The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-03-13
LITTLE NIGHTINGALE.


/
boy, called Hans, who every day wen
into the forest to catch singing birds
which he carried to the city and sold FOL
whatever price he could get for them
and the small amount Of money he re-
Ceived was given toward paying the
rent OF their humble home, or to buy
food and clothes for his younger sister.
It was always q great grief 10 Hans that
his dear, kind mother must work SO
hard to provide for her children, and
often while setting his snares in the for
est, the boy would think: off my father
had only lived, or I was able to earn
money for mother and sister, how happy
We would be-"
One morning when Hans had gone on
his usual errand into the forest, to his
great delight he found entangled in one
OF his nets nightingale, for which be
knew that he would receive good
price, aud, already visions of the pur'
chases he would make were floating
through his mind, when in d sweet,
plaintive voice, the bird cried: "PleRse
set me free. In my nest, in yonder tree,
are three young birds watching for me
10 bring them food, and II do not re.
turn they must die Of hunger. Set me
free and shall tell you how you may
become rich and have plenty Of money"
Hans at once released the nightingale,
and when it had flown to q low bush
near by and warbled a song OF thanks, it
said: "Every day, under those three
pine trees which you see in the distance,
little, old man walks to and fro, and
says to himself: How glad am that
no one knows | am called Zeierle.' Go
to him, and when you have told him his
name, he must tell you how to become
rich"
The bird then few to it's nest, and
Hans hastened to the three pines, aud
bid behind some busheg. He had not
long to wait; for in few moments the
dwarf appeared, and as he walked to and
fro, he repeated: "How glad lam that
no one knows thatrmy name is Zsierle."
After watching the little man curious
ly for come time, Hans stepped forth
and said: "Good morning, my friend,
what q beautiful day it is."
"Good morning." replied the dwarf,
chow came you here2"
81 am out for walk" said Hans,
"and thought this lovely spot"
swell, since you are here" said the
dwarf, "you must guess my name, and
as a special favor snail allow you three
trials"
Hans appeared to think for a moment,
and then asked: care you called Cas-
peri"
mo, no." replied the dwarf, laughing
heartily, "you must guess better than
that II you would know my name."
After seeming to think more intently
than before Hans said: "Perhaps your
name is Carl"
At this the little man laughed louder
than ever, and in his glee jumped over a
small pine tree.
"Then," said Hans, "you must be
called Zeierle."
The dwarf was struck dumb with
astonishment. He gazsd wonderingly
at the boy, then taking his cane he
ordered Hans to follow him. For sever.
al hours they walked through rough
forest paths unknown to Hans, and
finally they came to a large rock, on
which the dwarf knocked with his cane.
Immediately tiny door opened, and
they entered a long, dark hall, so narrow
that Hans had TO bend his head to keep
from striking it against the rocky cell
ing. At the end OF this hall was another
door, leading into a large room, which
was go bright that Hans was almost
blinded by the dazzling light which
shone from wall and ceiling. The room
was filed with little dwarfs, who, when
they had bowed respectfully to Zeierle,
cried out: "our master has brought uE
anew cook"
"What do they mean by saying that 2
asked Hans, who began TO feel little
timid in the presence Of 80 many strang
ere. ~ know nothing about cooking
"But you will soon learn" said
friendly dwarf, who stood near, land
shall now show you where you are Il
begin your work."
He then led the way into a grea
kitchen. Along the wall stood dozen
Of stoves and ovens Of all sizes, ant
before each Hans was delighted to see
boy, like himself, wearing large whit
apron, and a white cap, busy over th'
stove. The dwarf now opened the door
OF the different ovens and showed Han
what was being cooked. There weT'
ducks aud chickens roasting, cakes AM
pies baking, all kinds OF preserves stew
ing, and all Bmelt 80 good that Han
became very hungry. The dwarf lei
him 10 a table, covered with snow
white cloth, and placed before him
good meal. While the boy was eatip
the dwarf said: "You will soon lear
to cook, for I shall teach you, and a
the others will help. If you wore faith
fully, and learn rapidly, you will sool
be able to return home, and to tax
plenty for your mother and sister"
Hans put on the cap and apron, an,
set to work with will. He listene
carefully to all the instructions, and In
short time became 90 skillful that he wa
called the best cook in the kitchen. a
the days went by Hans thought often
his molLer and sister, and, finally, gre'
so lOmeelCk that 10 WIS very UNHAPPY
One day Zierle came into the kitche
and said 10 Hans: "You have mo-
served your time. Take off your apron
the cap you may keep in remembrance
Of us, and follow me-"
Hans shouted for Joy, and followed th
dwarf into q dark cave. Here was ba
piled upon bag, and all were filed wit
silver and gold.
"Take as much as you can carry in you
pockets" said 2eierle, that will beyoU
"Hurrab," cried Hans, as he busil
filled his pockets, "now we can buy
house, mother need not work any NOR
and little sister will not have to gatht
wood in the cold winter. Thank you
thousand times, my good friend"
The dwarf smiled kindly, aud attt
telling Hans to be good and honest. b
led him to the entrance Of the cav
Hans bounded through the narrow opel
ing; but when he had gone short di
Io1cA ha Rkon6 atill n moment AM