The emigrant aid journal of Minnesota. [volume] (Nininger City, Minn. Terr. [i.e. Minn.]) 1856-1858, 1858-03-10

sy you didn't come sooner, master fisherman, or you
And then he explained Why be had returned them to
the water observing that he always honored the MAXIM
Waste not, want not.
The strangers eyes now twinkled with kindly ex-
preston.
You have returned two Of my subjects to my watery
KINGDOM said he which is what you sort OF folks
seldom do And since I should have bought them Of
you had they still been in your power it is but fair to
reward you all the same You may ask for anything
you like and shall obtain it.
The woocarder now perceived that he had to do with
the Nix, or watersprte belonging to the stream, and
taking off his cap respectfully, answered in humble
though manly tone Well since your ordship is pleased
to reward such small service, why, suppose here ne
looked down at his card which he held in his hand
that is to say, if your lordshp pleases, should be
quite satisfied if could always find my card full Of
prime WOOL
1t is granted said the Nix who had disappeared by
the time the two friends who had been somewhat ave-
stricken, again ventured to raise their eyes.
Watty now looked at his card, and, behold it was
full Of the finest wool imaginable.
My fortune is made said he, dancing about for
Joy. Nov II set up my own account, instead OF
hiring myself to q master shall never want
Tommy, for nobody shall ever say forgot my friend
in my good luck
sAy, but what foolish job you've made of your wsh
objected Tommy, peevishly. when you were about
it, why didn't you ask his lordshp for plenty Of money
and them indeed might have both been comfortable
why, man, int this wealth ? cried Watty. taking
handfu Of wool from the card, which yielded its
aeecy treasures like much sasoks coming oat OF
chimney. with a little industry shall presently
be rich What more can heart wish for? -
wish, quotha 2 calculated Tommy why, ready
made fortune without any work trouble to be sure
And as they walked along, he kept repining at the
Nix's churlishness in not bestowng wish on himself
as well, just as if the benefit conferred his friend
were the greatest injury done him, although Watty had
80 generously offered to make him sharer in his good
fortune Presently they emerged from the road, and
reached the spot where the stream into which the fishes
had been thrown dsgorged itself into little lake.
| This must surely be the Nixs headquarters, said
Tommy; so here shall stop until his sprteship comes
up out of the water, and gives me something.
1t in vain Walter urged that the Nix would not
come anybodys bidding and that it only wasting
time loter about in such hope: his lazy companion
declared he would not step further especially
as he had need now to 60 to work, since there
to be end to the wool which to maintain them.
! Watty shook his head, saying, You'll never learn
that larks won't fall ready roasted into your mouth
I'm afraid you'll live and die lazy fellow And with
this he went his way brsky to make up for the lost
time, intending to offer his employer bundle Of
wool to cancel their agreement, and set up for himself
On being left alone, Tom began calling aloud the
Nix to ont Of the water but he might have bawl
Ell till he was hoarse, tor any attention that seemed
likely to be paid to his adjuratons. Then he flung
away his card with great contempt useless tool and
sauntered up and down like your town ider, with his
hands in his pockets and whistling tune. He next
set to carving his tree, only he did not get
beyond the first letter. because this was too much
trouble and lastly, he sat down under the tree and
picking up stones lying within his reach, began
Aingpg them into the lake, like 80 many minute guns,
storming the Nx's watery castle.
BY the time he had exhausted the ammunition within
his reach, he suddenly felt wet hand laid on bis
shoulder, and turning round he the Nix standing
behind him. in the same garb before, only with hair
shagger and wilder than ever, and with eyebrows om
nously knit
What do you want " said he; and Why do you
disturb my waters?
Il am only fishing for luck said Tommy sapd il
you will bnt give me wish, you did my comrade
III never disturb your waters so long live It ISM
fair be should have all the luck to himself
WELL grumbled the Nix, sPll give you three
chances Of good luck
Where they? asked Tom, holding out his hand
'You foolish fellow, said the Nix grufhy it is 70,
you to make the most Of the chances by taking
wish for something sensible
And before Tom could ask another question the Niz
had disappeared, though whether into his own lake
seemed problematica for not even the aintest eddy
wrnkd the surface Of the wate AZ though the stawar
sprite had taken plunge below.
Now said Tommy to himself, I won't be such 6
fool Wat No more wool-carding for me! And
though he's pleased say arks never fall ready roasted
into ones mouth, I've but to ask and have; only III
have something better than larks So now I'll wish
that by shaking this tree I'm sitting UNDER there would
fall down roast goose and all sorts of nice things 70,
my dinner
This was no sooner said than done. Tommy SHOOK
the tree to purpose Down fell goose roasted te
turn, besides all Of dainties in sufficient quantity
to satisfy an alderman.
Now this is what like, thought Tom to live on
the fat of the land, and to have no trouble sbal
come every day to this tree, as if it was inn.'
But then be recollected that he must wish again in
order to be able to shake the tree produce the
same results aud in three days his three wishes would
be wasted three good dinners certainly, but
cent after ALL as the best of dinners must necessarily
be- So he saw that would not do; only being very
thirsty after partakng of such highly seasoned dantiet
and thinking it too much trouble TO rise and fetch
water, Tommy cried ont wish it would rain wine 70,
tho next FIVE minutes, and then should only have te
open my mouth, without even the necessity Of lifting
glass to my lips
Immediately gentle shower began pattering amongst
the leaves, while Tom laid himself on his back and
opened his mouth into which there kept dripping the
most exquisitely favored wine mortal tasted,
which Lune or Frontignac, even Shraz, are but
the rnsipgs Of bottle when compared to the strength