The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1872-06-14

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to find the dragon. They were. indeed,
OF immediate use to him in this under
taking for Tippler drank up all the
rivers, so that they could easily cross
from field to field, and catch the rarest
kinds OF fish for their masters dinner.
Lightfoot ran after hares and rabbits;
Marksman shot at patridses and pleas.
ants; Stronghold carried them all upon
his back and Fine ear, by putting his
ear TO the ground, found out the places
where the mushrooms and kitchen.
herbs were coming out of the earth.
They had not proceeded more than
a days journey, when they heard the
cries of some peasants whom the dragon
was eating up as fast as he could. For
tunio Immediately asked Comrade what
he should do.
"Let Fine-ear find out In what place
he Isl" answered Comrade.
Fine ear immediately put his ear to
the ground, and informed his master
the dragon was seven leagues of.
"Then," continued Comrade, "let
Tippler drink up all the rivers that are
between US, and let Strongback carry
wine enough to fill them, and next strew
some of the hares and cartridges along
them"
Fortunio then entered a house that
stood near, to watch the event. In less
than an hour the dragon was in sight,
and, smelling the hares and patridges,
began to eat voraciously; and finding
himself at length thirsty, he drank no
less eagerly OF the wine, SO that in a
short time, being quite drunk, he threw
himself on the ground, and fell fast
asleep.
Snow is your time, my good MASTER"
said the faithful Comrade. Fortunio
Immediately approached the dragon,
and with single blow cut off his head,
and then commanded Stronghold TO
take him up, and carry him to the
palace.
The king received Fortunio with the
liveliest JOY and affection.
Soon after the king being again ex-
tremely sorrowful, the princess inquired
the cause, as before.
"Alas !" said he, show can be other.
wise, since the emperor has not left me
money enough to equip the army in.
tented to send out against him?'
Brother" answered she, can you
suppose that Fortunio is not able to
oblige the emperor to restore your
treasurer"
Fortunio, though he fully un derstood
the malice of the princess, could not
but assure his majesty of his earnest
desire to make the experiment.
They arrived in the city of the en-
peror, and proceed to the palace, where
Fortunio demanded Of him all the treas
ures of King Alfourite. The emperor
at this could not restrain a smile.
Do you really think, said he, that
l should so easily resign what | took
such pains to obtain?"
Fortunio replied that he meant no |
incivility, but begged the emperor to |
consider his request.
"This is really very extraordinary"
said the emperor; "however, as your |
demand is ridiculous enough, l will |
offer you a condition no less ridiculous. |
If you can find a man that will eat all |
the bread that has been provided for
the inhabitants of this city, for his
breakfast, l will grant your request"
Fortunio could scarce contain himself
for joy. He replied that he accepted
the condition. and sent Immediately
for Command; when, telling him what
had passed, he inquired if he was quite
sure he could eat the whole.
Never fear, my good MASTER" an
swers Command "you will see thatthey
will be sooner sorry than l."
When the emperor. the empress, the
princess his daughter, and the whole
court, had seated themselves to witness
the extraordinary undertaking, Fort,i-
MO advanced, with Command by his
side; and seeing six great mountains of
loaves, that almost reached the skies,
he began to fear but looking at Cor
mand, and seeing how eager he was to
begin, he again took courage. When
the proper signal was given, Command
attacked the first mountain, and in less
than minut chad swallowed the whole;
he did the same with the second, and
SO on to the sixth; which having COM
pletely devoured, he told the emperor
he must take the liberty to say, he had
had but a scanty breakfast, considering
he was in the dominions of SO rich
monarch.
Never was any establishment so great
as that of the spectators, who now fell
to crying, ave shall have no bread to
give our children for many days."
But the emperor's disappointment
was atill greater /; SO, commanding For
tunio to approach, he said:
Young cavalier, you cannot pos
sibly expect that ! should give up the
treasures of King Alforite because you
happen to have a servant who is a
great eater. However, find man who
shall drink up all the rivers, aqueducts,
and reservoirs, together with all the I
wine in the cellars of all my subjects, I
and propose to grant your request"