The daily gazette., 1880-05-06
HAPPY JACK.
BY s. t. NJ.

Once upon time there lived peas
ant boy, named Jack. He had served
his master honestly and faithfully for
several years, during which time he
had never seen his poor old mother,
who lived many miles distant. At last
Jack began to feel homesick, and ask
ed his master to give him his wages
and allow him to return home.
His master gave him lump Of gold
as large as Jacks head !; and it was l
can assure you, none of the smallest.
Very well satisfied, Jack packed his
heavy burden in cloth, and set out on
his journey.
He proceeded very merrily for some
time, whistling and singing, for he
hought how pleased his mother would
be TO see him bring home such lump
of gold. At last he began to feel tired
for carry it as he would, on his head
or across his shoulder, the gold was
very heavy-so he sat down to rest
himself on stone by the wayside, and
in few minutes man passed by rid
ing beautiful horse.
"Oh p exclaimed Jack, "riding
is noble exercise wish 1 had
horse"
The horseman stopped when he
heard Jacks speech, and asked him
what he had in his bundle,it appeared
SO very heavy.
1t is gold, pure gold," replied
the boy. land [ cannot carry it any
further"
SO saying, he threw it down on the
ground.
''If you would really like to have
the horse, | don't care if l give it to
you in exchange for that great load,"
said the man.
Jack jumped up, p,quite delighted with
the proposal.
"Take it !'' he exclaimed; it's bar
gain. l shall never walk on my own
legs again, when have horse to car
ry me-"
The man, thinking that the foolish
boy would soon repent Of his bargain,
licked up the gold and ran off as fast
as possible.
Jack, who had never been on
horse in his life, with some difficulty
clambered into the saddle and gallon
ed on toward his native village. But
not long could the poor fellow keep
his seat. The horse suddenly stumb-
ling over stone, Jack was thrown
over it's head, and fell heavily to the |
ground like sack Of oats. He was
stunned and unable to move
for some time.
A peasant, who was passlng,by lead
ing COW to market, caught the horse
and brought it to where Jack lay pros
trate. He assisted him to rise and
Jack, looking very sheepish, said /:
"No more riding for me; it does not
agree with my constitution. You are
a happy man, my friend, to possess
such nice quiet COW; you may drink
milk every day and have good butter
and cheese, and never need to run the
risk of being thrown down and nearly
killed, as l have just been, by that flu
rious horse of mine."
"On, replied the cnuning peasant, "if
nv COW pleases you so much, | will
give it to you in ex, hange for your
Horse, which certainly seems to be a
spirited animal, and rather hard to
"a good riddance," said Jack, "and
L c0nSluer MY sen hoSt lucky 10 make
such bargain"
BE accordingly drove the COW or,
while the peasant mounted the horse,
and disappeared in a moment.
When Jack arrived at the little inn
where he intended to dine, he ord red
A GOOD dinner and spent every farthing
he had for he thought tina having a
cow, he was no longer in need of
money.
de then again set off toward his
native village but after some time lie
felt thirsty, and thought he would like
to have a draught OF milk. "How fortu-
nate am to have such a fine cow"
said he to hims, If and thereupon he at
tempted to milk her, but so c:ums'ly
that he could not obtain drop of milk
and the cow gave him su h q kick in