Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-04-17
Sflett Misfellanp.



In vale, far of in the Thuringian forest, there
lay the runs Of an old mill The stone walls
were standing, and the clear stream was running
vet; but the machinery had long been worthless.
The last miller was very old man, and lived
near by in little thatched cottage His wife had
been dead eleven years, and his two daughters,
by their labor supported him in his decrepitude
and almost continual sickness. They would spin
fax. and collect bundles Of kindling wood, and
gather berries; by all of which means they sue
ceeded in laying up enough money to supply their
household with every necessary.
One day, when their father was DOING in his
old willow chair, Martha and Cristel went off to
gather nuts and leaves for their goat. They had
gone about half a mile, when they saw young
squirrel lying in the path before them 1t had
fallen from a tree, and was very seriously hurt.
Cristel picked il up and wrapped it in her apron,
and the sisters returned home with it, and
strengthened it by a saucer of milk that they
placed before it. Il was at first very wild and
shy. though it was so lame that il 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 where
ever they went, and knew by heart every branch
of tree within stones throw OF the old mil
1er's cottage
Winter was coming on, and Christel made for
her playful squirel-which, in future, we mus
call Freddy for that was his name-a soft bed o.
wool and placed it in its little house Freddy
supply of cabbage-stalks and corn, and hazelnut
was yerv large: enough to last all winter. H,
was an object of great love in the family, no les
to the old miller than to his daughters. Ever,
want was met; never was there squirrel bette
fed and cared for.
Onecold morning in December, Freddy wa
missing. Els house was pulled down and his be
taken out, but he was not there. Martha ealle
him an unthankful squirrel, and would not Loo
for him. But Cristel went all about the house, ex
amined the old mill, and went down through tn
forest; but it was all to no purpose. Finally, sh
took his bed and pulled it all apart; and as sh
did this, there dropped on the ground two spin
dies, one OF wood and OF dull color, the otht
very bright and Of metal. Cristel said this latte
one was the loveliest thing she had ever seen
but Martha, who was older, and pretended to
great deal of wisdom, said il was nothing bt
brass Still, it was wonder TO them both no
the spindles came in Freddy's bed
Martha took the yellow metal spindle for he
self. and gave the wooden one to Cristel Whe
they began to spin, It was wonderful to see no
much fax they could convert into the fine
thread. Martha could do more in one hour no
than formerly in the whole day. 1t was, indee
lucky thing for these two girls to be so we
provided for They soon astonished the thres
merchant by the great quantity Of thread thu
brought to him for sale; he said he had new
seen such spinners they were- In three month
time enough money was made to repair the o
mill, and hire miller, besides improving d
little cottage.
aNow, il we had enough money to buy a co
should be glad,' said Martha
BUY cowf What can you be thinking {
sister2 You know it is very hard to get CO
and the price is enormous"
"Criste, believe / could sell my spindle Il
very dav for enough money to buy cow. ;
how bright Il is getting all the timel
Would you think Of such thingg J am a
tonished beyond measure"
"Ohl you are a very silly young girl. Say WI
Won please. YOU shall not prevent me from act
for our interest,"" said Martha, passionately.
The next morning, Martha made every arrane
ment. and started with her spindle for the eli
which was twenty miles of. She could not ha
walked thai distance and must have return
home. had not the driver of coal-wagon tax
pitv on her. and permitted her to ride with hi
Having reached the city. and being on the po
of passing goldsmith's shop, she jumped do
and looked at the glittering jewelry. Then s
thought the man might buy her spindle, so !
went in and showed it to him.
"Ha, ha, my girl; what are you doing with
Golden spindle. / know you are not rich ma
daughter, and must have stolen this valuable
ticlc."
Martha felt very sad at these words, and
plained everything connected with the history
the spindle. The goldsmith was then convin,
of her honesty, and paid her down the full va
of her treasure, in gold and silver. While in
city that cay she bought COW and all necess.
articles toward keeping dairy. And havl
made several other purchases besides, she hat
large amount Of money left The thought
being rich was always fascinating to Mart
Now she was in raptures; but still she was not
actly satisfied
When she returned from the city with her C
and many things she had never seen before, a
knew not the use Of, she acted proudly towardl
sister. Yon would have taken her for que
Judging from her conduct Now she was milk
the COW, now down the cellar, now out in
mill. She was not five minutes IN place;
was 40 busy with everything and everybody.
old father disliked the new busting around b