Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1902-04-04


Roumania, I'm which number OF pleasing
fairy stories are told. The following story
Ia one OF series OF twelve whlch the
book contains. and Is reprinted here by
special permission OF the publishers.
THIS was the nickname the other
boys had given young Arnold,
because ne could not see any creature
in distress without going 10 its as
sistance. If fly fell into the milk he
held out a blade of grass for it 10 es-
cape upon, and when he one day saw
snake about 10 swallow n poor lit
tie frog he killed the cruel reptile just
in time 10 save poor froggy's life,
though the little creature could
hardly believe itself to be safe, and
could only sit there staring at its
rescuer with its great big eyes, whilst
its poor little heart still went pit-a-
pat, pit-a-pat!
Another time as Arnold was pass
ing a pond he saw three boys busily
engaged in trying 10 drown a little
dog. They had tied a rope with a
stone fastened 10 il round its neck,
and threw the poor animal right into
the middle Of the pond before Arnold
could come up 10 them. Quick as
thought he flung off his clothes,
plunged into the water, and swan
straight for the spot where the bub-
bles rising TO the surface showed the
death-struggle going on below lie
diyed and brought the poor little dog
up in his arms, quite limp and mo-
tionlcss. but yet alive.
You wicked boys he said, painting
for breath, and drying the little ami
NAL carefully with his handkerchief;
you wicked boys, | viii have moth
ing more TO do with YOU. | will never
play with you again"
I'VE did not want 10 do it," began
the Youngest boy, and then the sec
ond one took heart and said: eve
really did not want 10 do tive all
cried. for we are very fond of Fluff,
but my father said and here ne
stopped and hesitated, not sure
whether to go on.
My father says we are too poor
to keep a dog" the eldest boy broke
in dcfantly. and SO we would rather
drown him ourselves than let anyone
else have HIM.
"And YOU shall keep your dog. but
in future | will feed him. 1t is little
l have. but | will give it you that you
may get him something TO eat at
once. | have only these three pen
MES, but that will be enough 10 keep
off hunger for the moment"
But what was the surprise Of all
when Arnold pulled his pence out OF
his pocket, TO see three gold pieces
three bright, new gold pieces, that
rang "a only gold can ring. The
brothers stared at Arnold, who looked
just as puzzled himself, and STAN.
mered out: "What does it mean?
never had a piece of gold in all my
life"
The others, who at first could hard
ly believe their eyes, now began &c
feel somewhat in awe of him, and
said: Feel again in your pockets;
perhaps YOU have turned into &
goldman"
But the pockets were both empty
and the children separated. The pup
ply, however, stoutly refused 20 &c
with the little wretches who had tried
to drown il, and kept coming back &c
Arnold and taking refuge between his
legs. "Well, then" he said at last
"the dog must stay with me, and yol
must keep the money in payment.
shall take care of him. and bring hin
up. And as for the gold, you neeC
not be afraid; il was not come 10y
dishonesty. It must be fairy-money
and if find any more, you shall shar,
in it,"
Not long afterward. one OF th'
three brothers fell into the pond him
self. Arnold heard the screams a Ions
way off. and saw group OF children
standing shoulder 10 shoulder rounC
the edge of the pond, on which foatec
big empty washtub.
"IIe has fallen in there, he is I'm
der the tub. he will be drowned
they all shouted at the same time
while Arnold did the only sensibl
thing-threw off his clothes and swan
out toward the tub. Giving il liz
tie push. ne dived. and reappeare,
holding by the hair the already uncon
scious lad, with whom he swan {.
shore The children, who had looke'
on breathlessly. now crowded roun,
> them.
us he dead?" they asked.
.. NO: his heart still beats fecbly."
They rubbed him. turned him Owe
| on his face that he might bring u
the water he had swallowed, and a
length he opened his eyes. Iii
brothers had stood by rather crest
fallen, and dreading the beating whic
!. they might expect for their valian
conduct.
, But Arnold with a sudden rcsolv
. held out his cap. "Who will give
: little help 20 the shipwrecked sailor
Z 4 small contribution, | beg, for tn
1 gallant seaman"
The children thrust their hands j
their pockets and wonderful 10 re
, late! each copper-piece was Instant
|. changed into gold: even buttor
which one boy had dropped in a