The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1879-08-21
gisreA anu.
THE PRINCE OF TORFA.


lived at Skalkolt, in Iceland, a simple
minded old peasant who was not over
burdened with money or wits. One Sun
day morning this old peasant happened
to hear a very beautiful sermon upon thu
duty of almsgiving. Give, my brethren, u
said the old priest, ''Give freely, and God
will restore to you hundred fold"
These words, which were often repeated
In the course of the sermon, made an ex.
traordlnary impression upon the old
peasant. That same evening he set off TO-
ward the priests house, leading his only
csw by long rope.
The priest, who was buslly engaged in
conversation with two strangers when the
peasant approached, looked somewhat as
tonished at the interruption. He was
still more astonished when he heard the
cause of it.
my good mani" he exclaimed, ''God
never meant material reward. Give
aims OF what you possess, and your heart
vii grow more tender. generous and lib
eral. That will be your reward"
But 1t was all in vain he spoke.
The obstinate old man would not be
convinced.
"a hundred fold you said, sir; you said
Il hundred fold"
At length, weary of the argument, the
priest turned the 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'
rldicuIe was by no means pleasant. The
poor peasant trudged along, bemOanlng
has III luck at every stop he took.
The way was long, the roads were bad,
1t was bitterly cold, the ruts in the paths
were full of ice, and the winds kept rails
ing great clouds of snow, that nearly
blinded poor Fritz and his COW. Present.
ly he lost his way, and to lose ones way
IN such weather in Iceland means to lose
your life. Fritz began TO weep bitterly.
Suddenly he heard some one calling hin.
lie looked around, and saw man with a
huge sack on his back.
my good fellow" cried the latter,
what are you doing out here with COW
in this weather."
Fritz related what had lately happened
to him.
''Humph!" said the stranger. "I'll tell
you what you'd better do. Make an ex-
change with me. Give me the cow-you' II
never take her home alive, and live close
by-and Ill give you this sack. Il con-
tains rare treasure; meat tn 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
hand he expected her to die of cold every
minute. And then wouldn't he get a
scol1ipoy from his vifaf
what have you got therep" cried that
lady, as soon as he entered the hut. "And
where Is the cow?"
He told her.
Goose! idiot" she exclaimed in PEI
feet fury. "Do you wish to ruin us with
your folly? I'm starving, and there's
nothing in the house for supper"
''lsn I there?" SAID Fritz, triumphaptly.
"Just you wait and see. This sack con-
tains real, good meat-solid flesh and
bone"
And SO saying, he united the sack.
Judge OF his surpr Sc when out of il
jumped little man, clad in mouse-color-
ed garments.
Good morning, good people. said the
stranger in a condescending. patronizing
tone. Il must beg of you not to think Of
cooking me, although hope you mean to
cook something or other pretty soon, as |
am as hungry as hunter"
Fritz fell back on the bench, overwhelm-
ed with terror, whilst his wife, fairly be.
side herself with rage. hurled upon him
every abusive epithet she knew.
well, if there is no food in the house.
and if nobody has any intention of pro-
viding any, the best thing can do is to
go out and see what can procure"
And without saying another word, the
little man marched out, leaving Fritz to
defend himself as best he could against
his wife's wrath.
At the end of an nour. the stranger re-
turned, bringing with him a magnificent
sheep, the head and neck of which Mrs.
Fritz cooked for supper.
And this same thing happened for many
DAYS.
The Kings herdsmcn now began to |
complain that in spite Of all their care and |
vigilance. the finest animals had disap-
pcared. and were continuing to disappear |
from the grazing grosnd.
There must be thief in our neighbor-
hood" they all declared.
Presently it was rumored that q stran-
ger. of whose arrival and antecedents
nothing was known, had lately taken up
his abode in Fritz's cottage.