Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-01-14
The Metamorphosed RivaIet,

The rivulet which passes through my
garden, and issues iron the side of a hil
covered with gorse, mas been for a lou.
time very happy rivalet II crossed
meadows where all sorts of eharmin =
Wild flowers bathed and admired Their
selves in its tiny waves, then it entered my
garden. were | had expected it. and pre-
pared verdant hanks for It's reception. /
planted upon its sides and in it's stream all
the plants which in the whole world bios
SONS in the BOSOM or on the banks OF
pure waters. It crossed my garden, sing
ing 1t melancholy song, and then, all per
fomed with my tioTors, issued out, cress-
ed another meadow, and precipitatea it
self into the sea, over the abrupt sides of d
rock, which it covers with foam.
1t was happy riyalet; it aad absolute
ly nothing to do but what | have told
you-to flow, to glide on, to he limpid, to
1t leads just the life I have chosen.
iow-when the world will have the kind
ness to let me alone-when the wicked. the
intriguing, the rogues and the fools, do
not force me to return to the com bat-me,
the most pacific and the most irrascibe
man In the world!
But heaven and earth sre envious of
dear brother Eugene, and the skiilful en-
''helices, were one day chattering on the
banks of this poor rivuIet. and spoke very
Ill Of 1t. Nov is not this said my
brother, "a pretty do nothing Of a rivulet,
which goes merrily 90, idling without
shame, flowing in the sunshine, or creep
ing in the grass, instead of working and
homes. rivulet ought to do? Could it net
grind coffee and pepper?"
And sharpen toos?" answered Sau-
wage
And saw wood?' said my brother.
And | trembied for the rivulet; and | in
terrupted the conversation by crying
loudly, that these envious beings, tnose
tSrants, would IN the next place trample
down my "Vergis-mein-uicht!' Alas!
| vas only able to protest it against them
1t was not long before rascal came into
the country, whom | frequently saw PROV
ling along lis green backs. on the side
where it leaps into the sea. This
man did not appear to me to have the air
of one who came there to seek for rhymes,
or awaken sweet remembrances, or even
to let his thoughts fall asleep 10 the muir
uur Of the water. my friend" said he
TO the rivulet, you glide along, you affect
a quiet air, and you sing in a manner to
create envy IN. your hearer, whilst work
and toll beyond nv strength. 1t appears
to me you could help me bit; it is not a
labor you are acquainted with, but will
teach you, you shali soon be in working
condition. You must be very tired of
leading such al Idle HE; it will anuse you
to make files and sharpen knives" Short
ly afterWa1d a wheel, machinery and mill
stone, were brought to the rivulet. From
that time it works; it turns a great wheel,
which turns a smaller one, which turns
the mill tone. 1t sings still, put it is rot
that same softly monotonous and happily
melancholy song il used to sing. There
are cries and passion In the song Of to d; y;
il hounds, it labors-it shafpens kniy,s
1t still crosses the meadow; aud my gar
den, and then the other meadow; but at
the end Of it the man is there who waits