The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-09-12
THE SOLDIERS WISH.
An Old Time Tale of Magic Power
and PrepOsterous Adventure.

Once upon a time there was a brave
soldier named John. After passing
eight years in the army, according to
the requirements of the law, he re-en-
listed for eight years, and then for eight
years more Atthe end of these twenty
four years he was discharged, and he
left his regiment, carrying with him a
pound of bread and six pennies, all the
property that he possessed in the world.
"Yes," he said to himself as he walked
along the highway;a pound of bread
and six pennies, that is what Ihave gain
eddy serving the king twenty-four years.
But, / am in Gods handsl What is the
use in finding fault? 1 shall only work
myself into a passion"
A little further on a poor old beggar
man stopped him and asked for charity.
"What a | give you?' replied John.
81, who have served the king twenty
four years and have gained only a pound
of bread and six pennies
But the beggar insisted, and the chart
table John took his knife and cut the
bread in two pieces and divided it and
his pennies with the old man.
The beggar eat his half of the loaf
greedily, and when he had finished he
said:
"Since you possess a generous heart
and have shared with me all that you
have in the world, I will grant you one
wish. What do you desire?
my bag here is empty" replied John.
81 desire that to be able to make any
thing enter it that I choose"
$50 be it, said the old man., and he
disappeared.
A short time a~fterward, as John was
passing through a town, he saw in a shop
a loaf of bread as white as snow and an
appetizing sausage.
"Into my bag!' he cried.
immediately the bread rolled towards
him like a cartwheel, and the sausage
glided along like a snake.
The owner of the shop and his son ran
after the man who had carried off their
property in this strange fashion; but
John, having a ferocious appetite, had
already devoured all that which had SO
promptly entered the bag.
When evening came he reached a city
where he meant to pass the night, and,
meeting a man, he asked where he could
find a lodging place.
81 am only G poor soldier" he said;
81 have served the king for twenty-four
years, and / have gained only a pound
of bread and six pennies"
81 can lodge you" replied the man
whom he had addressed, "in a beautiful
house, where no one dares to enter, be-
cause it is haunted by a frightful ghost.
II, you are not afraid, you can be very
comfortable there. You will End an ex-
cellent supper all prepared, for this man,
who returns every night to his former
dwelling, was very rich"
''That is good" cried John, 81 desire
nothing better than such o longing. I
am not afraid. The house pleases me-"
And he entered the abandoned build
ing, and to his JOY he found the cellar
we'll stocked with choice wines and the
dining table spread with an abundant
feast.
To fortify himself against any noctur-
nal apparitions, after lighting a candle,
he eat a hearty supper and drank freely
of the wine.
As he was thus agreeably occupied, he
heard a voice calling down the chimney:
''Shall I tumble down."
"Tumble down if you wish to-" re-
piled John, a little excited by the wine
that he had taken. ga soldier who has
served the king for twenty-four years to
gain a pound of bread and six pennies
has nothing to fear"
At the same instant he saw the leg of
a man fall upon the floor.
do you want to be buried?" asked
the soldier, emptying another glass of
wine.
With one of its toes the leg made a
negative sign.
Again the voice cried from the Chin
ney:
"Shall I tumble down."
Tumble, if you wish TO-" replied
John. "a soldier who has served the
king for twenty-four years fears moth
ing"
Then he saw come tumbling down the
chimney a second leg, then the trunk
and arms. and finally a head which ad-
justed itself upon these members, which
joined each other, and a man appeared
standing before him. "John," said a
voice, which could not be heard without
a feeling of terror, II see that you are
brave"
"That is true" replied John. 81 fear
nothing. Why, what can one fear who
has served the king t~wenty-four years
for a pound Of bread and six pennies"
"Do not trouble yourself about your
poverty. If you win do what l desire,
to save my soul, you shall be rich. VIII