The Portland daily press., 1895-09-07

two drove all the curious people away. AT
midday the servant brought dinner for TWO
and was much astonished to see so much
grass cut
"Will your grass cutter also eat?' ne
asked Martin.
eff he works, he must also be fed, but
go with God and leave us alone.
The servant went away, and Martin ats
the dinner for two alone. "That was
good thought, that I ordered dinner for
two. Ii had asked for only one, would
not have had enough" And SO he ordered
two dinners every day till all the meadows
were cut.
When he was finished, he put his scythe
over his shoulder and went to the king Tor
his hire.
HYour grass cutter cuts the grass him
self?' asked the king.
"Himself, most merciful king"
s'Perhaps you would leave him here,
then, for !, 900 f1orins?"
s'He is worth more! But l will leave
him here for that price" said Martin and
put the scythe down, took the money and
went home. The king had the scythe put
in room, that it might not be injured.
Next year came The grass was ripe, ready
to be cut. The king ordered the invention
to be brought to the meadow, with lifting
pomp. They brought it out and stuck 1T
in the middle of the meadow in the ground
and went away, as they thought the grass
cutter did not like to be watched. At mid
day they came with the dinner, burning
with curiosity to see how much he had cut.
But the scythe stood exactly as they had
stuck it in the morning, and they we're all
very much astonished. They placed the
dinner beside it and went to tell the king.
eff he cut SO much grass the first half
day when that man was with him, why
will he not cut now" said the king and
shook his head In the evening the servant
came again and said the grass was not cut
and the dinner was uneaten.
sit must be bewitched," said the king.
"Let him receive 20 blows, and if he will
not cut then we will bury him"
During this time the brMhers had fine
times and blessed their fat1er that he had
left them such rich Inheritance. After
awhile, when the money began to be all
spent, Mathew said: CHOW will go and
wander. Perhaps 1 will dispose of my cock
as well as you did with your scythe.
Mathew took his inheritance and went.
After awhile he also came near city and
met gentleman.
"What are you carrying, my manp' he
asked
"I'm carrying cock, replied Mathew.
"It calls the sun"
'sOh, wonder of wondersl We have to
accompany the sun every day to a noun
tain, and in the morning go to meet him,
which is often very ineonvenient. If that
bird really has such a talent, the king
would pay you nice few thousands for
him.
"Ok. but you can investigate the mat
ter" said Mathew, and he went with the
gentleman to the king
'sMerciful king, this man has bird, a
caller. He calls the day, and when he goes
to sleep the sun al2o goes to Sleep
'sOh, that could hardly be paid with
money If it is really true what you say
sMerciful king, you can prove my
words" They put the cock in a gold cage;
and he. being satisfied with his new dwell
ing, made himself at home. 1t was not
long before the sun set without any ones
having accompanied him. The king was
charmed and could hardly wait for the
morning AT midnight they got up and
watched how the cock would call the day.
One o'clock nathing, o'clock the cock
crew, and every one was amazed at his
and so on till in the morning. When the
king had satisfied himself that the cock
had really called the day, he ordered that
they should give Mathew 5000 forms out
of the treasury and all hold him in honor.
Mathew took the money, ate and drank to
his hearts content, and, thanking the
king, went home.
His tkathers received him with joy. and
for little while all lived In plenty, but
they were NOT economical. The money soon
took wings, and when but a little remain
ed Michal said: Now, brothers, will go
wander in the world and look about me.
Perhaps will receive as much for my TOM
cat as you did for your things"
Michal put the cat in a bag and went. A
long time he wandered till he came to
country whose language he did not under
stand, but before he reached the chief city
he had learned SO much that he could IN
derstand little what they said to him
Before he entered the city he also met a
gentleman, who asked him what he had in
his bag.
ga tomcat," said Michal and showed
him the cat.
"That is strange ANIMAL And of what
use is he?'
"He catches mice No matter how many
are in the house, he catches them all.
"Oh, stick that catcher, quick, in your
bag and come to the king! We have SO
many mice in the castle that it is a won
der they do not run an the tables. The
king would give almost everything to who
ever was lucky enough to rid the castle of
them"
sFor that there will soon be found
remedy" said Michal. He put the tomcat
back in the bag and followed the gentle
man.
When they came to the king, the gentle
man said: "Merciful king, this man has
tomcat, catcher. 1t is an animal who
catches MICE and If your mercifulness o.
ders he would sell him.
eff this is true, will buy him with
pleasure"
"Merciful king, only tell me where you
have most mice, and you will see for your
self how my tomcat will catch themp'
They led him to room, where the mice
swarmed and ran everywhere under ones
feet. Michalopened his bag, the tomcat
jumped out and made such havoc among
them that not one escaped.
The king was enchanted and ordered
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