The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1893-10-18
A FAIRY STORY.

a. AINSN CAiACLS tiS Ah
Norway. One day he lay on a sunny
bank watching the feecy clouds, swift
messengers of thought, as they sped
across the blue ether, and he saw them
take on many strange shapes. Now a
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 af1oat 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, it almost
seemed as though a huge load of hay had
been dumped OF 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 APE
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
vent sailing through the air SO fast that
the wind whistled after them. Presently
they reached some noble grainfields,
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 a man lying
with his ear close to the ground.
"What are you doing?' asked Hans.
II am listening to the grass" was the
reply, MY ears are so fine | can hear
every blade as it grows. Ineed less sleep
than a bird, and / can see ahundred miles
by night as well as by day"
You'd be a useful man to have on my
journey" said Hans. will you 60
along:'
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
nan walking about with his hand over
his mouth.
"What is the matter with your cried
Hans.
I'm the man that has swallowed sew
en- summers and Is 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 if he might have
some lunch and if Bird Dan would con-
sent. So it was quickly arranged for him
70 go.
After Bird Dan had pursued his swift
flight for a time with these three con-
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 it take us?'
"As long as it takes the sun to make
the same journey"
At this moment the man whose ewes
and ears were so sharp cried out:
Il can see into the Mountain Kings
castle. There is one who has told him
you are coming, Hans, and the king i:
ready for you"
81 think I'm afraid" said Hans.
Don't fear" said the man with the
seven SUMMERS and the Is winters. III
help YOU"
Were most there now" said Birt
Dan. .
Sure enough, there fickered ant
famed before them a hedge of fire, ant
beyond it a castle glowed like the noon
day sur
Now" cried Bird Dan, "our goot
friend with the many seasons may lie
out a piece Of a winter"
The man sent forth a chilling bias
that quickly parted the flames and mad
Hans shiver.
go boldly into the castle" now sal,
Bird Dan to Hans, land perhaps tn
Mountain King will not be SO dangerou
as you think. His body is bigger an
stronger than yours, but you have NOR
sense than he. Keep your wits abou
you, and if You need help call on You
ready helpers"
Hans made his way to the castle. FL
passed through room after room, bu
saw no he. AT length he came to til
great hall where the king sat at a tab
counting his money.
"Hu-te-tuv' cried the king. "Ho,
dare you enter my castle? Don't yo
know | could grind you to powder wit
M blow of my hand?'
''That / do" cried Hans in a Hatterin
tone. But / know you won't harm m
for all that"
"And why, prayY' Numbered til
Mountain King.
Because III make myself SO useful /
you," said Hans. IN
You useful TO me!' sneered I'll
mountain king.
'Try me" cried Hans.
'"Very well" said the mountain kin,
IF you're man enough to sit in m
smokehouse and tend to the furnat
while 300 cords Of wood are burned
"a rlnArB L~-~~ $500 - -