The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-08-21
THE TR0LL-WOMAN'S GIFTS.
Translated From the norwegian.


who, with her son, used to 90 around
begging, and had neither a crumb o
food nor a stick of fuel at home Al
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 burgom3ster, fine,
gOOd-hearted man, one of the best in
the CITY. He was married to daugheI
of the richest merchant there. As they
had no other children but one daughter,
this little girl wa 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 a play
mate. Well, they played together, and
busted themselves together, and read
and went to school together, and were
always good friends and never disa-
greed.
One day when the burgomaster' 5
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.
as such 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. saving 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 large tree came from 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 foc q
shilling would never be a dollar,
though he might shine like golden
ducat, said the burgomaster' wife. and
he build not remain; she was deter
m ID to get rid of him
As there was no help for it, the bur-
gomaster sent him away ITO be cabin-boy
for a merchant who had come thither
with 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 a distant city. A clergyman
had lately come there who was such a
great preacher that every body had to
go to church and hear him, so on Sun
day the people of the snip must go 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 3
sound close by, and, taking boat, he
went over. He found it was an old
woman who had been doing the shout
inc.
Well" said she, ''here l have been
standing 4 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 go with her
to her sister, who lived in the mountain
close by, aad 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, L 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.
Il must 90 on board, now, and cook
the Sunday dinner for the church
folks" said the boy.
Never mind that" said the old
woman, lit will cook itself while YOU
are away. If you will stay with me
you shall have more pay. l stayed by
that sound and shouted and hallooed for
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 kind
that if he put it in his pocket it would
become knife, and If be drew it out it
would become long sword; that every
thing he struck with the black edge
wonld fall dead, and struck again with
the white edge would once more come
TO life.
Well, when he arrived there, and the
troll-wOman found out that he helped
her sister across the sound, she said
he must take something for ferriage,
and could have whatever he liked.
20, do not want ANYTHING but the
old sword which is hanging on peg in
the cupboard, said the boy.
"You did not think Of that without
help" said the troll-woman.
Come with me-" said the other. 81
stood by that sound, shouting and
hallooing hundred years, and no one
heard or needed it until you. You
shall have more pay. Come with me
70 my third sister,"
At this place he was to ask for the
old psalm-book, which was of such a
kind that when any one was sick and
he sung psalm referring to the sick
ness, the sick one would become well
again.
Well, when they arrived there, and
the third trol-woman heard that he
had helped her sister across the sound
he was obliged to accept ferriage there,
too. and it should be whatever he liked.
"A 49, ~