Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-06-01
THE THREE SONS.


third Michal All three were grown up,
when their father began to sicken, and In
few days had to prepare to die, when he
called them to his bedside.
"You know, my children, / have no
riches except this cottage, my cat, cock
and scythe. Live together In the cottage,
and of the three things take one. Do not
squabble, but live In peace, and now God
bless you'll" Having finished, he died.
When the sons had buried their father,
they divided the inheritance. Martin took
the scythe, for he knew well how to NOW /;
Mathew the tomcat and Michal the cock.
Dear brothers" said Martin, 1--WE can
not all remain at home, or we should die
of hunger. You two remain Mt home and
arrange things, while go with my scythe
out into the world"
The three loved one another, and what
the one wished the others also dosired SO
no one spoke against this plan.
Martin took the scytho and started on
his wanderings. He went very far, very
far, but nowhere could he find work. At
last he came to country where the people
were exceedingly stupid. AS ho neared
city nc met n man, who asked him what
he carried.
"a scythc, said Martin.
"And what is that and what is 1t good
forY'
"To cut grass, grain"
"With that you cut grass9 Why, that Is
splendid We have to pick and pull out
with our hands all the grass, and in Gods
name we can never be ready. If you would
go to our king, he would pay you we'll for
this invention"
"And why not9 I'll go''
TLa man Ind hin, to tho EfpO who xvca
much astonished at this invention, and at.
once hired him to cut the grass in one of
his meadows.
Martin went, followed by crowd, but
as he was not stupid no stuck tho scythe
up in the middle of the meadow and hav-
ing told tho servant to bring dinner for
two drove all the curious people away. AT
midday the servant brought dinner for two
and was much astonished to sec so much
grass cut
"will your grass cutter also eat?" he
asked Martin.
If he works, he must also be fed, but
go with God and leave us alone"
The servant went away, and Martin ate
the dinner for two alone. THAT was q
good thought, that 1 ordered dinner for
two. If haa 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 tho king for
his hire.
"Your grass cutter cuts the grass him
selff' asked the king.
Himself, most merciful king"
perhaps you would leave him here,
then, for ], 900 fiorins9"
"He is worth morel But 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 q room, that 1t 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 fitting
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.
''If he cut SO much grass the first half
day when that man was with him, why
shook his head. In the evening the servant
came again and said the grass was not cut
and the dinner was uncaten.
"It must be bewitched," said the king.
"Let him receive 90 blows, and If he will
not cut then we will bury him."
During this time the brothers had fine
times and blessed their father that he had
left them such rich inheritance. After
awhile, when the money began to be all
spent, Mathew said: "Now 1 will go and
wander. Perhaps 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 q city and
met gentleman.
what are you carrying, my man?" he
asked
"Pm carrying cock, " replied Mathew.
"It calls the SUM-"
"Oh, wonder of wonders! We have to
accompany the sun every day to noun
tain, and in the morning go to meet him,
which Is often very inconvenient. II that
bird really has such talent, the king
would pay you nice few thousands for
him."
"Oh, but you can investigate the mat
ter, F" said Mathew, and he went with the
gentleman to the king
"Merciful king, this man has bird, q
caller. He calls the day, and when no goes
to sleep the sun also goes to Sleep"
"Oh, that could hardly be paid with
money, II 1t is really true what you say"
"Merciful king, you can prove my
words. They put the cock In 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
and could hardly wait for the
At midnight they got up and
watched how the cock would call the day.
One o'clock nothing, 2 o'clock the cock
crew, and every one was amazed at his
voice. At 8 o'clock the cock crowed again,
and 80 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 1000 forms out
pf the treasury and all hold him In honor.
Mathew took the money, ate and drank to