Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-29

| From that time, the boys mind was niieo
with the thought of riches. He no. longer
enjoyed the beauty and grandeur OF the
mountain scenery around him. The care OF
the f1ocks became tiresome to him, and the
climbs up the steep mountain side after rare
Alpine flowers had lost all their cnarm Tor
him. His constant thought was, "If were
only rich" His desire for wealth became
so great that lie neglected his duties, and re-
ceived many word OF reproof from his father.
One day, as Friedel led his flock through
the valley, he thus talked to himself: II
1 were rich, 1 could live like those grand
people in the city. They have joy and nap
piness, while 1 must live in poverty, and
work from morning until night. If could
see one of the mountain dwarfs, l would
ask him to help me"
"Here is one now," said shrill little
voice, and Friedel saw standing before him
tiny man, carrying a golden wand.
$50 you want to be rich?" asked the
dwarf.
eyes, rich, very rich," stammered the
| astonshed bow.
Nothing could be easier" said the dwarf,
twiring his wand in his hand, Follow me
and your wish shall be granted"
Friedel forgetful of his flock, and his de-
| sire for wealth conquering his fear of the
dwarfs. followed the little man up the steep
| mountain side and into a narrow cave.
Here the walls were so low that many times
Friedel had to crawl on his hands and
knees, and it was so dark that he could see
nothing, and thus often struck himself
against the rocks.
"Can we not have a light?" asked Friedel,
as he received severe blow on his head.
| The dwarf raised his wand. and cried,
"Come, freRies'' Aud at once such a
swarm OF insects buzzed about, each carry
ing his tiny lantern, that the cave was as
| light as day. The passage through the
mountain was long and winding. and was
crossed by many other ways. Finally,
the frefies departed, and in the
| distance a glimmer of light was
seen, which continued to grow brighter.
| The narrow path widened, and at last led
| into a large garden, lighted by unseen
lights. There were flowers of many colors.
and trees having leaves of silver and gold;
but nowhere was any bright sunshine, nor
the beautiful green oil the grass and trees on
the mountain. In the midst of the garden
was lake, whose waves washed ashore,
strewn with sands of gold and pebbles Of
pearls. Many gaily-decked boats, filled
with dwarfs. foated on its smooth surface.
Near the lake stood stately castle, with
high towers and strong wall. built wholly
of gold and studded with gems. On the
low, dropping branches, which shaded the
avenue leaul0S 10 Tue cdSLle, nu0S lTultS VI
| different kinds.
Eat of the fruit" said the dwarf, "and
tell Inc how you like it.
Friedel needed no second invitation, and
when he had tasted the fruit he cried: ut is
| delicious. 1 could live on such food for 80
years."
do YOU really mean that?" asked the
dwarf
'Of course do" laughed Friedel.
Then you shall do so,'' said the dwarf,
sand this castle shall be yours"
Friedel's delight knew no bounds, and he
thought:
"Now shall be rich like those people in
the city. only my house is much grander
than theirs"
He then followed his guide up the broad
steps and into the wide hall. Here were
many dwawfs in rich attire, who bowed low
before Friedel and called him master
''These shall be your servants" said the
dwarf, ''and they will always be ready to do
your bidding
Then the dwarf vanished. leaving the boy
to enjoy his new possession. After Friedel
had entered the diniDg-hall and had par
taken of the feast there. one of his servants
led him to a couch, hung with silken cur
tains. And as the boy lay there and viewed
the luxuries about him he could hardly be-
lieve that he was the same poor shepherd
lad who a short time ago was tending
sheep and was so eager for riches.
Friedel was very happy in his castle
under the mountain. He seemed to have
no thought of his home and mother, and he
spent many hours in his treasure room
counting his gold and admiring its beauty.
|. How the time passed he did not know, for
he had no clock to tell the hour and no sun
rose and set to mark the days and nights.
After a time the boy began to long for a
sight of the blue sky and the snow-capped
Alps, and he thought he would willingly
give up all his wealth for one glimpse of his
mothers face. Although his servants were
Just as attentive and his castle Just as
beautiful. Friedel became very unhappy.
He called the dwarfs to him. and inquired
the way out of the mountain; but no one
knew, and the dwarf who had brought him
there had disappeared, and had not been
seen there since.
Friedel now gave himself up to finding
the dark passage through the mountain.
He sought in every direction, but always
with the same result; for after wandering
about until weary. he would again find
himself in sight of his castle. One time,
while walking on the shore of the lake.
Friedel spied in boat, gliding over the
there. AS the dwarf reached the bank,
Fredel seized the little man, and cried:
Now 1 have you, and 1 shall not let you
90 until you promise to lead ME through
the mountain"
"Have you not beautiful! home here?"
asked the dwarf. ''apd do you wish to return
to the little hut in the valley?"
81 want to see the sunshine, the blue sky
and my parents" answered Friedel.
Every we'll" replied the dwarf, II shall
show you the way TO your home; but YOU
must leave all your wealth here, and return
to poverty
Friedel was so anxious to he gone that he
babe the dwarf to say no more, but to show
him the way without delay. He was sur
prised TO fiHd the entrance to the passage so
near his castle, and he wondered why he mad
not discovered il before. The swarm of fire.
flies again lighted them through the dark
way. Friedel gave cry OF joy when he
once more saw bright daylight, and the Alps
raising their snowy heads above them
Scarcely waiting say goodby to the dwarf
ne started off toward his home. AS he
passed through the village the church bells
were calling the people to service. Every
one was CARRYING flowers. Even the little
children had lunches of snowdrops and
lilies of the valley.
Friedel now knew that it was E ,ster Sum-
day. and lie thought that before going home
he would go into the church and hear the
Easter hymns Instead of seeing familiar
faces about him, Frieiel met ouly strangers,
who looked curiously at him as If to say,
"Who are you?" Fredel though that he
must certainly be dreaming, and leaving
the church he hasteued along the we'll
Rno mi IN ic hon bo