The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1878-02-01

from those AZ nome. There were tall
palms, bread-fruit trees, and giant ferns.
There were burning-rcd towering bush
es and broad-leayed, shining rubber
trees-in short, new, strange world.
In the midst Of the broad, green square
stood marvellous house. The founda-
ton was masonry Of great cocoanuts.
On this firm base rose lighter walls OF
red oranges and pomegranates, the
openings between which were filed IN
with close-packed figs. The roof was
matched with dates and Brazil nuts.
There were no windows, but oval OPEN
ings admitted light, and were festooned
with punches Of raisins. The wide en-
trance was arched over with golden vel
low lemons, which gave ii charming
appearance.
The Fruit KIM was standing beneath
this arch. He mo.;oned to Sigismund
to follow him, which he did at once, for
he was too anxious to offer any resist
ance, yet he expected no good from this
invitation. The inside of the house was
even more inviting than the outside.
There was one great hall, on
whose walls hung every sort Of fruit
that the world gives. Every kind
" q. @t'' atlaukta ~ lkSeu
in the most charming pyramidal man
ner, and on the top 81 each pyramid sat
little figure, mostly like little women,
who all wore vine mantles 80 that their
persons were hidden, but their heads
bore a wonderful resemblance to the
fruits which each had 10 guard. They
all arose with low bows as the Fruit
King entered, and gazed with astonish-
ment at the human child BY their mas
ter's side.
The Fruit King seized Sigismund's
hands with his grape fingers, and said,
with emphasis, IL have brought
guest; II any one recognizes him. let him
step forth"
With fabulous speed all the little
creatures who sat by the German fruits
leaped from fruit pyramids, and stand
ing in semi-circle around the trem-
bling Sigismund, cried with one voice:
1--WE know him we know him, He Is
fruit thief! he is fruit thief, He
throws stones at u.s. He beats us with
poles! He steals u.s. He eats u.s.! y
Then judge him." said the Fruit
King gravely, rs he sat down upon his
throne, which was built Of all manner
Of gilded fruit seeds.
Sigismund trembled and looked help
lessly at the curious company around
him. They were all little women-folk
except one little man-the apple man
who looked well-fed and pompous. 1t
was not he, however, but Madam Mel
on, who conducted the trial
What shall we do with him?r ask
ed Madam Melon, and shook her thick
head
1--WE will wall him in with nuts
cried the little nut guardian, for she
had hard heart, though her heart, If
one could once get at il, could be quite
sweet.
mo, we will pet him with green
apples" said the apple man, with dig
nifty.
:. We might drown him in grape
juice" suggested the proud grape girl;
" but no that would be too royal q
death for fruit thief
. How would it do to have our serv-
ants, the twigs, beat him as long as he
lives?" inquired the prickly chestnut
burr, who was always in i'll temper.
And so it went on.
Meanwhile, two tiny little fruit maid
ems put their pretty heads together and
whispered TO one another that il would
be too cruel to put the poor sinner to
death. They were the tenderest-heart-
ed creatures in the world, and, when
they saw poor Sigimund's sorrowful
face, they had compassion on him.
= He is still so young" whispered lit
tie Miss Raspberry.
:. He may improve" added little Miss
Strawberry; "les us propose something
milder."
4 Tell them SO, Strawberry cried
"they all love you so well
they will listen to you.''
Little Strawberry stepped modestly
forward.
May propose something's" said
she; and she looked very merry and
roguish as she spoke.
Out with it, growled Madam Mel
on, who was getting tired Of standing
50 long.
We will grant him his life,r said
the little wood Strawberry: . but we
will all pledge ourselves to give him
sharp collie il he ever steals and eats one
Of us up"
The old Melon laughed till her fat
sides shook. so let il be- said she.
" The little one always has bright ideas.
Brother Apple, inform his Majesty Of
our decision." She waddled away TO
her seat and the apple man bounded to
the foot Of the throne.
= What il the Judgment" asked the
Fruit King
Stomach-ache, said the Apple, and
resumed his seat.
The Fruit King beckoncd Sigismund
nearer. and touched his eyelids with
grape juice. The eyclids closed and he