Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-10-11
Charming Fairy Story From Paysie
About the Mountain GnOme.
AND IT HAS A USEFUL MORAL.
How the Industry of Little Girl Brought
o Reward to Be Proud Of.
4. B. CHADBOURN'S PUZZLE DEPARTMENT
IwR1TrEN FOR THE p1sPATcH.l

| to the conversation pitied the little sufferers.
The father of these children had been
obliged to leave his home and family to
fight in the fierce war, which was then
raging in the land. Shortly after he had
gone away, news came that he was severely
wounded, and the mother, leaving but
scanty provision for her children, went to
the distant camp to nurse the dear soldier.
| Theodore and Sidney soon found work,
and could keep their sister from want; but
they were idle boys, disliking all kinds of
labor, and they complained bitterly that
they must support Florence. The little
girl was much grieved shat she should be
such burden to her brothers; but although
she sought everywhere for work, she was
unable to find any. On this bright summer
day, Florence, with her brothers had
wandered into the forest to spend their
| half-holiday. As they sat under the oak
tree, Theodore said: ''This is q miserable
life. We have not had good meal since
father went away. am tired of porridge
and potatoes. Ifw could only have meat
and wine.''
COR some nice white bread" said Flor
ence.
".What I need is a new coat" grumbled
!
don't see why the great Friepold cannot
help u.s. We hear that in some places he
has changed the Goals in the stove to shin
| ing gold and the stones in the yard to dia-
monds. l am sure we need help"
Friepold was a mountain gnome who was
| ever ready to help those who were industri-
GUS, but he had great dislike for lazy peo-
pie. Scarcely had Sidney ceased speaking
when the birds in the tree began to sing
merrily, the branches rustled, and before
| the astonished eyes of the children lay the
meat and wine for Theodore, the white
bread for Florence and the new coat for
Sidney.
'sWhat sweet wine," cried Theodore, as
he raised the flask to his lips, ''and this
meat is fit for the King"
"Eat some of this BREAD said Florence,
as she gave each of her brothers generous
portion, 81 never tasted anything halt so
good"
But Sidney could think only of his new
coat, which he put on, and proudly walked
up and down. When the children had
wondered over the gifts, and enjoyed the
food given them, they cried:
"Many thanks, good Friepold, for your
kindness to u.s..
AS soon as they had pronounced his name
the mountain-gnome appeared. He wore
long, gray robe of the finest silk. He carried
no scepter as a sign of his power, but in his
hand was red rose, which flower he loved bet
ter than all Others On his head was a crown
| which sparkled as all kings crowns do; but
the gems were tears of joy of those whom
the good gnome had befriended. Friepold
looked earnestly at the children tor
moment and then said:
II have granted your present wishes, and
now you may each make one other,request,
which shall fulfil" Do.
'T wish for money" cried Theodore.
"And I wish for fine clothes" said Sid
III should like to find some work" said
Florence, thinking that she would no longer
be trouble to Der brothers.
"You have chosen best" said the gnome,
as he laid his hand lovingly on the little
girls head. "Here are three candles. As
long as you sew by their light, you will
only when working, and at night"
As the three children walked home they
talked of their meeting with Friepold.
81 think he is stingy old fellow" said
Theodore. "With all his wealth he has
given me only this one bag of gold. I can
easily use it all in a month"
''And I am to have only three new suits
when wanted dozens, complained Sidney.
81 think you are both very ungrateful,"
said Florence, as she carefully wrapped her
three candles in her apron.
The two boys now decided that they
would not work until they had used the
money which the gnome had given them,
and the little girl was distressed over her
brothers idle ways. Florence again deter
mined to seek for work, and this time she
was so successful that she had almost more
sewing than she could do All day long she
stitched steadily, and when night came she
lighted one of her candles, and was sur
prised to find that it gave more light than
score of ordinary candles, and although it
burned several hours, it did not waste. Sid
ney and Theodore were very much inter-
ested in the magic candle, and wished to
have it burn during the day, but Florence
remembered Friepold's words, and used her
candle only,.at night
One day Sidney and Theodore prepared
grand feast, to which they invited nearly
all the people, in the village When the
company had assembled Sidney said: "My
friends, we. have a great wonder to show
you. I shall place candle on the table
which shall give as much light rs 20 other
candles and will burn all evening without
wasting"
Florence begged her brother that he
would not take her candle, as the gnome
had intended her to use it only when work.
ing; but the boy would not heed his sisters
entreaties, and snatching the candle from
her placed it on the table. The feast lasted
for several hours, and all the time sounds Of
gay laughter and merry voices could be
heard When the guests were about to de-
part suddenly brilliant light flooded the
room and the gnome Friepold appeared.
He carried the red rose in his hand and \
wore his sparkling crown, but his face was
stern and angry. Fixing his gaze on the
krryA hrNf ha uoSI L. -
punish you for your ingratitude, your indo- |
lence, and your unkind treatment of your
sister,"
The gnome then disappeared, leaving the !
company greatly frightened and wondering
at his words. Very soon after the departure |
of good Friepold, the flame of the magic |
candle grew larger and brighter The boys |
tried to blow it out; but although all the |
guests Joined in the effort, the flame grew |
higher and higher until it reached the cell |
ing, and moment later the house was in |
flames The fire ragged fiercely, and those
who had come to the feast barely escaped |
with their lives
AS for Theodore and Sidney, they gave
no thought to their money and fine clothes,
but ran as fast as they could to the forest
Florence tried to get the sewing which. she
had left on table near the window, but
the fierce flames drove her back, and she
was obliged to abandon her efforts, but she
did not leave the spot until the house was
entirely destroyed by fire. Seeing that
the little girl was deserted by her brothers,
some kind friends offered her shelter for
the night. Florence slept very little She
feared that some accident might befall Sid
ney and Theodore, and she thought how dis
tressed her father and mother would be if
they should return and find no home Early
oil of |