The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-07-22
THE OGRE CoURTING;
MOLLY, THE FARMERS DAUGHTER
Iron Harper,s Bnzar1


be eaten, in one way and another, the ogre
had become very rich; and although those
who knew could tell of huge cellars full of
gold and jewels, and yards and barns groan-
ing with the weight of stolen goods. the
richer he grew the more anxious and coyet-
GUS he became. Moreover, day by day he
added to his stores; for though dixie most
ogres) he was as stupid as he was strong.
no one had ever been found, by force or
fraud, to get the better of him. I.aSEr
What he took from the people was not
Their heaviest grievance. Even to be killed
and eaten by him was not the chance they
thought of most. A man can die but once:
and If he is sailor a shark may eat him.
which is not so much better than being de-
voured by an ogre. No, that was not the
worst. The worst was this he would
keep getting married. And as he liked lit
tie wives, all the short women lived in fear
and dread. And as his wives always died
very soon, he was constantly counting fresh
ones. ~
Some said he ate his wives; some said he
tormented, and others that he only worked
them to death. Everybody knew it was
not desirable match, and yet there was
not father who dare refuse his daughter if
she were asked for. The ogre only cared
Tor two things in woman-he liked her to
be little and good housewife.
Now it was when the ogre had lust lost
ms twenty-fourth wife within the memory
OF man that these two qualities were emf
nently united IN the person of the smallest
and most notable woman of the district. 4
the daughter of certain poor farmer. He
was so poor that he could not afford pro-
perly to dover his daughter, who had in
consequence remained single beyond her
first youth. Everybody felt sure that Man
aging Molly must now be married to the
ogre: The tall girls stretched themselves
tn they looked like May-poles, and said:
Poor thing!" The slatterns gossiped |
from house to house, the heels of their |
shoes claclSed as they went and cried that
this is what came of being too thrifty.
And sure enough, in due time, the giant
widower came to the farmer as he was in
the field looking over his crops, and pro-
posed for Molly there and then. The
farmer was so much put out that he did not
know what he said in reply, neither when
he was saying it or afterward, when his,
friends asked about it.. But he remem-
bered that the ogre had invited himself to
sup at the farm that day week. Ft+
Managing Molly did not distress herself
at the news.
..Do what bid you, and say as fsaay,o
SAID she to her father and if the ogre does
not change his mind, at any rate you shall
not come empty-handed out of the bust
ness.
BY his idaaghter's desire, the farmer now
procured her large number of hares. and
a barrel of white wine, which EXPENSES
completely emptied his. slender stocking.
Molly herself went round to all her neigh I
bors, and borrowed a lot Of new household ,
linen, with which she filled the kitchen
shelves. lif e,s IN |
On the day of the ogre's visit, she made !
delicious and savory stew with the hares
IN the biggest pickling-tub, and the wine- I
barrel was set on a bench near the table.
When the ogre came Molly served up the Q
stew, and the ogre sat down to sup, his
head just touching the kitchen rafters. The
stew was perfect, and there was plenty of
it. For what Molly and her father ate was V
hardly to be counted in the tubful. The t
ogre was very much pleased, and said, !,
politely: h
Pm afraid, my dear, that you have been ?
put to great trouble and expense on my ac- G. g
count. 4 have large appetite, and like to a
sup we'll" a
Don't mention it, SIR" said Molly. Z
The fewer rats the more corn. How do b
you cook them ?'' SAaAli4,l 1856 r
mot one of all the extravagant hussies q
nave had as wives ever cooked them at
I'll, :" said the ogre; and he thought Ito =
llmself, "Such stew out of rats What i
What a housewife! | suppose /
you spin?" he inquired. $50 V
Molly held out her hand, in which was a ?,
linen towel made from the last months :
pinnings, and said: ''All that came off F
nv wheel last month u
But as her hand was towards the shelves. Ri
he ogre thought that all the linen he saw ID
here was the thread. of her spinning; and s ra
us admiration grew every moment.
When he preached the wine he was no
ess pleased, for it was of the best. -, ].
This, at any rate, must lave cost YOU
great deal, neighbour said he, drinking T
he farmers health, as Molly left the room. \;
~ don't know that rotten apples could j
'e better used," said the farmer ssbut I'll in
cave all that to Molly. Do you brew at sy
ome?' i.at of
"We give our rotten apples to the 20
'gs," growled the ogre. "But things will 10 10
g better ordered when she is my wife, tn,
The ogre was now in great has g to COLI up
lude the match, and asked what dowry 20
he farmer would give his daughter. ISL
~ should never dream of giving dowry
nth Molly" said the farmer, boldly. J
Whoever gets her gets dowry enough. RI
IN the contrary, shall expect a good l.
ound sum from the man who depriyes me II
t her. Our wealthiest farmer is Just Wild - !
wed, and therefore sure to be in a hurry A.
or marriage. He has an eye to the main h he,
rance, and would not grudge to pay well to ton
II such wife, I'll warrant.Y -, day
II am no churl myself,v said the ogre, ere ere
no was anxious to secure his thrifty bride +,
any price and he named a large sum of -
oney, thinking ''We shall live on rats RI
enceforward, and the beef and mutton will IL
ION cover the dowry." s !,
double that, and we'll see,u said the Dis
rmer, stoutly. But the ogre became an n
~, and cried: ~. me me
"What are you thinking of, man ? Who day
to, hinder my carrying your lass off with Off
IT with your leave OF. Shy your leave,' n pan
'Wry OF none r! Bar
SHOW little you know her ~ said the d
rmer. "She is SO firm that she would be !,
It to pieces sooner than give you any ben = =
It of her thrift unless you dealt fairly in RI
e matter.o IL
"Well, well,'' said the ogre. sslet us Viz
eet each other" And he named sum u u
rger than he at first proposed and less Il
an the farmer had asked Tb;e tha Ca, T.