Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-04-24
TROUBLE AND THE KING.
Louie Stockton in Golden Days.l

louie Stockton in Golden Days
The first work Hans Stein did In the spring
was TO dig his bean-bed He was so very fond
OF pork and beans that he liked to know the
bed was ready long before 1t was time for plant
him and when he was tired Of playing, sat on
an old stump near by, and sang to himself
When Hans had finished digging, he wanted
his hoe, and so he turned to the stump. against
which he had put it, but Karl had taken it off.
and with 1t was digging up the ground near the
house.
When his father called him, he brought the
hoe back, but took the rake instead. and wan.
dered out OF sight, so when Hans wanted the
rake, 1t also was gone. and he became very
angry. and pitching the hoe on the ground.
started to look for Karl
Don't you do that again ~ said a voice.
''Do what ~ said Hans, looking around.
why, pitch your awkward tools about So
else In the worldl"
Hans looked down, and saw q farm-fairy
standing on the hoe handle.
Rd Init bit , he said ~ didn't mean to-"
would have been bad for you IL you had. But
you have knocked the roof or my house In"
Hans took Off his hat and scratched his head.
This was pretty lookout. Offending farm
fairy In the very beginning OF spring!
wei, now" said he, slowly, Il don't know
what to do about 1t. II
suppose you mend it," said the fairy
sharply. and then he disappeared.
'.If knew where it was would" said Hans.
and he began looking about.
II then occurred to him that the house must
lie under the hoe, SO he picked it UP and began
looking closely for 1t.
He had twice before seen a fairy, but had not
the slightest idea what fairy's house looked
like.
Presently he saw that the iron part of the hoe
had broken into the earth, and he began to
look closely at that point. He then carefully
lifted a clod of the loOSened EARTH found a hole
underneath, looked In, and saw the fairy'S
house.
II was small, square and beautifully neat. The
floor was strewn with pine leaves, and In the
corner was dear little bed made OF SOFT young,
green buds, and covered with little blanket
made of birds feathers.
Hans took off the whole Of the roof and was
very careful not to let any dirt fall on the floor.
He then measured the hole. and cut green
clover sod just the right size, and lifted it in,
with the green part down.
He then went back to his work. and tried to
use hts hoe instead of the rake, but he could not
make 1t do very well, 50 he became mad at
Karl again.
That was very well done, said the fairy, ap-
peGIing On the stump. 1T was quite a good
Idea to put the sod In upside down. 1t looks
well, and the worms will now be more apt to go
up than down. | hate worms. What do you
want for pay?"
Il want" said Hans Grossly. s'that what put
on that stump shall stay there"
Every Well" said the fairy, jumping off in
great haste ''but why did you ask for such
ridiculous thing as that? You might have had
bag OF gold, or been king, or something like
that"
80 might" cried Hans. "But I take that
wish back. I'll be king.r
NO you won't" replied the fairy, ''it's too
late now. You have had your wish"
The harvest that year was very good. and the
people all looked forward to a better winter than
usual. and Hans said to mis- wife. Lisbeth as one
evening he lighted his pipe, after supper, that
when the corn was sold he would buy another
pig.
pork and beans and Hans then opened the door
to look at the sky.
Coming up the path was a tall thin unpleas-
ant-looking man. He wore sh abby old gray
cloak, and he carried black-box, bound with
brass and marked Pandora When he came
near to Hans he stood still, but said not
word.
Good evening"" said Hans.
The man nodded but he did not speak.
what do you want?' asked Hans
''To come in." replied the man.
'Oh, you dOn' Hans said; 'but don't you
think your might say by your leave to man
on his own dOOrstep?"
some people would" the stranger said; 81
never do. come when please, stay as long
as 1 like. ana l go away when 1 choose, My
name Is Trouble"
Trouble" cried Hans. 'Oh, Lisbeth, here's
Trouble, and the crops are all in, and we meant
to have such good time :"
why don't you go somewhere else?' said
Lisbeth, sharply, as She came to the door and
stood by Hans .,, I've are poor sS9 people
can be just as comfortable with poor people as
With rich; so, if you will just step aside, I'll
come In"
s'If you will wait one minute" said Ltsbeth
more mildly, Il will warm you up some supper
Just take a seat on that stump, and I'll be ready
"Get your best" said Trouble, sitting down On
the stump; that's what always take
|. SO there was Trouble safely seated on the
stump, and there he staid.
1t was all in vain lie begged Hans to let him
up; in vain he promised TO go away at once
for even had he wished to do so, Hans had no
power to break fatty spell.
But one morning. soon after Trouble had so
firmly seated himself Hans again met the
fairy.
have that fellow so close. His breath reaches
my house sometimes. / can't stand 1t. He VIII
have to go away"
HE can't do that" said Hans, firmly. 81
wouldn't dare to stay in the country. Why
don't you mOve?"
THAT is too much bother" said the fairy. 81
have put in all my nuts and a. things for the win
IN make you house, said Hans; 'roof and
all; and I'll bring wheeibarrow and move
YOU"
'very WELL" the fairy answered, ''but the
The house did suit, and Hans moved every
thing very nicely.
Now" said the fairy, "What do you want for
| your pay this time?"
TO be a king, and that Trouble shall never
| come into my Kingdom While l am there" said
Hans. promptly.
| SO Hans became a king He had very small
| kingdom, about One-Quarter as large as Rhode
| Island but he was very comfortable and his
| people very happy.
But. as it happened the fairy's charm On the
| stump was only good for one year, so when the
| time had passed Trouble got up and set out
! again on his travels. and he made it his first
| business to find Hans.
| 1t was not hard to find him; but Trouble
| could not get into the kingdom. He walked
| around 1t once or twice every day, but he never
/ could ind place where he could enter.
| Hans used to see him sometimes, and, as he
always Jeered at him, Trouble grew TO hate Hans
| more and more.
One day Trouble had an idea. He sent for his
! niece, Discomfort, and he managed to get her in.
! She was curious creature. She was rather
| pretty, but she always reminded everybody Of
| some one else. Discomfort went at once to the
| palace. and got place to fan the king.
| While she did this she always talked to him.
| One day after dinner she said:
| Are you not tired OF chicken croQuetteS?n
| No. am not" said King Hans. 81 think
| they are good
You must be tired of oysters?"
/ no, i am not :" said Hans.
| Il would be If l always had them fried as you
| do" said Discomfort, u like a change. Did
| you used to have chicken croquettes and oysters
| before you were king?"
4 tod y