The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-08-23
THE TROLL.WOMAN'S GIFTS.

Translated From the Norwegian.
One time there was poor woman,
who, with her son, used to 90 around
begging, and had neither q crumb of
food nor stick of fuel at home At
first she went about through the neigh
borhood and then she came to the city
After she had for a while gone from
house to house there, she came to the
residence of the burgomaster, a fine,
gOod-hearted man, one of the best in
the city. He was married to q daugher
of the richest merchant there. As they
hadno other children but one daughter
this little girl was the pet and darling
and there was nothing too good for her
When this poor boy came there with
his mother, the little girl Immediately
became acquainted with him and when
the burgomaster saw that they were
good friends so soon he took the boy
that she might have him for play
mate. Well, they played together, and
busted themselves together, and read
and went to school together, and We're
always good friends and never disa-
greed.
One day when the burgomaster's
wife was standing by the window
watching the children as they went to
school, she saw that there was a pond
or large puddle in the street, and that
the boy first carried the dinner basket
over the pond and then, coming back
carried the little girl over, when, after
setting her down, he kissed her.
That sight made her angry.
SIS such a good-for-nothing young
one to kiss our daughter, and we the
best people in town." said she.
The husband tried his best to restrain
her, saying that no one knew where
children were to live, or what might
happen to his own; that this was an
honest, good natured boy, and that
often q large tree came from a little
twig.
But no, it was no matter either what
he was or what he might become, no
body knew if penury was coming to
honor, and one who was coined for q
shilling would never be a dollar,
though he might shine like q golden
ducat, said the burgomaster' wife. and
he should not remain; she was deter
mined to get rid of him.
AS there was no help for 1t, the bur
gomaster sent him away to be cabin-boy
for merchant who had come thither
with q ship, but told his wife that he
had sold the boy for tobacco.
Before he went away, however, the
daughter of the burgomaster broke her
ring in two and gave him half, that if
they ever met again they might know
each other.
Then the ship sailed and carried the
boy to distant city. A clergyman
had lately come there who was such q
great preacher that every body had to
go to church and hear him. 50 on Sun
day the people of the ship must 90 and
hear him, too, and they left the boy
alone on the ship.
While he was cooking and setting
the table he heard some one hal
looing on the opposite shore of a
sound close by, and, taking boat, he
went over. He found it was an old
woman who had been doing the shout
ing.
''Well," said she, "here I have been
standing hundred years shouting and
hallooing and trying to get across the
sound but nobody has heard and
answered me until you. When you
have ferried me over you shall have
your pay" said she.
Then she made the boy 90 with her
to her sister, who lived in the mountain
close by, and ask for the old cloth
which lay on the cupboard shelf
Well, when he arrived there, and
the troll-wOman found out that he had
helped her sister across the sound, she
said he must have whatever he wished.
20, | do not want anything but the
old cloth that lies on the cupboard
shelf" said the boy.
'You did not think of that without
help" said the troll-woman.
II must 90 on board, now, and cool,
the Sunday dinner for the church
folks" said the boy.
"Never mind that" said the old
woman, ''it will cook itself while you
are away. If you will stay with me
you shall have more pay. | stayed by
that sound and shouted and hallooedfol
a hundred years, but know one heard
or needed it until YOU" Then she
made him go with her to the second
sister.
AT this place he was to ask for the
old sword which was of such a kline
that if he put it in his pocket it would
become knife, and if he drew it out il
would become a long sword; that every
thing he struck with the black edge
wonld fall dead, and struck again witt
the white edge would once more come
to life.
Well, when he arrived there, and the
troll-woman found ouS that he helped
her sister across the sound, she said
he must take something for ferriage
and could have whatever he liked.
80, l do not want anything but the
old sword which is hanging on a peg il
the cupboard" said the boy.
"You did not think of that without
help" said the troll-woman.
Come with me-" said the other, g.