El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-10-13

HE MET A QUEER LOOKING WOMAN.
the boy anything. who set out gladly
for home carrying the snowy pile in
pan on his head.
But lie had not gone far when of n
sudden up came a wind from the south
and blew the flour in snowy flakes over
the meadows
The boy stood aghast looking at it,.
As there was no help for IL he turned
away with a sigh and soon reached
home.
where is the flour?" the mother
cried.
The boy showed the empty pan and
proceeded to tell what had happened.
In a rage the cruel woman picked up
her stick and thrashcd the child. Then
taking him TO the door she put him out,
saying:
Go to the wind and tell him to re-
turn your -four or to pay you for 1t. and
until he does you need not return
here
The poor child turned in terror IL the
great wide world. Where should lie
go? What could he do:
He wandered for Il long time till he
reached a great forest. The trees grew
so closely and so high that 1t seemed
always to he twilight. there. Not a
sound of singing bird or busy insect
disturbed the quiet. but over all seem
ed n hush as when the winds are lullcd
before the breaking OF the tempest.
Better die here in the storm than
wander homeless in the world" And
so he entered the dark avenues of trees.
Dat l..x I,.,.
steps he became conscious OF pres
ence there Nor was he mistaken. for
1t was an enchanted spot. and soon he
met a queer looking old woman.
well. my son. what do you here.
where birds sing not and where wild
animals fear to tread? Know you not
that this is my land? What will your"
In fear and trembling the child told
his story.
.'Ha, ha. Is It SOP" cried the old one.
1--WE shall see: we shall see. Know
that / am the mother OF the winds
Come with me. and all will he WELL
She took the boy by the hand and led
him deeper into the blackncss
You see how still II isf'' she said
after n long silence. THAT Is because
my sons are away. There are four of
them-the North Wind. the East Wind.
the South Wind and the West Wind.
When they come home. all. then the
forest is not still. Rut which OF my
sons stole your -four away?"
ALAS. kind madam. ii was the South
Wind"
Never fear, All will he wellrv
They now reached n hut i'm the heart
of the wood. Entering. the woman said:
quick. jump on the stove and cover
yourself,'
Why cried the child in terror.
quick, Obey mer the woman said.
81 hear my son the North Wind com.
Ing. and he will freeze YOU"
So the boy obeycd her. and none toe
socn, for with n terrific whistling noise
in rushed the eldest son.
For long time the boy remained
concealed and heard each of the sons
of the old woman enter. When at last
the South Wind came. the old dame
said:
MY son, look what havoc you have
worked, Do YOU know that you should
not harm the poor end needy"
The little boy was then brought
forth. and again he told his tale.
Now the North Wind laughed with
boisterous glee, for TO him that was
rare sport. and the East Wind shouted
with his brother. for both of these were !
cold and unfeeling. But the West Wine I
murmured n rebuke TO them for al
their i'll manners to the guest, and the
South Wind came forward, saying:
1T is too bad that / harmed you so
and | am sorry. But here | repay you
Take this basket, and whatsoever yor
desire 1t will give you. either flour o.
brad or wine or money"
With many words the poor boy
thanked the South Wind for his gif;
aud ran home with IL.
Here, mother" he cried. see wha'
the wind has given for the -four h,
stole"