The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1895-02-09

Setting spurs TO lis horse, he soon
reached the gates OF splendid CASTLE
Some feast was taking place within.
The guests were all seated under ashady
bower deploring that they had been dis
appointe! Of the minstrels who were to
have played. .
Bartolo, on learning this, advanced
to the bower, and after elegantly saint
ing the lord and lady of the castle in a
most refined voice said:
IF it be right for a simple knight to
offer his services to such a distinguished
company Of rank and beauty, / think l
could promise to provide what you are
requiring"
"Oh, do, at once, pleased" cried all
the ladies, who were longing to dance.
"Bluest of bluebirds. do your dutyi"
said Bartolo. :
Suddenly in the distance was heard
the noise of many feet, and a troop of
musicians with their instruments ap-
peared, to the great delight of the com
pany.
The lord OF the castle thanked the
stranger and desired him to open the
bali with his eldest daughter, q maiden
fair and lovely, like a snow bird.
When the ball was at its height, the
birdcage maker ordered an elegant BAN
quet to be served, during which the
bluest of bluebirds was commanded to
sing some songs, which were very much
admired. Games of chance, followed,
and Bartolo, taking advantage of his
good fortune, distributed among the
ladies pearls, bracelets and rings Of pre-
cious stones. All those present were
surprised beyond measure because the
lord of the castle was known to be ex-
tremely niggardly and mean.
The lord of the castle, who knew how
all this had been done through the
agency of the bird and being himself of
an Unfortunately avaricious nature,
thought he might do a fine stroke of
business were he to purchase the bird.
Hence. calling his unknown guest away
to his study, he proposed to him to pur-
chase the bird for what price he should
quote.
"You would never give me my price,"
replied Bartolo.
"For it I would give my castle, with
its nine forests, " said the lord of the
castle.
ut is not enough"
Very well. Twill add my olive plan
tations and vineyards" :
THAT Is still insufficient" cried
Bartolo. ....s
II will add the orchards, gardens
and houses"
81 want something else"
what, still more? Why, man, you
must want paradise itself"
Not SC. / want what you can give
me this very moment. l want your
daughter with whom / danced just nov.
Let her be my bride.
What, my daughtefr?' cried the old
miser in an ecstasy of joy. by my
faith, we shall soon conclude the bar
gain, Why did you not say SO before?'
He went to seek the girl and told her
Of the engagement he had entered into.
But his daughter, in utter amaZement,
cried out:
But what if he is a wicked elf and
all he does be witchcraft?" x
lyon have an amulet of coral hang
ing from your neck. 1t is an antidote
against all witchery."
And what if he be satan himself?'
II will give you a piece of blessed
candle, and he will have no power over
you," replied the unrelenting father.
Taking her hand, he led her to the
stranger, who was already ON his horse,
and assisted her to mount behind her
future husband. Taking the cage with
the bluest Of bluebirds, he watched the
retreating forms of the pair as the horse
carried them away swifter than the
wind, and when out Of sight he pro-
ceeded to join his guests. The company
was all gathered j nknots discussing the
extraordinary powers of the bird and
all the events which had taken place.
Peace, peace!" cried the lord of the
castle as he entered. 81 will perform
more marvellous things than ever he
did. / have given him my daughter to
wed in exchange for the bird, and this
bluebird will render me more wealthy
than the king of Aragon. Approach and
see the wonders ! will work with it."
He took the cage, and lifting it up to
look at the bird was astonished TO find
that it was not blue at all, bat q large
gray bird, which turned to stare at him
in an ~insolent manner, gave q fierce
peck at the door of the cage with its
beak, flung it open and few out of the
window, uttering o terrible screech.
The lord of the castle stood with open
mouth, not knowing what to do or say.
His guests broke out in peals of laughter
at his discontinue and the well deserv-
ed punishment for his unseemly avarice
of exchanging his beautiful daughter for
q worthless bird.
Meanwhile Bartolo was galloping on
with his bride TO the nearest town to
be married, and when he arrived at the
first hostelry he wished to dismount
and engage the most splendid suit of
apartments for his intended bride, but
he found himself utterly penniless.
He had not calculated that i'm parting
with the bird he had parted with his
luck, and therefGe as Don s he dis
mounted the horse disappeared. and his