Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1869-02-19
THE NILLER's TREASURE.


In the wonderful days of once upon
time" there lived worthy Miller
Now lie was very worthy Miller, indeed ;
and he had very large family of small
and rosy boys and girls. As you may
suppose, 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,
CHATTER, hum, hum, went the mill all day
long; yet when Saturday night came
round, and the Miller took from his earn
ings this little amount for the butcher,
and that little sum for 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 a
good deal. Week after week he grew
more discouraged. Instead of the cheer
full face which he was wont TO show to
his neighbors, he turned upon them a
sour and-not 10 speak harshly, but to
give the Miller his due-a repulsive and
ill-natured visage. Time went on, and
matters grew from bad to worse.
One winters evening, the Miller sat
10y his scanty fire, which he Rugged as
if he were trying to keep the shoulder
ing embers from growing cold. Tho rest
of the family had gone to bed. He was
frowning and moping as usual. On his
breast hung his shaggy head, and it was
in tina; 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 light footstep out
side the cottage. A low knock fell upon
the door.
"Come in" said the Miller in 10 well
come tones.
The door sprang open, and in popped
fairy--a lovely, merry eyed fairy! OF
course the poor Miller was astonished
and bewillered. So would You or l have
been.
sam welcome, Master Miller?" rang
ont the sweetest little voice in the world.
Now the Miller could nj find it in his
heart to say mo-" and SO he frightened
up and in his most polite manner said /:
Yes, quite welcome, thank YOU"
Are you sure | ann" questioned the
fairy.
"Why. yes" duoth the Miller, +" come
closer to the fire, won't you, and take a
chair, for YOU must be cold rowing about
in such pinching weather rs this"
"Oh. no." replied tho fairy. I'm not
cold, thank You, for you see, we wee
folks have good warm hearts, and a warm
heart goes great way toward keeping
the rest of the body warm, Master
Miller. Besides. we are always content
ed, no matter what weather the seasons
bring, and you know there's nothing like
contcatment 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." Tho Miller's
darkling frown changed into glowing
smile.
"You don't get on in the world, Mas
ter Miller. You are often discouraged
and depressed by trifling 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.
l leave you this chest, wherein you will
find a great treasure.
The Miller took the chest. 1t was n OF
a very large one, but it looked to him
as if it were bursting with golden gum
cas-.
"Now hearken to me-" said the fairy.
You are not to open this until your
family are actually in need of bread to
eat. Toll on in your mill. Be trustful
and earnest. Drive away your ugly
frowns, for they are exceedingly unbe.
coming to that manly face of yours,
Do as L bid you, on pain of my displeas-
| ure."
1 tell you fairy's displeasure is some
thing awful!
The miller promised that he would
obey the fairy in everything.
Goodnight, Master Miller" chirped
the fairy.
Goodnight, and bless you thous
and timesp cried the Miller.
But stay" said the fairy, as she was
about to 60, 81 have forgotten some
thing. l have one more injunction t.
/ leave you. After ten years have passed
away-recollect-ten years from THU
very night, you have my full permission
to open the chest; that IS provided you
poverty does not force you to have re
course to my treasure before. Remem
berw The fairy smiled archly, anC