Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-01-15
STORY OF THE NOSES.

DIUhI Op TuE NUOEOs
At DEWITT, in the neighborhood of
Prague, there once lived q rich and
whimsical old farmer, who had beau
tiful daughter. The students of the
Pragne of whom there were at that time
twenty-five thousand, often walk ed in
the direction of DEWITT, and more than
one OF them offered to follow the plow,
in hopes of becoming the son -in-law of
the farmer. The first condition that the
cunning peasant set on each new SER
want was this: % engage you, he
would say, for a year, that is, till the
cuckoo sings the return of spring; but
if, from now till then, you say once you
are not satisfied, will cut off the end of
your nose. | give you the same right
over me-" he added, laughing. And he
did as he said. Prague was full of stu
dents with the end of their noses glued
on, which did not prevent an ugly scar,
and, still less, bad jokes. To return
from the farm dis6gured and ridiculed
was well calculated to cool the warmest
passion.
A young man by the name of Coranda,
somewhat ungainly in manner, but cool, ,
adroit and cunning, which are not had
aids in making ones fortune, took it in
his head to try the adventure. The
farmer received him with his usual good
nature, and, the bargain made, sent him
to the field to work. At breakfast time
the other servants were called, but good
care was taken to forget Coranda. At
dinner it was the same. Coranda gave
himself no trouble about it. He went to
the house, and, while the farmers wife
was feeding the chickens, unlocked an
enormous ham frem the kitchen rafters,
took huge loaf from the cupboard, and
went back to the fields to dine and take
a nap.
"Are you satisfied y cried the farmer
when he returned at night
Perfectly satisfied" said Coranda,
II have dined better than you have"
At that instant the farmers wife came
rushing in, crying that her ham was
gone. Coranda laughed, and the farmer
turned pale.
"Are you not satisfied p asked CO.
raRda. -.
"a ham is only ham, answered his
master. "Such little does not affect
me-" But after that time he took good
care not TO leave the student fasting
Sunday came The farmer and his
wife seated themselves in the wagon to
20 to church, saying to Coranda:
1T is your business to cook the din
ner. Cut up the piece Of meat you see
wonder, with onions, carrots, leeks and
parsley, and boil them all together in the
great pot over the fire in the kitchen"
"Very WE'LL" answered Coranda.
There was little pet dog at the farm
hon se by the name Of Parsley. Coranda
killed him. skinned him, cut him up with
the meat and vegetables and put the
whole TO boil over the kitchen fire.
When the farmers wife returned, she
called her favorite; but, alas, she saw
nothing but bloody skin hanging by the
window.
HWhst have you done2" said she to
4, corandR, "a
What you ordered me, mistress.
have ho,,,>d the meat, onions, carrots
and leeks, and psrseley in the bargain.
wicked wretch" cried the farmer,
"had you the heart to XIII the innocent
creature that was the JOY of the oonse
"Are you not satisfied J" said Coranda,
taking his knife from his pocket
81 did not say that" said the farmer,
"a dead dog is nothing but dead dog
But he sighed
A few days after, the farmer and hii
wife went to market Fearing their ter
rible servant, they said to him, stay al
home and do exactly what you see others
do.
VERY we'll" said Coranda-
There was an old shed in the yard, the
roof of which was falling to pieces. The
caruenters came 10 repair it, and began,
as usual. by tearing down the roof. Co
randa took a ladder and mounted the
roof Of the house which was quito new.
Shingles. laths, nails and tiles, he tore
off everything. aud scattered them all 70
the winds. When the farmer returned,
the house was open 10 the winds
"Villain I" said he, what new tfies
have you played me.
II have obeyed you. master, answered
Coranda. You told me to DO exactly
what saw others do Are you not sat
isfied 2" aud he took out his knife.
Satisfied" returned the farmer
"why should not be satisfied A fes
shingles more or less will not ruin ne
But be sighed.
Night came; the farmer and his wife
said 10 each other that il was high time
10 get rid OF this incarnate demon. As
4 sl=avs the case with sensible people,
tbev never do anything without consult
irs .heir daughter, il being the custom m
4, Rohenia "a thi,k that children always
have more Wit than their pareuts
Father" said Helen, " viii hide IN
the great pear tree early in the morning
and call like the cuckoo. fOu can fell