have relieved him of that magic cudgel of his--it will
never serve him again as a weapon."

"Yes, Master Guardian," replied Peter, with a deep bow "I was quite
terrified. You must indeed have been that Master Woodcock which bit the
snake to death; for which I thank you with all my heart. But I have
come to you for advice; things are very bad and irksome with me; a
charcoal-burner cannot do much for himself; and as I am still young, I
thought that, perhaps, I could become something better. And I cannot
help thinking of others, and how well they have done for themselves in
a very short time--take, for example, that fellow, Ezekiel, and the
Dance-King, why, money is to them as leaves in autumn."

"Peter," said the little man gravely, emitting a long puff of smoke
from his mouth: "Peter, don't mention such people to me. What profit
have those who are able to appear to be happy for a year or two, only
at the cost of misery hereafter? You must not despise your trade; it
was your father's and your grandfather's before you, and they were
worthy men, Peter Munk! I should not like to think that it is love of
idleness that has led you to me!"

The seriousness with which the manikin spoke disconcerted Peter. "No,
no," he replied, blushing. "Idleness, I know well, Master Guardian, is
the root of all evil; but you cannot blame me for preferring other
trades to my own. Charcoal-burning is held by the world to be such a
mean calling, while glassblowers, and raftsmen, and watchmakers and
such like are highly respected."

"Pride often comes before a fall," replied the diminutive lord of the
Pine-forest, in somewhat friendlier tones. "You are a peculiar race,
you human beings! It is seldom indeed that one is found who is
contented with the lot to which he was born and bred. And to little
purpose would it be if you did become a glass-blower, you would then
yearn to be a timber-merchant; and were you timber-merchant, you would
at once be coveting the post of forester or magistrate! Yet, so be it,
Peter! if you promise me to be diligent, I will help you to something
better. To every Sunday's child who knows how to find me, I am bound to
accord three wishes. The first two I freely grant; but the third I can
refuse, if it be a foolish one. Wherefore, Peter, wish yourself
something: but take care that it is something good and useful!"

[Illustration: You hav'nt quite hit, Charcoal Peter.]

"Hurrah! what a splendid Glass-manikin you are;