The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1869-04-15
BY GEORGE COOPER.

In the wonderful days of "once upon a
time" there lived worthy Miller Now
no was very worthy Miller, indeed; and
he had very large family Of small and
rosy boys and girls. As you may sup
pose, he had to struggle with all his might
and main to keep his own head and his
wife's head and his children's respective
noodles above water. Chatter, clatter,
hum, hum, went the mill all day long !;
yet, when Saturday night came round, and
the Miller took from his earnings this lit
tie amount for the butcher, and that little
sum tor the shoemaker, there were but
few, if any, pence to lay by for rainy
day. In truth, the Miler's purse was
considerably lower than the water in his
dam. And that is saying great deal
Week after week he grew more dlscour-
aged. Instead of the cheerful face which
he ives wont to show to his neighbors, he
turned to them sour and-not to speak
harshly, but to give the Miller his due-a
repulsive and ill-natured usage. Time
went on, and matters grew from bad to
worse.
One winters evening, the Miller sat by
his scanty fire, which he Rugged as If he
were trying to keep the smouldering en-
bers from growing cold. The rest of the
family had gone to bed He was frown-
ing and moping as usual On his breast
hung his shaggy head and it was In that
state of depression that it looked as if it
were about to tumble from his shoulders
into the ashes. Suddenly he heard the
patter of a light footstep out side the cot
tage:, A low knock fell upon the door.
"Come in, said the Miller, in no wei
come tones
The door sprang open, and in popped
q falry-a lovely, .merry-eyed fairy Of
course the poor Miller was astonlshed and
bewildered. So would you or l have
been.
Am [ welcome, Master Miller" rang
out the sweetest little voice in the world.
Now the Miller couldn't find it in his
heart to say No, and so he frightened
up, and in his most polite manner said:
Yes, quite welcome, thank YOU
Are you sure | amp questioned the
fairy:
why, yes" quoth the Miller, come
closer to the lire, won't you, and take
chair, for you must be cold rowing about
IN such pinehing weather as this is
"Oh! no. replied the fairy I'm
not cold, thank. you, for you see, we wee
folks have good warm hearts, and warm
heart goes a great way toward keeping
the rest OF the body warm, Master Miller.
Besides, we are always contented, no
matter what weather the seasons bring.
and you know there's nothing like con
tentment to keep one cheerful and happy.
But you are sad and you are morose,
Master Miller. | know the reason, and
[ have come to help you. The Miller
darkling frown changed into glowing
smile.
You don't get on the world, Master
Miller. You are often discouraged and
depressed by trifing difficulties. You
often neglect your work, and then sigh
and bemoan your fate, because your work
neglects you You have tried to make
money too fast for your own good Now,
turn over new leaf, Master Miller. I
leave you this chest, wherein youwill find
. great treasure.
The Miller took the chest. 1t was not
very large one, but it looked as if it
were bursting with golden guineas.
Now hearken to me, said the fairy.
You are not to open this until your
family are actually in need of bread to
cat: Toll on In your mill. Be trustful
and earnest. Drive away your ugly
froWns, tor they are exceedingly unbe-
coming to that manly face of YOURS. Do
as bid you, on pain of my displesure. y
tell you, fairy displeasure is some
thing awful!
The Miller promised that be would
obey the fairy In everything.
Goodnight, Master Miller.' chirped
the fairy.
Goodnight, and bless you thousand
times! !" cried the Miller.
but say" said the fairy, as she was
about to so, II have forgotten some