The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1875-09-08

Hence it is necessary that kept her
sleeping, and soak the roots of the trunk
with qnicting rain-drops, in opposition to
the fair-weather elf. Do you understand
Now do you see what duty have to
perform ?"
Thus speaking, the little man who had
so much triendlicr become, lifted little
Franz again on his back, and went brisk
ly with him through the air. This time
he decended upon snow'covered field.
you are not light said he, drop
ping Franz from his cloak, and gasping for
breath. 'But now you shall look once
more through my spy glass; and spread
ing out his cloak, he badc Franz kneel up.
on it, and inspect the inside of the earth.
Snow tell me what you see,'' said the
little man.
Il see much snoW,'' replied Franz, land
more snow; it must be yards deep. Un-
der it is white soft soil, and in it grain
seeds.''
$50 on! go on!' spoke the little man.
Sin every seed.' continued Franz, 81
See tiny living germ, and it seems to
me hear soft fu.tering under them.''
'Hold your ear close to the spy glass;
interrupted the other, land you will hear
them talk
Franz obeyed, and heard, indeed, the
conversation Of the seedlings.
''Well, for u.s. said one-it appeared
the oldest-'that the warm snow blanket
still protects US, and that the blazing
sunbeams cannot at will efface it,
Yes, traly, added another, ''they are
entirely too tickle, these sunbeams. They
would deluge US with sweet life, but let q
pitiless frost again appear, and their at
tachment would become lukewarm, leav.
ing US suddenly to freeze and die
Nov, do you hear that p cried the
little man,
Franz only shook his head, for he lis
tened intently. But the germs were now
silent.
$40 you see now,'' continued the
weather ELF, "these complain not of wind
and snow, as you do! Neither does the
farmer, for he knows how it is good,
and that his grain would net grow, nor man
nor beast find food, if the sun always
shone. You have surely heard of
droughts and famine; and know, little
one, that thousands must starve, and
finally also must your turn come, if
neglect my duty
Franz listened attentively and soberly,
and the little man seemed pleased with
his conduct.
Surely" he continued, ''you children
have no cause to complain Of me. When
it rains you can sail your paper ships in
the pools and puddles; the wind moves
your kites and windmills; snow. balling
is fine fun-why, then do you find fault 81
And kneeling, the little man, with a
jolly laugh, Fashioned great snovballs.
and threw them so high-so high that
Franz saw not where they came down.
The boy was delighted, and, too, stoop-
ing. he pounded the cold snow into globes,
but when he again looked up the little
man had disappeared.
Franz was disconsolate; he had begun
to be much pleased with his new friend,
and he wended his way homeward, throw
ing dreamily his snowballs before him.
Franz saw the little weather-man but
once again in his life. 1t was in midsum.
mer, on the edge of a violent thunder
storm. Already fell grain drops, and
only Franz dared venture out in the gar
den. There he saw once more the elf,
walking under the trees, and he scarcely
recognized him, so differently he looked.
He wore no longer the white snow man.
tie only light rain coat; and as he
passed through the garden all the flowers
and grasses arose and bowed respectfully
before him, the birds twittered, and all
thirsty nature rustled welcome.
Dear children, learn from the fable of
Franz AMI the weather-man never to
mourn over rainy days. And if still the
dull skies fret and annoy you, think of
the sleeping tree-nymph and the trustful
little germs, and know it all for good.