The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-06-17
A FAIRY TALE.

er having useiessly spent several hours
on he river bank he sSltidenly pulled
from the warer an immense fish with
gold scales and q gold crown on It's
head.
"Ahr' cried he. "Eerc'sa fine catch.
T will take It to the king. He will GER
tainly pay me generously for it. " Bus
the fish said: "Give :nc NY libert
am an enchanted prince and - a( u
plish any wish you may ezpres
Cali right" good '.ataredly replied
the fisherman. This is the first time l
have ever heard IL fish talk, and that in
itself is proof of your claim. y
Dropping the fish into the water, he
returned to his cabin to tell the adven-
ture to his wife. "Whatn' cried she.
s.Anl from that fish, who no doubt has
the power of fairy. you demanded
nothing?''
"No," said the fisherman. "It did
not occur to me- Anyway, what could l
have asked for?'
"What!" she exclaimed. "When we
are here in miserable cabin! You
might at least have asked for cottage!
Go back. He. is under obligations to
YOU. You saved his life. He can refuse
you nothing:
The meek ard humble fisherman was
not at eli anxious to make the attempt,
but finally giving way to his wlfe's de-
termination he went to the waters
edge and called: "Fis!a Of gold! Royal
6shr'
"Why do you call c.o:" asked the
fish.
"Alas," replied the ti,nid fisherman,
81 am obeying s.,y VIE, who does not
always think as ! do. -
"And what does she wish at present.
said the fish kindly.
''Ah, !" he replied sadly, ''she is not
satisfied with Our. small cabin and wishes
larger one. y
Every we'll. Return home and you
will find your wish accomplished. "
In fact, in place of the miserable
cabin was a beautiful cottage. Stora
was sitting radiantly happy on bench
in front CT the door. Taking her hus-
band by the hand, she said, Just come
and sec how beautiful it Isl" There was
a bedroom, with q comfortable bed, a
kitchen with complete assortment OF
cooking utensils, and near by a low
court, from which came the cackle ct
geese and chickens Then followed a
garden full Of vegetables and an orchard
of fr.,it trees. is it net charming:'
cried Stora.
eyes, indeed, , replied the astonished
fisherman, AID 10th heartily rejoiced in
their good fortune. Fifteen days later
Stora said to her husband: II have been
thinking that we were too modest III
making our wishes known This cottage
is too small, and there is not single
field joined to the garden. 7 should like
to have beautiful country residence. -
"What follyr" cried her husband.
"Whatwould we do With country resi-
dence?"
s'Make yourself easy. know well Of
what benefit it would be to us. You
have nothing to do but to again see your
friend, the golden fish. "
The poor fisherman, not being able to
resist, went out with bowed head.
"Why do you call me?:" cried the
crowned fish.
"Alas," replied the fisherman, 4
come in obedience to my wife, whose
wishes are not always in accord with
mine. -
"What does she want now?'
'.She thinks she would like beauti-
full country residence. -
"All right. Your wish is accomplish
ed -
The fisherman, thanking him, turned
homeward. TO his surprise, he found
before him large house with court,
granaries and stables. His wife, waiting
for him in her loveliest Sunday dress,
led him into their new home. Here was
the masters room and there large one
for the servants. The chimney, was full
of hams. Not far off was the milkhouse
and near by granary full of wheat. In
the stable were many beautiful COWS.
There was a pigeon house on the roof Of
the shed, which was well filed with fat
sheep, and a couple of storks were on
the chimney. Around the house were
gardens, fields and prairies. is this
not delightful placer" enthusiastically
inquired Stora
YES" replied the fisherman. "See
that we live here in peace. -
A few days passed, when one morning
Stora said to her husband: cit is indeed
good thing. to have country house
like this, but we can do better. We can
have chateau and live as mobiles do.
This is what you must demand of your
magic fish, who is in your debt for life
itself. -
"No, indeed. y. said the fisherman.
Certainly not Twill not make this ad-
ditional demand of him. He would be
angry, and he would have good cause. .
"Oh, beg Of you, implored his
wife, "go to him again. He will refuse
,.o,, nothino T cannot live II, fhis farm