The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1878-02-14

from those at home. There were Tall
palms, bread-fruit trees, and giant ferns.
There were burning-red Towering bush
es and broad eaved, 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 filled up
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 yell
low lemons, which gave it a charming
appearance.
The Fruit King was standing beneath
this arch. He motioned to Sigismund
to follow him, which ne 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 frait
that the world gives. Every kind
was also arranged by itself
in the most charming pyramidal man
ner, and on the top Of each pyramid sat
little figure, mostly like little women,
who all wore vine nantes so that their
persons were hidden, but their heads
bore a wonderful resemblance to the
fruits which each had to 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, 81 have brought a
guest; if 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:
awe know him. we know him! He is
a fruit thief! he is a fruit theft He
throws stones at us! He beats us with
poles! He steals us! He eats us -
"Then judge him. said the Fruit
King gravely, as 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 himP'' ask
ed Madam Melon, and shook her thick
head.
eve 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 it, could be quite
sweet. Mn "a 80 =
"No, we will pelt him with green
apples" said the apple man, with dig
nifty.
IS We might drown him in grape
juice suggested the proud grape girl +;
&c but no that would be too royal a
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. 1''s' ''>'s-'F ''' g
Meanwhile, two tiny little fruit maid
ems put their pretty heads together and
whispered to one another that it would
be too cruel to put the poor sinner to
death. They were the tenderest-heart-
ed creatures in the world, and, when
thav caw moor C;o;ro,rJ,, =
face, they had compassion on him.
"He is still SO young" whispered lit
tie Miss Raspberry.
He may improve,'' added little Miss
Strawberry; &C let us propose something
milder.'' ssaR rrR = 9
sTell them so, Strawberry" cried
Raspberry ; /" they all love you so well
they will listen to you.' ss'as
Little Strawberry stepped modestly
forward. 80
May I 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
so long. .
We will grant him his life,'' said
the little wood Strawberry; "but we
will all pledge ourselves to give him a
sharp collie if he ever steals and eats one
of us up"
The old Melon laughed till her fat
sides shook. g SO let it 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 is the Judgment" asked the
Fruit King.
"stomaeh-ache," said the Apple, and
resumed his seat.