Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-12-25
The Old Gray Goblin,

with nothing but hope and sixpence in
his pocket, he came on a gray old goblin
trying to make fire; but every time he
tried the fire went out, because he did
not lay the sticks close enough together.
"See here, }" said Walter, "that is not
the way-let me show YOU" And, lay
ing the wood together, he had fine
roaring fire in no time.
"Good /" said the goblin. "Now 60
and fetch me some water from the
brook, for my legs are old and stiff,
while you are young enough to dance
all day" ...-
So Walter, who had a 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 a brook close by and brought some
water with such a pleasant, smiling face
that the goblin was pleased, and said to
min " l sec you are fine fellow, and
that you will one day make your way in
the world. Stay with me to night, and
L will give you the best supper 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 in 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
heartily, 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 woke up in the
morning the goblin was gone ; little o.
last nights supper stood near him, how
ever, and making hearty breakfast OF
this, he trudged on cheerfully till he
came to a magnificent city, with walls o.
marble and towers of gold, which was
in such tumult that every one seemed
distracted Walter asked what was the
matter. ..
"You must be just come to town
young man," said the people. "W'
have the best king in the world, and HI
has been poisoned by wicked enchan
tress, who hated him because he wa
good aud the wise men say there i
nothing can cure him except dish mad
out of an egg and quart of brool
water, which shall be as white as snow
as soft as foam, and taste like straw
berries and cream and we are all in de
spair, because every one here has tried
and there is no one who can make any
thing of the sort"
eyes, but can," said Walter. I"
made my supper and breakfast on tina
very same dish. :" .st. H&
So the people took him to the palace
and the Lord High Fiddlestick cam
out and said: "What are you shoutin
about the gates for, when the king
dying9" @
But all the people answered {: CIV
have found the young man who say
that he can make the dish that can cur
the king, and that he had his breakfas
on it this morning."
AT that they took Walter to the roy,
kitchens and put on him tall cap an
white apron, and bade him go to wor
as fast as possible. Then Walter ordere
everybody to leave the kitchen, and ge
ting silver bowl, broke an egg into i
poured on quart of brook water, an
setting it ON the fire, turned it abol
three times but how was he dismaye
on seeing there nothing but water, vii
the y Ike and white of an egg swimmir
about in it. He thought then th
something was the matter with the fir
and poked and stirred it, and brougl
kindling wood and put on the cove
and took off the covers, and then
ancied that the egg was not fret
enough, and tried another and another
until he had used dozen. By this tin
the kings people were getting impatier
and came knocking and pounding at Il
door, crying out els the dish reac
yet9 The king is getting worse, and
you don't save him we will cut yo
head off SO make haste"
eyes, yes," said Walter; "preser
ly"-but his heart would have go
down into his shoes if it could have g
ten there, for he began 10 be afraid tt
could not make the wonderful dis