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

many mice In inc castle JnnC IL IN won
der they do not run ON the tables. Tho
king would give almost everything to who
ever was lucky enough to rid the castle OF
them"
"For that there will soon be found u
remedy" said Michal. He put tho tomcat
back in the bag and followed the gentle
man.
When they came to tho king tho gentle
man said "Merciful king, this man has
tomoat, a catcher. 1t Is an animal who
catches mice, and If your mcrcifulness or
ders ne would sell him."
"If this Is true, / will buy him with
pleasure"
"Merciful king, only tell me where you
have most mice, and you will see for your
self how my tomcat will catch themp'
They led him to n room, whore the mice
swarmcd and ran everywhere under ones
feet Michal opened his bag, the tomcat
jumped out and made such havoc among
them that not one escaped.
The king was enchanted and ordered
that they should pay Michal TO- 900 tiorins
Michal jumped with happiness that no had
SO much money and joyfully went home
Two days after the king thought, What
will the catcher eat whom there arc no more
mice?" But no one knew, and Michal was
far away Then the king ordered that
rider should be sent on the flcetest horse
to ask him.
Michal, in tho meanwhile, strobe joyful
ly onward through the same roads that had
led him to the city. On the fourth day no
Suddenly saw behind him rider, who
called to him Co stop while still far away,
SO Michal stopped.
When the rider came to him, he asked
him something, half in German, half in
Bohemian that Michal did not under
stand. TO make it easier he asked the rid
er, "Wasy" "Whaty" In Bohemia you is
vas, and in German was is what When
spoken quickly, they both sound exactly
alike. This was the mistake. Michal ask
cd in German was?-What. The rider un-
derstood him to say in Bohemian, vas,
you. On hearing this the rider at once
turned and rode away in such haste it
seemed he was riding on the wind. Michal
thought to himself the man Is crazy, and
in Gods name went on his way.
All out of breath, covered with dust, the
rider returned, and hardly had he jumped
from the saddle when he ran to tho king.
"Merciful king, sad arc the tidings l
bring. When the tomcat has caught all
tho MICE he will hunt us!'
"Who told your" answered the king in q
fright.
"That fellow who sold us the tcmcat. 1
overlook him on the way and asked him,
When the catcher has done catching the
mice, what will the animal eat!' and he
answered, Your"
The king at once called all 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>ca in the chamber as prisoner
and to set a guard of two men, so that he
should not be able to get out. Immediate
ly the highest general was ordered to set a |
guard of four strong and courageous men !
to guard the chamber. Night and day they |
stood In the corners and trembled with |
fear whenever rustling noise was heard |
In the room. The second night was quiet |
because the cat had caught all the mice. |
In the morning, when not a sound was to |
DO heard in the room, the guard nearest the |
window thought what could be the matter |
and looked into the room. But, oh, sor-
row! The tomcat sat in the window, and |
when he saw the bushy beard and hair cap |
he was SO astonished that he broke through |
the window, and away he went.
The second man heard noise and rush
ed TO see what had happened. He saw the
soldier lying on his back, with his chin in
the air. Hurriedly he ran to the castle and
called:
"Oh, misfortune, misfortune, merciful |
king, that terrible mouse catcher has got |!
out of the chamber He has bitten my |
who stood by the window, and |
IoN knows how many people he has .stran-
yled Oh this is misfortune!'
Immediately all the houses were closed |
and every one hid himself. Then the king |
ordered that a regiment of the bravest |
men, in heavy armor, should seek the tom
at All this was at once accomplished, |
and they hunted everywhere for three days, |
but not trace of the cat could they find |
From the Bohemian For Romance