Year: 1867

There was once a Shoemaker, who,
from no fault of his own, had become
50 poor that at last he had nothing left,
but sufficient leather for ons pair of
shoes. In the evening he cut out the
leather, intending to make It up in the
morning; and, as be had good con-
science, he lay quietly down to sleep,
first commencing himself to God. In
the morning he said his prayers, and
then sat down to work bnt behold the
pair Of shoes was already made, and
there they stood upon bis board. The
poor man was amazed, and knew not
what to say; but he took the shoes into
his hand to look at them more closely,
and they were so neatly worked that
not stitch was done wrong; Just as if
they had been done for prize. Pres
emily customer came in; and because
the shoes pleased him very much, he
paid down more than was usual; and
so much that the Shoemaker was able
to buy with it leather for two pairs. BY
the evening he had got his leather
shs ped out; and when he arose the next
morning he prepared to work with fresh
spirit; but there was no need,-for the
shoes stood all perfect on his board. He
did not want either for customers; for
two came who paid him 30 literally for
the shoes, that he bought with the
money material for four pairs more.
These also, when he awoke, he found
all ready made, and 50 it continued;
what he cut out overnight was, in the
morning, turned into the neatest shoes
possible. This went on until be had
regained his former appearance, and
was even becoming prosperous man.


One evening-not long before Christ
mas-as he had cut out the usual guam
tity, he said to his wife, before going to
bed, "What say you to stopping up this
night, to see who il is that helps us so
kindlyP His wife was satisfied, and
fastened up light; and then they hid
themselves in the corner5of the room,
where hung some clothes which con-
cealed them. As soon as it was mid
night in came tive little manidins, who
squatted down on the board and taking
up the prepared work, set to with their
little fingers, stitching, and sewing, and
hammering so swiftly and lightly, that
the Shoemaker could not take his eyes
of them for astoaishment They did
not cease until all was brought to an
end, and theshoes stood ready on the
table; and then they sprang quickly
away.


The following morning the wife said,
fsFhe little men have made Us rich, and
weEmust show our gratitude to them;
for although they run about they must
be cold, for they have nothing on tbeir
bodies. will make little shirt coat,
waistcoat, trousers, and stockings for
each, and do you make pair of shoes
for each"


The husband assented and one even
| ing, when all was ready, they laid pres.
ents, instead of usual work on the board,
and hid themselves to see the result
sg At midnight in came the Elves,
jumping about and soon prepared to
work !, but when they saw no leather,
but the. natty little clothes,-they at
first were astonished, but soon showed
their rapturous glee. They drew on
their coats, and, smoothing them down,
sang,-abo7-


Smart and natty boys are We;


's ShOemaksrs we1l no longer be-"


and so they vent on hopping and jump
ing over the stools and chairs, and at
last out at the door. After that evening
they did not come again; but the Shoe
maker prospsred in all he undertook,
and lived happily TO the end of his
davs. 9ici1 -i1--f-4 -t .s