Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-11

| by noise which sounded as if hammer
| struck the anvil. So they went in the direc
tion the noise came from until they at las
saw the glaring light of the fire in black
smith shop in the distance.
"Thank heavenI" said John, 81 guess we
are saved from death of starvation"
When they arrived in the front of the
smithy they saw q tall, handsome mar
swinging an enormous hammer in the FROM
| of the brightest anvil you ever saw.
9Hello, childrenP' he shouted good
naturedly at the little ones, "how did you
| come here?"
John and Alice soon told their story, and
they did not forget to remark that they had
not had anything to eat for two days. The
big blacksmith at once took them into his
house and he gave them such a meal of
meat, milk and vegetables that both the
children thought they had come into the
land of plenty, where hunger is never
known.
4 "Now, what do you want to do?" said the
blacksmith to John and Alice, when they
| eaten enough.
1--WE do not know. Where our home is
we do not know either. and if you will take
care of us we will work for you and make
ourselves as useful as we ean.''
John made this answer to the smith, and
the latter then replied: Gall right, think
I can do with you, and will be as good to
YOU as a mother and father both"
The next day the blacksmith told Alice
to look after the house and cook the dinner.
while he and John went into the workshop.
John was soon taught here to become fine
workman.
Thus years rolled by and the three people in
the forest lived together as happily as possible.
One day, however, The old smith had been
away in the town for some time. and when he
returned he said:
"John, you and must go to the war. The
King has sent out a proclamation that he is in
bad need of good soldiers, therefore you and I
must CO."
but what about meY" asked Alice.
''Oh, you must stay at home until we come
back" But Alice began to cry when she heard
that
II do not want to remain here alone and who
knows whether you will not be killed I'm the
war. and then should never see either of you
again. No, let me 60 along. can handle a
sword as we'll as a man, because you have
taught me that. Let n1e go along"
VERY well, then, child" replied the smith,
who could not refuse the little girl ANYTHING
because he was so fond of her. "We will all 20
together, and we shall take each of us a sword
that will make us invincible in the hottest
battle"
their departure. and on the following day they
closed their home to go away. When they ar
rived on the field of battle the fight was raging
fercely. The King had been attacked by an
overwhelming force and itlooked very much as
if he was to lose the battle. But no sooner had
the smith, John and Alice appeared on the
scene, when all changed. The three rode beauti-
full black horses. and their swords began at once
to do their deadly work among the rapidly
advancing enemy. Wherever the three went
the foe had to give IN. The swords moved
down the men by the hundreds. while they
were invincIble and nothing could harm them.
This wondrous work threw dire CONSERVATION
into the battalions of the enemy, while their
friends became reanimated with hope for
glory and victory. Everybody rallied around
the three on the black horses. and the tall
smith led them on into the thickest of the fight.
On the right and left of him, wherever his tall
figure appeared, death and destruction seemed
to be marked out for all who opposed him. In
about an hour the entire aspect of the battle
banner once more crowned with the glory of
grand victory. The appalled, enemy, who had
already become almost intoxicated with the
idea that he had annihilated his foe, had to re-
treat in the most dexterous manner. Still the
blacksmith and his two friends followed them
until all were literally exterminated.
and Alice, he said: Children, you have done
nobly to-day. Now we have done our duty, let
us return home"
But before they could get away the King,
his SON. the Prince, and all the Generals and |
mobiles had surrounded them.
"Hurrah for the victors, hurrah for the |
three invinciblesr' they all shouted. Then the |
King came forward, and turning to the black |
smith, saids
my dear knight, whoever you are, let me |
embrace you for the service you have done me
to-day"
Then the King turned toward John and Alice
Intending to do the same to them, when sud,
ienly a man broke forth from the group of
and running up to Alice, he said:
Are you not Alice. my daughter"
The little girl recognized her father now and
'he called John, who did the same and such
rejoicing was never seen on any battlefield AZ |.
IN that day after the great victory achieved bv
he three invincibles.
After a while the old soldier aslxad h;s ,hu
lren how it was that they were not dead. Then
he whole story came out about the decention
,racticed upon them by the stepmother and
he fearful Felix.
1--WE will punish them" said the father.
when we return home"
As this battle had entirely wiped ont the an.
my the war was over. and now the King
howed bis gratitude to the three iuvincibles
lie made the blacksmith Field Marshal John be
made General but Alice he gave to his son
or wife. and she became the most beautiful
'rincess in the world.
The bad stepmother and fearful Felix. how.
yer, were put into o dungeon. and if thew
ever died they are there still to-day.