The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1893-12-15
A FAIRY STORY.

Hans lived among the mountains in
Norway. One day he lay on sunny
bank watching the heecy clouds, swift
messengers Of thought, as they spei
across the blue ether, and he saw them
take ON many strange shapes. Now
monstrous troll, as the mountain giants
are called in Norseland, would stand ont
in bold relief, and again curious beasts
and birds would present themselves ts
his eager eye.
All at once he was ahoat in folklore
land, where he was to meet face to face
beings Of whom he had heard SO much
He was bound to visit the castle of the
Mountain King, the mightiest Of trolls.
The air was full of music, and he heard
the birds singing about this king and his
treasures.
Hans now heard whizzing in the air,
and there appeared before him the big
gest bird he had ever seen in his life. As
it plunged down beside him, it almost
seemed as though huge load Of hay had
been dumped on the ground.
If Hans would get on his back, the
bird told him he would bear him to the
Mountain Kings castle, but the boy
must hold fast to the feather at the nape
Of Bird Dams neck lest he fall. This
feather, you must know, was as big and
as tall as a half grown spruce tree.
Hans did as he was bid, and away they
went sailing through the air so fast that
the wind whistled after them. Presently
they reached some nozzle grainfelds,
and here Bird Dan pa1sed 10 81 his crop.
It frightened Kans to see how much he
could devour. The boy himself sat down
to partake Of the modest lunch he car
Tied with him, when he saw man lying
with his ear close to the ground.
'fWhat are you doingr asked Hans.
Il am listening to the grass" was the
reply, my ears are so fine can hear
eFery blade as it grows. Ineed less sleep
than a bird, and lean seeahundred miles
by night as well as by day."
'You'd be useful man to have on my
journey" said Hans. ''Will you go
alongr
eyes, If Bird Dan viii take me, and il
you'll give me some Of your lunch"
ssMy lunch isn't much, butsuch as it is
I'll gladly share it with you" said Hans.
Bird DAN consented, and away they
went with the new comrade.
When next they paused, Hans saw a
man walking about with his hand over
his mouth.
"What is the matter with you? cried
Hans.
'Tm the man that has swallowed sew
en- summers and 10 winters, and keep
my hand over my mouth lest they all
escape at once and make utter confusion
in the world"
"You'd be useful comrade," said
Hans. "Will you join my partyy
The man was willing if he might have
some lunch and if Bird Dan would CON
sent. So it was quickly arranged for him
to 90.
After Bird Dan had pursued his swift
fight for time with these three CON.
rades on his back, Hans asked:
'.How far shall we have to gosr
aAs far as the east lies from the west.
was the reply.
SLOW long will it take usr
"As long sit takes the sun to make
the same journey
AT this moment tho man whose eyes
and ears were 80 sharp cried ont:
II can SEQ into the Mountain Kings
castle. There is one who has told hin
you are coming, Hans, and the king Il
ready for you"
II think I'm afraid, j" said Hans.
''Don't fear" said the man with the
seven summers and The i5winters. IN
halpy0u.'
'sWe're most there now said Rird
Dan.
euse -prsh, tAs-s hirssrr' saa