Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-01-11
Seven Eeogce Boots.

left the straight highroad; lie 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 murmured
between his teeth; but the old proverL
had occurred to him rather late III the
day.
The trunks of the pine trees took Oh
yellow tint in the evening light, and
through the tree tops rustled cool
breeze The sand in the path became
deeper and deeper, and tt wanderer :
legs grew more and more red.
Suddenly Il little man W h KNAPP
sack on his shoulders cam" out Of the
wood. The workman took off his hat
which was covered with .ilcloth, 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
forefinger to the right. when you
will have walked through this clumI
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 a good two hours to
reach the town
Many thanks" answered the tired
fellow, signing deeply Then he pre-
pared to continue on his way, but
the little man barred the passage.
What is your name and what is
your trader he asked; that you were
born on a Sunday l know already, for
otherwise you would not have address
me-
My name is Crispin and | an mem
Der Of the guild of shoemakers."
You are Il shoemaker?' exclaimed
the little man joyfully. This Is most
fortunate. Come with me; ] will give
you lodging and work. Win you
cemeY'
Willingly" answered the young
man, and then side by side they went
into the forest. After Il short walk
they came to Il clearing in which stood
a little house From the chimney
whirled blue smoke.
Make yourself at home" said the
little man. Step nearer, friend Girls
pin, and do not be afraid il you should
see strange things
The door was open. At table sat
six graybearded dwarfs around a
smoking dish; a seventh chair stood
empty. The tiny men sprang UP and
greeted the new arrival.
"rhcse 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 i'll our journeys
among the mountains and caves and
we have long been in need of Il skill
fu shoemaker. Stay Il few days with
us and resole our little shoes. You
shall not be the worse for it. But
come now and eat with U.S."
The tired, hungry fellow had no need
to hear that twice He flung his KNAPP
sack into /; corner, drew q stool UP to
the table and sat down with the seven
dwarfS. Meat and marmalade were
freely given him. Then they brought
forth Il fat jug, out of which lowed
no little beer, but wine, such rs our
much Travelled shoemaker had never
before tasted.
1t was 4 merry evening. The Strang-
er 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 rs white
as SNOW, as red as blood and as black
as 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 attentively to the
very end. Then Il bed was pointed out
to him and before he had time to think
over his adventure he had fallen
asleep.
When Crispin awoke next morning
he found heap of torn shoes in his
room. Leather, shoemakers wax and
thread were also there and on little
table stood a 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 4
whole week.
N the last evening the industrious
r,gazed with pride at long row
of J.. Nntly black shoes, and in order
to do an extra thing he sewed on tC
each, in the night while the dwarfS
were asleep, heartshaped leather
patch as a protection against the rough
stones over which they were obliged
to climb.
With Il gaze full of emotion the
dwarfS noticed the next morning this
work of love, and then they put theil
heads together. Chrispin, the shoe
maker, put his knapsack on his bacl
and shutfiing his feet, began TO say
farewell. The little beings pressed hi
hand gratefully, but the one who haC
been his guide shouldered Il bag anC
accompanied the guest.
Il want to put you on the right road
he said.
AS they walked out of the hut tn
whole world seemed yelled in a gra
fog. They went along, side by side
quite silently for long time; the
the dwarf halted, and loosening tn
string of his bag he took out two oil
shoes.
'''ThiS shall yrOrl., l.avar1 10 fol