The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1891-04-23
A FAIRY STORY.

night, and never hesitated to perform
even the most disagreeable duties
which fell to the share of others, but |
which they refused to do. His looks
we're always cheerful and contented,
and he never was heard to murmur.
! When he had served year. his mas
ter thought to himself of ] pay him
his wages, he may go away; it will
Therefore be most prudent not to do
so; l shall thereby save something,
and he will stay"
And so the boy worked another
year; and though no wages came, he
said nothing and looked happy. At
last the end of the third year arrived;
the master felt in his pockets, but
took nothing out; then the boy
spoke.
MASTER" said he, ~ have served
you honorably for three years; give
me, pray you, what | have Justly
earned. l wish to leave you, and see
more of the world"
"My dear fellow" replied the mig
gard, "you have indeed served me
faithfully, and you thall be generously
rewarded"
So saying, he searched his pockets
again. and this time counted out three
crown-pieces.
ga crown" he said, "for each year;
it is LIBERAL few masters would pay
such wages"
The boy, who knew very little about
money, was quite satisfied; he received
his scanty pay, and determined now
that his pockets were full he would
play. He set off therefore to see the
world; uphill and down-hill, he ran
and sang to his hearts content; but
, presently, as he leaped bush, little
man suddenly appeared before him.
"Whlther away, Brother Merry?'
asked the stranger; "your cares seem
, but light burden toyoul'
why should be sad" answered
= the boy, "when l have three years
wages in my pocket"
"And how much is that?" inquired
the little man.
8 "Three good crowns"
t "Iisten to me-" said the dwarf; 90
] am % poor, needy creature unable tC
work; give me the money; you arr
young, and can earn your bread"
r The boys heart was good; it fell
e pity for the miserable little man. sc
Q he handed him his hard-gotten wages
d "Take them" said he; 81 can worl
|. for more"
e "You have kind heart" said tn,
h mannikin; 81 will reward you by grant
q ing YOU three wishes-one for eacl
= crown. What will you ask?"
+ Hal hal" laughed the boy; "yol
- are one of those then who can worl
1, wonders. Well, will wish-first TO
II a bird-gun, which shall hit whatever
il aim at; secondly, for n fiddle, to tn
sound of which every one who hear
me play on it must dance; and third
ID ", that when | ask any one anything
/. he shall not dare refuse to me"
.: you shall have all, cried the littl
!. man. as he took out OF the bush, wher
n they seemed to have been placed i
. readiness, n fine fiddle and Il bird-gu
p mo man in the world shall refus
what you ask"
at only heart, what more can you d'
- sire!" said the boy to himself, as b
: joyfully went on his way:
lie soon overlook a wicked-lookir
man, who stood listening to the sol
of bird, which was perched on IL
very summit OF q high tree.
"WonderfulW cried the man, "suc
. a small animal with such a grea
= voice! | wish | could get near enoue
y to put some salt on its tail"
The boy aimed at the bird with h
. magic gun, and it fell into thor
4 bush.
i "There, rogue" said he to the othe
. "you may have it if you fetch It,"
. master replied the man, "leave OF
y the rogue whe you call the dog; hi
u will pick up the bird"
In his efforts to get it out, he hi
worked himself into the middle OF t
I prickly bush, when the boy was selz
/ with longing to try his fiddle. Br
n scarcely had he begun to scrape, VIII
IL the man began also to dance, and {
se faster the music, the faster and high
!, he Jumped, though the thorns tore
=, dirty coat, combed out his dusty ha
% and pricked and scratched his whC
h body.
a u. leave of, leave Off, cried he:
", do not wish to dancel"
VI But he cried in vain.
s' You have fleec, many a man,
dare say" answered the boy; 'nt
n we will see what the thornbush C
= do for youl"
~ And louder and faster sounded
\ fiddle, and faster and higher dane
7 the gypsy, till the thorns were hu
with the tatters of his coat.
w "Mercy, mercy" he screamed
n last; "you shall have whatever ] c
IN give you, only cease to play. He
dns, here take this purse of gold"
acsJ "Since you are so ready to pa!
ss b. said the boy, II will cease my mus
WE. but l must say that you dance "
VAIL to tit is a treat to see you"
: With that he took the purse and
n parted.
- The theivish-looking man watccf
!, him until he was quite out OF sig
z then he bawled insultingly after hi
-"You miserable scraperl you
IS house fiddler wait till find you al'
mem. | will chase you until you have no
kinds | ohAafi