The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-03-10
- Fritz and the Purse of Gold -

sun. wind and rain had done their share in helping him. And now. behold the wondrous result The garden grew so fast. that almost before his back was turned on the latest dug and planted bed. lol the little leaves peeped up out of the ground. and seemed to say. Good morning, good Fritz. we have come up from those little brown seeds you hid in the soill"
 Pretty soon the neighbors began to gather in groups and discuss the latest wonder-Fritz, once so weak and help less, was carrying baskets full of gar den stuff to market!
 why. he's as rosy and healthy as any one nowP' exclaimed one ''Evi- dently he has recovered from that mys- terious disease that he had. wonder what 1t was?"
 over the fence one day. and looked carefully at Fritz's garden and or chard
 "A fine crop of cabbages. Fritz" he remarked. found the purse. eh7'
 AFTER TWO YEARS
 "No." answered Fritz, who was busy with his hoe. NO. not yet. sir. Fact Is, I've been too busy to look for it lately. I've worked the garden from one end to the other: so suppose it Is in the orchard. But I shall not have time to hunt for if there until next spring at the earliest
 "oh, well, it will keep" said the old man. How are you feeling these days. Fritz?"
 Feeling? ohi fine. thank you. Really, haven't had time to think of my health"
 No one. indeed. by this time. boasted of better appetite or sounder sleep than Fritz enjoyed. Every day was buster and happier than the day be- fore, the crops outdid themselves in bountifulness andA quality. and Frits found himself possessed of more money than he needed to spend. so he put 1t in bank and kept his bank book in a corner of the old family desk.
 Time slipped by until 1t was the end of the second summer, and one day the old schoolmaster came for another visit to his old pupil. He noted the beautiful appearance of the garden and orchard. the finely culti- vated vines over the porch and the borders of bright flowers. and he thought:
 Anal Fritz is doing so well that he is getting ready for bride"
 THE sCHooLMASTER AGAIN He entered the house without knock ing, and found Fritz seated at his desk, counting some money he had just re- ceived from a sale of fruit.
 "Ah, you have found it!" exclaimed the old man.
 Found what?"
 "Why, the purse of gold!"
 "O-ohi" and then Fritz smiled. "why. sure enough-the purse of gold. I had forgotten it. Oh, I long ago quit looking fo. it, sir. I have already earned more gold than the purse con- tainh, I am sure. So I'll let the next fellow hunt for 1t, If he wants to. I'm too busy myself"
 Looking at his bright eyes. glow ing cheeks. straight. strong back and clean, powerful legs. the old man 4du6nGQ dAOAAs nhN~ II AttAs AAOAA PAH0 sympathy. joined in with his own loud laughter.
 "W kats it all about. sir?" he asked. well" returned the old man, "I promised you one purse of gold. but I see I should have promised a hum dred. For see what you have accom- plished!"
 Fritz stared, light dawned upon his mind. and he shook his finger at the old man, half s'cusingly.
 Then you were lily jestingT
 The old mans face sobered.
 NO, Fritz, what said was true You have made 1t true. If you had not. some one coming after you would have"
 Fritz understood. and took the schoolmaster's hand in his own warm one. with a look of great gratitude and affection. He, at least. now knew what the old. mysterious disease had been from which the schoolmaster had helped him to recover.