Litchfield enquirer., 1861-05-02
Alisfellar1p.
THE TWO sPINDLEs.
A FAIRY STORY, TRANSLATED FROM THE GERM.

In vale, far off in the Thuringian forest. ther lay the ruins of an old mill. The stone wall were standing, and the clear stream was runnin, yet; but the machin cry had long been worthless The last miller was very old man, and liyef near by in little matched cottage His wifi had been dead eleven years, and his two daush ters, by their labor, supported him in his decrep itude and almost continual sickness. They wouit spin flax, and collect bundles of kindlne wood and gather berries; by all of which means the, succeeded in laying up enough money to supply their household with every necessity
 | One day, when their father was dozing in his l old willow chair, Martha and Chrstel went of to gather nuts and leaves for their goat. They had gone about half mile, when they saw a young squirrel lying in the path before them It had fallen from tree and was very seriously hurt. Christel picked it up, and wrapped it f her apron, and the sisters returned home with it and strengthened it by saucer of milk that they placed before it. It was, at first, very wild and l shy, though it was so lame that it could not climb. or even run. But after some days it be- gan to get better, and was evidently growing less fearful of its protectors. In time it was very tame, followed Cristel and Martha wherever they went, and knew by heart every branch of tree within stones throw of the old miller cottage Winter was coming on, and Cristal made for her playful squirrel in future We must call Freddy. for that was his name-a soft bed of wool and placed it in it's little house. Fred dys supply of cabbage stalks, and corn, and ha- zel-nuts, was very large, enough to last all win ter. He was an object of great love in the fam ily no less to the miller than to his daughters. Every want was met; never was there a squirrel better fed or cared for. One cold morning in December Freddy was missing. His house was pulled down, and his bed taken out, but he was not there. Martha called him an unthankful squirrel, and would not look for him. But Cris- tel went all about the house. examined the old mill, and went down through the forest; but it was all to no purpose. Finally she took his bed and pulled it all apart and as she did this, there dropped on the gronnd two spindles, one of wood and of dull color, the other very bright and of metal. Criste said this latter one was the loveliest thing she had ever seen; but Martha, who was older, and pretended to a great deal of wisdom, said it was nothing but brass Still, it was a wonder to them both how the spindles came in Freddys bed.
 Martha took the yellow metal spindle for her self, and gave the wooden one to Christel. When they began to spin it was wonderful to see how much flax they could convert into the finest thread Martha could do more in, one hour now, than formerly in the whole day It Was. indeed, lucky thing for these two girls to be so well provided for. They soon astonished the thread merchant, by the great quantity of thread they brought to him for sale he said he had never seen such spnners as they were. In three months time, enough money was made to r'pair the old mill and hire miller besides improving the little cottage.
 Now, if we had money to buy COW, should be gla,l,' said Martha
 Buy d cow? What can you be thinking of, ,.- { and the price is enormous
 Cristel, 1 believe could sell my spindle this very day, for enough money to buy d COW. See how bright it is getting all the time '
 W ould you think of such thing? 1 am astonished beyond measure"
 "Oh you are a very silly young girl. Say what you please, you shall net prevent me from acting for your interest" said Martha, passion ately.
 The next morning Martha made every ar engagement, and started with her spindle for the city, which was twenty miles off. She could not have walked that distance, and must have re- turned home, had not the driver of a coal wagon taken pity on her, and permitted her to ride with him. Having reached the city, and being on the point of passing godsmiths shop, she jumped down and looked at the glittering jewel ". Then she thought the man might buy her spindle, So she went in and showed it to him. "Ha, Ina, my girl what are you doing with a golden spindle? l know you are not rich mans daughter, and must have stolen this valuable 1 article"
 | Martha felt very sad at these words, and ex plained everything connected with the history o1 the spindle. The goldsmith was then convinced of her honesty, and paid her down the full value of her treasure in gold and silver. While in the city that day, she bought COW and all necessary articles towards keeping a dairy. And having made several other purchases besides, she had 8 large amount of money left. The thought of be- ing rich was always scinating to Martha. Now she was in raptures but still she was not exact ly satisfied.
 When she returned from the city with he, COW, and many things she had never seen before and knew not the use of, she acted proudly to- ward her sister. You would have taken her fol a queen, judging from her conduct. Now she was milking the COW, now down the cellar, now out in the mill. She was not five minutes in 6 place she was so busy with everything and eve rybody. Her old father disliked the new bust ling around him, and could not sleep over quar ter of an hour at time. After few months he died, and Martha being much older than Criste took complete charge of the household. This was all we'll enough, as she was more experi enced but then she was very much to blame r treating her sister as badly as she did. She made her do more than her strength would allow. can tell you I would not like Martha to be the housekeeper in my house. She gave too many orders. and expected too much from others. Sht frequently went to the city with butter, cheese and poultry but she seldom brought any money back. She was feud of fine clothes and costly furniture, and on these things she spent the earn ings of herself and sister.
 | Cristel did not care the least for gaudy clothes or luxury, or splendor in any respect. She wa paths, and gathering flowers and bright pebbles Never did day pass that she did not think o poor lost Freddy; and she hunted for him too in many spot in the forest.
 Martha heart was fixed on money. Tha was the reason she SO often examined Cristeli spindle. But it was wood, and would stay wood she could not make it shine. Yet she tried t. compensate for it's inferior quality by makin, her sister spin the more on it. Instead, there of releasing her after spinning six skeins day she made her finish twelve. Now remarkable event took place, which feel bound to speak o as it is intimately connected with our history Martha noticed that when Cristel had complete the ninth skein, it shone very much. She too
 1t from the wheel, and by bringing it near tn
 light, perceived that it was gold. Cristel sa,
 now bright it was but she never dreamed tha
 It was golden thread, and her sister took goo
 care not to inform her. Every day it was tn
 hinth skein that was gold No matter how fel
 or now many were spun, it was the ninth alon
 that was of immense value.
 Alter large number were collected. Martin f took them to the city, to sell to the poldsmitl
 He had never seen gold thread before. but h
 gave her it's full price in gold and silver coil