Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-06-22

Suddenly there doomed up before MIN
a huge mass whose outlines were at
first indistinct. As soon as he could adj
just his vision to the unfamiliar object
he beheld Il giant, so hideous and SO
loathsome, that our boy closed his eyes
to shut out the dreadful sight. The
monster looked as swollen as though
his skin had been blown out by bellows
and was about ready to burst. His
face seemed like a puffed-up mass of
dough or putty, his eyes were almost
hidden by the flesh and there We're
traces Of a cOmplacent shipper about
the slit that sereyd for mouth.
who are you?' roared the giant.
Il am harmless lad on my way up
this tlowery s,ope III quest of a hero"
And you have about made up your
mind that you are as good as he,' sheer
ed the giant. Come with me- You are
my prey"
But who are you:' asked the boy,
in an agony of dread.
Il am the giant Self Conceit. Come,
you are mine"
mo indeedn' said the boy, stoutly,
II shall fight hard before I yield to
YOU"
You fight me:' shouted the giant,
and he sent forth peal after peal of
laughter that awoke all the echoes of
the rocks and rills.
Drawing forth his casket the boy
opened it, grasped his sword and quaff-
ed a few drops of the liquid in the
flask
"Oh, hor' beloved the giant. THAT
is a powerful weapon to weld against
a man like mer'
wait a bit" said the boy. This
is the sword of the Kingdom of Light
To it is given power to STAY the forces
Of Darkness. You are one of these"
Howling with rage the giant BRAN
dished the club he carried. 1t was so
large that it might have crushed the
boy wit one blow. The boy fixed his
eye on the evil face and form, and leap
ing into the air he cut off the monsters
head with one stroke of the sword
that was now as large as the greatest
sword in the world.
His heart overlooking with happiness
and his false pride gone, our boy jour
neyed onward. His path lay through a
tangled wood, brambles prcked and
pierced him, sharp stones cut his feet,
yet he did not falter. He was bound
for the mountain heights, and was re-
solved that nothing should bar his pro-
greSs.
Ever and anon he would turn the ring
he wore and whatever he wished would
be provided. When he was hungry Il
table would rise up before him, spread
with the most delicious vivands and
drink. When he was weary a couch
Of the S0ftest down would be prepared
for him. Once he lOnged for a roof over
his head, a palace awaited his coming,
where he was housed in luxury and
tended by willing hands This longing
for gold and precious stones grew with
it's indulgence until he became so laden
with treasurers he could scarcely walk.
At length he heard a whirring, whiz-
zing sound as of the approach of some
ponderous body, and uplifting his eyes
he beheld a giant, more loathsOme far
ted mass about his ill-shapen head, his
nose was long and sharp, his mouth
welI-nigh reached from ear to ear;
his thin, parted lips displayed to view
large, coarse, snarling teeth, and his
long Sinewy arms ended in claws rather
than hands.
"Who are you?" raored the giant
Il am the boy that is journeying to
the mountain peak in search of a hero"
and you think You have right to
al the treasrrers a hero might earn?'
who are yOu?" asked the boy
Il am the giant Greed. Come with
me. You are mine.'
mo thank YOU. cried the boy, and
drawing forth his casket he grasped his
tiny sword and prepared for action.
Nov I am ready to fight" he shout
ed, after terrifying himself with a few
drops from his flask.
what? Fight me? And with that
bawble." snarled the giant, but even
as he spoke the sword grew until the
boy staggered beneath it's weight.
1.-The sword is mightier than I
thought" roared the giant; ''but I
fear it not in your lands"
But alas. for the giant, the boys
strength grew with the sword. With
one stroke he slew The monster, and
as the ponderous body fell to the
ground, he leaned against the trunk Of
a tree, painting for breath.
! Like flood of sunshine the majestic
form of his benefactress appeared sud
denly before him. well done.' said
she Greed can no longer harm you.
AS n reward for your brave fight I
will give you the Cap of knowledge,
the Boots of Swiftness and the Cloak of
Invisibility. Here they are hidden in
this caSket which I now hand you
Like the sword they will increase in
size as they are needed for use"
Then giving him no time to pour out
his thanks, she continued: You seem
unaware that the ring you wear can
fulfil other desires than those you have
gratified. The pure undefiled joy of the
spiritual blessings it can afford, you
have vet to learn. There is still left
you to conquer the foul brood of the
giant Selfishness." With these words
she vanished.
The boy sat down by the roadside
to reflect upon what she had said, and
to examine his new treasures. The
Cap of knowledge he put on his head,
and found it gem of thinking cap.
He thought, and he thought, The full
worth of spiritual blessings began to
dawn upon him, and he longed to help
others. A heavy groan disturbed his