Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-09-08
The Prince of TOrfa.
BY MINNIE YOUNG.

II
burdened with money or wits. One
Sunday this old peasant happened to
hear very beautiful sermon upon the
duty of almsgiving. "Give, my breth-
ren," said the old priest. "Give freely
and God will restore to you hundred.
fold"
These words, which were often repeat
ed in the course of the sermon, made an
extraordinary impression upon the old
peasant. That same evening he set off
towards the priests house, leading his
nepE Prsgt hgt Ro |4Rs Fas Ease DusIly engaged
in conversation with two strangers when
tina peasant approached, looked some
what astonished at the interruption: He
was still more astonished when he learn
ed the cause of it.
my good man |" he exclaimed, "God
never meant a material reward. Give
aims of what you possess, and your
heart will grow more tender, generous
and liberal. That will be your reward" ="
But it was vain he spoke.
The obstinate old man would not be
convinced.
"a hundredfold you said, sir. You
said hundredfold.
At length weary of the argument, the
priest turned the old peasant and his
COW out into the road, and shut the door
behind them.
The thought of returning home to bear
his wife's reproaches and his neighbors'
ridicule. was by no means pleasant. The
poor peasant trudged along, bemoaning
his i'll luck at every step he took.
The way was long, the roads were
bad, it was bitterly cold, the ruts in the
path were full of ice, and the wind kept
raising great clouds of snow that nearly
blinded old Fritz and his cow. Pres
emily he lost his way, and to loose your
way in such weather in Iceland means
to lose your life. Fritz began to weep
bitterly. Suddenly he heard some one
calling him. He looked around, and
saw man with huge sack on his back.
"My good fellow !' cried the latter.
"what are you doing out here with a
COW in this weather 2"
Fritz related what had lately happen
ed to him.
"Humph !" said the stranger. "I'll
tell you what you had better do. Make
an exchange with me. Give me the COW
you'll never take her home alive, and
I live close by-and I'll give you this
sack. 1T contains rare treasure meat
to last you for many long day to come
solid flesh and bone"
Fritz hesitated. but finally agreed to
the strangers proposition. He did not
like parting with his cow. but on the
other band he expected her to die o1
cold every minute. And then wouldn't
he get scolding from his wife,
"What have you got there ?" cried
that lady, as soon as he entered the hut
"And where is the COW ?''
He told her.
"Goose idiot !'' she exclaimed, in
perfect fury. ''Do you wish to ruin u
with your folly I'm starving,and there
nothing in the house for supper"
"Isn't there ?" said Fritz, triumphant
ly. "Just you wait and see This sacl
contains real, good meat-solid fesl
and bone."
And so saying. he united the sack
Judge of his surprise when out of
jumped little man, clad in mouse col
Ored garments.
"Good morning. good people," sal
the stranger in condescending, patron
izing tone. 81 must beg of you not t
think of cooking me, although l hop
you mean to cook something or othe
} pretty soon, for I'm as hungry as
hunter"
Fritz fell back on the bench ovel
whelmed with terror. whilst his wifi,
fairly beside herself with rage, hurle
, upon him every abusive epithet sh
knew.
"Well, if there is no food 10 the hous,
and if nobody has any intention of prc
viding any, the best thing l can do is [
60 out and see what l can procure.
And without saying another word tt
little man marched out, leaving Fritz
: defend himself as best he could again
: his wife's wrath.
At the end of an hour the strang,
b. returned. bringing with him magni
cent sheep, the head and neck of whic
Mrs. Fritz cooked for supper.
7 And this same thing happened
f many days.
y The kings herdsmen now began to col
!. plain that in spite of all their care al
= vigilance, the finest animals had disa
|. peared from the grazing ground.
!; "There must be thief in the neig
borhood., they all declared.
d Presently it was rumored that stran
a er of whose arrival and antecedent not
p ing was known. had lately taken up
;e !; abode in Fritz's cottage.
W The king ordered his arrest, and
at once confessed he was tho thief