Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1893-10-26
A FAIRY STORY.

hans nved among the mountains IN
Norway. One day he lay on q sunny
bank watching the fleecy clouds, swift
messengers Of thought, as they sped
across the blue ether, and he saw them
take on many strange shapes. Now q
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 80 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 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.
It 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.
81 am listening to the grass" was the
reply, "My ears are 80 fine can hear
every blade as it grows. Ineed less sleep
than bird, and 1 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
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 q
man walking about with his hand over
his mouth.
"What is the matter with you? cried
Hans.
"I'm the man that has swallowed sev-
en- summers and 10 winters, and I keen
my hand over my mouth lest they all
escape at once and make utter confusion
in the world"
"You'd be q 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
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,' y
was the reply.
"How long will it take us?"
cas- 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:
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"
81 think I'm afraid" said Hans.
"Don't fear," said the man with the
seven summers and the 15winters. "TI
help you."
"We're most there now," said Bird
Dan.
Sure enough, there fickered ani
famed before them hedge of fire, anG
beyond it castle glowed like the noon
day sun.
"Now," cried Bird Dan, ''our goot
friend with the many seasons may le
out a piece of a winter"
The man sent forth chilling bias
that quickly parted the flames and mad'
Hans shiver.
$50 boldly into the CASTLE" now sale
Bird Dan to Hans, "and perhaps tn
Mountain King will not be SO dangerou
as you think. His body is bigger ant
stronger than yours, but you have NOR
sense than he. Keep your wits sbou
you, and if you need help call on you
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-tur' cried the king. "Hoy
dare you enter my castle? Don't yo1
know could grind you to powder wit
one blow Of my hand"
''That do," cried Hans in flatterin
tone. "But 1 know you won't harm N
for all that"
"And why, pray?' thundered th
Mountain King.
Because I'll make myself SO useful t
! you," said Hans.
lou uSeIul W moa oAccAO0 VI
> mountain king.
: "Try me-" cried Hans.
every WELL" said the mountain kinl
"If you're man enough to sit in m
smokehouse and tend to the furnae
while 800 cords of wood are burned
it, shan't harm you."
"Ill do it," said Hans, eff / may tai
q friend Of mine along"
: Take all your friends, was the repl,
Q given with an air Of assurance.
I, MAY I have peep at your treasur'
: If I come out alive?'
"Aye, truly, if you come out alivep
So Hans took the man who had swa
! lowed so many winters and summer
\ and they entered the smokehouse abo7
x dusk. There waS already a scorchiI