Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1895-06-07

reached the gates Of a splendid castle.
Some FEAST was taking place within.
The guests were all seated under a shady
bower deploriug that they had been dis
appointed Of the MINISTRIES who were to
have played
Bartolo, ON learning this, advanced
to the bower, and after elegantly salut-
ing the lord and lady Of the castle in a
most refined voice said;
IF it be right for q simple knight to
offer his services to such a distinguished
company Of rank and beauty. 1 think l
could promise to provide what You arc
requiring.
ooh, do, at once, pieasep' cried all
the ladies, who were longing to dance.
"Blucst Of bluebirds, do your dutyi"
said Bartolo.
Suddenly in the distance was heprd
the noise Of many feet, and a troop Of
musicians with their instruments ap-
peared, to tho great delight of tho com
pany.
The lord Of the castle thanked tho
stranger and desired him to open the
ball with his eldest daughter, a maiden
fair and lovely, like a snow bird.
Whom the ball was at its height, the
birdcage maker ordered an elegant ban
quet to be served, during which Che
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, distributed among the
ladies pearls, bracelets and rings Of pre-
cious stones. All those present were
surprised beyond measure because the
lord Of tho castle was known to be OK
tremely niggardly and mean.
The lord of the castle, who knew how
oil this had boon done through the
agency Of tho bird and being himself Of
an inordinately avaricious nature,
thought he might do a fine stroke Of
business were no to purchase the bird.
Hence, calling his unknown guest away
to his study, he proposed to him to pur-
chase the bird for what price he should
quote.
"You would never give me my price, ;"
replied Bartolo.
"For it 1 would give my castle, with
its nine forests, " said the lord Of the
castle.
at is not enough"
Every we'll, 1 will add my olive plan
tations and vineyards"
THAT is still insufficient, " cried
Bartolo.
81 will add the orchards, gardens
and houses"
II want something else"
, "What, still more? Why, man, You
: must want paradise itself"
mot 50. l want what you can give
! me this very moment. l want your
I daughter with whom I danced just now.
: Let her be my bride"
What, my daughter?' cried the old
> miser in an ecstasy of joy. "By my
faith, we shall soon conclude the bar
gain. Why did you not say SO before?"
He went to seek the girl and told her
of the engagement he had entered into.
But his daughter, in utter amazement,
cried out:
"But what if he is q wicked elf and
ali he does be witchcraft?"
"You have an amulet of coral hang
ing from your neck. 1t is m antidote
against all witchery."
"And what if he be satan himself?''
81 will give you a pieco of blessed
candle, and he will have no power over
you, " replied the unrelenting father.
Taking her hand, ho led her to the
stranger, who was already on his horse,
and assisted her to mount behind her
future husband. Taking the cage with
the bluest of bluebirds, no watched tho
rotreating forms of the pair as the horse
carried them away swifter than the
wind, and when out Of sight he pro
ceeded to Join his guests. The company
was all gathered inknots discussing the
extraordinary powers of the bird and
all the events which had taken place.
peace, peaoep' cried the lord of the
castle as he entered. II will perform
more marvellous things than ever he
did. 1 have given him my daughter tt
! we'd in exchange for the bird, and thii
bluebird will render mo more wealthy
than the king Of Aragon. Approach ant
see the wonders / will work with il.
He took the cage, and lifting it up t
look at the bird was astonished TO FIND
that il was not blue at all, but a largl
, gray bird, which turned to stare at hin
T in an ~insulent manner gave a fiorc'
! peck at the door Of the cage with it
4 beak, flung it open and flew out Of tn
I window, uttering a terrible screech.
The lord Of the castle stood with opeI
mouth, not knowing what to do or say
His guests broke out in peals of laughte
T at his discontinue and the we'll deserv
ed punishment for his unseemly avaricl
7 Of exchanging his beautiful daughter TO
a worthless bird.
s Meanwhile Bartolo was galloping OF
+ with his bride TO tho nearest town t.
r be married, and when no arrived at tn
o first hostelry he wished to dismoun
{ and engage the most splendid suit 0
j. apartments for his intended bride, bu
7 he found himself utterly penniloss.
He had not calculated that in partinl
with the bird he had parted with hi
luck, and therefore as soon as he dis
d mounted the horse disappeared, and hi
elegant dress became changed for tn
y shabby one no had worn before he me
the kind individual who had wishes
d to befriend him. When the beautiful
4 daughter of the lord Of the castle beheli
a. 80 - 4