The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-07-31
ST. Johnsbmy VI July 81 1917

passed his time, because during his fathers
life time he had never done anything else in
sitting the whole week over his smoking coal
| pit, or, black and dirty, sight for good peo-
pie, he would 90 down into the city to sell
his coaL But II goldman has much time for
thinking about himself and other things and
when Peter was sitting by hls coal pit the
dark trees whistlcd around him,und the deep
stiffness of the forest awakened his heart to
unusual feelings ofanXiety. Something Toub
led him; he did not know exactly what it was.
AT last he began to think that he did not
like his business "a black solitary coal
burner" said he, "iti miserable life. How
much more valued are the glass makers; the
clock makers, even the musicians, on Sunday
evenings. But if Peter Muuk washed clean
and dressed in his fathers best coat with sill
yer buttons and bran new red stockings APP
pear, and if one walking behind me thinks,
who is that handsome fellow, and praises my
stockings and my stately walk, see, when he
passes me and looks about, he is sure TO say
ooh, it is only Peter Munk, the goldman"
These thoughts disturbed Peter so much,
that he became very uneasy. One night
when he was returning home TO his mothers
cottage he met the little Glassmau with the
steeple crowned hat and his red stockings.
Seeing the sad countenancc of the young
coal burner, for his eyes were so bright he
could discern that it was Il sad countenance
although it was blackcned with dirt and
smoke, he asked him his trouble.
Peter opened TO the friendly spirit his Sc
crct thoughts, aud told him that lie was tired
of being n coal burner.
"Peter," said the little man very seriously,
"Petcr do not tell me this. What good would
it do you to change your station in life? DO
not despisc hard labor,your father and grand
father were honest people and they worked
ut this trade. Peter Munb, hope it is not
idlcness that brings you to me-"
Peter was alarmed at the serious counte-
nance of the little man and blushed "No,"
said he, "idleness well know is the begin
ing of all wickedness, but you cannot blame
me if ! like better some other trade than my
own. A coal burner is so little thought of in
the world, and the glass makers and wood
dealers, and clock makers arc so much more
respected.
'Pridc comes before fall" answered the
little glass man, "bui / am a tender hearted
spirit, and since you are so sad will grant
you three wishes. But take cure, Peter wish
for something good and useful"
"lluzZa, you are an excellent glass man,"
said Peter, "you have treasures by the house
full. So may wish what my heart most de-
sires, ] will wish first that may dance better
than the dancing master, and may always
have as much money i'll my pocket as fat T.
zekicl."
''FooI," answered the little man angrIy.
'What miserable wish is that, TO dance as
well, and to have money to gamble with Are
you not ashamed, stupid Peter to throw a.
way your good fortune in this manner? What
good will it do you, and your poor mother, if
YOU dance ever so well. But have one wish
mqr6Gt tfre6 Jylb2t yG2n are IRE more reasonable
ter short pause aus sad NOV NOV WISH i6F tie
best and richest glass factory in the Black
Forest, with all that belongs TO it, and money
enough to carry on the work"
"Norhing morc?" said the little man with
an anxious look, "nothng more, Peter"
''No-or you may add horse and little
wagon"
ooh you stupid goldman, Peter Munk,"
cried the little man. "Ilorse, wagon? I'm
dcrstanding ! tell you, understanding, wis
dom, reason, you should have wished for
these, but not for horses and wagons; but
cheer up, he not so sad, we shall see, and it
is YOUR own fault if you do not do well-thc
second wish was ON the whole not foolish
one. A good glass factory nourishcs both
man and master, and YOU had wisdom and
understanding 30 go on with it, the horses
and wagons would have come of themselves"
The good spirit then furnished Peter wiki
money TO buy good glnss factory, and he
was soon established in it. lie fora time
paid attention TO his business, and spent his
days in overseeing his worllmcn, and mana
ring his affairs, but lie went in the evenings
10 the tavern and spent lis time in card play
ing and dancing. By degrees lie became
less attentive to his affairs and spent more
time in his amuscmcntS, and his Workmen
finding their master inatcntlve, became so
too, and the works were neglected and be-
came Improbable. Peter grew lazy, he got
into debt and did not attend to his affairs, and
ono night he continued at the gambling table
with Fat Ezekiel and some other wild TEL
lows, and they played till EZckicPs pockets
were empty, and Peter found TO his dismay
on putting his hand in his pocket which till
now had been always full, that it was empty,
for his foolish wish had been that he might
ALWAYS have as much money as fat Ezekiel,
so when it came his turn TO pay hG had no
money. The people thought he meant to
cheat them when he refused 10 pay, and they
turned him out of doors, and he went away
sad and sorrowful
He then remembered how little he had at
tended to his affairs, that he owed great
deal of money, that ifhe had not been too la
Nv TO see to it, he might long since have paid
and with his empty pockets what was he
to do.
On Monday morning when Peter went to
bis glass house, not only were his workmen
there, but other people whom no ene likes to
see, and these were The sheriff and three Off
GERS of justice. The Sheriff wished Peter
good morning, asked him how he had slept,
and then drew out a long record signed by
Peters creditors. "Cau you pay or not
said the sheriff with stern look; ''you must
make n short work of it, for have not much
time to lose, and it is full three o'clock by the
church tower
Poor Peter stammered cut that he had
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