Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-04-14

great many lands and he saw good many
strange and wonderful things, that caused
his eyes to open in wonder and astonish-
ment. One day he was walking through a
big forest when he noticed a very ancient
dame dragging herself along the road with
an enormous load of wood on her back.
Felix felt compassion for the old lady and
he Immediately resolved to carry the load OF
wood for her He quickly hurried after her
and when he overlook the dame he said:
81 guess that load is rather heavy for
YOU, mann, wouldn't it be easier for you if
put it on my back and carry it?''
The woman seemed to be well pleased with
the young mans kind offer and she at once
dropped the wood to the ground.
eyes, young man." she replied; eff you
think you are strong enough, all right, pick
it up, but mind you don't promise what you
cannot fulfill have long way to go and
it is all up hill walking"
Felix only laughed at the old lady.
You don't mean to say that could not
carry load of wood that does not seem to
be too heavy for you?"
81 don't know" snapped the woman.
''Many young man thought he could do
lot, but when he tried he did not succeed.
But, there! don't stand there talking. Pick
up the wood and follow me-
Felix, although somewhat taken aback at
the old woman's peremptory speech, picked
up-the load and walked behind her He
had not gone many yards, however, when
he found out that he had undertaken verv
heavy task. The load seemed to press down
upon him so heavily as if every piece of
wood had been transformed into lead. Still
he never murmured. He did not want to
have the old woman think that he was not
as strong as she. At last he saw an old log
house before him under number of oak
trees. Arrived there, the old woman bade
him to put down his load and go inside
She soon followed him.
''Now, young man," she said, "I will
give you a reward for your kindness, and l
suppose you think that you deserve it. Sit
down at that table there and eat. Whoever
eats from nv table he never will feel hungry
again, and whoever drinks from nv cups he
will never be thirsty again, no matter how
long he livesp'
''Is that SOP" asked Felix. "Well, am
glad of it, because L have often been as
hungry as a hunter, and I would have been
glad if 1 had only piece of bread to chew
at But where did you get these wonderful
things to eat, cid lady?"
f'I am Neris, the Wonderful Woman of
the Woods and 1 am acquainted with all
the good qualities of the trees, the shrubs,
the grass and the brooks. 1 can concoct a
soup that will change you into roaring
lion, and I can bake a pancake from the
roots of forest plant that will change your
form into a rabbit 1 can give you drink
of water that will cause you to
crv tears which will drop from your eve
lids as the most priceless diamonds,
and can make you up a drink that will
cause YOU to perspire the ugliest snakes
from all parts of your body. am a woman
who rewards the kindhearted and good
natured a millionfold for the smallest triae
they do: but am also woman who is in
exorable in Furnishing the wicked, especial
ly those who laugh at the aged and make
fun of the poor and feeble. L was pleased
at your readiness to offer your service to me
and carry that load of wood, and mean to
repay your kindness. Have you finished
your meal and have you drank your wine?
All right then; now let me give you some
thlng else. Take this ring that have here
ana wear 1t around your thumb. That ring
mas wonderful power. 1t can undo every
charm OF witchcraft and magic, and it will
cnange the spell of sorcery from anyone you
touch with it. Now goodby, my young iel-
low make good use of the gift and it will
make your fortune"
Felix, who had been listening to the
woman like in dream, mechanically took