Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1853-04-07


came smiling towards them she bore in her
hands large bowl of milk, and under her arm
was wrapper composed of strips Of bark or
tough grass, which being opened, displayed some
large pieces Of barley bread.
Eat! drink" said she; and her orders
were obeyed with alacrity. She waited till they
had finished their meal and then said, "My
father will come and judge you presently; but
don't be afraid, he is not so terrible as he
looks;" and with these words she left them.
1t was an anxious moment Patow summoned
up his resolution to bear the worst with calm
ness; and Ulric was inventing some ingenious
talsehcod to excuse himself for intrudlng within
their hosts very uninvting territory, when
loud rough voice was heard at distance, and
presently giant of vast size walked sturdily
towards them, carrying in his hand yonng pine,
pIucked up by the roots.
"What have you come here for ?" quoth he,
u wnen he was close to them,-, His voice sounded
like thusder. "Speak. you are spies from the
fplains What is it you want? Is not your land
q fat enough, that you must come here and spy
lout the poverty Of my home? Will you steal
y 1.-THE few goats that give food to me and my chill
,tdren? Will you rob me of my little hoard of
Idry corn? This is the second time that you
have come to pifer from me and now, villains,
you shall die !"
"Ah. sir" exclaimed UIiic-he could utter
no more.
ave are poor Travellers" SAID Platow !" and
were passing, by accident, through your country.
Our only wish is to reach, once more, the land
where We were born"
"We will give you gold, interrupted Uric ;
and he rendered some coins for the giants ac-
ceptance, who looked contcmptuousy upon
them.
"What stuff is here ?"quoh he and whirled
the useless metal over the mountain summit
some hundreds of feet high. "Do you think
to brbe me with dirt like this? OF what use is
it to me? viii it give Inc food or clothing'
will it teach me"
1--WE will tea;h you wisdom" joyfully cried
Uric. s.
" Ha" said the giant, Chat, indeed,, is
some'hing. Come, let US begif,'n4s' -
Uric, who belonged to several societies fSf
d'insing useful land a little useless) knowledge,
and who out-talked every member at the annual
meetings OF the philosophers, eagerly commen-
! ced. 81 shall first explain to you the latest
aI tknnri ti,rr 1t
iffom the moon :
The what?" cried the other, augrily but
recollectng hlensef, he mntered aside, II pre-
celve that this is a jackuss, or talking IDIOT"
"We," pursued Uric, g" YOU have no in.
terest in that subject, will show you how to un
rol a mummy"
Platow spilled, and explained tho. nature o
Tavs rs mum AIT -,:se I. = "
Uric admitted that this was an objection
and said, "Then will unfold to you the mys
teries Of alorns "
That sounds WE'LL" said his host you cal
tell me when storm is comng?"
"No. not that" answered Uric.
I rsss Nor how to avert it,?
"Ne"
.,We||, then, yon know, by certain signs, how
!. long it will last" . H.
"No.'
!, What is it you are about to disclose, then !?
$ inquired the other impaticntly. e, ). ..a
81 will show you how storms are ganefate
and impeIled through the atmosphere,s and hoy
they sometimes revolse or proceed in circles
and how"
"Bah! !" exclaimed the gant; call this is tc
, the people OF the air."
1t is really difficult to hit on subject" sal
Uric, now little perpexed AT last a brigi
thought Illuminated his countenancc and
said" will explain to you the theory of rem
and sh'w you how to hold just balance betwee
the manutactur ng aud the agricultural interest
"llark We, iellow!" said the giant, now tho
oughy ioceased, "you are laughing at my ign
'e rance You wish me to nail you against ,h
j. rock, to furnish dinner tor the eagles !"
:, Uric protested quickly that, although self w
:. generally below his thoughts, yet that such
. mode OF proceeding would be particularly dis
g greeable TO him.
:. His host now assumed the interrogation. "Y
" appear to be silly fellow" said he but
may be mistaken. will, therefore, put que
~ ton or two, to ascertain the value of yo
- tccomp mpllshnents. Can you wrestle with
I, bear?"
= Uric confessed that he could not, with al
!. prospect Of success.
!. "Or come close upon the chamois 2"
-. NO"
=. "Or shoot dead panther ~.
NO" f.>
=, "Can you build your own house, or wea
!. your own clothes or bed coverings from 10
=, grasses or the barks of trees ,"
mo"
"Can YOU choose the best ears of corn? a
" SOW them? and weed them? and water thea
v" and reap reap hem and grind them and tuIn th'
into bfead?
70 No-no--no."
w. "Yet we consider these things Important
Wv our country, and even in yours they cannot
4. entirely -hout use."
,es The dialogue which we have endeavored tn
N, far to repeat, was extended to considerat
,ss length AT the end of it the giant retlrei s.
ing he should now take some rest. and tina,
NV would determine on their fate in the evening
az. He lett them with grim smile on his coun
nance. Ulrc's spirits fell, and he announc
vas to his brother prisoner that one or both OF tn
10. would, in all probability, be cooked for his 81
the per.