The north Iowa times. [volume] (M'Gregor [i.e. McGregor], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1856-10-17
SELECT STORIES.


xAAL1 POVERTY.
The good people Of Drontheim say that
in a certain village north of their city,
which is known to be the nearest town to
the pole, there once lived two honest
lads, named Christian and Karl, who, be-
ing coopers by trade, were accustomed
to go from house to house selling their
wooden vessels, and mending all that
were broken. They had lived thus for
three years, always going together,
though they were no relations but their
trade had been learned with the same
master-cooper, their mothers had died in
the same year, their fathers married in
the next, land their step-mothers found out
that they were the worst boys in crea-
ton. All these chances made them agree
to inhabit an old forsaken hut, and travel
the country in company. Whether it was
the setting in of hard Tins. the change
of fashions, or the coming of new COO
per, the story does not say but trade
grew dull with Christian and KARL
Housekeepers appeared willing to put up
with half the pals and dishes which US
ed to serve them. Things did not even
get broken at the former rate and, as
they could not live on chips and shavings,
the young coopers resolved to set forth
and try their fortune in the rich towns to
the southwark. The days were at their
longest, and the rye in the ear, when one
morning at sunrise they began their trav-
els, proceeding for the first few days in a
6shing-vessel on its return southwark,
and afterwards betaking themselves to
their feet, each with stout ashen staff in
his hand, and all his worldly goods pack
ed in pannier on his back. They took
the road to Drontheim, though Karl said
he had heard that people there were to
grand TO use wooden dishes. 1t led
through q pine-forest; and scarcely
had they got in among the tall trees, when
sound Of amentation reached them, and
little way further they saw man scat
ed on the messy root of an old pine
Whether he was native Of Old Norway,
or of some foreign land, they could not
say. His face was brown, so were his
hands and beard. He wore scarlet cloak
with 6ne hat and feather bat the tears
were in his eyes, and he wrung his hands,
exclaiming: "Oh, my fortune. my hard
fortune -
Good SIR" said Christian, "what is
the matter? Have you lost anything, OF
made a bad bargain?"
No." said the stranger; "but which
Of you will take my fortune, and give me
his in exchange?'
"I'll take it." said Karl; &c whatever
it be, since You are so well dressed"
Mind wha. you are about. comrade, -
said Christian: this man is not in such
haste to part with his fortune for moth
ing"
NO matter" said Karl ait can b.
nothing bad with such fine clothes"
Give me your staff and pannier. -
said the stranger; take my cloak and
hat, make the best of your way to yonde,
firth ;" and he pointed to an openin. in
the trees, where long arm of the Nor.h
Sea pierced deep into the forest. "Hal
a mile along the shore, you will find two
fishermen in boat, who will take you
safe to Christiana there inquire for oil,
Erick street, and the house OF merchan,
called Holderbond, and tell him you arr
come for the fortune of Hans Peterson. .
Christian would not have believed tha
his friend would leave him on SO short :
warning for any mans fortune; but so i
was. Karl was out of sight in minute
scarlet cloak and all and the stranger
taking up bis staff and pannier, with
Joyful look said: "Come on, friend i
is a long way to Drontheim." Christian
knew their was truth in that remark anc
on he went. wondering to himself at hi.
new companion, whose sorrow seemed al
over. for he broke forth in jovial sons
concerning New-year's Day and merry
makings, with voice so loud and cleal
that the old forest rang. Christian looked
in the direction Of the firth. by way o
gathering resolution to ask him what sor
OF fortune he was so glad to get quit of
but the singing seemed suddenly passing
away. and when he turned his eyes on thu
stranger. there was nothing there but th.
trunk Of blasted pine. Christian had
heard Of fairies and sorcercrs; but h
thought their day was done even in Nor
way. However, there was no trace Of thu
stranger to be seen and, having no inoli
nation to linger in that spot, he FASTENED
on to Drontheim. The only man whom
Christian knew in all that city was thu
master-cooper from his native village, viii
whom he had learned his trade, and tt
him he repaired for counsel. Glad was
homes. Gimil to zee his former appren
tice. and hear news of his old neigIbors
but having q managing wife, who did no
hsS country. people, he could do nothing
for Christian but lot him work in his shol
all day at very low wages, and sleep a
night in a loft Of the wood house. The
terms were not over-good. but no better
were to be found So Christian set him
self to work honestly for his master, t.
sell his own dishes on HOLIDAYS, and Z
please Dame Gimil. How he succeeded
in the last tendeavor is not said but wears
passed away Christians dishes were al
sold. and he saved the money. His mas
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