Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1869-06-10
Hisrellauenus.
Tn. Afiller's Treasure.

In tho wonderful days OF once upon
q time there lived worthy Miller
Now, he was a worthy Miller, indeed,
and. no had q 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 wifes head and his children's
respective nsddlss above water. Clat-
ter, clatter, hum. hum, went the mill ali
day long; yet, when Saturday night
come round, and the Miller took from
his earnings this little amount for the
butcher, and that little sum for the shoe
maker, there were few if any pence to
Law by for Q rainy day. In truth, the
MiIler's purse was lower than the water
in his dam. And that is saying . great
deal. Week after week he grew mere
discouraged. Instead Of the cheerful face
he was want to show to his neighbors,
he turned upon them . sour-net to
speak harshly, but to give the Miller his
due-a repulsive and ill-natured visage.
Time went en- and matters grew from
bad to worse.
One winters evening the Miller sat by
his scanty fire, which he hugged as if he
were trying to keep the smouldering
embers from growing cold. The rest OF
the family had gone to bed. He was
fr0wning and moping as usual. On his
breast hung his shaggy head, and it was
in that state of depression that it looked
as il it were about to tumble from his
shoulders into the ashes. Suddenly he
heard the patter of light footsteps out
side the cottage. A low knock fell upon
the door.
Come in,' said the Miller, in no
welcome tones.
The door opened and in popped fairy
"a lovely, merry. eyed fairy! Ofcourse
the poor Miller was astonished and be-
wildered. So would ysu or have been.
"Am welcome master Miller ?n rang
cut the sweetest little voice in the world.
Now tho Miller could not find it in his
heart to say No." so he frightened up
and in his most polite manner said:
"a Yes, quite welcsme, thank you"
Z" Are you sure l am ?" questioned the
fairy.
"Why, yes" quoth the Miller, "come
close TO the fire, wont you, and take a
chair, for you must be cold rowing about
in such pinching weather as this"
"Oh, no." replied the fairy. I'm
not cold, thank you; for you see, we,
wee folks have good warm hearts, and a
warm heart goes q great way toward
ter Miller. Besides, we are always con-
tented, no matter what weather the
seasons bring, and you know there's
nothing like csntentment to keep one
cheerful and happy. But you are sad
and you are morose, master Miller.
know the reason, and I have come to
help you.
The Miller's darkling frown changed
into A glowing smile
You don't get on in the world master
Miller. You are often discouraged and
depressed by trifiing 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 a new leaf, master Mill
or. / leave you this chest, wherein you
will and great treasure"
Now, hearken to me, !" said the fairy.
You are not to open this till your fam
lily 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 unbecoming to
that manly face of yours. Do as 1 bid
you on pain of nay displeasure. I tell
you fairy's displeasure is something
awful!"
The Miller promised he would obey
the fairy in everything.
"Gsod night, master Miller" chirped
the fairy.
GOOD night, and bless you a thou
sand times!' cried the Miller.
But stay, said the fairy, as she was
about to 90, 81 have forgotten some
thing. 1 have enc more injunction fer
you. After ten years have passed away
-recollect-ten years from this very
night, you have my full permission to
open the chest; that is provided your
poverty does not force you to have re-
course to my treasure before. Remem-
berW The fairy smiled archly, and
raised her finger warningly. The dcor
flew open, and away flew the fairy. The
Miller was the happiest man in the
whole kingdom. He danced with joy.
He reused his good wife and troop OF
children and told them of his good for.
tune. He never made any more con.
plants if things at the mill went awry.
He carried another face around with
him. He worked cheerfully. He sang
the msrriest songs; and he was alto
gether the busiest and happiest man fel
miles around. He threw off his old hab
its and became a new Miller. or course
he thrived! Many time he thought
he would like to take lock in the chest
but he was an honest Miller and hs
would have lost his right arm sooner
than disobey the good fairy.
Ten years came and went and feunG
the mill still thriving, and the Miller s
portly man Of wealth and Importance.
On the evening of the tenth anniver.
sary of the fairy's visit, he called hi
family around him and opened the chest
What do you suppose he found?
Diamonds? No.
Pearls? No.
Rubies? Ne
Gold? Ne.
You can't guess. I'll tell you. The
chest was empty! But engraved upon