The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-02-23

rived that he became interested and
sympathized with his i'll fortune.
Bartolo was man who always knew
how to excite great interest in him
self.
'Come, come" the stranger said,
smiling. 81 will do something for
you. AS l cannot find customers for
your cages, l will afford you power
full means by which you shall never
more be in want"
He then blew a whistle, and Bar
tolo saw flying before him bird blue
as the sky, which came and perchea
on one of his cages.
"See here" added the stranger,
"what will compensate for all your
past misery. From this day forward
you have only to formulate wish
and say slowly and distinctly, BLU
est of bluebirds, do your duty and
your wish will be granted to you"
SPY my faith!" cried the birdcage
maker, "but l will try it at once. For
the last 20 years Ihave wished to kill
hunger. 'Bluest of bluebirds, do
your dutyr"
Scarcely were the words out of his
mouth than he saw suddenly spread
before him on the grass breakfast
fit for prince laid on a service of ex
quisite silver and glass and the whit
est of cloths. Bartolo, astonished,
flung himself on his knees before his
benefactor to thank him, but he raised
BIN up, saying:
81 am the good genius of the hon
est workingmen of CASTLE. Sit down
and eat without fear. Take advant-
age of your lucky star" and then
suddenly disappeared.
Bartolo reverently bent down and
kissed the spot upon which he had
stood. unarle tofind adequate express
sion of his gratitude.
He then sat down and ate his
breakfast. After his meal Bartolo
ju 'ged that man who had feasted
in such an elegant manner ought to
have other, better clothing than his
well worn working suit, and lifting
his staff he cried to the bird, "Bluest
of bluebirds, do your dutyw In an
instant his old suit became trans
formed into one of richest velvet, en-
broidered in gold and silver, and his
rough staff into splendid horse fully
caparisoned and having round its
neck collar of silver bells.
More astonished than ever, Bartolo
suspended to the saddle the cage
with the bluebird, leaped on the horse
and went his way as proud of his
dress as donkey of it's ears.
Setting spurs to his horse, he soon
reached the gates of splendid castle.
Some feast was taking place within.
The guests were all seated under
shady bower deploring that they had
been disappointed of the minstrels
who were to have played.
Bartolo, on learning this, advanced
to the bower, and after elegantly
saluting the lord and lady of the
castle in most refined voice said:
eff it be right for simple knight
to offer his services to such disting-
uished company of rank and beauty,
think 1 could promise to provide
what you are requiring"
ooh, do, at once, pleasew cried all
the ladies, who were longing to
dance.
"Bluest of bluebirds, do your
dutyp said Bartolo.
Suddenly in the distance was heard
the noise of many feet, and troop
of musicians with their instruments
appeared, to the great delight OF the
company.
The lord of the castle thanked the
stranger and desired him to open the
ball with his eldest daughter, mai
den fair and lovely, like a snow bird.
When the ball was at its height,
the birdcage maker ordered an ele-
giant banquet 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, dis
tributed among the ladies pearls,
bracelets and rings of precious stones.
All those present were surprised
beyond measure because the lord of
the castle was known to be extreme
ly 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 inordinately avaricious
nature, thought he might do fine
stroke of business were he to purchase