The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-01-05
THE GIANTS
MILE-DEEP KETTLE.
A Wonder Story of the Days of 0din
and Thor.
BY EDWARD COURTNEY.


Once upon a time, the great god Thor
took a journey to the land ofthe giants
where he saw such things-as he had
never dreamed could be. For the
giants were versed in magic, and much
ehagrined was Thor that he could not
perform the feats with which they
challenged him; but had he known
how impossible these feats We're, and
the misery that the performance Of
them would have produced, be would
not, probably, have cared so much.
As it was, he left the land of Jotun-
helm, having done more towards the
performance of them than he knew.
AS he walked along, deep in medita-
ton, he suddenly found himself in the
regions of the King of the Seas, and
saw that Aegir, tie old, old monarch,
was giving banquet in honor Of all
the gods.
There stretching before him he saw
the beautiful palace in the sea. The
floors of shining silver sand were
thickly strewn with sea-weeds, rich in
coloring, soft to the touch of the feet.
Cave after cave stretched away as far
as he could see, inlaid with pearls and
shells and wonderful stones. Column
after column of white and pink, and
red coral rose at irregular distances,
and upheld the walls and the dome of
water, varying every moment in color,
now deep green, now blue, and again
touched almost to purple, Or rich red,
as the light from the heavens fell upon
it and sifted through.
The palace was lighted by pure gold,
brought 10y tile dwaFls, and there, gaz-
ing in upon the rich scene, Thor beheld
Odin and all the other gods reclining
upon couches of undulating water at
the banquet table.
Aegir sat at the head of the table,
with Odin at his right, while the others
were ranged around, according to their
pleasure. The nine fair daughters of
Aegir waited upon the guests.
These daughters were called the
Waves, and were all beautiful. Bright
eyes, long curved necks, and masses of
streaming hair, were the chief charac-
teristics of each, and their motions were
easy and graceful, and their laughter,
and their babbling talk were sweet, as
the poise OF their forms was beautiful.
Playing about were little baby ripples,
cooing and hiding in all the corners.
Such soft music as the waves made
Thor had never heard before, and he
stood entraneed, looking in.
Suddenly Odin looked up and saw
him.
"Ah! Have you returned to US, son
Thor? How Jared you in Jotunheim?"
At this Thor's brow clouded He
entered the cave and approached the
banquet table.
.''Twas not 50 well as it should have
BEEN" he answered.
Then Aegir said:
"WelcOme, Asa Thor. Have you
heard of the wonder that has happen
ed in my kingdom?"
Every one looked up, and all cried
together.
"'Tis strange" unused Aegir. "The
waters on the shores of Jotunheim
have run back mile from their place,
as if huge giant were drinking them
up"
All listened in awe, bat Thor renlem-
bered how he came near drinking up
the sea in his match with the giant.
Then the ninth Wave laughed:
sis that all you know of the wonders
here? Listenr'
a deep rumbling was heard, which
shaped itself into sullen roar, heard
from afar.
"who is that speaking?p odin
asked.
"'Tis the serpent that enwraps the
world and holds his tail in his mouth
'Tis the serpent that, on the last day,
Will rise to fight against the gods! 'Tis
Jormungand, whom / now know /
nearly pulled from his bed,p answered
Thor.
Every one shuidered at mention OF
that avoided name. Then Odin ques-
toned:
"What says he, Thor"
ssHe says could not conquer him"
"Pass round the mead; let US drink, I"
cried Aegir, seeing Thor's darkening
brow, and knowing that it was time to
divert their thoughts to other things
But the kettle that held the foamiDg
drink Of the gods was so small, or they
drank so deeply, that before it had
passed half way down the table it stood
empty, before Tyr.
Tyr then said:
"fbere lives a giant in the frozen
seas, far TO the east, and at the end of
heaven, whose name is Hymirp'
All looked at him questioningiy- He
continued:
''He has kettle mile deep. Surely
that would hold mead enough for all
this company"
THAT it would" cried Aegir, ''if
Hymir would lend it TO US, it would he
well. But who can go to the end OF
heaven to bring it 10 u.s."
This was not meant IS a challenge,
but Thor rose, drew tighter his magic
girdIe of strength: pulled on his gloves
of might and grasped tighter mis-