The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-05-18
GusTAvus AND THE COLLINS.
Copyright, 1911. by the Mcclure News
manor Syndicate

copyright, 1917, by the, Mcclure News
paper Syndlcate.)
Gustavus was q very reckless youth.
instead of tending his sheep and help
ing mother, who was a widow, he
would leave his sheep to wander about
and waste his time with companions
at the village tavern.
One night when Gustavus was re-
turning from the tavern after having
spent the day there, be was passing
= thick wood, when suddenly there APP
peared in front of him a very little
man.
He was hanging from the limb of a
tree with one hand and with the other
he pulled off Gustavus' hat.
Gustavus rubbed his eyes when he
saw the queer looking little man, for
be felt sure he was dreaming.
You are q good for nothing fellow"
said the little man, and then he pulled
Gustavus' hair.
"That is none of your affair." said
Gustavls, and if you pull my hair
again l will shake you"
You better not try it, said the lit
lie man, "or you will get the worst of
Gustavus began to laugh, and he
laughed SO hard that he had to sit
down on a rock under the tree. IT
could shake a dozen like 0 with one
hand" said Gustavus. "Who are your
Il am a goblin" replied the little
man, and if you think a dozen like
me would be only a handful, L will give
you a chance to try" And he gave a
Before Gustavus could reply, the rock
upon which he was sitting seemed to
open in the middle, and he felt himself
held tightly between it. And then from
all sides came COLLINS running, tum-
bling and jumping, until all around him
fynCn h1nGr a1 nf ithaca ,,oa- nav.
men.
He tried to get away. but he was
held firmly between the rocks. h
goblin in the tree began to laugh, and
dropped to the ground. Now you can
snake as many as you like" he said.
Gustavus stretched out his arm and
caught several of the COLLINS in his
big hand. but he dropped them quickly
with a cry of pain, for he felt as though
his hand was being pierced by a hun
bred needles.
oh, no. they laughed. dancing
around as Gustavus dropped them:
full"
You have bcen spending too much
time at the tavern and neglecting your
hock.' said one goblin, land your poor
old mother, too. We have decided to
each you how to work.
"Neboi Nebo!" they called, and the
rock opened wider and Gnstavus felt
himself sliding down, down and then
bump, lie sat UP and looked around.
There We're houses and trees and
water just like IN other land, but
everything looked small.
We will Shrink him first said one
goblin. and Gustavus saw the COLLINS
coming from all directions carrying lit
tie buckets.
They, began pouring the contents CT
these buckets over Gustavus n he
felt himself growing smaller and small
er, until he was no larger than the
COLLINS.
Now you must work they told him.
Draw water from the well until we
tell you to stop. You have let your
old mother get the water for a long
time; now you must do it for a while"
Gustavus took n of the little pals
and filed it. Pour 1t out" they told
him, and fill it again."
How his back ached and his hands
were sore. too. but the COLLINS were
pitiless.
Your mother was tired many
times they told him. but you were IN
bed n asleep instead of helping her
as YOU ought to have done"
Then they took him to a wood pile.
Split this wood" they said, "and carry
1t into the house."
Gustavus worked until he felt he
should drop, he was SO tired, but the
COLLINS did not let him rest.
Go and find h sheep" they Said,
that you left out all night"
When Gustavns thought he was out
of their sight he lay down Behind a tree
to rest. but the COLLINS were upon him
In a minute poking him with their
sharp fingers and little pointed shoes.
Get mp they said. your mother
does not rest: she has to do all the
work that you leave undone."
G~ustavus got up and 1t seemed to
him that he Travelled miles before he
found the flock.
'Wher he drove them into the fold
he said: j cannot walk another step"