The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1836-10-21
JAN scHALKEN's THREE WISHES.


DUTCH LEGEAD.
A: small fishing Village III Dutch Elan.
ders, there is still shown the size OF hut,
which was an object OF much attention whilst
It stood, on account Of singular e.end that
relates to It's first lnhabltaut, a klnd-hearted
fellow, who depended on his boat for subSls
tence, and MS own happy disposition for
cheerfulness during every hardship and PR.
walton. Tins the story goes
One dark and stormy night in winter, as
Jan Schalken was sitting with his good %
rured buNom wife by the fire, he was ava
ked from a transient duz by a knocking
al the door of his hut. lie started up, drew
back the bolt, and stranger entered. He
was a tall man, but little could be dlstlu
gushed either of his face or figure, as he
wore large dark cloak, " Inch ne had con
trlved to pull over his head after the fash
ION of cowl 81 am a poor traveller
SAID the stranger, and want nights lod..
ing. VIII YOU grant /, = AVE, 10 be
sure, [repled Schaiken,) but | am afraid
Your cheer will be- but sorry. Had YOU
come sooner YOU might have Jared better
SIT down, however, aud ca, of what IS LETT +"
The traveller took him at his word, and IN
a short time afterwards retired 10 b hum
bic sleeping place. In the morning as he
was about to depart, nc advanced towards
Schalken and giving him his hand, thus
addressed hm: all IS needless for YOU ms
good friend to know Who am bu, OF this
be assured, that | can and will b. grateful !;
tor when the rich and the pow ariul turned
4 me last night from their inbospitable gates,
you welcomed me as man should welcome
man, and looked With an eye Of puy on the
desolate traveller IN the storm. grant
YOU three wishes. Be they what they mas
those wishes shall be gfatItied." No.
ScbaIken did no, certainly put much faith
IN these promises, but still he thought IT
4 the safest plan TO make trial Of them and
accordingly began 10 consider how he should
fix bis wishes. Jan was a man who had
few or no ambitious views and was con-
tented With the way of Iilc III winch he had
been brought up. in fact, he was so well
satisfied with bis situation, that he had not
the least inclination to lose a single day Of
his laborIous e0stence; but, on the contra.
,ry. had very s,ucrre wtsh to add a few
wears to those which be was destined ia
1--we. THIS gave rise to w,st -''V III
., OF M, ,.,e ara ms self 1--we me SAID III
Is wears longer than nature has designed Z.
\" II shall be done" cred The stranger.
Whilst SchaIken was puzZitng his brain for
a second wish, he bethou2ht him lha! a
pcar-tree, which IN his little garden, had
been despolled Of It's fruit, to the no snail
detrlmen, Of the sad tree, aud greyious dis,
appointment Of lts owner. For my Sc
cond wish, grant that whoever ciunbs my
pear tree shall not have power 20 leave II
until permission he gwen
THIS vas also consented to. Schalker
was Il sober man, and liked to ~ do"n ane
chat with his ~ie Of an evening; but She
was bastlIug body, aud often jumped up 1t
the midst Of a conversation that she hat
onlv heard ten or twelve times, 10 scrub The
{ table or set their clay patters N order
, Nothing disturbed hun 80 much as this, ahe
. he VAS determined, # possible, TO prevent
= recurrence Of the nuisance. W lth tnis Oh
. lect IN view, he approached close to tn
/. stranger, add in a low whisper toId han HI
q third and last wish that whoever sat M
h particular chair IN. his hut should not be a
i be to move out Of 1t until It should pleas
him 50 to order THIS was agreed to b
the traveller, who, after mahy greetings dc
- parted on his way. Years passed on, an
his last two wishes had been fully grali;ie
b. by often detalnlng thieves IN his tree, an
%, his wife on her choir. The time was al
preaching when the promiue OF longevlt
~ would be (alslhed or made manifest.
Is happened tina, the birthdays OF the hshe
2, man and his wife were the sane. Inc
le were sitting together on the evening OF u
IS day that made him 70 years and NieJe
he wears of aye, when he moon that was 'h'
to lng through the window OF the hot seem
.et suddenly TO be extugushed. and the sta
rushed down the clouds aud hay glarlng
the surface uf the ocean, over which
ily spread au unnatural camuess, although I
skies appeared to he mastered by The WIN