The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-11-17
A FAIRY STORY.


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 aAoat 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 hoy
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 rs II half grown spruce tree.
Hans did as he was bid, and away they
went sailing through the air so fast that
the wind wEIstled 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 so fine can hear
every blade as it grows. Ineed less sleep
than bird, and l can seeahundred miles
by night as well as by day."
you'd be useful man to have on my
Journey" said Hans. will you &c
along?"
Eyes, 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
man walking about with his hand over
his mouth.
"What is tho matter with your" cried
Hans.
"I'm the man that has swallowed sew
en- summers and Is winters, and l keep
my hand over my mouth lest they all
escape at once and mako utter confusion
in the world"
"You'h be useful comrade," said
Hans. Twill 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
to go.
After Bird Dan had pursued his swift
fight for time with these three CO L.
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?"
GAS long as it takes the sun to make
the same journey"
AT this moment the man whose eyes
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 il
ready for YOU"
81 think Pm afraid" said Hans.
Don't fear" said the man with the
seven summers and the 15winters. "rll
help YOU"
"We're most there now" said Bird
Dan.
Sure enough, there flickered and
famed before them hedge of fire, and
beyond it 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 a chilling blast
that quickly parted the flames and made
Hans shiver.
go boldly into the CASTLE" now said
Bird Dan to Hans, "and perhaps the
Mountain King will not be SO dangerous
as you think. His body is bigger and
stronger than yours, but you hate 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-tu" cried the king. "How
dare you enter my castle? Don't you
know could grind you to powder with
one blow of my handY"
"That do" cried Hans in a hattering
Tone "Bnt know You won't harm me
for all that"
Sand why, pray?" Numbered the
Mountain King.
because I'll make myself so useful to
You," said Hans.
"You useful to mel" sneered the
Jhountain king.
"Try me-" cried Hans.
every we'll, said the mountain king.
eff you're man enough to sit in my
smokehouse and tend TO the furnace
while 300 cords of wood are burned in
it, shan't harm you"
"Pll do it" said Hans, ''if may take
q friend of mine along"
"Take all your friends" was the reply,
given with an air of assurance.
'May have a peep at your treasures
IL 1 come out aliyeY 9utilf 81 sas,tj /
"Aye, truly, if you como out aliveN
So Hans took the man who had swal-