Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-19
ENOUGH FISHES FOR A FEAST.

his aunt, saying: Get up, YOU lazy boy.
You are now old enough to earn your bread.
Your father Is il! to-day and cannot go t.
his work. You must go into the barley
fields and CLEAN. TAX this sack, aud dc
not return until you have filled it.'
Gebhard took the sack and going out into
the field set bravely to work. but only here
and there were stray grains to be found, and
although he wandered, all day long, from
field to field other cleaners were always be-
fore him, and when evening came his sack
was not half full. Then weary and dread
ing to go home, he laid down by the road
side and began to weep. At the same mo-
ment an old hunter approached and kindly
inquired the cause Of his tears. When the
boy had told his troubles. the hunter said:
"Do you wish me to cut off your aunt's
tongue, so that she cannot scold you, or
stop her ears so that she cannot hear, or cut
of her 'eet so that she cannot run after you?
Only tell me what you wish, and shIl
punish the ill-tempered woman as you think
best"
''Qh, sir" cried Gebhard, 81 would not
have you injure nv aunt; but if 1 only
knew where 1 could find enough barley to
I'LL nv sack, should be satisfied"
Then" said the hunter, placing his hand
what you wish"
He then gave a shrill whistle, and in
stantly hundreds of sparrows few into the
field and began so busily to pick up the
barley grains and lay them in heap that
soon there was enough grain to fill the
sack.
Now, nv boy" said the hunter, ''take
what YOU need"
Gebhard haStened to fill the sack, and
when he turned to thank his friend the
hunter had disappeared, but the Sparrows
were still there, aud hovered about Gebhard
until he reached home. Scarcely had The
lad entered the house when his aunt cried: /:
idle boy, where have you been so long?
Did you need a whole day to CLEAN that lit
tie sack of barley?"
But Gebhard was so lost in thought over
his adventure with the hunter that he paid
little heed to these scoldIng words, and was
soon on his way to the mill to have his grain
ground.
The next morning, before Gebhard had
finished his breakfast. his aunt said to him:
You must 60 and catch dish of fish for
your iather as he is much too i'll to eat this
coarse food"
Gebhard took his net and basket and
going to a neighboring brook, seated him.
self under a large willow tree, and threw
his net into the water. The hours passed
and noon came; still the net was empty.
"Oh," thought the boy; "my father will
die OF hunger. If only my kind friend of
yesterday would come, know he would
help me'
And as he looked wistfully down the
valley be saw the tail, strong figure of the
hunter approaching.
'Oh, sir" cried Gebhard, running to
him, please help me catch some fish for
my father, who is too i'll to eat our black
bread
Poor lad" said the hunter, "haye you
caught nothing yet? Then you certainly
need my help"
Aud again the hunters whistle sounded
loud and shrill. Then came down the
brook large trout, Iollwei by so large
number of smaller ones, that allowed them
selves to be caught, that Gebhard could
with difficulty raise the net. When he saw
the large number OF fish the boy shouted
with JOY, and said: Nov, not only nv
father, but aunt and can have a least.
Will you not come, sir, and be our guest.
that we may thank you for you- kindness |
TO us?"
mo, no." replied the hunter, ct cannot
90 home with you; but whenever you are in |
troubIe, and need friend, come to this old |
and blow three times on this |
whistle"
He then gave Gebhard q small whistle.
.ut from maple wood. For the next few
days Gehhard remained indoors by the bed /
side of his father, who constantly grew.
worse, and it was feared that he must die
But in the midst of all the sorrow the |