The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1874-03-05
TRANSLATED from the German.l
Hans Doodledee.
BY RUDOLPH MENTEL.

BY hUDOLPH MENTElS
Once upon a time, probably many hun
dred years ago, there lived near large
| lake, a fisherman and his wife, whose
names were Hans and Maria Doodledee.
! They were so poor that they did not
have a real house, but lived in wooden
hut which had no windows in it. Still
Hans was satisfied, but his wife was not
She wished now this, now that and al
ways reproached her husband because he
could not give her what she wished.
Hans usually remained silent, and
thought: "If was only rich, or if every
thing was only here as soon as 1 wished
| it.
On one evening they stood before the
door of their hut, and looked around in
the neighborhood, where stood several
fine farm-houses. His wife said: Yes,
if we only had a house as good as the
poorest of our neighborsl We might get
one yet; but you are too lazy, you cannot
work as other people do" DO l not
work as other people, do l not stand the
whole day and fish ?" asked Hans. mo"
answered his wife, "You could get up
sooner, and catch as many fish before
day as you generally get the whole day.
| But you are too lazy, you do not like to
work.
The next morning, therefore, he got
up before day, and went down to the
lake to fish. And he saw the laborers
come to the field to work. but he had
caught no fish, dinner-time came around,
and the wood-choppers sat in the shade
and ate their dinners; but still Hans had
caught. no fish; he sat down, drew his
musty bread out of his pocket and swal
lowed it, Then he fished again, and the
sun set, the wood-choppers and laborers
went home and stiller it became on the
field But Hans had caught nothing yet.
As last trial he dipped in his net and,
as if he would lure the fishes, called:
"Fishlein, Fishlein in the sea" "What
do you want, dear Hans Doodledee?'
asked little fish, who mad come within
few feet of Hans, and stretched his
head a little above the water. Poor
Hans Doodledee was not little aston
ished, you may believe, but still he
thought: Him if its only necessary to
wish something 1 will not keep you wait
ing long" He looked around to see what
he should wish. On the other side of
the lake stood beautiful palace, in
which fine band was discoursing most
enchanting melody. He also remember
ed the wish of his wife, who wanted
better house. Therefore said he: 81
would be glad to have such a beautiful
palace, instead of my wooden hut"
"Only go there! your wooden hut is such
| palace, said the little fish
Hans ran at his utmost speed, and at a
distance, saw on the place where his hut
used to stand, a beautiful palace with illu-
minated windows. And when he got in,
everything seemed so gorgeous, that he
did not know how to act.
The walkway to the house was laid with
marble, the floors of the rooms were fres-
coed ard shining with wax, the walls ele-
gantly papered; magnificent chandeliers
hung in the high saloons, in short every
thing was so splendid, that Hans could
not bring himself to walk about in it.
He could not believe that all this ele-
gance was now his, he thought he was
mistaken, and would have gone away,
had his wife not met him.
Hardly had he seen her, than he asked:
"Well, Maria, are you satisfied now? p
and related to her the manner in which
he had come into the possession of all
this magnifcence. "What~ answered
his wife, you think and wonder what
this is l have seen much finer palaces
than this in the city, while / was a SER
want there; but it will do but how could
you be so stupid? You have forgotten
the best. Look at the garments by the
side of the beautiful house, what dis
tance they make! Could you not have
wished beautiful clothes2 But you are
too stupid, you do not wish to use even
once, the little sense you have"
Hans Doodledee went out the next
morning at daybreak to the same place.
dipped his net in again. and called as
before: "Fishlein, Fishlein in the sea r
What do you want, dear Hans Doodle
dee p asked the lirtle fish again. Hans
did not think long this time, but said he
wished right beautiful clothes for his
wife and himself which would suit their
elegant palace. "Yo ou have them,," said
the little fish. And Hans dirty rags
were Immediately changed into beauti-
full suit, consisting of embroidered coat
and vest with gilt buttons, and silk stock
ings and shoes, everything according to
the fashion at that time. When he got
home, he hardly knew his wife in her
magnificent attire. On seeing him ap-
proach, she looked out of the window
and asked, us that you Hans?" ayes,
it is l. are you satisfied now" "Pll see"
answered she.
Thus they lived quietly on for time.
Once when her husband wanted to go
fishing, she said: why need you fish
Let fishing alone. and wish rather instead
large chest full of money" Him, that's
soF' thought Hans, and went out by the
lake, dipped in his net by the same place,
and cried as before; "Fishlein, Fishlein in
the sea p What do you want, dear Hans
Doodledee p 81 would like to have
large chest of money" said Hans.
go on" said the little fish, sin your
bedchamber it stands" When he got |
home, he went Immediately to his bed |
chamber, and sure enough, there, in |
corner, stood a great-big chest full of |
bright, shining gold pieces. Now every
thing was done in fine style; his wife |
bought horses and carriages, hired many |
servants and lived in great state. Still, !
the neighbors called her the naughty |
fisher-woman. That vexed her a great |
deal, and now her only wish was to be
revenged on them.
Accordingly she besought Hans, who
was compelled to do her bidding for the
sake of peace TO make himself ruler over
their neighbors The next morning,
therefore, he went down to the lake,
called the little fish, and told him he
wished to be duke and rule over his
neighbors. The little fish as usual grant
ed his request, and when he got home he
found his wife had already had a couple
Of them put in prison who had called her
naughty fisher-woman before.
Now they drove often into the city /.
in which the king lived, and sought to ]
ningle in the society of the Other dukes I
md princes, of his court; but they did /