The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1879-12-25
Chronicles Of the MOIbOs.

There is a peculiar class of people,
living in Jutland, called the MolbOs, of
whom great number of tales are told.
From the earliest days, these people
have been known for their ingenuity
and simplicity, and hence many remark
able things are told about them Two
of the stories about their curious actions
are given below:
THE sToRK AND THE HERDER.
Once, in the summer, when the corn
stood high, stork was often seen IN the
fields belonging to the Molbos, stalking
up and down in the grain-patches to
catch frogs. This annoyed the MolbOs
greatly, for they thought the lOng-leg-
ged bird trod down vast deal of grain.
They therefore consulted how to drive
the animal away, and the conclusion
was, that the herder of their village
should 60 into the fields and chase the
bird out. But as he went in for the
stork, they noticed that his feet were
very large and broad, and it occurred to
them that the herder would trample
down more grain than the stOrk. Then
they again puzzled their brains what to
do and how to get rid of the stork. But
one of the party spoke up at last with
the sensible advice that they might carry
the herder through the grain, so that he
should not tread it down. This idea was
approved by all. They therefore went
forth and took one of the fence-gates off
its hinges, made the herder sit down on
it, and eight men lifted the gate to their
shoulders and carried the herder through
the corn where the stork was, so that he
might drive it away. Thus the herder
was kept from trampling down the grain
with his big feet.
THE SALT HERRING AND THE EEL.
One year, when salt herring were
more expensive than usual, the Molbos
| thought they could not afford to buy
them, although forming their principal
winter food. They therefore de1iberated
what could be done to escape the high
prices for the future.
/ One of the deepest thinkers among
them suggested at last that, as fresh
/ herring would multiply in the water,
! there was no reason why salt herring
| should not do the same. He therefore
/ advised them once for all to buy barrel
of salt herring in the city, and empty
/ the herring in their pond, and they
could then every year catch as many as
they wanted when the herring had
Matched. They approved of this advice
| the salt herring were bought and thrown
into the pond, so as to multiply for the
next season. Next year, the Molbos
came with their nets to catch the her
ring; but, do what they would, they
could not catch single one. Atlength,
they caught large fat eel in one OF
their nets.
As soon as the Molbos saw the eel,
they at once concluded that this was
| the wicked thief that had devOured then
salt herring, and they therefore agreed
that he should be put to death. But
how to do this was not so easily decided
II last an old Molbo came forward who
once had been near drowning, and hence
had conceived a great dread for salt
water. He advised them to take it out
on the ocean and drown it. The advice
was considered good, and they took the
| eel with them in their boat and rOwed
out for some distance, so that the ee
! should not swim back. When they had
reached what they thought safe dis
! lance, they threw the creature overheard
The eel enjoyed the return to its element
and wriggled its tail as soon as it felt
itself in the water. The old Molbo
seeing this, exclaimed to his companions
q Do you notice how frightened he Isl
! See how he squirms and twists with
! terrorl ''-St. Nicholas for December.