Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1893-12-13
NORTH WINDS GIFT.

A boiste-ous fellow indeed is North
Wind, but he is not always rs rough as
no Is known to be ON some occasions.
dc may be as gentle cs a slumbering
babe in its cradle, he may bewitch all
living things with the tones of his Tyre,
or he may burst with the might of an
all powerful giant upon the world of
men. That was n mischievous prank
no played i'll days of yore on boy in
Norseland and whom wewin cell Olaf.
Pay heed and you shall learn about it.
Olaf was the only son of q widow,
and she was beth feeble and poor. She
had taught the boy to wait on her, and
this made him kind and thoughtful.
One day she sent him for some -four
to the storehouse. This was n frame
building, raised from tho ground on
wooden props, and had to be reached
by flight of stairs. Olaf ran lightly
up the steps, got the -four and was turn
ing to hasten down again when North
Wind came pufiing and painting that
way. caught up the flour and bore it of
through the air.
Olaf Went back for more -four, but
the moment he set foot ON the stairs
North Wind s-orted and shifted about
him. and. pips! away went the -four. II
You'll believe me, the same thing hap
pencd third time. and Cow Olaf was
positively angry. for it seemed quite
too provoking that North Wind should
act In such a seilseless fashion. So Olaf
made MP his mind that he would go in
search Of the thief and demand back
the flour.
He set out Mt once, but he walked
many a long. weary mile before he
came at last TO North Winds home.
North Wind had Quoted down and
was IL a most gracious mood when Olaf
presented himself before him.
Good day" said Olaf. II hope you
arc well. Mr.. North Wind
The same toyourself, my boy, said
North Wind. and his voice was gruff,
but not unkind. What brings you
here. if may asl,:''
I've come" said Olaf, ito see If
You ii he SO kind as to give me hack the
-four you took from me on the store
house stairs. Mother and 1 are poor,
and if we lose the little we have well
starve to death"
Il haven't your -four" sid North
Wind. but since you re- SO badly off
here S a tatlecloth for you. 1t will sup
ply you with all you want to eat and
drink if you but say, My cloth. spread
yourself and serve up all sorts of good
things"
Thanking North Wind with all his
heart. Olaf took the cloth and started
for home. As the way was SO long, he
couldn't hope to get back to his mother
that night. SO he stopped at a wayside
i'm to rest until morning.
When the people at the inn began to
prepare the evening meal, Olaf thought
he wonld surprise them. So he threw
his cloth on q table in the corner, say
ing:
My cloth. spread yourself and serve
up all sorts of good things
Scarcely had he spoken before the
cloth'did as it was bid, and every one
in the room was filled with wonder.
There was no one better pleased than
the landlady, for she thought how much
hard work and trouble it would save
her if she had such a cloth.
She spoke with her husband about
it, and in the middle of the night he
stole into Olaf's chamber and changed
the cloth for one his vito had given
him that looked like it.
When Olaf woke the next morning,
rested and refreshed. he set out at once
for home. taking with him the wrong
cloth. He got there safely the same
day and ran to his mother, crying:
well, I've been to see North Wind.
and he's not so bad, after all. Here is
n tablecloth he gave me, and it is Of
the kind that if l just say the word 1t
will furnish US with all We need to eat
and drink
III have to SEQ that with my own
eyes before can believe it." said his
mother. 20
Olaf laid the cloth ON q table, and
with the air Of one who knew what he
was about said:
My cloth, spread yourself and serve
mp all sorts of good things"
But never SO much as a crumb of dry
bread did the cloth serve.
There's no help for it," said Olaf.
"I'll have to go back to North Wind and
ask him the meaning of this
Away he went SO fast that he reached
North Winds home that same after
noon.
Good evening, Mr.. North Wind, -
said Olaf. ..-.--.-.
"Hooa evening, my boy, said North
Wind. What now:''
II want my rights Tor the -four you
took. That tableloth is good for moth
ing" 800
well. here is RAM" said North
Wind, THAT will furnish You with all
the gold coins you want. All you have
to do is to say, My ram, make money!
Olaf thought this was pretty nice,
and he went Of feeling well content.
If he had gone straight home, he would