Nebraska advertiser. [volume] (Brownville, Nemaha County, N.T. [Neb.]) 1856-1882, 1865-06-01

like saddle. He was just going to
mount a cold, clammy animal. He
counted it was eleven 1t was high
time to be off; he could reach the castle
in an hour so be leaped into the saddle.
1t was not at all bad seat, for it was
very soft. and at the back was tall sup
port. The new animal also moved very
surely; though even and slower than the
last. Butfor all lhar he drew gradually
nearer the castle, and was enabled 10
count the Illuminated windows, when
he moon emerged from the clouds and
shOne down brightly upon him.
i Oh, wonder! what did be see then Z
The animal on which he was riding was
neither horse nor donkey, but a gigantic
snail, as large as calf, and its shell had
served as a support 10 his back. Il was
only natural that it could not get on more
rapidly. An icy shudder came over him
but it waSof no use, after all; he was
only too glad to reach his journeys end
IN any way. At this moment the distant
clock struck the first stroke of twelve,
which anoonced with long intervals the
midnight hour. AT the same moment
the snail emerged from The forest, and
the splendid palace Of Fortune was be-
fore him.
Hlherto, Lazy had not moved limb;
but now he pressed his heel into the soft,
clammy sides Of his steed, Not being
used to such treatment ii drew back into
its shell, and Iet.its rider slide do wn on
the ground.
The clock sounded the second stroke
Had Lazy have but trusted to his feet,
he might have reached his destination
ere the last stroke died away. But no ;
he stood there and exclaimed in pitt
fuI.voice a
"An animal-an animal, no matter
of what sort. to carry nae 10 the castle e
Inthe meanwhile, nearly all the lights
in the castle had Leen-pul Out the moon
was once more hidded behind he.clouds
and ali spas dark
The clock sounded the third stroke ;
then he heard something rushing by his
side, which looked in the, obscurity like
horse arrayed III armor, and / stood by
his side. That must be my horseS
Lazy shouted .sit has beens me at
The right mOment.'@ As quickly as he
could he sprang on the animals back /;
he had only a smalI.hiH YET lo2surmount
he could see the castle gates still open,
and in the gateway stood his cOmrade,
waving his hat TO him in triumph.
Just as the forth stroke sounded, the
beast on which he was mounted began
10 move /; at the fifth, it went forwards
a. the sixth iestood sill; at the seventh
it began going backwards! In vain he
attempted to throw himself of. In a
transient ray of moonlight, his capari-
sOned steed seemed TO him a frighlful
monster with ten.legs. while on either
side tremendous pair Of pincers held
his arms securely. He shrieked for help
lin vain! every minute the castle re-
crded- every minute the decisive mo-
mont drew nearer. The clock struck for
the last time /; be heard the gates banged
to; he was eteInally shut cut of the
Castle of Fortune and on regarding
more closely the monster which ever
bore hin backw ards, 10! it was an enOr.
mus crab.
canhOt say what place he,reached on
this steed nobody paidaany farther at
teutiOn to him; bis comrade, however
was most kindly welcomed by the LADY
Of the castle, and magnifcenry enter.
tained ;-she was also Of service TO hin
through life, and enabled him to do good
TO his fellow. men, and supperl those wh,
were in wanl,-A meucan Miscellany.
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