Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1894-01-12
Seven League Boots.

through the wood. In order to save
himself a little part of the distance he
had, following the advice Of a peasant
left the straight highroad; he had now
been wandering for two hours among
the pine trees, and it seemed as IL
there was no end TO the forest.
The longest way round IS often the
shortest way home" he murmufed
between his teeth; but the Old provefp
had occurred to him rather late III the
day.
The trunks Of the pine trees TOOK On
a yellow tint in the evening hight, ana
through the tree tops ruStled cool
breeze. The sand in the path became
deeper and deeper, and the wanderer 5
legs grew more and more tired.
Suddenly IL little man with KNAPP
sack on his shoulders came out of the
wood. The workman took Off his hat.
which was covered with oilclotlI, and
said:
If you please, how far is it to the
town.
You want to go to the town, DO
you:" said the little man. This road
through the woods leads TO it, my
friend. The town lies over there.
At the same time he pointed with his
forcfinger to the right. when you
will have walked through this clump
of pine trees you will come to a brook
through which you must wade, then
follow the messy pathway until you
reach the highway, and from there
it will take you Il good two hours to
reach the town"
MANY thanks" answered the tired
fellow, signing deeply. Then he pre-
pared to continue OH his way: but
the little man barred the passage.
What is your name and what is
your tr;tde!" he asked; that you were
born on Il Sunday | know already, for
otherwise you would not have address
me-
Nv name is Crispn and | am Il mem
Der of the guild of shoemakers.
You are IL shocmakery' exclaimed
the little man joyfully. This Is most
fortunate. Come with me; ] will give
you lodging and work. VIII you
temeT'
willingly" answered the young
man, and then side by side they went
into the forest After short walk
they came to Il clearing in which stood
Il little house. From the chimney
whirlcd blue smoke.
Make yourself at home said the
little man. Step nearer, friend Girls
Din, and do not be afraid if you should
see strange things"
The door was open. Al table sat
six graybcardpd dwarfs around
smoking dish; II seventh chair stood
empty The tiny men sprans up and
greeted the new arrival.
These are my brothers." explained
the guide to the wanderer. We melt
the metal in the mountains, cook the
salt and polish the precious stones.
But our shoes suffer in our Journeys
among the mountains and caves AMI
we have long been in need of Il skill
ful shoemaker. Stay Il few days with
us and rcsole orr little shoes. You
Shall not he the worse for it. But
come now and eat with us"
The tired. hungry fellow had no need
to hear that twice. He flung his KNAPP
sack into Il corner. drew stool up TO
The table and sat down with the seven
dwarfS Meat and marmaladc We're
freely given him. Then they brought
forth Il fat jug, out of which bowed
no little beer, but wine. such rs our
much-traveled shoemaker had never
before tasted.
1t was merry evening. The strang-
rr was obliged to give an account of
what was going on in the outside
world and then the little men told the
story of Il princess who was as white
as SHOW. as red as blood and as black
rs ebony, who many years before had
lived with them. The shoemaker al
ready knew the story, for his grand
mother had often told it to him, but
not to wound the little mems feelings
he listened very attentiveIy to the
very end. Then Il bed was pointed out
to him ana before he had time to think
over his adventure he had fallen
asleep.
When Crispin awoke next morning
ne found heap of torn shoes in his
room. Leather, ShOemaker'S wax and
thread We're also there and on a little
table stood bOuntiful luncheon. But
the dwarfs had gone out.
He settled down to work and stitch
ed and tapped until shutdown. Then
the seven little men returned and
again they enjoyed merry feast to-
gether Matters went on thus for a
whole week.
On the last evening the Industrious
fellow gazed with pride at Il long row
of brilliaL J black shoes, and in order
TO do an extra thing he sewed ON to
each, in the night while the dwarfs
were asleep, heartshaped leather
patch as protection against the rough
stones over which they were obliged
to climb.
With gaze full of emotion the
dwarfS noticed the next morning this
work of love, and then they put their
heads together ChriSpin. the shoe
maker, put his knapsack on his back
and shutiling his feet, began to say
farewell. The little beings pressed his
hand gratefully, bat the one who had
been his guide shouldered a bag and
accompanied the guest.
i want to put you on the right road,
he said
AS they walked out of the hut the
whole world seemed yelled in a gray
fog. They went along, side by side
quite silently for long time; then
the dwarf halted. and loosening the
string of his bag he took out two old
shoes.
This shall be your reward" he TOLD