The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-05-19
THE DAILY STAR
SIR GAND0.

Swelling and ambitious creams ecea-
pied his brain; for, though mean of birth
and small of stature, great was that
tailor's bump of self esteem, and doughty
were the deeds which, in Imagination, he
,chieved.
The day was sultry, and the tailor
sorely troubled by swarms of flies, when,
pefceiving number settled on melon
which lay near, he suddeBly smote them
with the garment he was. making and
slew seven.
ooh, hop quoted the tailor, snow l
an hero! Seven at sJroke!"
And, forthwith, casting aside his
needle, he aecoutered himself in full
armor and, on his shield in letters OF
gold the proud motto: "Seyen at a
stroke" and departed, to seek fortune
and further glory in the world of ehiv-
ahy.
It CHANGED one day that, as he lay
ssleep in grassy dell, the king of the
country through which he was journey
ing rode by, with many mobiles and at
tendants, and all stopped to comment on
The gallant and warlike guise of the un-
known knight. The motto ON his shield
was read, and excited some anxiety, as
1t was evident that he was a very unde-
irable foe; while. could his services be
secured, he would be invaluable as
friend.
The little tailor was awake amid the
eaeer diseussien of the subject, ana ac-
cepted the honorable salutations he uneX-
pectedTy received with calm and un-
asanted impadenee.
He was without delay introduced to
the king in the character of warrior
seeking employment for his invincible
sword, and was entertained at court with
great honor.
With many regrets, that, being at
peace, he could for the present offer the
brave stranger no active employment in
his service, the king begged he would
not refuse to take the command of
body of his troops, and reside at court in
the enjoyment of wealth and luxury, till
such time az fortune should open t.e
way to further deeds OF fame.
With a verv good grace, the valiant
.ailor submitted to life ofinaction, and
wore the -laurels Of imaginary glory with
admirable dignity. But ere long, many
of the good kings officers and courtiers
became Jealous of the favored stranger,
and the monarch found that he should
lose some OF his best servants if he re-
tanned him at court. Yet he feared the
resentment of 50 powerful a knight
should he dismiss him.
After anxious deliberation the king
lent for Sir Gando Threadalbane (tor
such was the name he had assumed) and
informed him that, as mark Of the
high esteem in which he held his valor
and prowess, he had selected him to go
on an expedition requiring the greatest
courage and personal strength, and the
success of which was to be rewarded
with nothing less than the hand of the
princess royal in marriage, and half his
Kingdom.
Now these promises dazzled Sir Gando
amazingly, and he professed himself fit
and ready to do anything in the world;
nor did his confidence abate when the
king explained that the work in hand
was positive death and destruction of
two terrific giants, of cruel and Gambia
istic propensities, who inhabited a
gloomy forest, and were the scourge and
dread of the country. None hitherto
sentagainst them had escaped fearful
fate, but the king hoped everything from
his noble friend, Sir Gando, and offered
astrong body of troops to assist him.
1t is certain the little hero had no wish
At all to find himself in the larder, OF
smoking on the table of those monsters,
and equally certain that he had not the
remotest idea how he was to avoid that
remarkably uncomfortable situation.
Yet, trusting to fortune and his wits (his
sword he never dreamt ofl he maintained
dauntless bearing, and gayly set forth
on his perilous enterprise.
Arrived at the outskirts of the forest
and desiring his attendants to await him
there (they be it known, nothing 10th tC
obey Sir Gando made his way cautious
ly toward the deepest recesses of the darl
and silent woods.
The atmosphere was still. An oppres-
sive gloom overhung the place; but sud
denly. as he advanced. he heard an un
earthly noise, and perceived the leaves
waving to and fro with strange, strong
regular motion, quite unaccountable
until, as he crept nea rer, he discovered
asleep on the ground beneath it the two
gigantic and fearful beings of whom hi
was in search. Their mighty snoring i
was that he heard, and which, will
strong blasts; made their leafy canopy
bow.
The sight made poor limo trembl'
and turn pale, and for moment he wa
inclined to flee: but remembering the re
ward, and summoning his wits to tht
support of the knighty character of Si
Gando, he filled his pockets with stones
and hastily scrambling up in the tree
placed himself on a branch which over
hung the giants. Then with the stone
he began to pelt one of them about thu
head. Very soon the monster raised him
self, and, glaring around for an enemy
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