Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-07-18
LITTLE GRETTEJ,.

and when she went abroad she Turned
out her toes, and was very merry, and
thought 10 herself, what pretty gir
| amt Aud when she came home, to
put herself in good spirits, she would
tipple down drop or two Of wine; and
as wine gives relish for eating, she,
would take taste Of every thing when
she was cooking, saying "A cook ough,
to know whether a thing tastes WELL
Ii happened one day that her master
said, Grettel, this evening have "A
friend coming to sup with me get two
fine fowles ready Very well sir, said
Gettel. Then she killed the fowls,
plucked and trussed them, put Them on
the fire To roast. The fowls turned
round and round, and soon began to
look nice and brown; but the guest did
not come. Then Grettel cried out,
Master; if the guest does not come, !
must take up the fowls; but it will be a
shame and pity if they are not eaten
while they are lot and good well,
said her master, I'lI run and tell him
to com".' As soon as he had turned his
back, Grettel stopped The spit, and laid
it with the fowl upon il on one side,
and thought to herself, Standing by
the fire makes one very tired and thirsty
who knows how long they will be
Mean while, ! will jus, step into the
cellar and take drop So Off she
ran, put down her pitcher, and said,
your health GretteI,' and took good
draught. This wine is good friend
said she to herself; 'it breaks ones
heart to leave it, Then up she trotted.
put the fowls down to the fire, spread
some butter over them, and turned the
spit merrily round again.
The fowls soon smelt 50 good that
she thought to herself, They are very
good, but they may want something
still I; had better taste them and see.'
So she licked her fingers, and said, %!
how good what shame and a pity
that they are not eaten!' Away she
ran to the window, to see if her master
and his friend whre coming; but no
body was in sight so she turned to
the fowls again, and thought it would
be better for her to eat wing than
that it should be burnt So she Gu,
one wing off, and eat it, and it tasted
very we'll /; and as the other was quite
done enough, she thought it had better
be cut of too, or else her master would
see one was wanting. When the two
wings were gone she went again to look
out for her master, but could not see
him. 'Ah' thonght she to herself, who
knows whether they will come at all
very likely they have turned into
some tavern; o Grettel! GretteI! make
yourself happy, take another draughr,
and eat the rest oft.le fowl it looks SD
oddly as it is; when you have eaten all,
you will be easy: why should such good
things be wasted p So she ran once
more to the cellar, took another drink,
and ate up the rest Of the fowl with the
greatest glee.
Still her master did not come, and
she cast lingering eye upon the 9TH
er fowl; and said, where the other
went, this had better 60 too; they be-
long to each other; they who have
right TO one, must have a right TO the
other; bnt if ] were to take another
draught first, it would not hurt me-
So she tippled down. another drop Of
wine, and sent the second fowl to look
after ths first. While she was making
an end of this famous meal, her mas
ter came home, and called out, 'Now
quick, Grettel, my friend is just at
handn 'Yes, master, | will dish up
this minute,' said she. In the mean
time he looked to see if the cloth was
laid, and took the carving knife to
sharpen it. Whilst this was going
on, the guest came and knocked softly
an gently at the house door; then
Grette ran to see who was there; and
when she saw him, she put her fingers
upon her lips, and said, Hush! Hush!
run away as fas, as you can--lor if
my master catches you, il will be worse
for YOU; he owes you grudge, dnd
asked YOU 10 supper only that he might
cut Of your ears; onl, listen how he
is slarp'ning his kuifs.' The guest lis.
tened, aud when b. heard the knife
he made as much haste as he could
down .hc steps, and ran of, Gre,tel