Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1895-08-29
THE THREE SONS.

SuaS
"A father had three sons; the Oldest
was called Martin, the second, Mat
5hew 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, have no
riches. except this cottage, my cat,
cock aud 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
5er they divided the inheritance. Mar
tin took the scythe, for he knew we'll
how to now; Matthew, the tomcat,
and Mlchal the cock.
Dear brothers," said Martin, "we.
cannot all remain ut home, or else we
should die of hunger. You two re.
main at home and arrange things,
while so 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 scythe 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 he neared a city he met
man, who asked him what he carried.
"a scythe," said Martin.
st "a nj whaf Ia fhat On6 vvho% 10 ~
good for?'
ITO cut grass, grain"
With that you cut grnss? 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. II you would go to our king,
he would pay you we'll for this inyen-
ton" l
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 crowd,
but as he was not stupid he stuck
the scythe mp in the middle 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 and
was much astonished to see so much
grass cut.
will your grass cutter also eat?'
he asked Martin.
II 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 a good thought, that l or
dered dinner for two. If had asked
for only one, would not have had
enough" And so he ordered two din
ners every day till all the meadows
We're cut.
When he was finished he put his
scythe over his shoulder and went to
the king for his hire.
Your 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 1 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
1t might not be injured. Next year
came. The grass was ripe, ready to
be cut. The king ordered the inven-
ton to be brought to the meadow,
with fitting pomp. They brought it
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 with
curiosity to see how much he had cut.
But the scythe stood exactly as they
had stuck 1t in the morning and they
We're very much astonished. They
placed the dinner beside and went to
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. In
the evening the servant came again
and said the grass was not cut and
the dinner was uneaten.
ut must be bewitched," said the
king. LET him receive twenty 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 in
herltance, after awhile when the mon
ey began to be all spent, Matthew
said:
.'Now will go and wander. Per-
haps I 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 a city and met gentleman.
What are you carrying my MANI"
he asked.
I'm carrying cock" replied Math-
ew. 1T calsl the SUM-"
ooh, wonder Of wonders! We have
to accompany the sun every day to a
mountain, and In the morning go to
meet him, which is often inconyen-
lent. II that bird really has such a
talent, the king would pay yon a nice
few thousand for him.!
''Oh. but you can investigate the
mattcr.' said Mathew, and he went
with The gentleman to the king.
'.Alerciful king. this man has bird,
a caller He calls the day, and when
he goes to sleep the sun also goes to
sleep" Sa
sob. that could hardly be paid with
money, II 1t is really true what you