St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1893-12-28
Selected Stnru.
NORTH WINDS GIFT.

q slumberinB DaDe IN It's cradle, he
NAV bewitch all living things with
The tones OF his Tyre, or he may
burst with the might of an all-pow-
erlul giant upon the world of men.
That was a mischievous prank he
played in days Of yore on boy 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 up
ON her, and this made him kind and
thoughtful.
One day she sent him for some
-four to the store house. This was
frame building, raised from the
ground on wooden props, and had |
10 be reached by fight of stairs.
Olaf ran lightly up the steps, got
the -four and was turning to
hasten down again when North
Wind came putting and painting that
way, caught up the -four and bore it
off through the air.
Olaf went back for more -four,
but the moment he set foot on the
stairs North Wind snorted and
shifted about him. and, pips away
went the -four. II you'll believe me,
the same thing happened third
time, and now Olaf was positively
angry, for it seemed quite too pro-
yoking that North Wind should act
in such a senseless fashion. So Olaf
made up his mind that he would go
in search of the thief and demand
back the -four.
He set out and walked many
long weary mile before he came at
last to North Winds home
North Wind had quoted down and
was in 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 North Wind, and his voice was
gruff, but not unkind. What brings
YOU here, if may ask 2"
eve come" said Olaf, ito see il
you'll be so kind as to give me back
the -four you took from me on the
storehouse stairs. Mother and are
poor and if we lose the little we have
we will starve to death"
II haven't your -FOUR" said NORTH
Wind. "but since you're so badly OF
here's a tablecloth for you. 1t will
supply you with all you want tc
eat and drink if you but say, Ny
cloth, spread yourself and serve VI
all sorts of good things
Thanking North Wind with all hi
heart, Olaf took the cloth and start
ed for home. As the way was 81
long, he couldn't hope to get bacI
to his mother that night, so h
stopped at a wayside inn to res
until morning.
When the people at the inn bega
to prepare the evening meal, OLE
thought he would surprise then
SO he threw his cloth on table l
the corner, saying:
my cloth. spread yourself an
serve up all sorts of good things.
Scarcely had he spoken before tn
cloth did as it was bid, and ever
one in the room was filled with woi
der. There was no one bette
pleased than the landlady, for ST
thought how much hard work an
trouble it would save her if she ha
such a cloth.
She spoke with her husband abo.
it, and in thu middle OF the night
stole into Olafs chamber al
changed tn 10th for one his Wi
had given him that looked like it.
When Olaf woke the next mornin
rested and refreshed, he set out
once for home taking with him t
wrong cloth. He got there safe
the same day and ran to his moth'
crying:
"Wel. I've been to see the Nor
Wind, and he's not so bad after a
Here is a table cloth that he ga
me. and it is of the kind that II
lust say the word it will furnish
with all we need to eat and DRINK
"Ill have to see that with my o'
ewes before can believe it," said
mother.
Olaf laid the cloth on a table, a
with the air of one who knew WI
he was about said:
NV cloth, spread yourself a
serve up all sorts of good things:
But never so much as a crumb
drv bread did the cloth serve.
"There's no help for it," said o
"rll have to go back to North W
and ask him the meaning of tn
Away he went so fast that
reached North Winds home t
same afternoon.
Good evening my boy,
North Wind. "What now! ,
~ want my rights for the fl
YOU took. That tablecloth is g
for nothing" :, NJ
"Well, here is ram, ). saio No
Wind that will furnish you
all the gold coins you want
YOU have to do is to say, my RI
make money"
Olaf thong hit this was pretty
m cutie cont