HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1987-12-23, Page 23Y
Alicia deBJr
The Shoemaker and the Elves
There was once a shoemaker,
who, through no fault of his own,
became so poor that at last he
had nothing left but just enough
leather to make one pair of shoes.
He cut out the shoes at night, so as to
.set to work upon them next morning; and
as he had a good conscience, he laid
himself quietly down in his bed, commit -
t ed himself to hea gin, and fell asleep.
In the morning, after he had said his
prayers, and was going to get to work, he
found the pair of shoes made and finish-
ed, and standing on his table.
He was very much astonished, and
could not tell what to think, and he took
the shoes in his hand to examine them
more closely; and they were so well
made that every stitch was in its right
place, just as if they had come from the
hand of a master workman.
Soon after a purchaser entered, and as
the shoes fitted him very well, he gave
more than the usual price for them, so
that the shoemaker had enough money to
buy leather for two more pairs of shoes.
He cut them out at night, and intended
to set to work the next morning with
fresh spirit; but that as not to be, for
when he got up they were already finish-
ed, and a customer even was not lacking,
who gave him so much money that he
was able to buy leather enough for our
new pairs.
Early next morning he found the four
pairs also finished, and so it always hap-
pened; whatever he cut out in the even-
ing was worked up by the morning, so
that he was soon in the way of making a
good living, and in the end became very
well to do.
One night, not long before Christmas,
whenthe shoemaker had finished cutting
out, and before he went to bed, he said to
his wife, "How would it be if we were to
sit up tonight and see who It is that does
us this service?"
His wife agreed, and set a light to burn.
They they both hid in a corner of the
room, behind some coats that were hang-
ing up, and then they began to watch.
As soon as it was midnight they saw
come in two neatly -formed naked little
men, who seated themselves before the
shoemaker's table and took up the work
that was already prepared, and began to
stitch, to pierce, and to hammer so
cleverly and quickly with their little
fingers, that the shoemaker's eyes could
scarcely follow them, so full of wonder
was he.
And they never left off until everything
was finished and was standing ready on
the table, and then they jumped up and
ran off.
The next morning the shoemaker's wife
said to her husband, "Those little men
have made us rich, and we ought to show
ourselves grateful. With all their running
about, and having nothing to cover them,
they must be very cold. I'll tell you what;
I will make little shirts, coats, waistcoats
and breeches for them, and knit each of
them a pair of stockings, and you shall
make each of them a pair of shoes."
The husband consented willingly, and
at night, when everything was finished,
they laid the gifts together on the table,
instead of the cut-out work, and placed
themselves so that they could observe
how the little men would behave.
When midnight came, they rushed in,
ready to set to work, but when they found
instead of the pieces of prepared leather,
the neat little garments put ready for
them, they stood a moment in surprise,
and then they testified the greatest
delight.
With the greatest swiftness they took
the pretty garments and slipped them on,
singing, "What spruce and dandy boys
are we! No longer cobblers we will be."
They then hopped and danced about,
jumping over the chairs and tables, and
at last they danced out at the door.
From that time they were never seen
again; but it always went well with the
shoemaker as long as he lived, and
whatever he took in hand prospered.
Lucknow Sentinel/Wed., December 23. 1987/Page 7A
MERRY CHRISTMAS
AND A PROSPEROUS
CO.OP
'Twas
the
Night
l.0
before
Christmas...
And all through the
house, there was
Love and good
feelings among one
arid all. We wish you
the best this
holiday season.
Huron Auto
Wreckers
395-2827 or 395-3197
JACK and RONALD McGUIRE
-and FAMILIES
R. R. 5, LUCKI TOW
seek
Th cherished old friends and valued new friends, we would
like to take this opportunity to wish our friends and patrons
all the joy, the hope and the happiness of Christmas May the
meaning of the holiday be deeper, its friendships stronger, its
hopes brighter, as it comes to you during the New Year.
• cyVIERm6 CHRISTMAS
&AGHAPPY GNEW YEARJ,
Lucknow and District Co-op
MANAGEMENT, STAFF AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS