The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-12-28
Selected story.
THE WIZARDS EAR.
1rrnnslated from the Spanish !

in all kniehtly exercises. He grew up we'll
favored, well-mannered youth, with spirit
and courage equal to anything.
At last one day he told his father his home
had become too narrow for him, and he wish
ed to go elsewhere.
"Apd where do you propose gong! IN
qured the father.
81 want to see the world" replied the
youth.
@Tbou art like grasshopper, jumping he
knows pot whither," declared the merchant.
"Thou to talk OF seeing the world, inexperi-
enced as thou art" % l1H
"He who has learnt the arts may travel in
all parts" returned the youth. And the ia
ther who felt that the birds feathers were
grown, and he must be let fly, suffered his son
to arm himself and mount his horse, and then
babe him godspeed.
During three days he had wandered over
wild, rocky region, full of briers and brush
wood, and at last CHANGED to see man who
was lifting upon his shoulders a burden s"ffi-
cient to load a couple of wagons.
why, my good man." said the cayaller,
''you are more heavily laden than a sumpter-
mule. Who are you?'
Il am called Carguin Cargon son of the
strong porter" replied the MN.
''WOuld You like to come with meT
.Wilinply. if your honor has as much
pleasure in taking me as | should have in fol-
lowing you,,' replied Carguin; SO bargain
was struck between them, and together they
continued their journey.
An hour afterwards they fell upon a man
who was blowing with all his might, his
cheeks pulled out like balls, and sending forth
more wind than the bellows of the great
blacksmith Vulcan, SO famous of old
time. ~
"What in the name of wonder. are YOU
about 2" the cavalier. ft
Please be silent" replied the man Il must
not leave off blowing, tor I have 10 turn forty
five mills with my breath"
"And what is your name?"
"Sophlin Sopon, son of the good blower"
replied the man. r.
slave you mind to come with me?
Shave not?" replied Soplon, joyjully; sam
/ not tired OF blowing three hundred and six
ty-fve days every year?"
A little further on they passed man who
appeared to be lying in ambush, stretched out
tul length on the ground,
"What art thou doing % INQUIRED the cav
lier. aA So ~
- 81 am listening, waiting till 1 cum hear
swarm of mosquitoes come out from the
sea-"
why, man, the sea is hundred leagues
off"
"What matter, if l can hear, for al. that ?"
and what is your name?"
"Oidin Oidon, son of the acute hearer'
will you come with me?"
with all the pleasure in the world: the
mosquitoes may be trusted to announce their
arrival themselves"
So all four together continued their Journey
in loving companionship, and together came
in sight of a castle SO lonely in position, SO
gloomy and frowning of aspect, that it seemed
more fitting for a sepulchre of the dead than
for an abode of the living. And as they pp-
preached nearer, the skies ciouded over, and
storm of thunder and lightning burst forth,
accompanedb by showers SO tremendous that
every single drop seemed to make as much
noise as a torrent. E17
ta DO not be alarmed, my MASTER" auoth
Soplin, "tor you shall soon see which way the
storm will take :" and accordingly he began
to blow, and the clouds, tn their thunder
and tightening, were seen to scud across the
skies in such wild hurry skurry that the sun
squnted and the moon stood with her mouth
wide open with amaZement at the sight.
But another marvel awaited them; for, on
arriving at the castle, they found it had
neither gate, nor door, nor entrance of any
kind. al II hsaIlta asre u.s. trsu
"Did 1 not tell your honor" said Oidin.
''that this grim boxing castle was good for
nothing, save as logging house for storks
and owls?"
81 don't care for that; 1 am tired and wish
to rest" replied the cavalier.
llSGb, lay uldoGeT,5 ldrgulQ :.
and in moment he dragged forth big rock.
which he deposited close under the castle
wall, by which means they could effect an en-.
trance through window. They did SO, and
found themselves in spacious saloon, where
the tables were covered with all manner of
choice meats, together with wine. pitchers of
water, olives, and the finest wheaton bread.
Alter they had eaten their fill, the cavalier
expressed wish to inspect the CASTLE
rcf1 tod fha
"before meddling 10 ters that concern MS
not, it is well to have some knowledge respect-
ing them, and not go in and out, like a ball
to no purpose" +,
"WLat does it signify p replied Cargun;
we came here with no evil intent, and who
can harm us?" L 33G
But Oidin, who did not approve of seeking
adventure, still objected.
Let us hasten away, my master; this cas-
tie is not in state of grace, and can assure
your honor that hear sounds of lamentation
and weeping arising from under ground.' q
however, the cavalier would lot listen to
Oidin, and set out on his researches, followed
by his servants, threading their way through
series of galleries, passages, and corridors,
as intricate as though they had been contriv-
elk by spider, and at last coming out upon a.
court, which looked like an arena for buIl
nights No sooner had they entered it than
forth came to meet them monStrous serpent
with Sc, en- tongues projected like lances.
while its fourteen eyes sparkled with hate and
fury Cargun, Soplin, and Oidin, more terri
he'd than SO many mice, took at once to their
heels; but the cavalier, who was as valiant as
the Cid, and as strong as Be1nardo,* drew his
sword, and in twinkiing cut off the serpent's
seven heads each at one stroke. The last and
biggest OF the seven, after darting a furious
glance at the cavalier from its eyes, whence
issued fire and blood, jumped into the middle
OF the court, whereupon big hole opened,
and the bead sunk down into it.
The cavalier now called his three servants,
who returned upon hearing his voice, much
amazed at their masters daring.
Now" said he, pointing to The hollow
through which the serpents head had vanish
ed, and which was so deep that the bottom
could not be seem" now the next thing To
be done is to 60 out and collect palm. leaves
and PUSHES, to make strong rope long enough
to reach to the bottom OF this pitt
They did SO, but the hole was so deem that
the task OF making the rope took about four
years, though there were four engaged in
making it. At the end of this time the rope
touched the ground, and his master then
babe Oiuin take hold of it, and slip down see
what was to be seen below, and then retnrn
to give tidings to the rest. But Oidin set his
feet on the ground like a palm tree that no
blast should have power to shake, and declar
would trust himself down that pit.
Seeing him SO determined, the cavalier then
gave the same order to Sopir, who immedi-
ately tied the end OF the rope round his waist.
and began to let himself down. Night and
day he went on descending, and at last found
himself In magnificent palace. Here in a
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT saloon. lying on So
ia, and weeping most bitterly, ne found q
beautiful lady, who told him she was the Prin
cess OF Naples, that a horrible Moorish ma
gican had fallen in love with her, and kept
her prisoner in this enchanted palace. until
some hero should arrive bold enough to at
tack him and rescue her.
The hour is come, and the man ~ declared
Sopn, very valiantIy; but DO sooner were
the words out of his mouth than the Moor
ish wizard appeard, with face and form so
terocious and hdeous that the terrified Sop
lin sprang upon the top of a door for safety.
But the wizard gave the door blow with
club he held in his hand, whereupon it
burst from its hinges and fell to the
ground, and Soplin with it, the poor fellow
breaking his leg in the fall.
we now return to the cavalier, who. after
Wa,.lhg in vain for Soplin to reappear. babe
Oidln listen, and tell him what was Going on
Wlthln tne bowels OF the earth. Oidin told
MIN Whae nad happened and especially how
ne neard oopiln groaning and wailng over
MS broken llmb. Garguin then declared he
was willing to undertake the encbantar and
would bring him up to the surface of the
earth, though he were heavier than ali the
lead in the mines of the Indies, his master
bade him 60 and try But things fell ont
with Carguin exactly as with SOP lin, excent
that he broke an arm instead OF leg in fall0
ing