The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1893-10-18
A FAIRY STORY.

Norway. One day he lay on sunny
bank watching the deecy clouds, swift
messengers of thought, as they sped
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 out
In bold relief, and again curious beasts
and birds would present themselves to
his eager eye.
All at once he was afoat 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 a whizzing in the air,
and there appeared before him the big
gest bird he had ever seen in his life. AS
1t plunged down beside him, 1t 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 SC fast that
the wind whistled after them. Presently
they reached some noble grainfelds,
and here Bird Dan paused to fill his crop.
1t frightened Hans to see how much he
could devour. The boy himself sat down
to partake of the modest lunch he car
ried with him, when he saw man lying
with his ear close to the ground.
what are you doing?" asked Hans.
81 am listening to the grass" was the
reply, my ears are 80 fine can hear
every blade as 1t grows. Ineed less sleep
than a bird, and can see hundred miles
by night as well as by day."
you'd be useful man to have on my
journey" said Hans. "Will you go
alongg'
"Yes, If Bird Dan will take me, and if
you'll give me some of your lunch"
MY lunch isn't much, but such 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 your cried
Hans.
"Pm the man that has swallowed sew
en- summers and 10 winters, and I keep
my hand over my mouth lest they all
escape at once and make utter confusion
In the world"
"You'd be a useful comrade," said
Hans. "Will you join my party?"
The man was willing IL he might have
some lunch and If Bird Dan would con-
sent. So it was quickly arranged for him
to go.
After Bird Dan had pursued his swift
fight for time with these three COM
rades on his back, Hans asked:
How far shall we have to go?'
GAS far as the east lies from the west"
was the reply.
"How long will 1t take us?"
GAS long as 1t takes the sun to make
the same Journey"
At this moment the man whose eyes
and ears were so sharp cried out;
II can see into the Mountain Kings
castle. There Is one who has told him
you are coming, Hans, and the king is
ready for you"
II think I'm afraid" said Hans.
Don't fear" said the man with the
seven summers and the 15winters. "I'll
help you."
"We're most there now" said Bird
Dan.
Sure enough, there fickered and
famed before them a hedge Of fire, and
beyond 1t castle glowed like the noon
day sun.
"Now," cried Bird Dan, "our good
friend with the many seasons may let
out piece Of winter"
The man sent forth chilling blast
that quickly parted the flames and made
Hans SILVER.
$50 boldly into the CASTLE now said
Bird Dan to Hans. "and perhaps the
Mountain King will not be 80 dangerous
as you think. His body Is bigger and
stronger than yours, but you have more
sense than he. Keep your wits about
you, and If you need help call on your
ready helpers"
Hans made his way to the castle. He
passed through room after room, but
saw no one. At length he came to the
great hall where the king sat at table
counting his money.
"Hu-te-tup cried the king. "How
dare you enter my castle? Don't you
know could grind you to powder with
one blow of my handT'
"That do" cried Hans In fattering
tone. "But | know you won't harm me
for all that"
"And why, pray?' Numbered the
Mountain King.
Because Ill make myself SO useful to
YOU" said Hans.
''You useful to me!'' sneered the
mountain king.
"Try me-" cried Hans.
Every well,' said the mountain king.
''If you're man enough to sit in my
smokehouse and tend to the furnace
while 300 cords of wood are burned in
1t, shan't harm you"
"pll do It," said Hans. ''if may take
friend Of mine along"
stake all your friends" was the reply,
given with an air Of assurance.
"May I have q peep at your treasures
If / come out aliver
"Aye, truly, If you come out alive!"
So Hans took the man who had swal-
lowed SO many winters and summers,
and they entered the smokehouse about
dusk. There was already a scorching
fire in the furnace, and there was no es-
cape, for the king had locked the door.
''You will have to let loose six or seven
winters" said Hans to his friend.
The man did as he was asked, and as
the night wore on the temperature be-