The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1878-01-24
The King and the Three Travellers.

Three travellers, who had been found
asleep in the royal park, were once
brought before King Jollimon. They
said they were story-tellers, who earned
their living by relating tales and le-
gends.
eff that 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 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 Jollimon.
Presently one of them told the tale of
"The Wise Cat"
A certain cat set out to seek his fort
une, and travelled through the whole
world At last he came to a country
where a cat had never been seen before
The inhabitants were 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 large salary bestowed upon
him The faithfulness with which Puss
discharged his duties raised him high in
the royal regard, and circumstance
soon occurred which advanced him still
further. The King took his maps by an
open window, and had 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-hangings, and
| pounced upon the unlucky marauder
and broke his neck The King was full
| of gratitude, and ordered that Puss'
salary be increased. Soon after, a bear
came and ravaged the Kings focks
His Majesty commanded Puss to Kill
him. al can only do what am able, ,
pleaded the cat; but the King insisted
While Puss was coming, Bruin attacked
the store OF a swarm OF bees, and was
stung to death. You have done as
knew you would, my dear cat" said the
King, and would listen to no explana
tions. The cat received the Order Of
the Royal Shoe string.
Next an elephant came and ravaget
the crops. The King sent the cat to at
tack him. "Alas I can only do what
am able" again pleaded the cat, bu
there was no moving the King Will,
the cat was coming, the elephant fell in
to pit and was killed
You have done as I knew you would,
said the King once more; and the cat re
ceiyed the Order of the Royal Penknife
and the care of the Royal Shoe-brush
A great army marched to subdue tn
kingdom. The King gave himself n,
uneasiness. "Have we not the ca
here?" he asked. "My dear, go an,
put these troublesome fellows to fight.
''Alas your Majesty" said the un
fortunate cat, 81 can but do as I an
able, and luck will turn at last ;" bu
the King was stubborn as ever. And
while the cat was coming, band of tn
enemy fell upon him and destroyed him
and they overthrow all the kingdom
The King was taken prisoner and com
PEELED to feed cats all his life. "Tha
ungrateful cat p he continually ex
claimed.-ArIo Bates, an st. Nichola
for ,yr1l3yDru