Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1915-11-11
He Could Step Over a House Easily

He Could Step Over a House Easily.
little boys, Hans and Oscar, loved
very much,
What shall we do?" cried Mother
Burton. I'VE shall starve, and poor
Nancy. We never shall see her again."
After breakfast Hans and Oscar
talked it over themselves and de-
cided to try to find Nancy. They told
for Nancy. and they wanted some
lunch, as they might not be back that
night. Mother Burton told them 1t
was useless to hunt anywhere but on
the mountain where the giant lived,
and they could not go there. and il
they eve did reach the top the giant
might keep them, but as they
had heard of the giant taking chill
dren, they started for the mountain.
They climbed all the morning, and
at noon sat down to eat their lunch
con under a tree. A little old man
came along, and they gave him some
of their food and told him what their
errand was. He told them that he
knew about the wickedness Of the
giant, and would help them a little. He
had a staff in his hand, which he gave
to Oscar and Hans and told them 1t
would help them up the mountain. He
also told them that if they could get
the big belt which the giant wore he
would lose his power and become as
small as an ordinary man, and do no
more harm. The boys thanked him
and started on their journey.
Hans had the staff, and SOC he
was well up the mountain, and poor
Oscar was far behind, so Hans waited
for his brother to come up to him;
then Oscar took the staff, and in a few
minutes he was far ahead. He waited
for Hans, and they decided it must
be the staff, so they both took hold
of 1t, and sure enough they moved up
the mountain at a rapid rate, for the
little old man had given them a magic
staff.
Soon they were on the top of the
mountain, and they could see the
giants feet sticking out of a cave.
Shall we go closer?" asked Hans.
"Of course" said Oscar. What
did we come for? There is old Nancy
over by that tree"
Nancy saw them and neighed and
called to them in horse language. They
had just reached her when the giant
awoke. He stood up and took n
step, which brought him beside the
boys.
What are you doing here, you lit
tie scamps?" he roared.
IF you would sit down, we could
tell you; you are so tall we cannot
see your face, and we want to talk
to you"
"Oh. you do?" said the giant. What
do you want to say? You are so small
l could pick you up with my thumb
and finger and drop you off the noun.
tain"
But that would not do you any
good" said Oscar, land it would kill
me. Will you please come down near.
er the ground?"
The giant walked around and made
a roaring noise, but the boys stood
still, although their hearts were beat.
ing fast. The giant pulled up a tree
and threw 1t on the ground, and seated
himself upon it.
Now what do you want?" he asked.
Oscar did the talking, so he told
the giant that he had their horse
Nancy and they had come for her.
You cannot have her." said the
giant. 81 am going to eat her"
She will not be very tender" re-
piled Oscar, for she is very old" He
was almost crying at the thought Of
poor Nancy's fate.
"Oh. that will not bother me-" said
the giant; look at my teeth" He
opened his mouth, and the boys moved
away. for It was large enough to swal-
low them whole. and his teeth looked
like big stones.