Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1888-04-27
w. C. r. U.
This Coiumnis Edited dunderihe Direction
ofhe w. @. T.. Union. OF Pcrrvsbur
A PROBLEM FOR PARA.
Lillian MAY.
(COpclmhd J

ii ilimsy hn'cleis, they act to work. How
after blow fell upon the heavy bark ~ the
tree trunk, until the giant irembleJ will,
fear.
"'The tree anon will bc down = shouted
young man jiyfully. But nlas not yet.
When thu crafty giant fund TINT tli,
time he was in reil danger lie nj once sel
about protecting himself. The workers
all wore the fairy tali4man, therefore lie
could not touch them hut lie could hin
der their work. aud, watching his chance,
lie stole their axes while they were eating
their lunch.
"This was a serious hlnlerance, for The
axes had been procured with soue ditiicnl-
~, as the factory which produced them,
belonging 10 the firm of Local Brothers,
was closed up mncl, Of the time. Hence
there was great delay in getting new
tools and meanwhile the giant made
haste TO tlicken and strengthen the bark
Of the tree by every devise in his power.
AT last came the fresh supply of axea
and the men went brayely TO work again,
determined 10 take better care OF their
tools in future. So thick and tough was
tile bark, that it was only Oh certain parts
OF the trunk that they could make any
Impression. They hoped to succeed In
time, but found II slow work at the best.
zone morning while hacking away at
n ha xyp boz tpfa Al
ed by messenger from the king, who
came 10 say that they were to appear I'M
mediately at the palace. On arriving,
they found crowd Of people gathered
around young man who held in his hand
II small round box, sea rcely larger than
common saucer. The wondering laborers
tried 10 push their way through the crowd
that was increasing every moment.
Presently the king appeared. Then
there was order and silence at once; ; for
this monarch won the respect and love OF
his people, not by reason of his high sta
ton, but by his goodness.
"The king began to speak. Listen, my
people, said he this you'll, has in his possess
sion magical instrument, gift from the
good fairy whom you all know so well.
1t appears small and insignificant, but
when properly arranged, will, we think
exert q marvellous power. 1t is to be used
in destroying the giants tree.'
"Then the king commanded the young
man 10 open the box. When the lid was
removed there lay exposed 10 view a cur
ious little instrument, shaped much like a
horseshoe, and made Of wonderful metal,
as you will soon see. The inner edge OF
this horseshoe was formed into sharp
eetli like saw.
"At sight of this tiny instrument, the
people could not suppress their amazem ent
what 7 they exclaimed, does the king i'm
agine that the enormous tree can be cut
down with mere toy like this? 7?
await moment spoke up the young
man. Let ME show you its magical pow
era. True, it is very small, but suppose
some OF You take hold Of ii with me, and
let ns see il we cannot stretch It,
"At these words, two or three men went
doublfully forward, and taking hold very
cautiously with thumb and finger, gave n
slight pull all together. To their surprise,
they found that the metal stretched several
inches. Then, taking hold more firmly,
they pulled with all their might. The
fairy horseshoe expanded tIl il was three
zines rs large az al 6rst.
"Olhers then took hold, and both men
and women helped to stretch the wonder
full instrument, till at last they saw, TO
their delight, that il was large enough to
encircle the enchanted tree. IL was then
taken 10 the tree and placed around il,
when two more remarkable things happen.
ed. First, the ends Immediately joined
themselves together. Second, ns soon as
the magic saw was in position, there
sprnng into sight hundreds, yes, thousands,
Of little handles shaped like cranks. This
was more OF the good fairy's work.
"Now came the time for the people TO
do their part. A few men stepped ior-
ward and each grasping II handle began to
turn the cranks. They were laughed 1t
by some who s,ill believed in using hatch
cts or axes ns the only tools suitable for
the purpose.
But the giant did not laugh. As soon
as lie saw The magic instrument, he knew
it was the invention OF the fairy, and that
he was doomed to certain defeat.
H.. a. . L.
ic saw began 10 move, very slowly at first,
then mure rapidly rs more workers were
a alded. For as soon as the people observed
that turning the cranks caused The saw to
move, they began TO believe this the true
way TO accomplish their purpose, and
many hands grnsped the cranks, TIL there
was great number in motion. More and
more joined the cheerful band of workers
faster aud fasler flew The fairy saw, and by
its contracting power, deeper and deeper
did il GU; into the bark o. the tree. And
still there was no crowding. New cranks
kebt appearing as fast as new hands were
ready To turn them, 20 that every one
could work who WAS willing 10 do so.
Men left their pet hatchets and axes to
lend II hand to this more hopeful Plan.
"fhe giant groaned in despair. Moth
ing was left for him to do except to throw |
sticks, stones and great haadluls Of mud al
the workers. This he did with vengence.
But the good fairy mounted guard, and
whenever u stick or II stone was thrown by |
the giant, or by one Of his slaves, the fairy |
turned II aside with her magic wand.
Sometimes handful of mud struck its
mark inspie Of the faIry's wand, but did
no harm, as II fell quickly to the ground
leaving not even sain, and the people
worked OH more brayely than ever.
FOR some lime the women were not al |