Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-10

the boy drew out his penny and gave it to
the old man, saying: "If you will have this
you are welcome to it.
When the man had taken the money, he
said: "For this gift you shall receive great
reward. Tell me what you most wish and
it shall be granted to you"
Marzi was astonished TO hear such words
from a beggar, and he answered quickly
without thinking: "My good old man,
think should most like, :hat whenever 1
wished could become hare, dove or
fish,"
at shall be as you DESIRE" said the old
man; and then he vanished from sight.
When be had been from home nearly a
wear, Marzi came one day to large city, in
which there was great noise and confusion.
The men were running through the streets
shouting, women we're crying and wringing
their hands, and even the little children
seemed troubled and grieved. When
Marzi inquired the cause of all this tumult,
ne was told that the King of the city was
going out to make war against a powerful
enemy, and it was feared that he and all the
brave men whom he was taking with him
would be lost. Marzi asked and obtained
permission to go with the soldiers as drum
mer-boy, aud gaily marched away to war.
For many davs the battle ragged hercely,
and finally the King and his loyal men be-
gan steadily to lose ground, while the enemy
continued to gain, and must in time over
power them and take them prisoners. When
the King had called his men together he
said: ''ln the treasure room Of my palace
is a magic ring, given to me by an old
magician, and which when placed on my
finger renders me invisible. If had this
ring now, 1 could mingIe with the troops OF
Al hair r1la "a
our army. To the one who is willing to 60
to the palace and will bring me the ring
will command the treasure master to give
great reward"
The men hesitated to perform this desire
of the King, for to return to the city the
lines o the enemy must be passed through,
and no one wished thus to endanger his life.
Finally, the drummer boy advanced to the
King and said. "Your Majesty, l will in
short time bring your ring to you"
Now the promise of the old beggar
proved true; for when Marzi wished to be-
come hare he was changed at once, and
darted away like the wind. When he came
to the wide river over which the soldiers
had been carried in boats be became q fish
and swan rapidly to the other side. As
soon as he reached the shore he was again
changed into a white dove, and few directly
to the palace. There he lighted on the
shoulder of the treasure master, who admit
ted the beautiful bird and ted it with crumbs
of bread and cake. When Marzi had as
sumed his natural form he told the treasure
master his errand, and received the ring,
with these words: "Be careful and allow
no one to take the ring from you, or you
may lose your reward
Marzi then changed himself into dove
and said: Now treasure master, pluck
nf M
When he had done so, the dove became
fish and said: "Take eight scales from my
back"
This being done the fish became q hare
and said: "Cut of the tip of my right
ear"
The treasure master took the scissors and
did as the hare commanded. Marzi then
took the ring and was soon on his way back.
He crossed tie river In safety and was Tying
toward the camp when great wind arose,
blowing so violently that the poor dove was
obliged to descend aud become hare in
order to continue his journey. But a
cowardly soldier. who had seen the drum
mer-boy set out in the form of hare, now
watched for his return, and as soon as he
spied him leaping through the grass, be
sprang upon HIM, beating him until ne
thought him dead, and then taking the ring
he carried 1t to the King, saying:
"Hope again, most noble ruler for L
bring TO you the magic ring"
The King was greatly pleasedIan warmly
praised the soldier Tor his bravery, and
promised double the reward first offered.
In a short time the enemy was put to fight.
conquered by means of the magic ring.
Now the King aud his men returned to the
as victors. There were loud rejoicings,
city ringing of bells, waving of banners, and
sounding of trumpets. In the grand pro-
cession, which passed through the streets,
the little drummer-boy WAS not to be seen;
but the wicked soldier rode beside the King
on a noble white steed, and was proclaimed
the deliverer of the army. When, however:
they reached the palace and the reward was
Demanded OF him, the treasure master said:
ssThis is not he to whom 1 gave the ring"
The King was much astonished, and.
turning to the soldier, he said: ibid you
not return to the palace for the ring and
bring it to me?"
The soldier declared that he and no other
had saved the army. But the treasure mas
ter said:
swat until tomorrow, and then IL the
true OBSERVER of the reward does not appear,
I shall pay it TO this one"
The King agreed TO this plan, and the