Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1880-05-27
from the Philadelphia Times]
The NIKE Of The ISLAND
A Greek Fairy Story.

they do now, there lived in Arnark. .
small village in Albania, young MAI
whose name was Nicolaki and q prett,
young maiden whose name was Euraine
they had grown up together, they hac
played around the same fountain; gone
to church together and had always haG
the idea fixed in their minds from the
earliest infancy that they were destined
for each other and that as soon as they
reached manageable age they were tc
be united.
But their parents died and they were
both left orphans and had to go to work
TOR those who were able to hire. They
were very unhappy at being separated,
but still, as they could see each other at
church and feast-days, when there was
no work, they did not complain. But
the separation made them desire more
than ever to marry that they might al
ways be together:
IF only had enough to buy little
COW and lean pig" said Nicolaki, ct
would take little piece of ground, and
the good father would marry us and we
would 60 and live together"
What on Nicolaki did not mention.
Ah," sighed Erlranie, "but it is so
difficult. The COWS and pigs are dearer
than ever at the fair and 1 have almost
given up hope"
am afraid, too that we will have to
wait long time. Somebody has surely
put the evil eye on us. can never see
the moon over my right shoulder any
more"
land never see cricket any more, -
said the maiden, sadly.
Day after day, month after month, it
was the same, and they grew more and
more weary. It seemed as though as
fast as they saved money toward their
little COW and pig, those animals had
advanced in price accordingly, and thew
lost heart, and many little Euranie
wePt herself to sleep and then dreamed
OF the little home she 80 desired. So one
morning he came to Euranie as she was
at work and told her he had made up his
mind that he would set out on his travels
to seek his fortune.
Tears and prayers did not avail, for he
was determined not to spend the best
years of his life before he could accom-
pllsh the little he desired to make his
happiness.
''The Birds" said he, s'fy from one
country to another, till they find thsir
field OF corn, and the bees till they
meet with flowers that yield them honey.
Is 1t for me to be less courageous than
those unreasoning creatures? All I
want is the price of our little lean COW
and pig. If you love me, Euranie, you
Will not oppose my project"
do not, Nicolaki, but deplore the
necessity of our separation. Think how
lonely shall be without you."
"God will sustain YOU until I come
back, said the honest fellow, sure of
the girls heart, for unfaithfulness to
VOWS IS unknown among these simple
mountain folks"
eco, then, Nicolaki," but before YOU
start will give you something that will
be OF service to you on your long Jour-
ney. These are heirlooms that have
been In our family from time forgotten.
This is the bell Of your patron saint, St.
Nicola. Its sound can be heard at anv
distance, however far, and will ring till
your friends hear it and know of yonr
danger: The knife once belonged to st.
Corentlne, and its touch dssolves all en-
chantments, even were they made by the.
evil one himself. This is the staff Of ST.
Olga, which will load it's possessor
wherever he would go. I will give you
the knife to defend you from enchant-
ments, and the little bell to let me know
If you are in: danger. T will keep the
stat, so that 1 may follow you if YOU
need me-"
Nicolaki accepted the priceless Gift
wept bitterly at parting with her. and at
Last set out toward the high mountain
that stood between him and the great
world beyond. He climbed the noun
tain and decended into the pretty valley
below, where nestled little WALLACE by
the side Of river. As the sun sank be-
hind the mountain, Nicolaki overheard
two men talking as they unloaded their
patient donkeys Of the Mike ofthe Island.
NlcolaH inquired what that was. and
they told him that was what they called
celebrated fairy who inhabited the
island, in the midst of lake, which he
would find Just over the next range of
hills, and who was asrich as all the kings
OF the earth together. MANY persons
had gone to her court in order to gain
tor themselves some of her riches. but
they had never returned.
N1colaA thought at olce that he wo11d
like to try the adventure. The travellers
tried to dissuade him. They begged and
even pleaded with him to abandon The
idea, but Nicolaki told them that all he
wanted was enough to buy a little COW
ana q lean pig, and t they would make q
collection and give him the means. he |
would not go. The people unanimously
declared that he was pig headed fellow
VINO must go his own way to destruction.
duty. II >'0''o '4o
go Nlcolah vent on the next morning a.
ana aner travelling An noon .he came rs, 81:
% re ~ Reh 3 ct the lake, and th11s1 Is I