Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-07-01

NVlnc lui huutlt o"i" WV '''''N So
pleasantly.
81 am tired may | sit on your little
stool ?" asked the old woman. "Will you
give me something TO drink, for | am so
thirsty ?"
The child took her little bowl Of milk
and gave il to the old woman. That was
to have been her evening meal but she
was such a good little girl When the old
woman had drank the milk, she seemed to
become more beautiful and friendly; the
sun shone on her silver hair and made her
checks red. She sang softly to herself.
"But would like 10 know
Why you weep, little Gretal'
Why" said the little girl, 81 am so
Lonesome, and have no one to play with.
The watchdog is 20 old and sensible, aud
the hens have their chickens to attend to-
Nobody teaches me anything. can do
nothing for uncle's comfort he goes to the
ale.house, and when be comes home | am
afraid Of him | may well weep. Often
| am hungry. | am poor and have nothing ~
You have much that you are not aware
Of, +" said the old woman. "Will you be-
lieve my words You have ten servants. >"
Greta made big eyes. She looked
around her
See here :" said the old woman, taking
her hand, and pointing to the little fingers.
" They are called Tummetott, Slickepott,
Langemau, Gullebrand, and Lillepyt -
have you heard anything new ?"
Greta looked at her hand and-was she
dazzled by the sunlight, or how was it2 1t
seemed to her that every one Of her fingers
was little person with little face. Tum.
metott was short and thick looked medita.
tive and wise; his neighbor had a more
pert and conspicuous appearance; the SOL
emn Langeman was adorned by the old wo-
man with a little silver helmet and Guile
brand, at his side, was allowed to wear lii.
tie gold ring as belt round the waist, aud
a silver shield. Lillcpyt looked like a boy,
aud bowed, laughing.
Can you say now that you have no serv-
ants, skillful and good if you will only al.
low them TO lean something Only try"
Greta clapped her hands The fingers
now looked as usual, but the little thimbe
and sewing.ring still remained. The old
woman kissed little Greta aud went away
The little girl ate dry bread and drank
water; but when she looked at her hands,
she laughed at her small servants
Now you shall help me make uncle's
bed !" cried she, gladly, and they all hast
ened to lift the pillows and turn the cover
lid, aud Lilepyt did what he could.
The next morning when Greta awoke she
told Tummetott and all his four companions
to come and dress her and comb her hair
They had never done it so well before. Her
hair shone like the cats when he has Just
washed himself, and her shoe.strings were
carefully tied After she had said her
morning prayer, she ran out to greet her
uncle. 1t showed terribly, and the wind
rustled the trees so that it looked as if they
shook their heads at all who went by
" Do not 60 to the village to-day, uncle"
said Greta. "Stay at home with me. have
ten little servants, who will get your dinner. +"
"What is the child talking about2 ?" said
Uncle Lars, little testify. But he sat
down to split kinding- and then be-.
gan to work on fish.net, which had long
lain in the corner. But Greta ran to the
hen and said, Have you laid any eggs ? {"
And the hen CLICKED contentedly. There
lay snow-white egg in the nest. Tum-
metott and Slickepott carried it immedi.
ately into the house, broke it into the bowl
where the milk had been, and then Greta
ran out and commanded her small servants
to bind together little whip. The tiny
creatures worked so hard that they became
red and warm, and beat the egg to froth !;
and then Greta took a little flour and
stirred it in, aud some milk, which she had
got at a neighbor's. All now the frying
pan stood on the fire, which blazed merrily
a little bit Of butter was dropped in it, so
that it sizzled. Yes, Tummetott Sicke-
pott, Langeman. Gullebrand were all good
cooks, and Lillepyt served as sculion.
What hurry they were in Aud how
much work they could do if they only tried
There stood the dinnertable, spread with
a coarse but clean table-cloth, smoking pc.
tatoes and large herring, warm milk and
magnificent pancakes. Uncle was aston.
ished at Greta. lie ate right heartily to
her great satisfaction, and while she was
clearing away the things she tried to think
how she should be able to keep him at home
far from the wicked ale.house.
When it grew dark Uncle took his cap
aud Greta knew where he meant to go
She found his tobacco pipe, filled it, Lighted
it, and then asked him coaxingly to stay
until he had smoked it. Then she kindleC
fire, seated herself on n stool at his feet
and began to tell stories. At first he paiC
no attention; but soon he was amused anC
forgot himself for a while 10 order to lister
: to the silly talk" When he again mad,
] a motion to go, she asked him to crack som,
nuts which she had got she took down tn,
t old dusty violin from the corner and begget
n him to play little lie tuned up, king
G klang until he himself was in good tune
D and Greta saw with wonder how his LANCE
e man and Gullebrand, and all their comrades
. eaped about the strings, and made sucl
d motions to draw forth tones Greta herse
now began to dance, and kept asking fo
s more music until it became late.
1t is scarcely worth while to 60 now.
e said he, half-vexed, and laid down the VIC
lin. But it seemed right comfortable fo
him to sit at home in the quiet cottage
!. when the storm ragged outside. Oh, VIVA
" a hurry the little fingers were now in to &c
supper ready, fondle her uncle and max,
+ his bed How glad little Greta was ovel
e her conquest and her ten tiny servants.
Greta became large and her little hands
, could do more and more. She sewed ant
: knit, she spun and woye so diligently. Sucl
bright secured tins had no one else such {
white table and floor were not to be fount
in any other cottage. Her uncle had Ions
since broken himself from going to the ale.
house. lie thrived in his neat, cozy house
where the industrious little girl hustled
about so gladly.
GLOW can you keep things so nice, Greta
! you have no servant2" asked rich peas
I ants daughter
"Ah, have ten" said Greta, roguishly
"They weave and spin, scrub and scour
b they are never idle"
l. by and by smart young peasant courteC
J Greta, and then Gullebrand had a goC
> ring to wear. The same day the wedding
was to take place the old woman came
s again, and had with her thimble aud sew
ing-ring of purest gold; and thus equipped
Langeman and Gullebrand moved still
o more handily. Greta thanked the old
r woman for her words about the little ser