Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1895-12-25
w IHORNE ESMERALDA COUNTY, NEVADA, DECEMBER 25 1925

having accompanied him. Tho king was
charmed and could hardly walt for tho
morning. At midnight they got up and
watched how the cock would call tho day.
Ono o'clock nothing, , o'clock tho cock
crew, and every one was amazed Mt his
voice. AT 8 O'Clock tho cock orowcd agair,
and 50 on till In the morning. When tho
king had satisfied himself that tho cock
Ind really called the day, ho ordered that
y ~ should give Mathew 8, 900 florins out
Of tho trcasury and all hold him In honor
Mathew took tho money, nto and drank TO
his hearts content, and, thanking tho
king. wont home.
His brothors received him with JOY, and
for little while oil lived In plenty, but
they were not economical. Tho money soon
took wings, and when but u little remain
cd Michal said; NOW, brothers, will 40
wnndor In tho world and look about mo-
Perhaps will receive as much for my tom
cat as you did for your things"
Michal put tho cat In a bag and won't. A
long tim0 ho wandered till he came to O
country whose language he did not under
stand, but before he reached the chief city
hc had learned so much that he could un-
derstand little what they said to him.
Before he entered the city no also met q
gentleman, who asked him what ho had In
his bag.
A tomoat," said Michal and showed
him the cat.
"That is strange animaii And of what
uso Is hep
"Ho catches MICE No matter how many
Aro In tho house, he catches them ali"
CT hat t.t-
bag and como to tho kingi Wo have SO
many mico in tho castle that 1t Is a won
der they do not run ON tho tables Tho
king would give almost everything to who
over was lucky enough to rid tho castle of
thom.'
"For that thcro will soon bo found q
remody," said Miohal Ho put tho tomcat
back In tho bag and followed tho gcntlo-
man.
When they camo to tho king, tho gcntlo-
man said: " "Merciful king, this man has q
tomcat, catcher. 1t Is sn animal who
catches mice, and II your mercifulness Or
ders no would sell him."
"If this Is true, will buy him with
pleasure.
"Merciful king, only toll mo whore you
have most mice, and you will 500 for your
self how my tomcat will catch thoml''
They led him to n room, whoro tho mico
swarmod and ran ovorywhoro undor one's 8
feet. Michal oponod his bag tho tomcat
jumped out and mado-such havoc among
them that not one escaped.
Tho king was enchanted and ordcrod
that they should pay Michal 10, 900 horlns.
Michal jumped with happiness that ho had
SO much money and joyfully wont homo.
Two days after the king thought, "What
will tho catcher cat when there arc no more
mice!" But no ono knew, and Michal was
far away. Then tho king ordered TINT u
rider should bo sent on tho floctest horse
to ask him.
Michal, In tho meanwhile, strodc joyful
ly onward through the same roads that had
led him to tho city. On tho fourth day he
suddenly saw behind him n rider, who
called to him to stop while still far away,
SO Michal stopped.
When tho rider came to him, hc asked
him something, half In German, half in
Bohemian, that Michal did not under
stand. To make 1t easier he asked tho rid
er, "Was?" WHAT" In Bohemia you is
vas, and in German was Is what. When
spoken quickly, they both sound exactly
alike. This was tho mistake. Michal ask
ed in German was?-What. Tho rider un-
dcrstood him to say III Bohemian, vas,
you. On hearing this tho rider ut once
turned ard rodo away IN such haste 1t
seemed he was riding on tho wind. Michal
thought to himself tho lnan Is crazy, and
in Gods namo went on his way.
All out of breath, covered with dust, the
rider returned, and hardly had ho jumped
from tho saddle when he ran to the king.
"Morciful king, sad arc tho tidings
bring. When tho tomcat has caught oil
tho mice, he will hunt us''
"Who told your" answered tho king in
fright.
"That fellow who sold us tho tomcat. /
overlook him on tho way and asked him,
Whom tho catcher has done catching tho
mice, what will tho animal cats and ho
answered, Your
Tho king at once called oil his counsel
ors, and it was then debated what they
should do with tho tomcat. After long
debates and discussions they determined
to Keep the cat in the chamber as prisoner
and to set guard Of two men, SO that he
should not be able to get out. Immediate
ly tho highest general was ordered to SGT
guard of four strong and courageous men
W y hIAu ti'O CilftiiibcIs 4NASio hhu N<hJ Why
stood in the corners and trcmblod with
fear whenever rustling noise was heard
IN tho room.- The second night was quiet
because the cat had caught all the mice
In the, morning, when not u sound was to
DO heard in tho room, the guard nearest the
window thought what could bc tho matter
and looked into tho room. But, oh, sor-
rowi Tho tomcat sat in tho window, and
whom ho saw the bushy beard and hair cap
no was so astonishcd that he broke through
tho window, and away he went
The second man heard noise and rush
ID to sec what had happened. He saw the
soldier lying on his back, with his chin in
tho air. Hurriedly hc ran to tho castle and
called:
"Oh, misfortune, misfortune, merciful
king, that terrible mouse catcher has got
out of tho chamberl Ho has bitten my
who. stood by the window, and
God knows how many people he has stran
glcdi Oh, this is a misfortunoP'
Immediately all tho houses were closed,
and every ono hid himself. Then the king
ordered that q regimont of tho bravest
men, in heavy armor, should seek tho tom.
cat. All this was ut onco accomplished,