Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-09-13
Thr Travelling Musicians.


Translated from the German.l
An honest farmer had once an ass that had
boen faithful servant TO him great many
years. but was now growing old and every day
more and more unfit TO work His master
therefore was tired of keeping him, and began
to think Of putting an end to him but the
ass who saw that some mischief was in the
wind, took himself slyly of, and began his
journey towards the great city, for there "
thought he, Il may turn musician
After he had travelled a little way he spied
a dog lying by the roadside and painting as if
he were very tired.
What makes you pant so, my friend p
said the ass.
Alas said the dog, my master was 60
ing TO knock me on the head because l am
old and weak and can no longer make my
self useful TO him in hunting so | ran away
but what can I do to earn my livclihood?'
"Hark ye. !" said the ass, Il am going to
the great city to turn musician suppose you
go with me, aud try what you can do in the
same way -
The dog said he was willing, and they jog
ged on together.
They had not gone far before they saw Il
cat sitting in the middle of the road and max
ing most rueful face.
Pray. my good lady, " said the ass, whats
the matter with you? You look quite out Of
spirits! :"
"Ah me :" said the cat. "how can one be
IN good spirits when ones life is in danger?
Because am beginning TO grow old, and had
rather lie at my ease by the fire than run
about the house after mice, my mistress laid
hold Of me, and was going to drown Inc and
though have been lucky enough to get away
from her, l do not know what l am to live
upon
"O!" said the ass, by all means go with
us to the great city you are a good night
singer, and may make your fortune as a mu-
sician."
The cat was pleased with the thought and
joined the party.
Soon afterwards, as they were passing by a
farmyard, they saw cock perched upon the
gate, and screaming out with all its might and
main.
Bravo" said the Ass upon my word
You make famous noise; pray what is all
this about -
why" said the cock, Il was just now
saying that we should have fine weather for
our washing day, aud yet my mistress and the
cook don't thank me for my pains but threat
,n to cut my head of tomorrow. and make
broth Of me for the guests tina, are coming on
Sunday"
Heaven forbid :" said the Ass; come
with us, Master Chanticleer; it viii be better,
at any rate, than staying herr to have your
head cut OH Besides. Who knows If We
take care to sing in tune, We may get up
some kind of concert 30 come along with
us"
with ali my heart. said the cock so they
all four went on jolliy together
They could not, however, reach the great
city the frs: day 80 when night came on,
they went into wood 10 sleep. The ass and
the dog laid themselves down under d great
tree, and the cat climbed up into the branch
es while the cock thinking that the higher
he sat the safer he should be. flew up TO the
very top of the tree, and then, according TO
his custom, before lie went to sleep, looked
cut ON all sides of him 10 see that everything
was well. In doing this, he saw afar OH
something bright and shining; and calling to
his companions said =
There must be a house no great way OF
for | see a light
Ii that be lhe case. said the ais. 'we had
better change our quarters for our lodging is
not the best IN the world Besides, added
the dog, Il should not be the worse for n
bone or two, or a bit Of meat" SO they
walked or together towards the spot where
Chanucloer lad seen the light and as they
drew near, it became larger and brighter, till
gang of robbers lived
The ass. being the tallost of the company.
marched up to the window and peeped in.
"Well, Donkey" said Chantcleer, what do
you sce!' What do see = replied the ass
why l see II table spread with all kinds of
good things, aud robbers sitting around It
making merry "Thatwould beanoble lodg-
ing for us, said the cock. Yes" said the
ass, IF We could only get in - SO they coun-
selled together how they should contrive to
get the robbers out and at last they hit up
on a plan. The ass placed himself upright
on his hind legs with his fore feet resting
against the window; the dog got upon his
back; the cat scrambled up TO tlh dog's
shoulders, and the cock flew up and sat upon
the cats head. When all was ready, n signal
was given, and they began their music. The
ass brayed, the dog barked, the cat mewed,
and the cock screamed; and then they all
broke through the window at once, and came
tumbling into the room, amongst the broken
glass. with n most hideous clatter The rob-
bers, who had been not a little frightened by
the opening concert, had now no doubt that
some frightful hobgoblin had broken in upon
them, and scampered away as fast as they
could
The coast once clear, our travellers sat
down ahd despatched what the robbers had
LETT, with as much eagerness as II they had
not expected TO eat again Tor month. As
soon as they mad satlshed themselves they
put out the lights and each once more sought
out resting place to his own hiking. The
donkey nld himseh down upon heap OF
straw IN the yard, the dog stretched hinseli
upon mat behind the door, The cat rolled
herself up on the hearth before the warm
ashes, and the cock perched upon beam ON
the top of the house, and as they were all
rather tired with their Journey they soon tell
asleep
but about midnight, when the robbers saw
from aiar that the h8hts were out ana that all
seemed quiet, they began 10 thlnk that they
had been IN TOO great hurry TO run away
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'ne kl''hen a1u gI"IeH "oou' 'ili ne l9uhu .l "
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