The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-08-29
THE THREE SONS.


hew and the third Michael. All three
were grown up, when their father
began to sicken, and in a few days
had to prepare to die, when he called
them to his bedside.
"You know my children, I 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" Hay
ing finished, he died.
When the sons had buried the faith
CT they divided the Inheritance Mar
tin took the scythe, for he knew we'll
how to NOW; Matthew, the tomcat,
and Michal the cock
Dear brothers," said Martin, eve
cannot all remain at home, or else we
should die of hunger. You two re-
main at home and arrange things,
while 1 go with my scythe out into
the world'
The three loved one another, and
what the one wished the others also
desired; so no one spoke this plan.
Martin took the sscythe and started
on his wanderings. He went very far,
very far, but nowhere could he find
work. At last ne came to country
where the people were exceedingly
stupid. AS he neared a city he met a
man, who asked him what he carried.
"a scythe," said Martin.
"And what is that, and what is it
good for:'
'"ro cut grass, grain"
with that you cut grass? 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 inven.
tion.'
'And why not? I'll go!"
The man led him to the king, who
was much astOnished at this inven
ton, and at once hired him to cut
the grass In one Of his meadows.
Martin went. followed by a crowd
put as he was not stupid he stuck
the scythe mp in the Dliddle of The
meadow, and having told the servant
to bring dinner for two, drove all the
curious people away. At midday the
servant brought dinner for two an(
was much astonished to see so mucl
grass cut.
XVIII 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 Mar
tin ate the dinner for two alone
THAT was good thought, that l or
dered dinner for two. If I had asked
for only one, l would not have hat
enough And so he ordered two din
nerS every day till all the meadow.
were cut
When he was finished he put hi:
scythe over his shoulder and went t.
the king for his hire.
our grass cutter cuts the grass
himself" asked the king.
:Himself, most merciful king"
"Perhaps you would leave him here
then, for 1000 f1orins?"
''He is worth more! But I viii
leave him here for that price" sale
Martin and put the scythe down, tool
the money and went home. The kins
had the scythe put in a room. thai
it might not be injured. Next yea1
came. The grass was ripe, ready tt
be cut. The king ordered the inven
ton to be brought to the meadow
With fitting pomp. They brought il
out and stuck it in the middle OF the
ground and went away, as they
thought the grass cutter did not like
to- be watched. At midnight they
came with the dinner, burning will
curiosity to sec how much he had cut
But the scythe S.Jod exactly as they
had stuck it in the morning, and they
were very much astonished. They
placed the dinner beside and went tc
tell the king.
IF he cut so much grass the first
half day when that man was with
him, why will he not cut it now?
said the king and shook his head. II
the evening the servant came agair
and said the grass was not cut anG
the dinner was uneaten.
1T must be bewitched," said the
king. LET him receive twenty blows
and if he will not cut then we viii
bury him.
During this time the brothers ha6
fine times and blessed their father
that he had left them such a rich in
heritance after awhile when the mon
ey began to be all spent, Matthew
said:
'Now I will go and wander. Per
haps will dispose of my cock az
we'll as you did with your scythe."
Mathew took his Inheritance an(
went. After awhile he also came
near city and met a gentleman.
'What are you carrying my man?'
he asked.
I'm carrying a cock" replied Math
ew. 1T calSl the sum-
ooh, wonder of wonders! We have
to accompany the sun every day to :
mountain, and in the morning go tt
meet him, which is often inconven
lent. If that bird really has such .
talent, the king would pay you a nice
few thousand for him.
"Oh, but you can investigate thu
matter" said Mathew, and he wen
with the gentleman to the king.
'Merciful king, this man has bird
caller. He calls the day, and whe1
he goes to sleep the sun also goes tt
sleep"
"Oh, that could hardly be paid Will
money, if it is really true what 70,
say" .s2s
"Merciful king, you can prove m,