Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1876-01-01

/
Trains Nom st. Louis and all points East
anu S0lth- 100 A
From Kansas City and ali points West. 500 a
ST. Joe anI points North: sSr
S. i. INGRAM, Agent.
CASTLE CURIOUS.
A Christmas Fairy Tale for the Lit
| tie Folks.
There was once a dwarf by tn
name OF Pukket, who was one of tn
most ingenious fellows that eve
lived. If he had only been good, hi
cunning skill would certainly hav,
been blessing to himself and O
great benefit to all around him; bu
instead of this he was very wickeC
imp, and exerted all his wonderful
powers only to work mischief upol
everybody that he possibly could
Among other things that he did, hi
built himself large and magnificent
palace of white marble, which he call
ed Castle Curious, and about this we
shall now learn something further.
There were beautiful groves, lawns
| and gardens all around it, and the
| whole was enclosed by high wall oil
| which he had painted the most won.
derful pictures. In these everything
was SO natural and life-like that bird;
| often dashed their little brains out
against the wall in trying to get al
the fruit painted there, and many a
poor dog met the same fate III spring
ing upon the painted foxes and rab-
bits. SO, too, the bees would cluster
around the painted flowers, and the
ducks strive to get into the painted
water. All the stone-carving about
Castle Curious, and, indeed, the work
manship displayed in its whole con-
struction, was of the same marvellous
perfection.
But the most remarkable feature
about It was an immense eye, larger
than cart-wheel, which the dwarf
placed in its highest tower. This eye
the wicked Pukket considered the
masterpiece of his works aud quite
the triumph of his life. 1t had the
singular p9wer OF at once drawing to
the castle all persons who SO much as
caught one glimpse of it, whether
from near at hand or the greatest dis
tance. BY day, when the sun shone
on 1t, the eye glittered and sparkled
with the greatest brilliancy, and at
night it was slendidIy illuminated
with red lights, 80 that it could be
seen from far and wide.
And now great many people had
been unwittingly drawn to the castle
by its magic power, but not one had
ever returned to tell what he had
seen SO that the most dreadful stories
were often heard concerning the
place, and it was whispered that the
cruel dwarf had murdered all his
victims. Soon, no one that had heard
about these strange things would go
anywhere near the castle, if it could
possibly be avoided, and the country
in its neighborhood became com
pletely deserted. But a great mafiy |
strangers from distance were still |
drawn into it, for it stood Oh what
had been up to this time one of the |
chief roads in the land.
At last the king determined that il |
was high time to put stop to such
1oings in his dominions, and SO sent
! regiment of soldiers to demOlish the |
castle. But. alas! not one of the |
valiant command returned to tell the |
'ale OF their achievements, and it was
that they had all been en-
trapped aud made away with by the
wicked Pukket. Afterwards two
other regiments shared the same fate.
The king, of course, now became ex-
angry at that state of affairs
II his realm, but was quite at his
Wits end to know what course to
pursue under the circumstances.
About this time Father Hcrbett. a
good old hermit who was noted for
lis childlike simplicity and want of
'uspicion, was said to have walked
llong for two or three miles in full
light of Castle Curious, and yet had
lot been drawn towards it by that
wonderful power that seemed to affect
very one else that came within reach
II the great glaring eye in the tower.
i seems that it was rainy day, SO
le had his umbrella raised, and being
occupied with his own
.lous thoughts, he had logged along
he road till the castle was left far
'ehind, without his ever knowing
hat he had been in its vicinity at ali,
This story coming to the ears of the
ing, fourth band of soldiers was ,
Oon sent out, who were instructed {
hold their shields before their ewes s
8 they approached the castle. But
he desire to take peep at the won- s
erful eye, Of which they had heard ,
nch strange things, became too strong I
4 some Of them and as the road was
neven from washing by recent rains. t
was extremely difficult for any of {
hnl l,ni, OH r1l.l
y before their faces, and if they e
aught but the slightest glimpse of I
ne great eye it was all over with q
hem and SO these soldiers Jared no '
etter than their comrades before c
lem. The next regiment sent, 9
'hich belonged to the kings own
ody-guard, were provided with q
'rge umbrellas as it was thought /
ley could be carried more easily d
ian shields, i'll such manner as to II
revent the eyes being SEEM, and o
ere particularly charged Oh no ac- b
'unt to let their curiosity overcome II
lelr prudence, as it would surely a
rove their ruin. And this plan real "
seemed about to succeed. Slowly II
ID steadily the gallant troops ap- Il
'oached the towering marble castle Il
II Just as they began to congratu- D
te themselves on the success of their h
ipedition, there came up sudden h
I'd terrific blast of wind, and in il
antly every umbrella was turned OF
side out. The next moment the m
hole regiment was running at the et
'uble-quick towards the castle, in o.
mt only OH bcholding the wonders a
ere to be seen. The great gates. er
ie the jaws of death, closed on &C
EN-, and then they were heard of no SC
ore. The poor king, when he found M
at his favorite regiment with whom IN
CHI precautions had been taken had CO
It been able to avoid the mishap of Tn
others, was in great distress of t.,
md, and entirely at loss for some OF
W expedient and SO we will leave er
M for the present in the midst of W
perplexities. d,
On one side of Castle Curious was sb
7ery large and fine old forest, and fu
the other. though separated from lie
Oy high hills which prevented it tn
I'm being seen, q populous town. sN
the border of the wood, but on lo
, side iurthest from the castle. a 10,