The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-04-02

Mercy, mercy" he screamed at
last; "you shall have whatever can
give you, only cease to play. Here,
here take this purse of gold!''
Since you are SO ready to paw
said the boy, II will cease my music;
but L must say that you dance well
to lit is treat to see you.'
With that he took the purse and de-
parted.
The theivish-looking man watched
him until he was quite out of sight:
then he bawled insultingly after him:
-'You miserable scraper! YOU ale
house fiddler! wait till 1 find you alone
will chase you until you have not a
sole to your shoen'
And thus he abused him as long as
he could find words. When he had
sufficiently relieved himself, he ran to
the Judge of the next town.
"Honorable judge" cried he, sI beg
your mercy; see how have been i'll
treated and robbed on the open high
way; a stone might pity me; my
clothes are torn, my body is pricked
and scratched, and a purse of gold
has been taken from me-a purse of
ducats, each one brighter than the
other. | entreat you, good judge, let
on"
''Was it q soldier" asked the Judge.
"who has SO wounded you with his
sabre?'
''No, indeed" replied the gypsy, cit
was one who had no sabre, But a gun
hanging at his back; the rascal can
easily be recognized"
The Judge sent some people after the
boy; they soon overlook him, for he
had gone on very slowly; they searched
him, and found in his pockets the
purse OF gold. He was brought to
trial, and with a loud voice declared
IL did not beat the fellow, nor steal
his gold; he gave it to me of his own
1ree-Wlll, that might cease my music,
which he did not like"
lie can tell stories as fast as I can
catch flies off the WALL" cried the
accuser.
And the Judge said, "Yours is bad
Defence" and he sentenced him to be
hanged as a highway robber.
AS they led him away to the gallows.
the gypsy bawled after him triumph
you will receive your reward"
The boy quietly assembled the ladder
with the hangman, but, on the last
step, he turned and begged the Judge
to grant him one favor before he died.
Il will grant it," replied the Judge,
"on condition that you do not ask
for your life"
Il ask not for my life," said the
boy, ''but to be permitted to play
once more on my beloved fiddle,;:
''Do not let him, do not let him.
screamed the ragged rogue.
why should not allow him to en-
Joy this one short pleasure?" said the
Judge; II have granted it already; he
shall have his wish!'
''Tie me fast! bind me down. cried
the gypsy.
The tiddle-player began; at the first
stroke every one became unsteady
Judge, clerks, and bystanders totter-
ed-and the rope fell from the hands
OF those who were tying down the tat
terdemalion; at the second. they all
raised one leg, and the hangman let 90
his prisoner, and made ready for the
dance; at hethird all sprang into the
ar; the Judge and the accuser was
foremost, and leaped the highest.
Every one danced, old and young, fat
and lean; then the dogs got on their
hlnd-legs, and hoped! Faster and
faster went the fiddle, and higher and
higher jumped the dancers, until at
last in their fury, they kicked and
screamed most dismally,
Then the JUDGED gasned oI1t-:Ceasa
playing, and will give you your life!'
The fiddler stopped, descended the
ladder, and approached the wicked
looking gypsy, who lay painting for
breath.
Rogue" said he, ''confess where
you got that purse OF ducats, or l will
play againn'
81 stole it, l stole it!' he cried pitt
fully.
The Judge hearing this, condemned
him. as a thief and false accuser, to be
hanged instead of the boy. who Jour
neTed on to see the world