TALES OF THE NISSES.


The Nis is the same being that is called Kobold in Germany, and Brownie
in Scotland. He is in Denmark and Norway also called Nisse god Dreng
(Nissè good lad), and in Sweden, Tomtegubbe (the old man of the house).

He is of the dwarf family, and resembles them in appearance, and, like
them, has the command of money, and the same dislike to noise and
tumult.

His usual dress is grey, with a pointed red cap, but on Michaelmas-day
he wears a round hat like those of the peasants.

No farm-house goes on well without there is a Nis in it, and well is it
for the maids and the men when they are in favour with him. They may go
to their beds and give themselves no trouble about their work, and yet
in the morning the maids will find the kitchen swept up, and water
brought in; and the men will find the horses in the stable well cleaned
and curried, and perhaps a supply of corn cribbed for them from the
neighbours' barns.

There was a Nis in a house in Jutland. He every evening got his groute
at the regular time, and he, in return, used to help both the men and
the maids, and looked to the interest of the master of the house in
every respect.

There came one time a mischievous boy to live at service in this house,