Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-09

through which he journeyed all day, and
saw neither man nor beast. When night
came on he saw light in the distance, and
turning toward it, :ound cave, in which
sat three robbers around a fire, and
on the floor lay an old man
bound hand and foot with heavy
cords. Fritz crept softly near and heard
one robber say: 81 am glad we found the
old man; tomorrow he shall lead us to his
castle in the rock and show us his treasures;
and if he refuses we shall roast him."
Quick as thought Fritz sprang into the
cave, swung his sword through the air, and
with almost one blow killed the three wicked
men, He then released the old man, who
thanked him, and Invited him to go with
him to his castle in the rocks. Fritz fol-
lowed the old man by q narrow path through
the forest, and finally they paused before a
high wall of solid rock, which looked very
black in the darkness. The old man struck
three times with his cane; q noise like thun-
der followed, and the rocks parted and a
food of light shoue through. When they
had entered the rock closed again with the
same laundering noise. Although no lamps
or candles were to be seen, the long, wide
hall through which they passed, was bril-
liantly lighted by a bright lustre which
seemed TO shine from the walls. They now
which stood large tree covered with red
and white blossoms. When the footsteps
sounded on the polished marble floor, there
was a rustic and murmur among the BRAN
ches and from each Of the hundreds OF
blossoms tiny face appeared and gazed
curiously at Fritz. Then there was great
whispering and sounds of suppressed
laughter, and finally a chorus of small
voices cried: Here is Stupid Fritz, who
wants to conquer kingdom"
The old man now threw of his old cloak
and stood before Fritz in rich attire. When
be raised his cane, which had become a
golden wand the little faces drew back into
the blossoms and were no longer visible.
The old man then led Fritz through many
rooms and halls of wondrous beauty; and
when he had displayed the treasures of his
castle he mad a couch of down prepared for
his guest, and Fritz soon fell into deep
sleep. When he awoke the next morning a
large green parrot was perched on the loot
of the bed, which nodding gravely, said:
my master wishes you good morning, and
desires you to come to him."
Fritz sprang up and found on the chair
beside the bed not his old, worn clothes, but
princely garments of royal purple. When
he had arrayed himself IN these and buckled
on his sword, which had been placed in a
new golden sheath, he scarcely recognized
his own image in the mirror He then fol-
lowed the parrot into his masters presence
The old man sat before table on which
were placed bread and wine, and while thev
ate he said: 81 saw last evening that
Won carried one of the water nymph's
seords. These are given only to such peo-
pie as are destined to perform some great
deed. / have consulted the nymphs and
have learned that they wish you to release
the Princess Nina from her wicked en-
chanter. But they could not tell me where
to find her. You rescued me from the hands
of the robbers, and now want to help you.
/ shall consult the sunbeams which shine
everywhere; they can certainly tell me
where the Princess is.
The old man then placed small golden
chair on the table, and drawing back the
curtains allowed a stream of light to fall
into the room. The sunbeams played around
the small chair, and in few moments the
figure of the little girl, surrounded by a
halo of white, was seen.
"Can you tell me where to find the Prin-
cess Nina?" asked the old man. A clear,
ringing voice replied: ~ have seen all the