Page:Popular tales from the Norse (1912).djvu/385

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
RICH PETER THE PEDLAR.
199

"Now the cow's mine!
Now the cow's mine!
Hurrah! hurrah! "

he crew, and as he crew, up awoke the Cuckoo,

"Half cow!
Half cow!"

sang the Cuckoo, and woke up the Blackcock,

"A like share, a like share;
Dear friends, that's only fair!
Saw see! See saw!"

That's what the Blackcock said.

And now, can you tell me which of them ought to have the cow?




RICH PETER THE PEDLAR.


Once on a time there was a man whom they called Rich Peter the Pedlar, because he used to travel about with a pack, and got so much money that he became quite rich. This Rich Peter had a daughter, whom he held so dear that all who came to woo her were sent about their business, for no one was good enough for her, he thought. Well, this went on and on, and at last no one came to woo her, and as years rolled on, Peter began to be afraid that she would die an old maid.

"I wonder now," he said to his wife, "why suitors no longer come to woo our lass, who is so rich. 'Twould be odd if nobody cared to have her, for money she has, and more she shall have. I think I'd better just go off to the