Evening star., 1895-01-12
Mr.. TH|MBLEHNGER AND HIS
QUEER COUNTRY.
WHERE THE THUNDER LIVES
BY JOEL CHANDLER HARRIS.

copyrighted, 1894. by Joel Chandler Harris)
Mr.. Thimblefinger settled himself COM
fortably and began:
| "Once upon time-I don't know how
long ago, but not very long, for the tale
was new to me when first heard it-once
| upon time there was a little girl about
| your age and size who was curious to
know something about everything that
| happened. She wanted to know how a bird
could fly and why the clouds foated. and
| she was all the time trying to get at the
bottom of things.
| well, cne day when the sky was COW
| cred with clouds the thunder came rolling
along, knocking at everybody's door and
running a race with the noise it made,
the little girl listened and wondered what
| the Thunder was and where it went to- 1t
wasn't long before the Thunder came rum
| bling along again, making noise like
four-horse wagon running away on COW
| cred bridge.
| while the little girl skvas standing there,
| wondering and listening, an old man with
| bundle on his back and a stout staff in
| his hand came along the road. He bowed
| and smiled when he saw the little girl, but
| as she didn't return the bow or the smile,
| being too much interested in listening for
| the Thunder, he paused and asked her
| what the trouble was.
81 hope you are not lost?' he said.
"'Oh, no. SIR she replied. I was listen
| ing for the Thunder, and wondering where
| it goes
"'Well, as you seem to be a very good
little GIRL the old man said, don't mind
telling you. The Thunder lives on top Of
yonder mountain. It is not so far away
".Oh, should like ever so much to go
there" exclaimed the little girl.
"Why not? said the old man. The
| mountain Is my road, and II you say
the word, We'll go together
"The little girl took the old mans hand,
and they jcurneyed toward the mountain
| wher the Thunder had his home. The way
was long, but somehow they seemed to go
very fast. The old man took long strides
forward, and he was strong enough to lift
the little girl at every step, so that when
they reached the foot Of the mountain she
was not very tired.
But, as the mountain was very steep
and high, the two travellers stopped to rest
themselves before they began to climb 1t.
It's sides seemed to be rough and dark, but
far up on the topm ost peak the clouds had
gathered, and from these the Lightning
flashed necessarily. The little girl saw the
flashes and asked what they meant.
Wherever the Thunder lives replied
the old man, there the lightning builds its
nest. No doubt the wind has blown the
clouds about and torn them about and Scat
tered them. The lightning is piling them
together again an fixing warm, soft
place to sleep tonight
when they had rested for awhile the
old man said 1t was time to be going and
then he made the little girl climb on his
back. At first she didn't want the old man
to carry her. but he declared that she
would do him great favor by climbing on
his back and holding his bundle in place
way they went up the high mountain,
going almost as rapidly as the little girl
could run on level ground. She enjoyed
1t very much, for, although the old man
went swiftly, he went smoothly, and the
little girl felt as safe and as comfortable
If she had been sitting in rocking
chair.
when they had come nearly to the top
Of the mountain the old man stopped and
lifted the little girl from his back. Il can
go on farther he said The rest of the
nothing to fear. Up the mountain yonder
you can see the gable Of the Thunders
house. Go to the door, knock and do not
be alarmed at any noise you hear. When
the time comes for you to go you will
find me awaiting you here.
THE little girl hesitated, but she had
come so far to see where the Thunder
lived that she would not turn back now.
So she went forward and soon came to
the door Of Mr.. Thunder's house. 1t was
a very big door to a very big house. The
knocker was so heavy that the little girl
could hardly lift it, and when she let it
fall against the panel the noise it made
Jared the building and sent loud echo
rolling and tumbling down the mountain.
The little girl thought, What have I
done? If the Thunder is taking nap be-
fore dinner he'll be very angry
she waited little while. not feeling
heavy footsteps coming down the wide
hall to the door.
II thought 1 heard some one knock
big door flew open and there, standing be-
fore her, the little girl saw huge figure |
that lowered almost to the top of the high
door. 1t wore heavy boots, a big over
coat and under its long, thick beard there
was a muftier a yard wide. The little girl
was very much frightened at first, but
she soon remembered that there was
nothing for such little bit of a girl to be
afraid Of
'The figure that seemed to be so terrible
at first glance had nothing threatening
about it. Who knocked at the door? 1t
cried.
Its voice sounded so loud that the little
girl put her fingers in her ears.
&C. Don't talk SO loud. please she said. |
"'oh,' cried the giant a. the door. You
are there, are you? You so small |
didn't see you at first. Come inr
1.-The little girl started to go in, and then
paused Are you the Thunder? she asked. |
why. of course was the reply. Who |
else did you think 1t WASP
II didn't know said the little girl |
I wanted to be certain about it,
" Come in, said the Thunder. 1T isn't |
often l have company from the people be- |
low and I'm glad you found me at home
1.-The Thunder led the way down the hall |
and into wide sitting room, where a fire
was burning brightly in the biggest fire.
place the little girl had ever seen. 4 two
horse wagon could turn Ground in it with
out touching the andirons. A pair of tongs
as tall as man stood in one corner. and
in the other corner was a shovel to match
A long pipe lay on the mantel.
"'There's no place for you to sit EXCEPT |
on the floor, said the Thunder
I can sit on the bed here suggested
the little girl
"The Thunder laughed so loudly that the
little girl had to close her ears again. Why,
that is no bed.' the Thunder said when it |
could catch its breath: that's my foot
STOOL
"'Well.' said the little girl. It's big
enough for bed. It's very soft and NICE
"I find it very comfortable said the
especially when 1 get home after
plotting a tornado through the country 1t |
Is tough work sure you are born
1.-THE Thunder took the long pipe from
the mantel and lit it with pine splinter |
the flame of which flashed through the