The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-02-04
The Old Gray Goblin.

The Old Gray Goblin. ...
AS Walter was travelling gayly along, will
nothing but hope and sixpence in hi
pocket he came on gray old goblin trying
to make fire; butevery time he tried tn,
fire went out, because he did not lay th,
sticks close enough together.
"See here" said Walter, "that Is not th,
way; let me show you" And, laying th'
wood together, he had fine roaring fire il
no time. ".,,....
"Good!" said the goblin. ."Now go ant
fetch me some water from the brook, fol
my 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 a pleas.
SAINT, smiling face that the goblin was pleas.
ed, and said to him: II see you are fine
fellow, and that you will one day make your
way in the world. Stay with me tonight,
and I will give you the best supper that you
ever tasted in your life." y
Walter was willing to do that, as he had
only q sixpence in his pocket Then the
goblin brought out one egg, land breaking it
in quart ofwater, put it over the fire in a
silver bowl turned it about three times, and
10! there was a great platter, filled with
something that looked as white as snow
and as soft as foam, and tasted like straw
berries andcream. Walter and the goblin
atcheartly, and Walter thoughthe had never
eaten anything so good in his life. After
atthey both went to bed on the grass; but
when Walter woke up in the morning the
goblin was gone; a little of last nights sup
per stood near him, however, and breakfast
on; this, he trudged on cheeriully till he
came to q magnificent city, with walls of
marble and towers of gold, which was in
such . tunult that every one seemed dis
tracted. Walter asked what was the matter.
aYou must be just come to town, young
mar, said the people. "Wehave the best
king in the world, and he has been poison
ed by wicked enchantress, 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 a quart of brook
water, which shall be as white as snow, as
soft as foam, ,and taste like Strawberries and
cream; and we are all in despair, because
every one here has tried, and there is no one
can make anything ofthe sort"
Yes, but can," said Walter. "Imade
my supper and breakfast on that very same
disf
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 dying ?n.s4..,...
But all the people answered: "We 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 tall cap. and white
apron, and bade him to go to work as fast
as possible. Then Waiter. ordered every.
body to leave the kitchen, and getting a sill
yer bowl, broke an egg into it, poured ON a
quart of brook water, and setting it ON the
fire. turned it about three times; but how
was he dismayed on seeing there nothing
but water, with the yolk and white of an
egg swimming about in it. He thought then
that something was the matter with the fire.
and poked and stirred it, and brought kind
ling wood and nut ON the covers and tool
off the covers, and then he fancied that the
egg was not fresh enough, and he 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: as the
dish ready vet? The king ia getting worse
and if you don't save him we will cut vour
head off so make haste"
"Yes, yes," said Walter; "presentlvr-
but his heart would have gone down into
his shoes if it could have gotten there for
he began to be afraid that he could not
make the wonderful dish. after all He
took another egg, and another bowl, and
another quart of brook water, and tried
again but it was all the same.
'Hel he hep, Uttered somebodv near
him and IooIino mn tboro ,,og ,l,o' Ia -,
- Hp' 'i'c's wac 'iS oiu gray
goo'ih hanging IN the chimney by his heels,
and watching all his proceedings.
"You can't make it." said the pohlin
SUNLESS vou have NV silver howw nu,,;a1
;. S., A"'o NY ',''ei 'o"i pulling
IL outo MS pocket as he spoke
us that itY" said Walter; ''hand it here
then, quick. The king is diving, and unless
7 save him tbev will cut o4 NV boodn
moL - aa;d H. anhl;n - - ..s1;, 40 ne"1' S",.,.e