Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1851-07-05
The Boy with his Fiddle;-or the Gypsy in the
ThOrn-B Bush.
FROM TIE GERMAN

in the morning, and the last to 90 to bed at NIGHT
and never hesitated to perform even the disagree
able duties which fell TO the share of others Int
which they refused to do. His looks were cheer
full and contented, and he never was heard to
murmur. When he had served year, his master
thought to himself elf l pay him his wages, he
may go away; it will therefore be most prudent
not to do so; shall thereby save something, and
he will stay And sc the boy worked another
year. and though no wages came he said nothing
and looked happy. Atlast the third year arrived
the master felt IN his pockets, but f1ok nothing
out: then the boy spoke
Master, said he, 4 have served You honorably
for three years; give me, l pray you, what have
justly earned. wish to leave you, and see more
of the world
my dear fellow, replied the piggard, you have
indeed served me faithfully, and you shall be gem
erously rewarded
So saying, he searched his pockets again, and
this time counted out three crown pieces.
"A crown, he said, for each year; it is liberal;
few masters would pay such wages
The boy, who knew very little about money,
quite satisfed he received his scanty pay, and
determined, now that his pockets were full, he
would play. He set out to see the world, up bill
and down-hill he and sang to his hearts con-
tent; but presently, as he leaped a bush, little
man suddenly appeared before him.
Whittier away, Brother Merry ?? asked the
stranger; your cares seem but light trouble to
you?
why should l be sad,' answered the boy,
when have three years wages in my pocket %
And how much is that p inquired the little
man.
Three good crowns
Listen to me-, said the dwarf; 1 am poor,
needy creature, unable to work; give me the mon
ey; you are young and can earn your bread
The boys heart good; it felt pity for the
miserable little man; so he handed him his hard
gotten wages.
Take them, said he, 4 can work for more
you have kind heart, said the manikin; L
will reward You by granting you three wishes
one for each crown. What will you ask .
'Ha ha J laughed the bow you are one of
those then who can whistle blue Well. / wish
first, for bird gun, which shall hit whatever
ann at-secohdly, for fiddle, to the sound of
which every one who hears me play, it must dance;
and thirdly, that when ask any one for any thing,
he shall not dare to refuse me-
you shall have ALL cried the little man as he
took out OF the bush, where they seemed to have
been placed IN readiness fine fiddle and bird gun;
no man IN the world shall refuse what YOU ASK
My heart, what more can you desire % said the
boy to himself, as he joyfully went on his way
He soon overlook wicked looking man, who stood
listening to the song OF bird which was perched
on the very summit of high tree.
wonderful cried the man; such small ami
mai with such great voice II wish | could get
near enough to put some salt on his tail
The boy aimed at the bird with his magic gun
and 1t fell into a thorn-bush
There, rogue, said he to the other, you NAV
have 1t II you fetch it.
Master, replied the man, leave out the rogue
when you call the dog; but will pick up the bird
In this effort to get it out he had worked him
fha 4 of H., !.
boy was seized with longing to try his fddle.-
But scarcely had he began to scrape when the man
began also to dance, and the faster the music the
faster and higher he jumped, though the thorns
tore his dirty coat, combed his drty hair and
Pricked and scratched his whole body
Leave OF, leave off ? cried he; L do not wish
to dance
But he cried in vain. You must have fayed
many man, | dare saw said the bow; now we
will see what the thorn-bush can do for YOU =
ana louder and faster sounded the fiddle, and
faster and higher danced the gypsy until all the
thorns were hung with the tatters of his coat.
Mercy, mercyP he screamed at last; you shall
nave whatever can give you, only cease to play.
Here, here, take the purse of gold"
Since you are so ready to pay, said the boy, 4
will cease my music; butt must say that you dance
well to 1t; is a treat to see YOU
With that he took the purse and departed
The thievsh-looking man watched him until he
was quite out of light; then he bawled nsultingly
after him
Z GU miserable scraper you ale-house fiddler: T
wait TILL ind you alone. | will chase you until
you nave not a sole to your shoe you ragamuffin |
suck tarthlng in your mouth, and say YOU are
worth six dollars z
And thus he continued to abuse him as lono as
ne could find words. When he had sufficiently re-
eved himself, he ran to the Judge of the next
town.
Honorable Judge, beg your mercy; see how
have been Ill treated and robbed on the highway;
4 stone might pity me; my clothes are torn: nv
body is pricked and scratched, and purse of yotd
las been taken from me--a purse of ducats each
me brighter than another | entreat you good
Judge, let the man be caught and sent to prison.
Vas 1t soldier asked the Judge, who has so
wounded You with his sabre? %
No, indeed replied the gypsy 1T was one who
lad no sabre, but gun hanging at his back. and
middle from his neck; the rascal can easily be re-
ognized.
The Judge sent some people after the bow: thew
Don overlook him, for he had gone on very SLOWLY
hey searched him, and found in his pocket the
urse OF gold He was brought to trial, and with
loud voice declared d
L did not beat the fellow, nor steal his pold he
ave 1t to me of his own free will, that mi,bt c
ease my music, which he did not like $
he can lie as fast | can catch flies off tho
Ta; cried his accuser s1'
And the Judge said, 'Yours is bad defense,
obber i'o /" "y
AS they led him away to the gallows, the ciDsv :,
a =, AFTER him trlumphantly you worthless n
our reward = " ioec'e -