Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-05-24
AT THE TABLE SAT A LITTLE OLD MAN.

gold, suddenly disappeared. and it was said
il had sunk beneath the hill as a punish
ment to the count for his wild ways. Many
stories about the buried castle were told in
the city Some said that they had seen a
column Of blue smoke rising from the hill
under which the castle was supposed to lie.
Others declared that little old man who
guarded the great treasure had been seen
walking IN the forest. Nearly every inhabi-
tant of the city, both young and old, had,
ar one time or another, attempted to find
some trace CT the buried castle, but every
effort was vain.
In this city lived number of mischieyous
boys, who, with Bertram, the saddler's son,
as their leader, had formed themselves into
what they called a robber band, and spent
all their play hours and half holidays in
pundering orchards, robbing birds nests
and stealing small articles from the shops.
The prizes which they obtained they carried
for safe keeping into a little cave in the
hillside, and were afterward distributed
among the members of the band. One day,
when these boys had met in the forest,
Roland, the son of poor widow, who lived
not far from the city wall passed bv, carry
ing basket Of strawberries. Bertram spied
the boy ani cried: "Now we shall have a
feast, for here comes Roland with fresh
berries"
Roland held his basket more firmly and
sald: do not touch them, for / have
hunted nearly all day for them, and I am
going TO sell them in the city and carry the
money to my mother, who is very poor''
They will taste just as good to US as to
the people in the city," cried the unfeeling
crowd, ''and it will be an easy matter for us
to take them, if you are unwilling to give
them TO u.s."
Roland knew that he was powerless to
resist the rough boys; but a sudden thought
came to his mind.
''If You Will promise not to touch nv
berries" he said, 81 viii show you some
thing for which you have been looking a
long time. have found an opening in the
hill, which leads into the buried castle
''HOw could you have found it, asked
Bertram, scornfuily, ''when we have been
searching for months for it?''
Only listen, said Roland, 'fand 1 will
tell you about it. On the hill, there is
place SO covered with thorn bushes that one
can hardly push through, but the sweetest
and largest berries grow there, and nearly
filled my basket in that one place This
morning, while gathering the fruit, saw,
not far away from me, smoke rising as
if coming out of the ground 1
thought the grass was on fire Then
slnelt something good cooking. At first I
was afraid, thinking l might be near a
wltch's den, but 1 took courage and drew
nearer. When I had cleared away the
bushes and vines saw large, black hole.
from which the smoke was pouring forth.
and am sure that it is one of the chimneys
of the buried castle. listened, but could
hear no sound except low kissing, or more
like boiling water. But if YOU will give
me your promise not to touch the berries !
shall show you how you may enter the
castle"
The boys willingly gave the desired prom
Use, and the whole company at once started
toward the hill. Roland led the way to the
thicket, and after some little searching
pushed aside the bushes and pointed out the
dark, round hole. No smoke was visible,
and the boys peered curiously into the
opening, but could see only black darkness.
For moment not word was spoken, then
Bertram said: ''Great treasure is buried
here and we should go in search of it."
But no one offered to make the descent,
and again there was q silence Then Bert
ram, after whispering to several of his COM
panions, said: Roland, you discovered
this opening; you shall be the first to enter
See, we have here a long rope, which we
shall tie around you, and then we can easily
draw you up again."
Roland was very much frightened, and
wished that he had given up the berries and
had said nothing about his discovery. But
there was no help for it now The rope was
quickly tied about him, and with his
basket, which he still firmly grasped, he was
soon being lowered into the dark hole, and
in short time was lost to the view of the
boys gazing after him. Suddenly the rope
gave twitch, and then seemed to lose its
weight. 1t was hurriedly drawn up, but no
Roland was to be seen. Bertram and his
band were now thoroughly alarmed, and
cried, Roland, Roland, where are >you?'
But when 10 answer came to their calls
pale and trembling, they left the place, and