The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1875-12-09
The Old Gray Goblin.

tried the fire went out, because he did
not lay the sticks close enough together
s'See here" said Walter, 6 that is not
the way-let me show YOU" And, lay
ing the wood together, he had fine
roaring fire in no time.
g Good - said the goblin. :" Now go
and fetch me some water from the brook,
for nay legs are old and stiff, while you
are young enough to dance all day."
| So Walter, who had good mother
who had always taught him that it was
the duty of young people to be polite
and respectful to old people, went down
to brook close by and brought some
water with such pleasant, smiling face
that the old goblin was pleased, and said
to him 81 see you are a fine fellow,
and that you will one day make your
way in the world. Stay with me to-
night, and [ will give you the best sup
per that you ever tasted in your life. "
Walter was willing enough to do that,
as he had only sixpence in his pocket.
Then the goblin brought out one egg,
and breaking it into quart of water,
put it over the fire in silver bowl,
turned it about three times, and 10 there
was great platter filed with something
that looked as white as snow and as soft
as foam, and tasted like strawberries and
cream. Walter and the goblin ate heart
lily, and Walter thought he had never
eaten anything SO good in his life. After
that they both went to bed on the grass;
but when Walter awoke In the morning
the goblin was gone; little OF last
nights supper stood near him, however,
and, making hearty breakfast on that,
he trudged on cheerfully till he came to
magnificent city, with walls of marble
and towers of gold, which was in such a
tumult that every one seemed distracted.
"You must be just come to town,
young man. said the people. We
have the best King in the world, and he
has been poisoned by wicked enchant-
ress, who hated him because he was
good; and the wise men say there is
nothing can cure him except dish made
out OF an egg and quart of brook water,
which shall be as white as snow, as soft
| as foam, and taste Ike strawberries and
cream; and we are all in despair, be-
cause every one here has tried, and
there is no one who can make anything
of the sort. "
eyes, but can," said Walter. ct
made my supper and breakfast on that
very same dish. -
| So the people took him to the palace,
and the Lord High Fiddlestick came out
and said, what are you shouting
about the gates for, when the King is
dying2"
But all the people answered, eve have
| found the young man who says that he
can make the dish that can cure the
King, and that he had his breakfast on
it this morning"
| At that they took Walter to the royal
kitchens and put on him tall cap and
white apron, and babe him go to work
as fast as possible. Then Walter ordered
everybody to leave the kitchen, and get
ting silver bowl, broke an egg into it,
poured on quart of brook-water, and
setting it on the fire, turned it about
j three times; but how was he dismayed
on seeing there nothing but water, with
the yelk and white of an egg swimming
about in it. He thought then that some
thing was the matter with the fire, and
poked and stirred it, and brought
kindling wood and pat on the covers
and took off the covers, and then he fan
cied that the egg was not fresh enough,
and tried another and another, until he
had used a dozen. By this time the
Kings people were getting impatient,
and came knocking and pounding at the
door, crying out, els the dish ready
vet? The King is getting worse, and if
you don't save him we will cut your head
off; so make haste. I"
les, yes," said Walter present
ly but his heart would have gone
down into his shoes if it could have got
ten there, for he began to be afraid that
he could not make the wonderful dish,
after all. He took another egg, and an
other bowl, and another quart of brook
water, and tried again but it was all the
same.
"He! he he! !" Uttered somebody
near him and looking up, there was the
old gray goblin hanging in the chimney,
by his heels, and watching all his pro-
ceedings.
"You can't make it, said the goblin,
tunless you have my silver bowl =
pulling it out of his pocket as he spoke.
g Is that it?' said Walter "hand it
here then, quick. The King is dying,
and unless [ save him they will cut off
my head"
ssOh," said the goblin, g fair and
softly If you please what will you give
me if lend you my bowie"
81 have nothing TO give, (" answered
Walter, but the sixpence have in my
pocket"
ssWell, said the goblin, in that case
promise me that when you become
Prince you will receive me, no matter
how come, as if I were your father,
and that you will do the first thing that
I ask you to do, no matter how much
you may dislike what I say"
ct shall be a Prince" said Walter,
laughing, when oaks grow out of cucum-
Der seeds but am willing enough to
promise what you ask, and to do it. too"
At that the goblin tossed Walter the
bowl. and turned a sOmersault up the |