Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1909-10-14
THE LITTLE CLEANER.

THE LITTLE CLEANER.
Once there was little boy who went
out to CLEAN in wheat field. The har-
vest was over, but the harvesters had lett
here and there stray branches OF grain,
and, as the little boys mother was poor,
he was glad to gather them up. He
walked about for a long time. but his
sheaf was still quite small, and as the sun
was going down, he saw that he mustre-
turn home.
"Oh," he said aloud, chow much work
it is to get so littlel If only every grain
of wheat was grain OF goldp'
As he spoke, grain of wheat fell from
its sheath, rolled on the ground, split open,
and let out charming little lady. Her
gown was red poppy flower; she wore
the petals OF daisy as ruffling around
her neck, and on her head was a violet.
She was the most exquisitely pretty lady
you ever saw.
al am the fairy of the wheat" she said
to the little boy in silvery voice. 81
have seen you at work, and would like
to do you a favor. The wish you have
Just uttered shall be accomplished, pro-
vided you will be good till bedtime. Re-
member Not one bad action or one evil
thought I" She disappeared, and the lit
tie boy was so overcome with surprise
that he could not find words to thank her.
Could il be true? Every grain a grain OF
gold Well, it was worth trying for. SO
he gathered as large pile as he could
carry, and it being already late, he has
tened rapidly towards home. AS he ap-
preached the village he met little girl in
charge Of a flock of sheep. She was
having great deal of trouble about keep
ing them together She ran hither and
thither, but some were constantly stray
ing and one wee lamb was so feeble that
she had to carry itin her arms.
"How she does dawdle p said the lit
tie boy, as he hurried by. They'll send
some one to help her, suppose, when
they find she doesn't get home. At any
rate, I've no time TO stop" And so say
ing, he went quickly on.
When he got home, he put the sheaf OF
wheat carefully down, that he might not
lose any of the golden grain. But his
precautions were useless; the wheat was
wheat and not grain was gold.
"The fairy deceived me-" said the lit
tie boy; and he went to bed in very i'll
humor.
The next day he went again to the
wheat field. AS soon as he got fairly at
work, he heard rustling sound, and
turning, saw the fairy, more bright and
winsome than ever.
"Fairy," he cried, "you deceived me.
My wheat was wheat and not gold"
The little lady looked at him with a Sc
rious expression, and said gravely:
"Do you remember about the little girl
you saw on the way home, trying to drive
sheep? Itwould have been so easy for
you to have given her little assistance. !"
The boy blushed and hung his head.
1t was true. He had behaved very sell
fishly toward the young shepherdess.
al will give you another chance" said
the fairy. But remember-the conditions
are the same as before" and so saying,
she vanished.
The little boy went bravely to work and
at sunset he took up his sheaf OF wheat
and started homewards. On this occasion
he had plenty of time, and he made up
his mind to help anyone who came his
way. But the road was deserted. There
was no trace OF life except for little bird
singing on hedge close by. The boy
listened moment, and then picked up
stone and threw it in threw il in the di-
rection of the sound. The bird was not
hit, but was greatly frightened, and it flew
| away with cries OF terror.
The little boy went on his way, and in
due season reached home. Once more
he put down his bundle Of wheat with Ut
most care, but again the precautions were
useless. No signs of gold-only wheat
| came out OF the stalks as he rubbed them
| in his hands. He was now discouraged,
| and the next day went back to the field
with heavy heart. What had he done
to displease the fairy2 Evidently she
was making sport OF him.
Again the fairy appeared. She looked
at him with sorrowful eyes. ga little
bird was singing in the hedge" she said.
"His nest of little ones was close by, and
he was happy; but you threw stone at
him and frightened him away. Grains oi
gold can not be earned in that way. Try
again. Perhaps today you will do much
better.
So the little boy set to work once more
He worked hard, and after while he lay
down in the shadow Of tree to rest. He
had not been there long when he felt q
pricking sensation on his leg. He sprane
up and found that he had been lying on
an ant-hill. The ants had not been able
to get 10 their nest, and had taken means
to punish the intruder.
"Stupid creatures p shouted the little
boy; and he ground his heel into the ant
hill.
Then-he took up his bunch of grain and
went home. For the third time his hopes
were shattered. The wheat was wheat
and there was no gold.
The next day he went again to the field
| and this time the fairy did not appear
He thought over what had happened the
day before. "Ah, see r. he saidto him
sell, sit was because Crushed the ant