The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1896-02-07
his gratitude. He then sat down and

Ing than his well-worn suit; and, lift
ing his staff, he cried to the bird:
"Bluest Of blue birds, do your duty"
In an instant his old suit became trans
formed into one of richest velvet, en-
broidered in gold and silver, and his
rough staff into a splendid horse fully
caparisoned, and having around his
neck collar of silver bells.
More astonished than ever, Bartolo
suspended to the saddle the cage with
the blue bird, leaped on the horse and
went his way as proud of his dress as a
donkey Of its ears.
Setting spurs to his horse, he soon
reached the gates of splendid castle.
Some feast was taking place within.
The guests were all seated under
shady bower, deploring that they had
been disappointed of the minstrels 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 way said:
IF 1t be right for simple knight to
offer his services in such O. distin-
guished company of rank and beauty,
think l could promise to provide what
you are requiring"
"Oh, do! at once, pleasew cried all the
ladies, who were longing for a dance.
"Bluest of blue birds, do your dutyw
said Bartolo.
Suddenly, in the distance, was heard
the noise of many feet, and troop Of
musicians with their instruments ap-
peared, to the great delight Of the COM
pany.
The lord of the castle, who knew how
all this had been done through the
agency of the bird, and being himself
of an inordinately avaricious nature,
thought he might do a fine stroke Of
business were he to purchase the bird.
Hence, calling his unknown guest
away to his study, he proposed to him
to purchase the bird for what price he
should quote.
"You would never give me my price,"
replied Bartolo.
For 1t l would give my castle, with
its nine forests" said the lord of the
castle.
ut is not enoughw
Very well, will add my olive plan
tations and vineyards"
"That is still insufficient" cried Bar
tolo.
II will add the orchards, gardens and
houses"
Il want something elsew
What! still more? Why, man, you
must want Paradise itselfv'
"Not so; want what you can give
me this very moment. want your
daughter with whom danced just now
Let her be my BRIDE"
What! my daughter?" cried the old
miser, in an ecstacy 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 amaze
ment, cried out:
"But what if he is a wicked elf, and
all ne does be witchcraft?"
"You have an amulet of coral hang
ing from your neck; it is an antidote
against all witchery."
"And what if he be Satan himself?"
Il will give you piece of blessed
candle, and he will have no power
over you," replied the unrelenting
father.
Taking her hand, he 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 the birds, he watched
the retreating forms of the pair as the
horse carried them swifter than the
wind, and when out Of sight, he pro-
ceeded to join his guests. The COM
pany were all gathered in knots dis
cussing the extraordinary powers of the
bird, and all the events which had
taken place.
Peace! peace" cried the lord of the
castle, as he entered; IT will perform
more marvellous things than ever he
did. l have given him my daughter to
wed in exchange for the bird, and this
blue bird will render me more wealthy
than the King of Aragon. Approach
and see the wonders 1 will work with
| It."
He took the cage, and lifting it up to
look at the bird, was astonished to find
that it was not blue bird at all. but a
large gray bird, which turned to stare
at him in an insolent manner, gave a
fierce peck at the door Of the cage with
Its beak, flung 1t open and flew out OF
the window, uttering a terrible screech
The lord OF the castle stood with open
mouth, not knowing what to do or say
His guests broke out in peals of laugh
ter at his discontinue and the well-de-
served punishment for his unseemly
avarice of exchanging his beautiful
daughter for worthless bird.
Meanwhile, Bartolo was galloping on
with his bride to the nearest town to be
married, and when he arrived at the
irst hostelry he wished to dismount and
engage the most splendid suite OF
apartments for his intended bride, but
he found himself utterly penniless
He had not calculated that in parting