The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-04-02
A FAIRY STORY.

~; he was the first to rise in the
morning, the last to go to bed at
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
were always cheerful and contented,
and he never was heard to murrnur.
When he had served q year, his mas
ter thought to himself, "If pay him
his wages, he may go away; it will
Therefore be most prudent not to do
so; [ 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, IL have served
you honorably for three years; give
me, l pray you, what I 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
"a CROWN he said, tFfor each year;
it is liberal; few masters would pay
such wages"
The boy, who knew very little about
his scanty pay, and determined now
that his pockets were full he would
play. lie set off therefore to see the
world; uphill and down-hill, he ran
and sang to his hearts content; but
presently as he leaped a bush, little
man suddenly appeared before him.
"Whlther away, Brother Merry?"
asked the stranger; "your cares seem
but a light burden to you!''
"Why should I be sad," answered
the boy, ''when l have three years
wages in my pocket?'
"And how much is that?" inquired
the little man.
'"Three good crowns"
"Listen to me-" said the dwarf; ~
am poor, needy creature, unable to
work; give me the money; you are
young, and can earn your bread"
The boys heart was good; it felt
pity for the miserable little man: so
he handed him his hard-gotten wages.
'"Take them,' said he; Il can work
for more.'
"You have a kind heart" said the
mannikin; II will reward you by grant
ing you three wishes-one for each
crown. What will you ask"
"Ha! hap laughed the boy; 'syou
are one of those then who can work
wonders. Well, will wish-frst for
a bird-gun, which shall hit whatever |
aim at; secondly, for a fiddle, to the
sound OF which every one who hears
me play on it must dance: and third
~, that when ask any one anything,
he shall not dare refuse to me-"
"1ou shall have ALL" cried the little
man, as he took out of the bush, where
they seemed to have been placed in
readiness, q fine fiddle and q bird-gun
mo man In the world shall refuse
what you ask!'
"My heart, what more can YOU de-
sire!' said the boy to himself, as he
joyfully went on his way.
He soon overlook a wicked looking
man, who stood listening to the song
OF a bird, which was perched on the
very summit of high tree.
'Wonderful!' cried the man, s'such
a small animal with such a great
voice! Iwish l could get near enough
to put some salt on it's tall
The boy aimed at the bird with his
magic gun, and it fell into a thorn
bush.
"There, rogue said he to the other,
"you may have it if you fetch it,
"Master replied the man, s'leave out
the rogue whe you call the dog; but
l will pick up the bird"
In his efforts to get it out, he had
worked himself into the middle of the
prickly bush, when the boy was seized
with longing to try his fiddle But,
scarcely had he begun to scrape, when
the man began also to dance, and the
faster the music, the faster and higher
he jumped, though the thorns tore his
dirty coat, combed out his dusty hair,
and pricked and scratched his whole
body. ~. .......
''Leave off, leave off, cried he: II
do not wish to dance!'
But he cried in vain. .......5.
You have fleecrd many man,
dare say" answered the boy; "ncw
we will see what the thornbush can
do for you!"
And louder ana faster sounded the
fiddle, and faster and higher danced
the gypsy, till the thorns were hung
with the tatters OF his coat.