The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-07-14
THE GRATEFUL GOBLIN.
Nick Nickson was q woodchopper.

~ is'i tlNfI fiNot ~ INV AWA'Tt ~
many years with his wife and children.
II was seldom Nick went 10 town or any
where else, because he had great deal
of work to DO 10 keep his family alive.
Wood hewing never was much Of a pay
ing business. and Nick found it 10 better.
But he never complained He did tho
best he could in the best manner. ana
for the rest he trusted TO a kind Proyi-
dencc 20 assist him and his wife and
children.
Nick had now been going into the
woods Tor twenty-five years. and rs hc
was walking along This morning he was
thinking Of that fact more than once.
Il have worked very hard he muttered
to himself as he stopped before a beauti-
full young oak tree ready 10 take of bis
/ jacket and start operations Il have
worked very hard" he said again. "and
/ think | ought 70 be pcnsionod off soon
/ But don't think there Is much chance.
Where should ] get the money e. keep
my folks At home without work? Bat
there, it ia no Use growing now on the
/ day Of my twenty-iifth anniversary in
the wood ch0pping line. Providence has
stood 10y me so long. and don't think I
shall be forgotten H. the future. Do
your duty with Oh your might, with an
your strength, with all your ability. and
with an unweary ing spirit Of energy and
perseverance; that is my motto. and sue
cess i5 bound 10 follow some time ol
other"
BY this time Nick had taken his Top
coat of and laid it and his hat down iu
the long grass. Then he took his AK III
his hands, and after looking at the tree
from its base TO It's crown he gave The
first blow. Thick splintcrs flew in al
directions, and Nick dropped his Ak and
jumped back from the tree
"What is the matter: hc said. "dil !
not hear noise somewhere Ike the
whining Of a childs'
llo stood and listened for . few mo.
ments bat oh seemed tobc quict. Then
ne resumed his task. But b. bad only
made one more blow az tie tree when he
was stopped again. This time he heard
these words: Get me out! Get me OUT
"Who is it that calls there" Nick
asked who was not IN thc least afraid.
1T is J. the goblin Of Blinkingdalo.' %
thin voice replied.
But where are YOU 70 be found:"
Il am ia the oak YOU have been how
ing at. and halIoool out because | was
afraid YOU might kiil me-"
well, tell me where ought 10 strike
in order 70 cxtricate you without doing
you any bodily harm" replied Nick
Nickson.
The az is too big and too sharp alto
ccther," now said the voice from the
tree; "tako your pocket knife and start
cutting the bark about two feet from the
ground. But be very careful or you viii
hurt me-"
Nick now took his knife and he bceau
cutting thc bark Piece by piece flew ont.
until 80 last he got 10 % hollow space,
when the voice in the tire, l.touta Shrek
that was 80 loud anl terribi.ail the trees
in the wood seemed 70 be -aat.n by IL.
"Now you have cut my beard. you old
villain Of a woolchonner." cri.l the
goblin. cob. Iwillkiil vonif youafe
NOT careful"
Poor Nick trcmbl.i with fear. because
me had often heard az COLLINS and their
cruelty 10 people. Hut Doe .,on realized
that hc was get ma-tsroi the situation.
and hc need not he afraid Of thc goblin.
Look here Mr. Goblin said Nick.
"if you mean to h.ime when yon get
out think will leave yoI where yon
arc and go home Goad-by.
i'"i gracious '''e' c'" / c2 '''', r''
good man. So h'ii'-',' ,'' S9"''ii' e il
not mean "i."' ''''' men, n". %" ''''
hurt me- ana "o ''.'''.'"'' '''' '' '"'.
iul Of my p''In' 81 d. 'eI. i''i' ana j.
hurts very much u y"n pun ."lt one "i
the hairs out 40" Wiii ten f'H some
thing else II You ect nae out without
doing me any NOR n''I'n VIII give y.u
great reward ana '..''No Oh '''' ''''''
est man pa me World
How o' t"1 e. mo '''' '''''
asked N'ch oil me S'''in'