Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1880-08-12
THE kOBOLDS.

THE kOBOLDS.
s. Come, Fidol come, and the dog bound
ed joytully up to his master, Tor Pau
had a basket full of eggs on his arm, ant
he knew that it meant going to marke
to sell them, SO that he could take tn,
nice yellow gold home, in exchange fo
them. Fldo had his share in the days
business, as ne had to carry the bowl
lunsheon in his mouth, and he was not
little proud of the importance OF his of
fee. Paul's mother gave him her las
parting instruction to be home before it
grew dark, and they started on thell
| journey.
1t was nothing new for hlm to go thus
equipped, to sell eggs at the market; il
was his regular weekly work and ths
money he brought to his mother at night
went very far to supply the necessities ol
life. They lived very simple life in s
little cottage which was the only prop.
erty Paul's father had left them when ht
died three years before, and Paul hao
just reached his sixth year. Now he
felt quite a man and he took great
pride in being help to his peol
mother. .mIs
They arrived just at the busiest time
and he was fortunate enough to sell more
than half of his eggs to one persen, and il
was not long time before he had sold
the other half. 1901
Then he sat down to eat his lunch, di,
viding it equally with his dog. Care
fully depOsiting his money in the satchel
(Which was empty now, he looked at the
clock and saw that 1t was only a little
past two. It never happened to him be
tore to be done SO early, and here was al.
most half holiday. His mother did no,
expect him before dark. Where should
he goG Spend the day with some friend
They had vacation now and would proha.
ably be at home.
No! he. would go into the woods to
gather Strawberries. !. He could fill his
whole basket with them and take them
home to delight his mother; for it was not
often they could indulge in such luxu-
ries. The thought had but entered his
mind, before he was on his road to the
woods. The deg, always ready for a
frolic, jumped about Linn, bounded off liz
advance and then returned and walked
steadily with him for short distance
The woods were pot very far away,
and after Paul had been walking at a
pretty brisk pace for about q half an
hour, he found himself in the midst of a
great bed of ripe, red strawberries,
stretching away as far as he could see
He immediately went to work, and al
though more than half found their. way
into his mouth at first, the basket was
pretty well filled when he stopped.
He dreWla long breath, for it had been
hard work in the warm sun, and looked
about him for nice resting place. A
large tree at @ little distance looked very
inviting, and he was comfortably seated,
enjoying the perfect quiet, emily interrupt
ted by the chirping of birds and the low
murmur of running water at q distance.
''NoW is the time for fairies to appear
he said, half aloud. In all the stories he
had read, the fairies or nymphs orsylphs
or dwarfs or giants, had come to little
children who were alone in the woods
But what nonsense to think about, he in.
terrupted, and stretched himself for a
nap. -TtatEg gE ts
AS he lay there, his thoughts would not
take the form her intended; they would
wander "a into the most ridiculous fan.
cies. Suddenly he felt somebody Oh
something stumping about his teet, and
occasionally treadlng on them with mo
hight step. He looked 10 see what it was
and beheld comical looking creature
half dwarf, half monkey, dancing about
With such fearful grlrnaces, that Papl was
actually frightened.
Heknew that itwascnot 3 dwarf, fol
they were harmless, pleasant little fel
lows, while this little imp seemed to take
special delight in stepping ON his toes
or otherwise hurting him. s1h ~ -
}HWhat are you9'' asked Paul., holding
his breath. He was afraid il might bt
some wicked imp that could do HIN
harm.
1 aDon't L Won know me, little innocentI
+ am q Kobold. used to be seated ir
your chimney corner, and watch you anG
assist you in. doing many o little job
Why, am acquainted with every thought
| in your little head. d.piEsF s5a sr03s zITl
sAre YOUR asked Paul, dublously
lssWhy did you take such dislike to me
| thens''i3i n"l8 eAilaaal Aua 6Ai ~
aOh, this dislike is not to you in par
ticular.. We keep away from all mankind
now; they have treated us shamefully fol
many years, and as we do not wish to in
/ jure them We never go near them any
mOFe.n So qeEflg 9Bl hi 94..@l.l ise
1. aBut what have they done to Incur
your displeasure9n ssOnce we used to live
in the hoIlows and crevices of the rocks
surrounding your village. At night, aftel
everybody was asleep we would come in
to the village, and complete the unfinish.
| Ell work of the farmers. / must own thai
most ofsthem were very grateful to US
For we could foresee rain and hail storms
and often we cut their grain before il
was quite ripe and they would sweal
and scold at us the next day and cal
as intermeddleTs. However, when. th,
stOrmsi came unexpectedly, they woult
retract their harsh words and beg oul
pardon. -tl9s t i 'ssli se asp
SasRut / am making my story too long,
| said the Kobeld. - 70
..Oh please 20 on; it is very interesting
and I have plenty Of time. 49, y, s..ss 4.
| "There are different kinds Of bolds,
continued he. sOne class does exclusive
| ly farm work, another, class 10 in larg,
cities and helps in manufactures. o
course there are some that are idle ani
lndolent and do nothing, and still other