The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1878-02-21
y cnat he went e sleep. bnt I firmly

Il
believe the elf bewitched hiR.
When the bells struck ID that night.
they made such noise as has seldom
been heard. In the midst of the cla.gor,
the charm was dissolved, and the wise
man, opening bis eyes, sat bolt upright,
| trying TO remember what had taken
place. Then, to satisfy himself that it
was all foolish dream, ne thought best
| to go the rounds once more.
| OF course, / shall find everything all
right" he said, as he turned into the
narrow passage that led to the great
room where the little wheel was; but the
won is were scarcely out of his mouth be-
fore bump, bump, down he went over
| great piles of something that filed the
passage. They felt like newspapers,
and so, reaching out his hand for the
hight that fortunately was still burning,
lie began to examine them. Yes, they
were copies of his own beloved paper;
but what was the matter with them p
how odd they looked. The heading OF
the first page was ali right, but under
meath, in place of the current items OF
the day, were stories for children, enig-
mas, refuses, charades, etc. They filed
the second page, the third and fourth,
and SO on through the whole paper; not
line of anything else could he find.
| Horrors" he groaned, Ct am a
ruined man. Who could have done this
wicked deed?" then, gathering himself
up, he moved wruthfully toward the
great room.
Once there, what sight met his as
tonished gaze! The room was all aglow
with light, and busy at work close be-
side the great printing press stood a
giant, whose head nearly touched the
ceiling.
Why-who are you?" at last he
found voice to gasp out.
I" am the Prince of Story-Tellers,
your Honor said the giant, with low
bow; "dont you remember how you
helped me out of the wheels shaft, only
few hours ?" And then, as the
wise man did not speak, but only stood
staring wildly at him, he went on:
:" told you I'd fix 'em, didn't I? and
L have; you won't see anything of Gen.
Topics or Old Politics or any of the
rest OF them about this paper again.
I'm going to run it myself, now. I've a
few thousand copies out already-per-
haps you saw them as you came in %
"Yee-s-I saw them" answered the
wise man, absently, for he was trying to
mischief. Fortunately, he was not only
a wise man but the son of wise parents.
and as he stood there the remembrance
of one OF the famous stories they used
to read to him came back.
"Il try that old trick myself" be
said. Then, stepping nearer the giant,
he pointed toward the little wheel
You don't mean to say that you came
out of that ?''
"To be sure I did," answered the
giant. "Why, you saw me do it.
Impossible p exclaimed the wise
man, 81 can't believe it"
just wait moment and I'll show
you about it, said the giant, and he be-
gan to roll himself up. 1t would have
made you open your eyes to see the way
IN which he disappeared, growing smaller
and smaller until presently all you could
see was tiny black roll perched upon
the wheels shaft
Now are you satisfed2'' piped out a
shrill voice from the roll.
Wonderful WonderfuI'- exclaimed
the wise man, "but still I think you are
rather too large to be slowed away in the
shaft"
"Undo it and see.'
Hieh eager fingers the wise man
forced it open, and down dropped the
little black roll then, quick as flash, he
had secured the fastenings, and the giant
was once more prisoner.
Let me out, let me out" he cried.
struggling within.
"Never!" answered the wise man.
You've made me trouble enough al
ready, and, now that I have you safely
stored away, you'll never see daylight
again"
Then how the poor fellow begged and
plead with the wise man for his liberty.
At first, like the old giant in the fairy
tale, he offered unlimited treasures OF
gold and silver, but it was of no avail ;
the wise man was deaf to all his en-
treaties, until at last he made wonder
full promise-iust what it was I ought
not to tell, but 1 am sure some of you
can guess. And did he get out? ]
think so; for when the first paper OF
the new year appeared, much to the sur
prise of some, General Topics and
Politics, and the rest of them, had been
crowded into smaller space, to make
room for the Ch;ldren's Corner. There
the prince of Story-Tellers" reigns
supreme.
And did he keep his promise? I an
quite sure he did for that was only two
years ago, and already each week hun
dreds OF new voices welcome "our pa
per" with shouts of delight.
! And the sweet spring blossoms are not more fair
Than the children's faces, that everywhere
Hasten to greet it, while bright eyes tell
Ihe self-same story-we love it well
-Neio York Tribune.