Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-05-26

you. Take this basket, and whatso
ever you desire ii will give to you
either -four or bread. or wine, o.
money. Ask 1t what you will"
With many words the poor boy
thanked the South Wind for his gift
and ran home with it as fast as h
could 60.
Here, mother" he cried, see what
The wind has given for the -four he
stole
And, telling her the property Of the
basket he set 1t down. Immediately
she called for dinner to be placed
before them, and so sumptuous re-
past Immediately was in the basket
that the woman embraced the boy fol-
joy.
So all went well for long time,
They had whatsoever they wished for
and the boy no longer was subject to
the violent outbreaks Of temper on
the part OF the stepmother.
One day, however, a duke rode by
with large train of followers
go out and ask the Duke to dine
with lis, and be sure not to come back
alone!"
The boy went to obey, and when he
delivered his message the Duke laugh
Ell. But, turning to his men, he said:
go with the lad, and | hope you
may dine well!"
Then, with laugh, he rode on.
The men did not wish TO accompany
the peasant boy, for the hut was 50
poor that they expected a like fare.
What was their surprise, then, to
see a feast spread fit for a king, and
so plentiful that host might have
eaten and still much have remained
untouched. Then they seated them
selves with hearty good will. But
they watched closely the two poor
people. Soon they perceived how ev-
erything was supplied from the bas-
ket, and the leader determined to pos
sess 1t for themselves.
He dispatched one of his followers
to procure basket like the magic
one, and when the boy and his moth
err were away, they exchanged the
two. Soon afterward they departed
and told the Duke their good fortune.
The woman, however, unaware of
the trick that had been played upon
her, threw all the remainder of the
banquet away. For she thought what
was so easily obtained was not worth
caring for.
Next day, therefore, when she went
to the basket as usual, she obtained
no response to her request. Enraged
again, she turned to the boy and said:
go back TO the wind, and ten him
! want my flour back, or else pay
ment for it,"
And when the boy protested, she
took the stick again and belabored
him with it. So ne went again to the
home OF the winds and repeated his
story.
Fear mott" the South Wind said,
Take this back, and when the witch
dares to strike you again, say: Five,
come out Of the cask and punish
her."
So the boy returned home with the
second gift of the wind.
Here, mother, is cask in place OF
the basket"
What do ! want with a cask% and
in a terrible rage she came toward
the boy with the stick in her hand.
But he darted behind the cask and
cried out:
give, come out OF the cask and
punish her!"
Immediately five great fellows
sprung forth and gave the old witch
woman such thrashing as she really
deserved, for she was very wicked.
When the boy thought her suffi-
GENTLY punished he listened to her
,ries for mercy and cried:
Five, 90 back to the casl," and i'm
nediately the five men disappeared
nto the cask.
Then, again, all went well for a
ong time. The temper Of the witch
was much improved, indeed; so much |
70 that She became almost human,
md the boy led happy life-for him.
But one day the mother said.
go to the duke and demand the
basket from him"
so will" the young peasant said,
md he departed.
When he reached the palace he said
~ Ile scTNdnIS.
"Tell the duke to come out and
lght me or return me my basket"
Right merrily did the nobleman
augh at this brave challenge; but he
ent word where he would meet the
'easant on the morrow 10 fight, So
uickly home ran the lad, and on the
morrow he came with his cask TO the
yppolnted place.
Soon the duke appeared with many
eryants, and, having commanded
hat the boy should be thrashed, for
is insolence, his men stepped for
yard to seize him.
But they were too late. No sooner
Id the peasant see their motive than
lie jumped behind the cask and cried:
Five to each Of them, out Of the
ask"
Oh! what time there was then,
! veritable army raised in an instant
I time! And how the great fellows
fhipped the dukes men and the duke