Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-23

| bring upon the people. The miller ana MS
family must suffer, and if the mill does not
turn there will be no bread, for there is no
other way to grind the corn"
"What do care Tor the people?" asked
the wind, ''they never trouble themselves
about me. But you are such good little
creature that for the present 1 shall stay
here and rock the cradle while you seek
food for the little ones.''
And with that he began to rock the cradle,
as he called the nest, SO gently that all the
birdlings closed their wide open mouths and
fell fast asleep. But. latter all, the wind was
not so ill-natured as one would think from
his words, for every day he flew away to
the hill top to try to turn the mill. But
this thankless creature sighed and scolded
more than ever, and sometimes would not
make even a single motion. Each evening
the wind returned to the valley, and poured
forth his complaints to the dove, who
| praised him for his efforts, and tried to en-
courage him. But finally he lost all patti
ence, and, after neglecting the mill for sew
eral days, he went to it one morning and
said:
why are you so still to-day? 1t seems
to me that you have grown old and that
your working days are over
"Indeed, l am as young and as strong as
ever" was the indignant reply, while the
mill tapped Its wings angrily.
pardon me,' said the wind, saucily,
''but noticed how tired you seemed, and
thought you were weary from your labor,
and wished rest.
81 do wish rest" returned the mill, "but
that is not because am too old to work.
'Then 1 shall leave you to enjoy your
self. said the wind, ''and will not trouble
you by urging you to move"
He then hastened to the wood dove, who
kindly greeted her old friend, and asked:
"What success have you had today"
81 am very well satisfied with my morn
ing's work" answered the wind. 81 have
been to visit the mill, and we have parted
company forever. 1t was tired and wanted
to rest, and, as L have grown weary of its
constant complaining, 1 have decided to
take long journey and may not return for
several weeks. But shall not forget my
little wood dove, and when my travels are
over we shall spend many happy hours to-
gether."
81 am sorry that you are going away"
said the dove, "for we need you here, and
the miller will be in great distress about
the windmill"
But the wind only laughed at these
words and flew merrily away. AS he passed
the mill he cried:
''Goodby, old mill, am going on a Jour
weep for my return"
"Do not trouble yourself about me-" an
swered the mill with an angry clatter, 'T
can get along very well without your ser
vices and should not be sorry never to see
you again"
For many days the wind continued his
travels. He journeyed over sandy deserts,
through busy cities, and across wide seas.
He saw many new and strange sights. Yet
he was not entirely happy; for he thought
often of the beautiful hill where he had
lived SO long, the cool, green valley, and the
little wood dove who had urged him not to
leave.
'I shall go home," he thought, "and see
if 1 am really needed. If the dove's words
are true shall overcome my dislike for the
old mill and try to persuade it that we must
work together"
Without any further delay the wind
began his homeward journey. He sought
first the little wood dove, who was now
entirely alone, for her little ones had grown
too large for the nest and had flown away to
make homes for themselves. The little
bird was sleepily chirplng her evening song
and was almost ready for her nights rest.
But she was wide awake when her old
friend the wind drew near and gave him
joyous welcome home.
'I am so glad that you have returned
said the dove, ''for you know that without
your help the windmill cannot turn, and
during your absence it has stood still. As
the miller had no other way to grind his
corn, he has decided to bring q great ma
chine from the city. That would spoil our
beautiful hill, and the noise would drown
the songs of the birds and the gentle whis-
perings of the pines. I tried to find you,
and beg that you would come to US, who
were in such need of you; but knew not
where you had gone. Every day 1 have
hoped and watched for your return And
now that you have come, do you think you
can help us to keep away this machine of
which we are so afraid?'
81 shall surely try" said the wind; 'ebut
what does the mill think about it?''
"It has been so silent and sad" was the |
reply, 'that have not ventured near it."
Nearly all night long the wind and the |
the last few weeks. At sunrise the wind |
betook himself to the hilltop. When the |
mill saw him it cried:
30, dear wind, have you returned? A |
great misfortune has come to me. I have
rested so long that my arms have become
stiff and 1 can scarcely move them. 1 am
to be torn down and must leave this beauti-
full hill, where have lived all my life. I
can no more look down over the valley and
see the pines nodding to me. If could
only turn as before 1 might be allowed to
remain here"
perhaps L can help you if you will let
me-" said the wind, who now felt great
pity for the poor old windmill.
eff you will only be so good" was the
reply, 81 did not dare to hope that YOU
would even think of me after my rude be-
havior to you. But if you will help me
now, you shall never again have cause to
complain of my ingratitude
'We shall forget the past" said the wind,
'tand try, hereafter, to do our best
He then rushed with all his force against
the mill; but the arms had become SO stiff
from long disuse that they only creaked
and scarcely moved at ALL But the wind
tried again and again, and the mill used all
its strength, until finally, toward evening
the arms began to move slowly. The next
morning the wind was again at his place on
the hilltop, and this time with better sue
,ess; for by noon the mill was turning
rapidly, and as the miller looked up at it,
be said:
"After all, think 1 shall not tear down
The old mill; for it yet seems to be able to
10 good work.
So the'mill was allowed to remain, and
when the pines nod to it, it answers:
eyes, I am still here, thanks to nv good
friend, to whom shall ever be grateful"
Every evening the wind visits the wood
love; but the greater part of the day he
spends with the windmill, and together
hey work merrily and happily.