The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-12-06
NORTH WINDS GIFT.

he IL known to be on some occasions.
he may be as gentle as slumbering
babe in its cradle, he may bewitch all
living things with the tones of his lyre,
or he may burst with the might of an
all powerful giant upon the world of
men. That was mischieyous pranl
he played in days of yore on a bow in
Norseland and whom we will call Olaf.
Pay heed and you shall learn about it.
Olaf was the only son of widow,
and she was both 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 flour
to the storehouse. This was IL frame
building, raised from the ground Oh
wooden props, and had to be reached
by flight of stairs. Olaf ran lightly
up the steps, got the flour and was turn
ing to hasten down again when North
Wind came putting and painting that
way, caught up tho flour and bore it off
through the air.
Olaf went back for more flour, but
tho moment he set foot on the stairs
North Wind snortcd and shifted about
him, and, pips! away went the flour. If
you'l believe me, the same thing hap
pcned Il third time. and now Olaf was
positively angry, for it seemed quite
too provoking that North Wind should
act i'll such Il sensclcss fashion. So Olaf
made up his mind that he would 90 in
search of the thief and demand back
the flour.
Ho set out ut once, but he walked
many long, weary mile before he
came at last to North Winds home.
North Wind had quoted down and
was III most gracious mood when Olaf
presented himself before him.
Good day." said Olaf. II hope you
are well. Mr.. North Wind
The same to yourself. my boy. = said
but not unkind WhS brings Won
here, if l may ask -
i've come. said Olaf, "to see if
you I'll be SO kind as to give me back tho
flour you took from me on the store
house stairs. Mother and 1 are poor.
and If we lose the little we have we'll
starve to death"
Il haven't your -four said North
Wind, but since you re so badly off
here's tablecloth 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 T"
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 wayside
inn to rest until morning.
When the people at the inn began to
prepare the evening meal, Olaf thought
he would surprise them. So he threw
his cloth on Il table in the corner, saw
ing:
My cloth. spread yourself and serve
up all sorts of good things
Scarcely had ho 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 Il 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 wife 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:
We'll, I've been to sec North Wind,
and he's not so bad, after all. Hero is
a tablecloth he gave me, and it is of
the kind that if l just say the word it
will furnish us with all we need to eat
and drink.
I'll have to SEQ that with my own
eyes before l can believe it, " said his
mother.
Olaf laid the cloth on a table, and
with the air Of one who knew what he
was about said:
My cloth, spread yourself and serve
up all sorts of good things"
But never so much as 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
GOOD evening, my boy" said North
Wind. What now?"
. want my rights for the -four you
took. That tableloth is good for moth
ing"
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 off feelino rroll contant