The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1894-11-23
The Four GllOlnOes.

OIICe upon II tllIC there uEeu IOuf
gnonles OH the summit of an exceedingly
high and inaccessible mountain. This
mountain was covered with fine forest,
through which the wind sighed contin-
ually, no matter how still the day. Oc-
casionally hunter, finding himself shut
in by these tall, dark trees, which seemed
to threaten him sternly us they stood
with their long branches shutting out the
bright sunlight and pure air, would find
something 50 real 50 lifelike and withal
so supernatural in their lofty trunks and
f;lrspreating. solemn branches. that he
was glad to get back to the little village
at the ln
The four gnomes. however, lived very
sociable, CHEEKY life together. They did
not bother themselves very much about
the solemn trees or the want of sunshine
in the forest, or, indeed, about anything
else outside of their cave, except ut the
arrival of the doves, then-b,lt stop. |
haven't told you word yet about these
doves. have |? and it would not do to for
get them. for if there had been no doves
l am afraid that | would have had no
story.
Well, these four gnomes each possessed
aove e. not an ordinary d t%o by amy
no, indeed, but dove gifted with human
speech and intelligence and the four made
very useful messengers.
Every six months the gnomes sent them
off, one to the north, one to the south,
third to the east, and the fourth to the
west; during their journeys they treas
urel up every kindly, unselfsh word and
deed that came to their notice. for report
ing which to their jolly little masters
they were sure to be rewarded by the
gift of shining luck penny: for these
gnomes having lived quite Il long time
upon the earth. that is. about thousand
years or so, naturally took quite Il lively
interest i'll the doings of the inhabitants;
it was their delight to reward good con-
duct Of all kinds, and pure unseltish act
would give them pleasure for days. OF
late-that is, within the last one hundred
years or so-they had begun to suspect
that something was wrong: people seemed
too busy making money to find time for
those friendly, unselfish acts which in
dove messengers to repOrt-and now,
while | think of it, I'll just say word
or two about these luck pennies, so that
should you ever happen to come across
one, YOU would know what it was and
keep it carefully-and a real bit Of fairy
gold is not to be despised. let me tell you.
for it is sure to bring health, wealth and
happiness to the fortunate possessor.
Of late, as l said. the doves had moth
ing to report, and discouraged with their
fruitless journeys sat day after day dis
cOnso'ately in the darkest corner of the
cave. while the gnomes sat each in his
high carved chair with his eyes gloomily
fixed on the table before him, waiting to
see what dreadful catastrophe would &C.
cur next. Suddenly an unusual ray of
sunshine fell across the threshold. and
right in the middle of it there appeared Il
little, bent old woman leaning OH Il half
unrolled fern: her dress was Of the same
color, and, altogether; she looked good
thin. gay little voice "What are you
thinking about? You look as stupid as
some of the owls | see when I'm out at
work. I've done a good deal this mora
ing. already, coaxing the little baby ferns
to unroll and enjoy life little. but
they're stupid little things. some of them,
and the more | talked the more some
seemed to roll themselves. But what is
the trouble with your catching herself
up. for dear little Mother Sweet Fern
was rather fond of hearing herself talk.
She was 4 sympathetic little body,
though. and looked as sad as very gay
little fairy could for about IA minute and a
half while she listened as they told her
that as the mortals had given themselves
up to sordid money-making cares. thereby
crOWtling all good. generous impulses out
Of their hearts, they had almost deter
mined to leave the race who had so poorly
repaid their efforts to encourage and help
them, and bury themselves deep in the
heart of the mountain.
Oh, what Il scolding she gave them.
mixed with some very good advice. and
then she slipped wisely away, her little
basket of weet~fern seed OH her arm, and
the ,lowny coil 1T the end of her penny
staff bobbing briskly over her shoulder.
A few moments after she left a great
<.h. had f.,l- r,lo in bo
chairs were all askew, the doves cages
were empty, and the birds themselves
were rising far above the gloomy trees,
appearing like snowtlakes against the blue
sky. as they rejoiced rs only a bird can
rejoice. l think, in the glorious sunshine
great blinking and hammering was 60
ing on down in the rocky cavern where
the gnomes worked; they were putting all
their skill and energy into their task. and
were bent on making this their finest luck
penny ever seen.
The months passed and it was time for
the messengers return; the gnOmes were
again seated around the table, where lay
the shining piece of magi gold, waiting in
GREATNESS suspense.
Soon Il whir of wings was heard outside.
and moment later the doves flew in,
each taking his place on his masters chair:
the gnomes looked up eagerly Three of
ing heads, but the fourth-he that came
from the north-raised his head joyfully
and smoothed his white feathers as he
answered the inquiring look.
II have found one who is worthy of the
brightest and best luck penny ever
coined" he said: "listen." and with
great satisfaction he began his tale: zone
morning, as l was flying over wide
moor, I saw little girl tending a flock
of geese; near her some boys were play
ing; she was knitting away industrious.
ly and did not notice me; not so the
boys. Look said one, 'there is a nice
dove, SO near, too," so saying, he threw
a stone which struck me on the head,
and l fell trembling and faint into the
lap of the little girl. She picked me up
so gently, tended me so carefully, and
seemed so glad to have something to net
and love, that l could not make ND nv
mind to 20 away. She shared her din
ner with me, though it was nothing but
a crust; and when it grew dusk, she COL
lected her flock. took me in her arms and
went home. Such place to call home;
a miserable little hut into which the rain
and snow fell with immunity, and con:
tanning only few broken sticks of
furniture I found ont that her