The Fairy Mythology: Illustrative of the Romance and Superstition of Various CountriesKeightley, Thomas
General
The Fairy Mythology: Illustrative of the Romance and Superstition of Various Countries
Keightley, Thomas
Fairies; Fairy tales; Folk literature; Folklore
At home in Hudemühlen, Hinzelmann now showed himself extremely
obliging, and active and industrious at every kind of work. He used to
toil every night in the kitchen; and if the cook, in the evening after
supper, left the plates and dishes lying in a heap without being
washed, next morning they were all nice and clean, shining like
looking-glasses, and put up in proper order. She therefore might
depend upon him, and go to bed in the evening after supper without
giving herself any concern about them. In like manner nothing was ever
lost in the kitchen; and if anything was astray Hinzelmann knew
immediately where to find it, in whatever corner it was hid, and gave
it into the hands of the owner. If strangers were expected, the spirit
let himself be heard in a particular manner, and his labours were
continued the whole night long: he scoured the pots and kettles,
washed the dishes, cleaned the pails and tubs. The cook was grateful
to him for all this, and not only did what he desired, but cheerfully
got ready his sweet milk for his breakfast. He took also the charge of
superintending the other men and maids. He noticed how they got
through their business; and when they were at work he encouraged them
with good words to be industrious. But if any one was inattentive to
what he said, he caught up a stick and communicated his instructions
by laying on heartily with it. He frequently warned the maids of their
mistress's displeasure, and reminded them of some piece of work which
they should set about doing. He was equally busy in the stable: he
attended to the horses, and curried them carefully, so that they were
as smooth in their coats as an eel; they also throve and improved so
much, in next to no time, that everybody wondered at it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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