncertain shapes upon his cheeks, and interfered with the progress of +the razor. At first he thought he would wait till daylight. Then his +temper got the better of him. + +"I won't," he said, "I won't; why should I?" + +So he began again. He held on by his nose to steady his cheeks, and +he gave it such a spiteful pinch that the tears came into his eyes. + +"Matters have come to a pretty pass, when a man's own nose is to stand +in his light," said he. + +By and by a gust of wind came through the window. Up flared the +candle, and the shadow of the Miller's nose danced half over his face, +and the razor gashed his chin. + +Transported with fury, he struck at it before he could think what he +was doing. The razor was very sharp, and the tip of the Miller's nose +came off as clean as his whiskers. + +When daylight came, and he saw himself in the glass, he resolved to +leave the place. + +"I won't stay here to be a laughing-stock," said he. + +As he trudged out on to the highway, with his bundle on his back, the +Baron met him and pitied him. He dismounted from his horse, and +leading it up to the Miller, he said: + +"Friend, you are elderly to be going far afoot. I will lend you my +mare to take you to your destination. When you are there, knot the +reins and throw them on her shoulder, saying, 'Home!' She will then +return to me. But mark one thing,--she is not used to whip or spur. +Humour her, and she will carry you well and safely." + +The Miller mounted willingly enough, and set forward. At first the +mare was a little restive. The Miller had no spurs on, but, in spite +of the Baron's warning, he kicked her with his heels. On this, she +danced till the Miller's hat and bundle flew right and left, and he +was very near to following them. + +"Ah, you vixen!" he cried. "You think I'll humour you as the Baron +does. But I won't--no, you shall see that I won't!" And gripping his +walking-stick firmly in his hand, he belaboured the Baron's mare as if +she had been a donkey. + +On which she sent the Miller clean over her head, and cantered back to +the castle; and wherever it was that he went to, he had to walk. + +He never returned to his native village, and everybody was glad to be +rid of him. One must bear and forbear with his neighbours, if he hopes +to be regretted when he departs. + +But my grandmother says that long after the mill had fallen into ruin, +the story was told as a warning to wilful children of the Miller who +cut off his nose to spite his own face. + + + + +THE MAGIC JAR. + + +There was once a young fellow whom fortune had blessed with a good +mother, a clever head, and a strong body. But beyond this she had not +much favoured him; and though able and willing to work, he had often +little to do, and less to eat. But his mother had taught him to be +contented with his own lot, and to feel for others. Moreover, from her +he inherited a great love for flowers. + +One day, when his pockets were emptiest, a fair was held in the +neighbouring town, and he must needs go as well as the rest, though he +had no money to spend. But he stuck a buttercup in his cap, for which +he had nothing to pay, and strode along as merrily as the most. + +Towards evening some of the merrymakers became riotous; and a party of +them fell upon an old Jew who was keeping a stall of glass and china, +and would smash his stock. Now as the Jew stood before his booth +beseeching them to spare his property, up came the strong young man, +with the flower still unwithered in his cap, and he took the old Jew's +part and defended him. For from childhood his mother had taught him to +feel for others. + +So those who would have ill-treated the old Jew now moved off, and the +young man stayed with him till he had packed up his wares. + +Then the Jew turned towards him and said, "My son, he who delivers the +oppressed, and has respect unto the aged, has need of no reward, for +the blessing of Him that blesseth is about him. Nevertheless, that I +may not seem ungrateful, choose, I pray thee, one of these china jars; +and take it to thee for thine own. If thou shalt choose well, it may +be of more use to thee than presently appears." + +Thereupon the young man examined the jars, which were highly +ornamented with many figures and devices; but he chose one that was +comparatively plain; only it had a bunch of flowers painted on the +front, round which was a pretty device in spots or circles of gold. + +Then said the Jew, "My son, why have you chosen this jar, when there +are others so much finer?" + +The young man said, "Because the flowers please me, and I have a love +for flowers." + +Then said the Jew, "Happy is he whose tastes are simple! Moreover, +herein is a rare wisdom, and thou hast gained that which is the most +valuable of my possessions. This jar has properties which I will +further explain to thee. It was given to me by a wise woman, subject +to this condition, that I must expose it for sale from sunrise to +sunset at the yearly fair. When I understood this I took counsel with +myself how I should preserve it; and I bought other china jars of more +apparent value, and I marked them all with the same price. For I said +within myself, 'There is no man who does not desire to get as much as +he can for his money, therefore, from its contrast with these others, +my jar is safe.' And it was even so; for truly, many have desired to +buy the jar because of the delicate beauty of the flowers, if I would +have sold it for less than others which seemed more valuable." + +"Many times it has been almost gone, but when I have shown the others +at the same price, my customers have reviled me, saying, 'Dog of a +Jew, dost thou ask as much for this as for these others Which are +manifestly worth double?' and they have either departed, cursing me, +and taking nothing; or they have bought one of the more richly +decorated jars at the same price. For verily in most men the spirit of +covetousness is stronger than the love of beauty, and they rather +desire to get much for their money, than to obtain that which is +suitable and convenient." + +"But in thee, O young man! I have beheld a rare wisdom. To choose that +which is good in thine eyes, and suitable to thy needs, rather than +that which satisfieth the lust of over-reaching; and lo! what I have +so long kept from thousands, has become thine!" + +Then the young man wished to restore to the Jew the jar he valued so +highly, and to choose another. + +But the Jew refused, saying, "A gift cannot be recalled. Moreover, I +will now explain to thee its uses. Within the jar lies a toad, whose +spit is poison. But it will never spit at its master. Every evening +thou must feed it with bread and milk, when it will fall asleep; and +at sunrise in the morning it will awake and breathe heavily against +the side of the jar, which will thus become warm. As it warms the +flowers will blossom out, and become real, and full of perfume, and +thou wilt be able to pluck them without diminishing their number. +Moreover, these twelve round spots of gold will drop off, and become +twelve gold pieces, which will be thine. And thus it will be every +day. Only thou must thyself rise with the sun, and gather the flowers +and the gold with thine own hands. Furthermore, when the jar cools, +the flowers and gilding will be as before. Fare thee well." + +And even as he spoke the Jew lifted the huge crate of china on to his +back, and disappeared among the crowd. + +All came about as the Jew had promised. As he had twelve gold pieces a +day, the young man now wanted for nothing, besides which he had fresh +flowers on his table all the year round. + +Now it is well said, "Thy business is my business, and the business of +all beside;" for every man's affairs are his neighbours' property. +Thus it came about that all those who lived near the young man were +perplexed that he had such beautiful flowers in all seasons; and +esteemed it as an injury to themselves that he should have them and +give no explanation as to whence they came. + +At last it came to the ears of the king, and he also was disturbed. +For he was curious, and fond of prying into small matters; a taste +which ill becomes those of high position. But the king had no child to +succeed him; and he was always suspecting those about him of plotting +to obtain the crown, and thus he came to be for ever prying into the +affairs of his subjects. + +Now when he heard of the young man who had flowers on his table all +the year round, he desired one of his officers to go and question him +as to how he obtained them. But the young man contrived to evade his +questions, and the matter was at rest for a while. + +Then the king sent another messenger, with orders to press the young +man more closely; and because the young man disdained to tell a lie, +he said, "I get the flowers from yon china jar." + +Then the messenger returned, and said to the king, "The young man says +that he gets the flowers from a certain china jar which stands in his +room." + +Then said the king, "Bring the contents of the jar hither to me." And +the messenger returned and brought the toad. + +But when the king laid hold upon the toad, it spat in his face; and he +was poisoned and died. + +Then the toad sat upon the king's mouth, and would not be enticed +away. And every one feared to touch it because it spat poison. And +they called the wise men of the council; and they performed certain +rites to charm away the toad, and yet it would not go. + +But after three days, the master of the toad came to the palace, and +without saying who he was, he desired to be permitted to try and get +the toad from the corpse of the king. + +And when he was taken into the king's chamber, he stood and beckoned +to the toad, saying, "The person of the king and the bodies of the +dead are sacred, wherefore come away." + +And the toad crawled from the king's face and came to him, and did not +spit at him; and he put it back into the jar. + +Then said the wise men, "There is no one so fit to succeed to the +kingdom as this man is; both for wisdom of speech and for the power of +command." + +And what they said pleased the people; and the young man was made +king. And in due time he married an amiable and talented princess, and +had children. And he ruled the kingdom well and wisely, and was +beloved till his death. + +Now when, after the lapse of many years, he died, there was great +grief among the people, and his body was laid out in his own room, and +the people were permitted to come and look upon his face for the last +time. + +And among the crowd there appeared an aged Jew. And he did not weep as +did the others; but he came and stood by the bier, and gazed upon the +face of the dead king in silence. And after a while he exclaimed, and +said: + +"Oh, wonderful spectacle! A man, and not covetous. A ruler, and not +oppressive. Contented in poverty, and moderate in wealth. Elect of the +people, and beloved to the end!" + +And when he had said this, he again became silent, and stood as one +astonished. + +And no one knew when he came in, nor perceived when he departed. + +But when they came to search for the china jar, it was gone, and could +never afterwards be found. + + + + +THE FIRST WIFE'S WEDDING-RING. + + +Many years ago, there lived a certain worthy man who was twice +married. By his first wife he had a son, who soon after his mother's +death resolved to become a soldier, and go to foreign lands. "When one +has seen the world, one values home the more," said he; "and if I live +I shall return." + +So the father gave him a blessing, and his mother's wedding-ring, +saying, "Keep this ring, and then, however long you stay away, and +however changed you may become, by this token I shall know you to be +my true son and heir." + +In a short time the father married again, and by this marriage also he +had one son. + +Years passed by, and the elder brother did not return, and at last +every one believed him to be dead. But in reality he was alive, and +after a long time he turned his steps homewards. He was so much +changed by age and travelling that only his mother would have known +him again, but he had the ring tied safe and fast round his neck. One +night, however, he was too far from shelter to get a bed, so he slept +under a hedge, and when he woke in the morning the string was untied +and the ring was gone. He spent a whole day in searching for it, but +in vain; and at last he resolved to proceed and explain the matter to +his father. + +The old man was overjoyed to see him, and fully believed his tale, but +with the second wife it was otherwise. She was greatly displeased to +think that her child was not now to be the sole heir of his father's +goods; and she so pestered and worked upon the old man by artful and +malicious speeches, that he consented to send away the new-comer till +he should have found the first wife's wedding-ring. + +"Is the homestead I have taken such care of," she cried, "to go to the +first vagrant who comes in with a brown face and a ragged coat, +pretending that he is your son?" + +So the soldier was sent about his business; but his father followed +him to the gate, and slipped some money into his hand, saying, "God +speed you back again with the ring!" + +It was Sunday morning, and the bells were ringing for service as he +turned sadly away. + +"Ding, dong!" rang the bells, "ding, dong! Why do you not come to +church like others? Why are you not dressed in your Sunday clothes, +and wherefore do you heave such doleful sighs, whilst we ring merrily? +Ding, dong! ding, dong!" + +"Is there not a cause?" replied the soldier. "This day I am turned out +of home and heritage, though indeed I am the true heir." + +"Nevertheless we shall ring for your return," said the bells. + +As he went, the sun shone on the green fields, and in the soldier's +eyes, and said, "See how brightly I shine! But you, comrade, why is +your face so cloudy?" + +"Is there not good reason?" replied he. "This day I am turned out of +home and heritage, and yet I am the true heir." + +"Nevertheless I shall shine on your return," said the sun. + +Along the road the hawthorn hedges were white with blossom. "Heyday!" +they cried, "who is this that comes trimp tramp, with a face as long +as a poplar-tree? Cheer up, friend! It is spring! sweet spring! All is +now full of hope and joy, and why should you look so sour?" + +"May I not be excused?" said the soldier. "This day I am turned out, +of home and heritage, and yet I am the true heir." + +"Nevertheless we shall blossom when you return," said the hedges. + +When he had wandered for three days and three nights, all he had was +spent, and there was no shelter to be seen but a dark gloomy forest, +which stretched before him. Just then he saw a small, weazened old +woman, who was trying to lift a bundle of sticks on to her back. + +"That is too heavy for you, good mother," said the soldier; and he +raised and adjusted it for her. + +"Have you just come here?" muttered the old crone; "then the best +thanks I can give you is to bid you get away as fast as you can." + +"I never retreated yet, dame," said the soldier, and on he went. + +Presently he met with a giant, who was strolling along by the edge of +the wood, knocking the cones off the tops of the fir-trees with his +finger-nails. He was an ill-favoured-looking monster, but he said, +civilly enough, "You look in want of employment, comrade. Will you +take service with me?" + +"I must first know two things," answered the soldier; "my work and my +wages." + +"Your work," said the giant, "is to cut a path through this wood to +the other side. But then you shall have a year and a day to do it in. +If you do it within the time, you will find at the other end a +magpie's nest, in which is the ring of which you are in search. The +nest also contains the crown jewels which have been stolen, and if you +take these to the king, you will need no further reward. But, on the +other hand, if the work is not done within the time, you will +thenceforth be my servant without wages." + +"It is a hard bargain," said the soldier, "but need knows no law, and +I agree to the conditions." + +When he came into the giant's abode, he was greatly astonished to see +the little weazened old woman. She showed no sign of recognizing him, +however, and the soldier observed a like discretion. He soon +discovered that she was the giant's wife, and much in dread of her +husband, who treated her with great cruelty. + +"To-morrow you shall begin to work," said the giant. + +"If you please," said the soldier, and before he went to bed he +carried in water and wood for the old woman. + +"There's a kinship in trouble," said he. + +Next morning the giant led him to a certain place on the outskirts of +the forest, and giving him an axe, said, "The sooner you begin, the +better, and you may see that it is not difficult." Saying which, he +took hold of one of the trees by the middle, and snapped it off as one +might pluck a flower. + +"Thus to thee, but how to me?" said the soldier; and when the giant +departed he set to work. But although he was so strong, and worked +willingly, the trees seemed almost as hard as stone, and he made +little progress. When he returned at night the giant asked him how he +got on. + +"The trees are very hard," said he. + +"So they always say," replied the giant; "I have always had idle +servants." + +"I will not be called idle a second time," thought the soldier, and +next day he went early and worked his utmost. But the result was very +small. And when he came home, looking weary and disappointed, he could +not fail to perceive that this gave great satisfaction to the giant. + +Matters had gone on thus for some time, when one morning, as he went +to work, he found the little old woman gathering sticks as before. + +"Listen," said she. "He shall not treat you as he has treated others. +Count seventy to the left from where you are working, and begin again. +But do not let him know that you have made a fresh start. And do a +little at the old place from time to time, as a blind." And before he +could thank her, the old woman was gone. Without more ado, however, he +counted seventy from the old place, and hit the seventieth tree such a +blow with his axe, that it came crashing down then and there. And he +found that, one after another, the trees yielded to his blows as if +they were touch-wood. He did a good day's work, gave a few strokes in +the old spot, and came home, taking care to look as gloomy as before. + +Day by day he got deeper and deeper into the wood, the trees falling +before him like dry elder twigs; and now the hardest part of his work +was walking backwards and fowards to the giant's home, for the forest +seemed almost interminable. But on the three hundred and sixty-sixth +day from his first meeting with the giant, the soldier cut fairly +through on to an open plain, and as the light streamed in, a magpie +flew away, and on searching her nest, the soldier found his mother's +wedding-ring. He also found many precious stones of priceless value, +which were evidently the lost crown jewels. And as his term of service +with the giant was now ended, he did not trouble himself to return, +but with the ring and the jewels in his pocket set off to find his way +to the capital. + +He soon fell in with a good-humoured, fellow who showed him the way, +and pointed out everything of interest on the road. As they drew near, +one of the royal carriages was driving out of the city gates, in which +sat three beautiful ladies who were the king's daughters. + +"The two eldest are engaged to marry two neighbouring princes," said +the companion. + +"And whom is the youngest to marry?" asked the soldier, "for she is by +far the most beautiful." + +"She will never marry," answered his companion, "for she is pledged to +the man who shall find the crown jewels, and cut a path through the +stone-wood forest that borders the king's domains. And that is much as +if she were promised to the man who should fetch down the moon for her +to play with. For the jewels are lost beyond recall, and the wood is +an enchanted forest." + +"Nevertheless she shall be wed with my mother's ring," thought the +soldier. But he kept his own counsel, and only waited till he had +smartened himself up, before he sought an audience of the king. + +His claim to the princess was fully proved; the king heaped honours +and riches upon him; and he made himself so acceptable to his +bride-elect, that the wedding was fixed for an early day. + +"May I bring my old father, madam?" he asked of the princess. + +"That you certainly may," said she. "A good son makes a good husband." + +As he entered his native village the hedges were in blossom, the sun +shone; and the bells rang for his return. + +His stepmother now welcomed him, and was very anxious to go to court +also. But her husband said, "No. You took such good care of the +homestead, it is but fit you should look to it whilst I am away." + +As to the giant, when he found that he had been outwitted, he went +off, and was never more heard of in those parts. But the soldier took +his wife into the city, and cared for her to the day of her death. + + + + +THE MAGICIAN TURNED MISCHIEF-MAKER. + + +There was once a wicked magician who prospered, and did much evil for +many years. But there came a day when Vengeance, disguised as a blind +beggar, overtook him, and outwitted him, and stole his magic wand. +With this he had been accustomed to turn those who offended him into +any shape he pleased; and now that he had lost it he could only +transform himself. + +As Vengeance was returning to his place, he passed through a village, +the inhabitants of which had formerly lived in great terror of the +magician, and told them of the downfall of his power. But they only +said, "Blind beggars have long tongues. One must not believe all one +hears," and shrugged their shoulders, and left him. + +Then Vengeance waved the wand and said, "As you have doubted me, +distress each other;" and so departed. + +By and by he came to another village, and told the news. But here the +villagers were full of delight, and made a feast, and put the blind +beggar in the place of honour; who, when he departed, said, "As you +have done by me, deal with each other always!" and went on to the next +village. + +In this place he was received with even warmer welcome; and when the +feast was over, the people brought him to the bridge which led out of +the village, and gave him a guide-dog to help him on his way. + +Then the blind beggar waved the wand once more and said; + +"Those who are so good to strangers must needs be good to each other. +But that nothing may be wanting to the peace of this place, I grant to +the beasts and birds in it that they may understand the language of +men." + +Then he broke the wand in pieces, and threw it into the stream. And +when the people turned their heads back again from watching the bits +as they floated away, the blind beggar was gone. + +Meanwhile the magician was wild with rage at the loss of his wand, for +all his pleasure was to do harm and hurt. But when he came to himself +he said: "One can do a good deal of harm with his tongue. I will turn +mischief-maker; and when the place is too hot to hold me, I can escape +in what form I please." + +Then he came to the first village, where Vengeance had gone before, +and here he lived for a year and a day in various disguises; and he +made more misery with his tongue than he had ever accomplished in any +other year with his magic wand. For every one distrusted his +neighbour, and was ready to believe ill of him. So parents disowned +their children, and husband and wives parted, and lovers broke faith; +and servants and masters disagreed; and old friends became bitter +enemies, till at last the place was intolerable even to the magician, +and he changed himself into a cockchafer, and flew to the next +village, where, Vengeance had gone before. + +Here also he dwelt for a year and a day, and then he left it because +he could do no harm. For those who loved each other trusted each +other, and the magician made mischief in vain. In one of his disguises +he was detected, and only escaped with his life from the enraged +villagers by changing himself into a cockchafer and flying on to the +next place, where Vengeance had gone before. + +In this village he made less mischief than in the first, and more than +in the second. And he exercised all his art, and changed his disguises +constantly; but the dogs knew him under all. + +One dog--the oldest dog in the place--was keeping watch over the +miller's house, when he saw the magician approaching, in the disguise +of an old woman. + +"Do you see that old witch?" said he to the sparrows, who were picking +up stray bits of grain in the yard. "With her evil tongue she is +parting my master's daughter and the finest young fellow in the +country-side. She puts lies and truth together, with more skill than +you patch moss and feathers to build nests. And when she is asked +where she heard this or that, she says, 'A little bird told me so.'" + +"We never told her," said the sparrows indignantly, "and if we had +your strength, Master Keeper, she should not malign us long!" + +"I believe you are right!" said Master Keeper. "Of what avail is it +that we have learned the language of men, if we do not help them to +the utmost of our powers? She shall torment my young mistress no +more." + +Saying which he flew upon the disguised magician as he entered the +gate, and would have torn him limb from limb, but that the +mischief-maker changed himself as before into a cockchafer, and flew +hastily from the village. + +And thus he might doubtless have escaped to do yet further harm, had +not three cock-sparrows overtaken him just before he crossed the +bridge. + +From three sides they hemmed him in, crying, "Which of us told you?" +"Which of us told you?" "Which of us told you?"--and pecked him to +pieces before he could transform himself again. + +After which peace and prosperity befell all the neighbourhood. + + + + +KNAVE AND FOOL. + + +A Fool and a Knave once set up house together; which shows what a fool +the Fool was. + +The Knave was delighted with the agreement; and the Fool thought +himself most fortunate to have met with a companion who would supply +his lack of mother-wit. + +As neither of them liked work, the Knave proposed that they should +live upon their joint savings as long as these should last; and, to +avoid disputes, that they should use the Fool's share till it came to +an end, and then begin upon the Knave's stocking. + +So, for a short time, they lived in great comfort at the Fool's +expense, and were very good company; for easy times make easy tempers. + +Just when the store was exhausted, the Knave came running to the Fool +with an empty bag and a wry face, crying, "Dear friend, what shall we +do? This bag, which I had safely buried under a gooseberry-bush, has +been taken up by some thief, and all my money stolen. My savings were +twice as large as yours; but now that they are gone, and I can no +longer perform my share of the bargain, I fear our partnership must be +dissolved." + +"Not so, dear friend," said the Fool, who was very good-natured; "we +have shared good luck together, and now we will share poverty. But as +nothing is left, I fear we must seek work." + +"You speak very wisely," said the Knave, "And what, for instance, can +you do?" + +"Very little," said the Fool; "but that little I do well." + +"So do I," said the Knave. "Now can you plough, or sow, or feed +cattle, or plant crops?" + +"Farming is not my business," said the Fool. + +"Nor mine," said the Knave; "but no doubt you are a handicraftsman. +Are you clever at carpentry, mason's work, tailoring, or shoemaking?" + +"I do not doubt that I should have been had I learned the trades," +said the Fool, "but I never was bound apprentice." + +"It is the same with myself," said the Knave; "but you may have finer +talents. Can you paint, or play the fiddle?" + +"I never tried," said the Fool; "so I don't know." + +"Just my case," said the Knave. "And now, since we can't find work, I +propose that we travel till work finds us." + +The two comrades accordingly set forth, and they went on and on, till +they came to the foot of a hill, where a merchantman was standing by +his wagon, which had broken down. + +"You seem two strong men," said he, as they advanced; "if you will +carry this chest of valuables up to the top of the hill, and down to +the bottom on the other side, where there is an inn, I will give you +two gold pieces for your trouble." + +The Knave and the Fool consented to this, saying, "Work has found us +at last;" and they lifted the box on to their shoulders. + +"Turn, and turn about," said the Knave; "but the best turn between +friends is a good turn; so I will lead the way up-hill, which is the +hardest kind of travelling, and you shall go first down-hill, the easy +half of our journey." + +The Fool thought this proposal a very generous one, and, not knowing +that the lower end of their burden was the heavy one, he carried it +all the way. When they got to the inn, the merchant gave each of them +a gold piece, and, as the accommodation was good, they remained where +they were till their money was spent. After this, they lived there +awhile on credit; and when that was exhausted, they rose one morning +whilst the landlord was still in bed, and pursued their journey, +leaving old scores behind them. + +They had been a long time without work or food, when they came upon a +man who sat by the roadside breaking stones, with a quart of porridge +and a spoon in a tin pot beside him. + +"You look hungry, friends," said he, "and I, for my part, want to get +away. If you will break up this heap, you shall have the porridge for +supper. But when you have eaten it, put the pot and spoon under the +hedge, that I may find them when I return." + +"If we eat first, we shall have strength for our work," said the +Knave; "and as there is only one spoon, we must eat by turns. But +fairly divide, friendly abide. As you went first the latter part of +our journey, I will begin on this occasion. When I stop, you fall to, +and eat as many spoonfuls as I ate. Then I will follow you in like +fashion, and so on till the pot is empty." + +"Nothing could be fairer," said the Fool; and the Knave began to eat, +and went on till he had eaten a third of the porridge. The Fool, who +had counted every spoonful, now took his turn, and ate precisely as +much as his comrade. The Knave then began again, and was exact to a +mouthful; but it emptied the pot. Thus the Knave had twice as much as +the Fool, who could not see where he had been cheated. + +They then set to work. + +"As there is only one hammer," said the Knave, "we must work, as we +supped, by turns; and as I began last time, you shall begin this. +After you have worked awhile, I will take the hammer from you, and do +as much myself whilst you rest. Then you shall take it up again, and +so on till the heap is finished." + +"It is not every one who is as just as you," said the Fool; and taking +up the hammer, he set to work with a will. + +The Knave took care to let him go on till he had broken a third of the +stones, and then he did as good a share himself; after which the Fool +began again, and finished the heap. + +By this means the Fool did twice as much work as the Knave, and yet he +could not complain. + +As they moved on again, the Fool perceived that the Knave was taking +the can and the spoon with him. + +"I am sorry to see you do that, friend," said he. + +"It's a very small theft," said the Knave. "The can cannot have cost +more than sixpence when new." + +"That was not what I meant," said the Fool, "so much as that I fear +the owner will find it out." + +"He will only think the things have been stolen by some vagrant," +said the Knave--"which, indeed, they would be if we left them. But as +you seem to have a tender conscience, I will keep them myself." + +After a while they met with a farmer, who offered to give them supper +and a night's lodging, if they would scare the birds from a field of +corn for him till sunset. + +"I will go into the outlying fields," said the Knave, "and as I see +the birds coming, I will turn them back. You, dear friend, remain in +the corn, and scare away the few that may escape me." + +But whilst the Fool clapped and shouted till he was tired, the Knave +went to the other side of the hedge, and lay down for a nap. + +As they sat together at supper, the Fool said, "Dear friend, this is +laborious work. I propose that we ask the farmer to let us tend sheep, +instead. That is a very different affair. One lies on the hillside all +day. The birds do not steal sheep; and all this shouting and clapping +is saved." + +The Knave very willingly agreed, and next morning the two friends +drove a flock of sheep on to the downs. The sheep at once began to +nibble, the dog sat with his tongue out, panting, and the Knave and +Fool lay down on their backs, and covered their faces with their hats +to shield them from the sun. + +Thus they lay till evening, when, the sun being down, they uncovered +their faces, and found that the sheep had all strayed away, and the +dog after them. + +"The only plan for us is to go separate ways in search of the flock," +said the Knave; "only let us agree to meet here again." They +accordingly started in opposite directions; but when the Fool was +fairly off, the Knave returned to his place, and lay down as before. + +By and by the dog brought the sheep back; so that, when the Fool +returned, the Knave got the credit of having found them; for the dog +scorned to explain his part in the matter. + +As they sat together at supper, the Fool said, "The work is not so +easy as I thought. Could we not find a better trade yet?" + +"Can you beg?" said the Knave. "A beggar's trade is both easy and +profitable. Nothing is required but walking and talking. Then one +walks at his own pace, for there is no hurry, and no master, and the +same tale does for every door. And, that all may be fair and equal, +you shall beg at the front door, whilst I ask an alms at the back." + +To this the Fool gladly agreed; and as he was as lean as a hunted cat, +charitable people gave him a penny or two from time to time. +Meanwhile, the Knave went round to the back yard, where he picked up +a fowl, or turkey, or anything that he could lay his hands upon. + +When he returned to the Fool, he would say, "See what has been given +to me, whilst you have only got a few pence." + +At last this made the Fool discontented, and he said, "I should like +now to exchange with you. I will go to the back doors, and you to the +front." + +The Knave consented, and at the next house the Fool went to the back +door; but the mistress of the farm only rated him, and sent him away. +Meanwhile, the Knave, from the front, had watched her leave the +parlour, and slipping in through the window, he took a ham and a +couple of new loaves from the table, and so made off. + +When the friends met, the Fool was crestfallen at his ill luck, and +the Knave complained that all the burden of their support fell upon +him. "See," said he, "what they give me, where you get only a mouthful +of abuse!" And he dined heartily on what he had stolen; but the Fool +only had bits of the breadcrust, and the parings of the ham. + +At the next place the Fool went to the front door as before, and the +Knave secured a fat goose and some plums in the back yard, which he +popped under his cloak. The Fool came away with empty hands, and the +Knave scolded him, saying, "Do you suppose that I mean to share this +fat goose with a lazy beggar like you? Go on, and find for yourself." +With which he sat down and began to eat the plums, whilst the Fool +walked on alone. + +After a while, however, the Knave saw a stir in the direction of the +farm they had left, and he quickly perceived that the loss of the +goose was known, and that the farmer and his men were in pursuit of +the thief. So, hastily picking up the goose, he overtook the Fool, and +pressed it into his arms, saying, "Dear friend, pardon a passing ill +humour, of which I sincerely repent. Are we not partners in good luck +and ill? I was wrong, dear friend; and, in token of my penitence, the +goose shall be yours alone. And here are a few plums with which you +may refresh yourself by the wayside. As for me, I will hasten on to +the next farm, and see if I can beg a bottle of wine to wash down the +dinner, and drink to our good-fellowship." And before the Fool could +thank him, the Knave was off like the wind. + +By and by the farmer and his men came up, and found the Fool eating +the plums, with the goose on the grass beside him. + +They hurried him off to the justice, where his own story met with no +credit. The woman of the next farm came up also, and recognized him +for the man who had begged at her door the day she lost a ham and two +new loaves. In vain he said that these things also had been given to +his friend. The friend never appeared; and the poor Fool was whipped +and put in the stocks. + +Towards evening the Knave hurried up to the village green, where his +friend sat doing penance for the theft. + +"My dear friend," said he, "what do I see? Is such cruelty possible? +But I hear that the justice is not above a bribe, and we must at any +cost obtain your release. I am going at once to pawn my own boots and +cloak, and everything about me that I can spare, and if you have +anything to add, this is no time to hesitate." + +The poor Fool begged his friend to draw off his boots, and to take his +hat and coat as well, and to make all speed on his charitable errand. + +The Knave, took all that he could get, and, leaving his friend sitting +in the stocks in his shirt-sleeves, he disappeared as swiftly as one +could wish a man to carry a reprieve. + +For those good folks to whom everything must be explained in full, it +may be added that the Knave did not come back, and that he kept the +clothes. + +It was very hard on the Fool; but what can one expect if he keeps +company with a Knave? + + + + +UNDER THE SUN. + + +There once lived a farmer who was so avaricious and miserly, and so +hard and close in all his dealings that, as folks say, he would skin a +flint. A Jew and a Yorkshireman had each tried to bargain with him, +and both had had the worst of it. It is needless to say that he never +either gave or lent. + +Now, by thus scraping, and saving, and grinding for many years, he had +become almost wealthy; though, indeed, he was no better fed and +dressed than if he had not a penny to bless himself with. But what +vexed him sorely was that his next neighbour's farm prospered in all +matters better than his own; and this, although the owner was as +open-handed as our farmer was stingy. + +When in spring he ploughed his own worn-out land, and reached the top +of the furrow where his field joined one of the richly-fed fields of +his neighbour, he would cast an envious glance over the hedge, and +say, "So far and no farther?" for he would have liked to have had the +whole under his plough. And so in the autumn, when he gathered his own +scanty crop and had to stop his sickle short of the close ranks of his +neighbour's corn, he would cry, "All this, and none of that?" and go +home sorely discontented. + +Now on the lands of the liberal farmer (whose name was Merryweather) +there lived a dwarf or hillman, who made a wager that he would both +beg and borrow of the covetous farmer, and out-bargain him to boot. So +he went one day to his house, and asked him if he would kindly give +him half a stone of flour to make hasty pudding with; adding, that if +he would lend him a bag to carry it in to the hill, this should be +returned clean and in good condition. + +The farmer saw with half an eye that this was the dwarf from his +neighbour's estate, and as he had always laid the luck of the liberal +farmer to his being favoured by the good people, he resolved to treat +the little man with all civility. + +"Look you, wife," said he, "this is no time to be saving half a stone +of flour when we may make our fortunes at one stroke. I have heard my +grandfather tell of a man who lent a sack of oats to one of the +fairies, and got it back filled with gold pieces. And as good measure +as he gave of oats so he got of gold;" saying which, the farmer took a +canvas bag to the flour-bin, and began to fill it. Meanwhile the dwarf +sat in the larder window and cried--"We've a big party for supper +to-night; give us good measure, neighbour, and you shall have anything +under the sun that you like to ask for." + +When the farmer heard this he was nearly out of his wits with delight, +and his hands shook so that the flour spilled all about the larder +floor. + +"Thank you, dear sir," he said; "it's a bargain, and I agree to it. My +wife hears us, and is witness. Wife! wife!" he cried, running into the +kitchen, "I am to have anything under the sun that I choose to ask +for. I think of asking for neighbour Merryweather's estate, but this +is a chance never likely to happen again, and I should like to make a +wise choice, and that is not easy at a moment's notice." + +"You will have a week to think it over in," said the dwarf, who had +come in behind him; "I must be off now, so give me my flour, and come +to the hill behind your house seven days hence at midnight, and you +shall have your share of the bargain." + +So the farmer tied up the flour-sack, and helped the dwarf with it on +to his back, and as he did so he began thinking how easily the bargain +had been made, and casting about in his mind whether, he could not get +more where he had so easily got much. + +"And half a stone of flour is half a stone of flour," he muttered to +himself, "and whatever it may do with thriftless people, it goes a +long way in our house. And there's the bag--and a terrible lot spilled +on the larder floor--and the string to tie it with, which doubtless +he'll never think of returning--and my time, which must be counted, +and nothing whatever for it all for a week to come." And the outlay so +weighed upon his mind that he cleared his throat and began: + +"Not for seven days, did you say, sir? You know, dear sir, or perhaps, +indeed, you do not know, that when amongst each other we men have to +wait for the settlement of an account, we expect something over and +above the exact amount. Interest we call it, my dear sir." + +"And you want me to give you something extra for waiting a week?" +asked the dwarf. "Pray, what do you expect?" + +"Oh, dear sir, I leave it to you," said the farmer. "Perhaps you may +add some trifle--in the flour-bag, or not, as you think fit--but I +leave it entirely to you." + +"I will give you something over and above what you shall choose," said +the dwarf; "but, as you say, I shall decide what it is to be." With +which he shouldered the flour-sack, and went his way. + +For the next seven days, the farmer had no peace for thinking, and +planning, and scheming how to get the most out of his one wish. His +wife made many suggestions to which he did not agree, but he was +careful not to quarrel with her; "for," he said, "we will not be like +the foolish couple who wasted three wishes on black-puddings. Neither +will I desire useless grandeur and unreasonable elevation, like the +fisherman's wife. I will have a solid and substantial benefit." + +And so, after a week of sleepless nights and anxious days, he came +back to his first thought, and resolved to ask for his neighbour's +estate. + +At last the night came. It was full moon, and the farmer looked +anxiously about, fearing the dwarf might not be true to his +appointment. But at midnight he appeared, with the flour-bag neatly +folded in his hand. + +"You hold to the agreement," said the farmer, "of course. My wife was +witness. I am to have anything under the sun that I ask for; and I am +to have it now." + +"Ask away," said the dwarf. + +"I want neighbour Merryweather's estate," said the farmer. + +"What, all this land below here, that joins on to your own?" + +"Every acre," said the farmer. + +"Farmer Merryweather's fields are under the moon at present," said the +dwarf, coolly, "and thus not within the terms of the agreement. You +must choose again." + +But as the farmer could choose nothing that was not then under the +moon, he soon saw that he had been outwitted, and his rage knew no +bounds at the trick the dwarf had played him. + +"Give me my bag, at any rate," he screamed, "and the string--and your +own extra gift that you promised. For half a loaf is better than no +bread," he muttered, "and I may yet come in for a few gold pieces." + +"There's your bag," cried the dwarf, clapping it over the miser's head +like an extinguisher; "it's clean enough for a nightcap. And there's +your string," he added, tying it tightly round the farmer's throat +till he was almost throttled. "And, for my part, I'll give you what +you deserve;" saying which he gave the farmer such a hearty kick that +he kicked him straight down from the top of the hill to his own back +door. + +"If that does not satisfy you, I'll give you as much again," shouted +the dwarf; and as the farmer made no reply, he went chuckling back to +his hill. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OLD-FASHIONED FAIRY TALES*** + + +******* This file should be named 15592.txt or 15592.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/5/5/9/15592 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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