Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1893-12-30
A FAIRY STORY. I


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 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 boy
must hold fast to the feather at the napp
of Bird Dams neck lest he fall. This
feather, you must know, was as big and
as tall as half grown spruce tree.
Hans did as he was bid, and away they
went sailing through the air SO 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 so fine can hear
every blade as it grows. Ineed less sleep
than bird, and l can see hundred miles
by night as we'll as by day."
You'd be useful man to have on my
Journey" said Hans. evil you 20
alongT'
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 a
man walking about with his hand over
his mouth.
"What is tho matter with you!" cried
Hans.
"I'm the man that has swallowed sew
en- summers and Is winters, and keep
my hand over my mouth lest they all
escape at once and make utter confusion
in the world"
"You'd DO 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
to go.
After Bird Dan had pursued his swift
flight for a time with these three co Il.
rades OH 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
tho same journey"
At this moment tho man whose eyes
and ears were 80 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 i:
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 it a castle glowed like the noon
day sun.
"Now," cried Bird Dan, "our gooi
friend with the many seasons may lei
out a piece of winter"
The man sent forth a chilling blast
that quickly parted the flames and made
Hans SILVER.
$50 boldly into the CASTLE" now sale
Bird Dan to Hans. land perhaps the
Mountain King will not be so dangerous
as you think. His body is bigger ani
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. HI
passed through room after room. bu
saw no one. At length he came to tn,
great hall where the king sat at tabl'
counting his money.
"Hu-te-tu! cried the king. "Hov
dare you enter my castle? Don't yo1
know could grind you to powder witt
one blow Of my handY'
"That do" cried Hans in fatterinI
tone. "But know you won't harm IN
for all that"
"And why, prayT Numbered tn
Mountain King.
Because I'll make myself SO useful II
you," said Hans.
"You useful to mer' sneered tn
mountain king.
'Try me-" cried Hans.
every WE'LL" said the mountain king
IF you're man enough to sit in IN,
smokehouse and tend to the furnace
while 800 cords of wood are burned il
It, / shan't harm you"
"Tll do IT," said Hans, "if may talk
Q friend Of mine along" ~ .
"Take all your friends" was the reply
given with On air Of assurance. s