The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1878-01-10
The King and the Three Travellers,

The King and the Three Travellers
Three travellers; who had been found
asleep in the royal park, were once
brought before King Jolliman. They
said they were story-tellers, who earned
their living by relating tales and le-
gends.
"If they be so," said the King, "and
if you can tell stories worth hearing,
you are indeed welcome. The court
story-teller has just been banished for
telling the same story twice. 1t would
be a right royal idea to have three story
tellers instead of one"
So the three travellers, after having
been refreshed with food and drink,
were hidden to- seat themselves at the
august feet of King Jolliman
Presently one of them told the tale OF
the Wise Cat. --~--z
A certain cat set out to seek his
fortune, and travelled through the whole
world. At last he came to a country
where a cat had never been seen before.
The inhabitants we're at first frightened
by the strange monster, but having OBJ
| served Puss killing the mice, with which
the country was overrun, they plucked
up courage, and, approaching him, re.
quested that he should follow them be-
fore the King. Puss complied willingly
enough, and the end of the matter was
that he was installed rat-catcher to the
King, and a large salary bestowed upon
him. The f%aithfulness with which Puss
discharged his duties raised him high in
the royal regard, and a circumstance
soon occurred which advanced him still
further. The King took his maps by al
open window, and had a plate of cher
ries placed beside him that he might eat
them when he awoke. A crow from the
neighboring forest constantly stole the
fruit, nor had all the efforts of. the
Kings servants succeeded in destroying
the bird. The cat, however, concealed
himself in the window-hangiDgs, anC
bounced upon the unlucky marauder
and broke his neck. The King was full
of gratitude, and ordered that Puss't
salary be increased. Soon after, a bea
came and ravaged the Kings focks
His majesty commanded Puss to Kill
him. al can only do what l am able,
pleaded the cat; but the King insisted
While Puss was coming, Bruin attacked
the store of a swarm of bees and wa
stung to death. "You have done as
knew you would, my dear cat" said tn
King, and would listen to no explana
tions. The cat received the Order o
the Royal Shoe-string.
Next an elephant came and ravage'
the crops.< The King sent the cat t
attack him. "Alasl | can only do wha
l am able" again pleaded the cat, bu
there was nc moving the King. Will
the cat was coming, the elephant fel
into a pit and was killed.
"You have done as 1 knew 20
would" said the King once more; an
the cat received the Order of the Roys
Penknife, and the care of the Roys
Shoe-brush.
A great army marched to subdue th
kingdom. The King gave himself n
uneasiness. "Have we not the ca
here ?' he asked. "My dear, go and pu
these troublesome fellows to fight"
"Alas! your majesty" said the VI
fortunate cat, az can but do as l al
: able, and luck will turn at last" bu
the King was stubborn as ever. An
while the cat was coming, a band of til
enemy fell upon him and destroyed him
and they overthrow all the kingdom
: The King was taken prisoner and con
PEELED to feed cats all his life. eth.
: u~ngrateful catp he continually e,
! claimed.-Arlo Bates, St. Nicholas fl
: January.