St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1893-12-28

THE MAGIC PENCIL.

at distance in gentlemanly man
ner-tbere lived on the top of a mod
erately high mountain, little old
man. He supported himself on the
products of little garden spot he
had cleared at much expense OF time
and labor, and occasionally varied
his fare with the flesh of some bird
or unwise hare that might venture
into the traps and snares he had set
about.
One day, in examining his snares,
he found in one of them bird, the
like of which he had never seen be-
fore There seemed blended in it's
plumage thousand tints, shades
and colors. Its bill was of the sheen
and brightness OF pure gold, while
its feet and legs were OF the rosy tint
that is sometimes seen in the west
ern sky as the sun is setting.
But the little old man was not
looking for beauty; he wanted some
thing to eat. So he sat him down
to pluck the feathers from his victim
before carrying it home-a habit he
had, as it saved him the annoyance
of having his house and premises lit
tered with feathers. He picked away
aborously, and had just removed
the last pinfeatber, when, to his as
constituent. the bird spoke to him.
"Iwish you would put those feath-
ers back. You have no idea how
cold it is without ones feathers"
"I-I-excuse me" stammered the
little old man. Really, | thought
YOU were dead"
But am not. And | am almost
frozen. And you know you ought to
put back those feathers"
Then the little old man began to
realize that it was no common bird
he had cruelty shared, but fairy ;
and the way he FASTENED to gather
up the beautiful feathers he had care
lessly thrown on the ground was
something ludicrous to behold Tor
would have been had there been any
beholders there
He tried putting on the feathers in
handfus, but got himself so soundy
rated for his awkwardness that he
was glad to begin putting them back
where they belonged one at time,
though it did seem as if he never
would get through. Finally, at
about midnight, the task was com
pleted, and prestol there stood be
tore him the most beautiful little
creature he had ever seen.
Much obliged" said the fairy
1T was necessary for me to &C
through all this trouble to break The
enchantment had been held under
and, though you fully intended eat
ing me, you shall be rewarded. Fol
low me.
With that she started off directl,
across the country, and the little ok
man, not daring to hang back, fol
lowed as best he could. Acros
brooks and bitches, over hills ant
logs. the fairy led the little old maj
till he thought his legs could carr.
him no further At last she halted
Pointing to great fiat stone tina
Law half concealed und moss ant
fallen leaves. she said.
Under there lies your reward
Dig"
Her tone was so peremptory tina
the little old man dared not reius
her, tired as he was. So he dug an
dug. first with his hands and the
with stick, and at last uuearthed
very small, Notwithstanding OF
ject which, to his surprise, his fair
friend told him was his reward.
why, it is nothing but pencil,
complained the little old man.
True enough" answered tn
sprite; "but to gain the fulhllment
any wish you may make, you hav
but to write ton paper, on tt
wall, on the ground or anywhere
with that poor little pencil you al
looking at so ruefully and the thin
5 done. First, however, you mus
20 back to your home and tut
around three times, each time glvlu
thanks to the one who has bestowt
on YOU this wonderful, this magnl
cent gift"
With that she vanished; and Il
little old man found himself alone
the thick of the forest, seven mil
from home and in the dark.
He made his way back wearil
with his many groans; and when
reached his humble home and h'
offered his thanks to the fairy, t
day was just breaking.
He sat down on the edge OF his b.
and bowed his head in his hands.
ooh, me! OH my" said the lltt
old man to himself; II am so TIRE
that don't believe | could 60
sleep if tried"
A bright thought struck HIM
Hal" said he, "since it is sleeE
am wanting more than anyth'I
else right now, I'll take the pen
and write a prescription for myse
and let the diamonds and Jewels al
palaces wait until | am rested enou'
TO enjoy them" ,,n
So he wrote on the wall (belng tt
tired to get bit of paper)' i wa
to go to sleep"
30 10