Page:The grandmother; a story of country life in Bohemia.pdf/66

60 "And may we ask how it happened, and when?" asked several of the bystanders at once.

Just at this point there was a lull in the noise upon the oven, for the children hearing this question were at once attentive, and jumping down begged Grandmother to relate this story, as they had never heard it.

"But both the miller and his wife have heard it," objected Grandmother.

"A good story will bear repeating," said the miller, "so just go on."

"Well, then, I will begin; but you children must be perfectly quiet."

The children obeyed, and did not lisp another syllable.

Grandmother began as follows:—

"When the Novy Ples (Joseph-hoh) was building, I was a young girl. I come from Olesnic,—do you know where Olesnic is?"

"I do," said the foreman, "it is in the mountains, beyond Dobruska, on the Silesian frontier, is it not?"

"Yes, it is there. Not far from our house was a cottage, where dwelt the widow Novotny. She made her living by weaving woolen blankets. Whenever she had a good supply on hand, she took them to Jarmirn or Pilsen to sell. She used to be at our house a great deal, and we children would run to her cottage several times a day. Father was sponsor to her son. As soon as I was able to do any hard work, she would say to me, when I came over: 'Come, sit down at the loom and learn to weave; some day it may be of use to you. What one learns in youth may serve one in old age.' I