Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1888-04-20
w. G. r. q.
t7Gs CS'amnis Edited underiht bireesioh
ofthe w. @. Il. Uaion. Of Psrrvsbur
A PROBLEM FOR PApA,
Lillian MAY.

etclnimed little Beprie Rrynolds, one cold
March evening, ~ sle drew Aunt Hrlcn',
rockiug~rhair near the CRATE, and proceed
ed to sr,,lc herseli comfortably on an otto
msn elose bv. The other children, Fred
Lulu and hiils Tom, followed BerrieI ez-
ample, aud lunked cxpeciantly at their
aunt. who aat wondering what new food
shs could provide for these hungry httle
ninds. Mamma took her embroidery anil
moved her chair Into the eager group.
while papa threw aside his newspaIrr,
plea fling, "Cah't hear ,hc story, too7"
''Of couree ron can, u you will be very
good and quiet" replied auntis, with a
sudden twinkle Ia her blue eyes. And tho
children wsrs not the only ones who listen
cd inteuily as she told them the story Of
"The Enchanted Tree"
"fn a country u hundred miles south OF
the south pole, and about the same distance
west Of the equator-"
"oh, aunticl' exclaimed Lulu, rec
pro,chfuIly. '',here isnt any such place."
Lulu wa, eight years old, and quito proud
Of tho fact that she was now tin the geo.
sraphy.n Bessie and Fred could not help
laughing at sight Of her as,onishcd face.
snow Lulu. II you have never been there
70 see, how do you know there isn't7" said
Aunt Helen, laughing. too. "But o.
course, dearre. this isn't true story. Il
Is 6 kind Of make believe ss Tot would
ssy,-or you may call 1t a fairy tale"
Lnlu's face frightened. for she was very
fond Of fairy tales, especially Aunt Helen's.
"Wsli. then in this remarkable country"
continued her aunt, "thete grew a great
many beautiful flowers, vines and shrubs !;
and besides these. the country was noted
Tor its stately trees, sheltering myrisds OF
sweet songsters. Some Of these trees bore
delicious fruit; others made such . cool,
pleasant shade in the heat OF summer that
weary travellers stopped TO rect beneath
their branches, and went on their way
greatly refreshed. Some we're evernreens.
and remained beautiful all winter, among
the snowy hills and Icy plains.
"But there was one remarkable tree In
the land, quite different from all the
Others. Now the people OF this country
would have been very happy had II not
been for this tree. It was the cause OF
great deal Of trouble and suffering. Far
above the tops Of the others, above the
highest church steeples-some said, even
to the clouds-rose this monster tree.
And the branches grew 70 thick and
spread 90 far that IL cast . dense shade
over all the land. Indeed, some Of the
families living beneath IL could hardly
see the sunshine.
"But, worse than this, the tree was en-
chsnted. Its hollow trunk wa. the home
Of . wicked and powerful giant. I will
not tell you his name, but zee il you are
bright enough to guess il when the story
10 finished.
"The only way TO conquer this enemy
was 10 destroy or cut down the tree. But
no one had yet been able TO do this. 1t
was clear, however, that soineting must be
done. For this il what happened sgain
and again. Unlea provided with = Ger
tain magic tailsman, all who veniured
very near the giants home. fell into his
power. and became his slaves. This, you
must understand. was terrible, for their
cruel master always loaded them with
heavy chains which they could never
shake OF, and sent them out into the world
10 work for him. All. such cruel. wicked
work as they are compelled to do Destroy.
ing propsrty, taking lives, and bringing
misery to their dear ones aud themselves.
Such was the fsts Of many unfortunate
eaptives!"
"But, auntis," Interrupted Bessie, "ii
the people would all be safe by wearing
the tailsman, why didn't every one wear
III Weren't there enough ,ailsmsns for
all"
"That 10 one Of the siransest parts OF it,
her aunt went on to explain. ''ior many
Of the people were so foolish that they re-
fused 10 wear these tHilsmana, though they
were furnished freely by good fairy to
all who would take them. But these reck-
less ones said, What is the use Wa srs
safe enough without them. We can take
care oi ourselves. II is great pity II we
cannot keep out Of the giant. clutches
without the aid Of = fAiry'a giii.' And it
was = pity but In spite Of their Boosting,
many who would not accept the magic
charm bore. sooner or later, the chains OF
the giant.
There was one renaon why some va
usd the tree, In spite Of in evil power, and
did not wi.h It destroyed. Every year,
when the autumn winds swept through the
huge branches, there would fall a shower
oi nuts. These nuts were very unlike
o,herr, for they were Of solid gold. OF
course. they brought high price, aud the
money. used in various ways. seemed to
make the country richer. Mind. say
only sseaed For really the people were
growing poorer every year. How could Il,
be otherwise when the giant would rob hil
N'SpuS W "h shss thsy hahs WI thtg Nett
so poor that they were unable to provide
for themselves OF their familieaf
"At last the king Of this country called
a council Of his wiss.t men. to decide
what could bs done to get rid OF the cruel
monster who caused such trouble. When
the council had gathered In the palace, the
king ssid:
i have bssa trying al my life to
make my subjects happy I have caused
churehss and sehool-houSss to be built In
great numbers, that my people might 10
we'll educated. and taught TO choose good
lives rather than evil onss have besiou-
ed EiitS Of food and money upon the poor.
that their suffering might be relieved !
have done, in short, all thGt lay in my
power to make my country h"ppy aud
nro.naFona ana nnt I And that fI,ia vvi,k