The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1880-04-16

L Z
you? Why, we've lived here always.
all we clouds. Sometimes we have
great family meetings. when we get to-
gether and indulge In all sorts Of fun
and frolic, never going outdoors for
weeks at time
"Oh, those must be the times when
our fields all burn up. and the streams
run dry, and the poor cattle low with
thirst, said Fritz, suddenly enlight-
ened. So you are enjoying yourselves
up here all the time, are you? I call
that very unkind, and suddenly rec
ollecting where he was, he hung his
head, abashed at his own daring.
''Little Pink hung his head, too, with
a grieved face.
"' I never thought of that BEFORE he
said. penitently. 1T was pleasant for
us, and the time went fast. l recollect
now that the world has looked rather
queer and yellow sometimes when we
have come out again after long alb.
sence, but it grew green presently, and
l did not suppose any one minded
"All this while strange growing
sound had been going on in a room
opening from the hall, across whose en-
trance stout bars were fixed.
What is that?' asked Fritz, unable
longer to restrain his curiosity.
"'That? That's only the North
Wind replied Little Pink, in an absent
tone. ''We've shut him up, because
he has no business to be abroad in the
summer, and he's such a restless crea-
ture, and so violent, that he will break
hn do I'll
mischief. Last year, about this time,
he got out and raised a great storm,
and made fearful mess of it down be-
low
eel recollect. That was the storm
that killed three of our sheep. and
ruined the barley CROP exclaimed
FTitz. %. it was dreadful. We had to
make half loaf do tho work of whole
one all winter long in consequence. 1t
was hungry times in the valley, can
tell you. Oh, the evil windr'
"' You poor fellow cried the little
cloud. We'll. he's safe now. as you
see. He can't get out and plague you
this year, at least. But I'm SO sorry
you went hungry. 1t wasn't our fault;
really it wasn't, still l should like to
make it up to you somehow. if I could
He reflected moment, then he went
forward and gave q call which col
lected all the other clouds around him.
Fritz watched them consulting to-
gether; at last they moved toward him
in body.
"Now, Boy said Little Pink. who
seemed to have elected himself spokes-
man, because you're a good boy and
have had bad luck, and because you're
the first boy who ever came up here
and raped on our door, we're going
to propose bargain. So long as you
live in the valley below and are steady,
and work hard and keep kind heart
in your bosom for the people not SO well
off as yourself, so long we will look af-
ter your farm and befriend it. Water
shall fall on it regularly, flood and tenn
pest shall spare it. the grass shall
never dry, nor the brook fail nor the
herds lack for food. We shall watch |
closely, and so long as you keep your
word we will keep ours. Do you agree?'
"'What! never any more droughts,
never any foods cried Fritz, unable |
to believe such good news. 'Oh, how
happy mother will be! Indeed, indeed
I will do my best-pray believe that |
will
"'The proof of the pudding began
Cumulus, but Little Pink silenced him |
with wave of his hand.
"'Very well you do your best and |
we will do ours he said, in a CHEEKY
tone. Now about getting you home.
Do you know how late it is?'
":No,' said Fritz, who had forgotten |
all about time.
1t is just noon
Really! Oh, how frightened the
mother will be-, cried Fritz, his heart |
sinking, as he thought of the terrible |
cliffs which he must descend.
He never can,go home as he came
declared rainbow, craning its long,
curved neck like a CRATES over the
heads of the others.
"Tll tell you, let us all carry him
down on our shoulders suggested Lit
tie Pink.
$50 we WILL shouted the clouds in
a chorus, and jostling and laughing
they all crowded into the narrow pas
sage, bearing Fritz in their midst. As
the door swung open in swept fresh
a crowd of tiny scurrying
shapes, and some one behind, whipping
them along with lash of many-colored
air.
"'Why, where are you all going"
the new conner, in q breezy
voice. I've collected these stray
lambs from hither and yon, and now
I'm in for the day. What takes you
out. pray?'
"'We'll not be gone a minute. We're
only going to carry this boy home,' an
swered the rest; while Little Pink
whispered in Fritz's ear, That's the
West Wind. He's great favorite with
US ALL
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