Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1900-01-20
UNDERGROUND SMITHS
IND THE MAG|C Pillow.

q
A farmer one day left his home in
the bright early morning to go into his
fields. His road led him pas; a cross
Of stone, which was one OF many that
dotted the landscape la that PARKWAY
country, the Scandinavian peninsula.
AS he reached the cross he kr"lt u
few moments in prayer, rs WIS his
wont every day. before passing V. But
us he rose this morning from = CTS.
tomary worship he saw on the base
Of the rock strange looking insect
that attracted his attention by its bril-
liant color. Nor was that all. The
little creature seemed very restless,
running about here and there over the
cross and ut its foot. as IL 1t were try
ing TO leave the spot, but could not.
| For some little time the farmer
watched the insect. Then he went on
| his way to his fields and forgot all
about the incident. But the next morn
ing 1t was recalled to him, for on his
way to his work he saw 1t again as
he knct ut the cross, still running
about here and there as If II were
still trying to get away, but could not.
"Can II be-" he thought. that this
creature Is one of those that live In
the heart of the earth? Perhaps It
came unwittingly too close to the cross
and now cannot get away"
Breathing n prayer and calling the
name of Deity, he caught the beauti-
fully colored thing In his hand. But IL
did not yield to his touch as he had ex-
pccted. Instead 1t seemed to resist him
with supernatural force and chung to
| the rock with all its strength.
The farmer, however. gave strong
pull, and found that he held by the
hair n creature In appearance like
man. but only about six inches in
length. while It screamed and kicked
in most energetic manner.
"Io, no, friend" the farmer cried.
"this Is your trick, Is It? Now tell me
who you are and what trade you know
that enables you to earn your living in
the world"
The little one, however, would not
answer his questions. but continued to
scream and struggle with all his might.
$50 be IT," the farmer said ut last
when he found his efforts unavailing.
wen see to what tune you'll sing by
and by
And with these words lie turned back
| to his house with his little one, clap
ped him into huge sooty iron pot. put
| the cover on Il and carried II into the
cold cellar.
Remain there In the cold and the
| dark until ynn orn rnnly In opSyar
civil questions"
| Twice week the farmer visited his
prisoner, but with no result. So six
weeks passed by. and one day the little
one begged to be released, promising
TO answer all questions.
| First. then, tell me who you are and
how you got where found YOU" tho
farmer said.
"lou have guessed IL as well as I
can tell you" the black one said. II
am one of those that live far down In
the earth. We feed the great central
| fire. That is why am so black. one
| day ! came up to earth and hap
pencd to pass near the cross. You
know that when that happens we can
not get away and are compelled to be-
come visible. | feared To attract at
tcntion In my natural form. so took
that of the insect you noticed. Well.
you know the rest. Now let me go if
you are honest"
You have told me all truly. be-
lieve. But ! have heard that you are
also clever smiths. Is that sof"
YES, 1t Is true"
"Well, then. you should give me
present before | let you go. Would
that not be fairT
! Eyes, yes" eagerly said the black
one. ASK what you will-gold. silver,
Jewels, fine clothes or furniture. 1t
shall be yours In an Instant"
| "All that you mention do not want,
but since you are clever smiths make
me plow SO light that the smallest
foal may draw II and not be tired"
agreed! But free me noww
''There! Coz
| The minute after the great pot was
uncovered the little being disappeared,
but so suddenly that the farmer almost
believed that he had been dreaming.
In the morning, however, In the yard
outside his cabin door the farmer
found new plow. He fastened his
dog to II. much to the amusement OF
his neighbors, but their establishment
was great to see him pull It without
effort or WEAKNESS. And such ire
mendous burrows as 1t turned had new.
or been known before.
Well, that farmer grew very. very
rich. for he farmed more than any
one else and required few horses, for
the smallest horse could draw the
magic pillow, which was the wonder of
the country round.