New-York tribune., 1901-12-25
4 TALE OF THE MAGL.

From the French of Andre TheurtetJ
BaIthasar Melchior and Kaspar. the three Mas[
taking along incense and myrrh, went 10 looh LOT
the infant Jesus
They were not familiar with the road 70 Bethle-
hem and after traversng deep forest they were
overtaken at nightfau a village in Langres-
They were tired. and their arms were nearly
broken with the weight of the vases or perfume
which they intended for the Son Of Mary. More
over they were nearly dead Of hunger and thirst
So they knocked at the first door they came 10
! and begged hospitality
The house. or rather the hut. on the border OF
! the forest belonged woodcutter named
Fleurlot. who dwet there with his wife and four
| tots It was made turf. and had roof OF earth
! ii rained hard
Overcome with fatigue the three kings fell
against the door. and when the woodcutter opened
it they begged q meal and a bed
Alas good people" said Fleuriot. 4 have only
| one bed for myself and pallet for my children.
AS for supper We can only offer you boiled potatoes
and rye bread. Nevertheless enter, and If you are
| not too hard TO please will Try to help you
So the kings entered. and they were served pc
! tatoes which they with gusto- The woodcutter
/ and his wife gave them their bed The strangers
| slept soundIy with the exception Of Kaspar, who
| liked his ease. He found the bed narrow between
| the stout BaIthasar and the giant Melchior
Before setting out the next morning BalthasaF,
| who was the most generous OF three kings.
! said to Fleurior-
! I'd like to offer you something out Of gratitude
! for your hospitality"
We gave it freely, good people. and We expect
! nothing" said the woodcutter, holding out his
/ hand, nevertheless.
Then Balthasar said. Il have money, but I
would like 10 leave you a souvenir OF more value.
Feeling his pocket he drew out little Oriental
/ flute which lie presented FIeuriot- The peasant,
taken aback. made a long face, and Balthasar con-
/ tinued:
while playing this flute II you make wish
it will be granted at once. Take It. do not abuse
/ it and never deny the poor aims or hospitality
/ AS soon as the three kings had disappeared
around The turn OF the road Denis tIeurl9t sG9rn n
fully balancing the fageoIeI in MS hand, sald 10
ey needn't have given Us quite such s as sqPit ,ga
We're poing fun at US m going to Try d6- a. white
bread a venison pie and a bottle OF good wine for
All at once 10 his great astonishment, while he
played a little popular air, there appeared taoe
Then When he was assured OF the power OF
hI-e ne did not stop there as you may well be
eve but he asked for any and every thing mat
night He had new clothes for himself and his wife
and children In In his HIS pockets & 50 AND sb for 0s
thing TO have at once, he grew 10 be one Of the
In place Of his tumbIedown hut he had a superb
otia 900 ard U-fa1 ali was readv he gave great
banquet 70 show his new sstabIishment He ,, gath
his richly served ta6le which s%PaTks&d spar & %i{a EsTs T
was dressed TO kill and the musicians in upper
gallery regaled the jewellers with their gayest
He gave his servants orders, not to permit ai.2 any
or to enter the court that the esiyes
might be interrupted. He even went so taT
with biudgeons' with strict orders to keep off any
stroIlers vagabonds who approached the prem
Thus Of uninterruptiOn: the guests t gsye gave
themselves UP 70 eIloyme wagging i their Ion
s%sslE m b tng 1o0q o4G Of bnTsfng their buttons
| Now the three kings having placed their offer
ings at the infant Jesus, were returning
nized the village where they had slept, and seeing
ingIy 10 Balthasar. I'm curious to know whether
our man has not misused the little hute, and now
since 5 ne ~ is bs Tlch; oor %he'heF ne Keeps MS
| SAID Baithasar IaconicaIIy Let's go see"
Changing their beautiful garments for rags: they
assumed the guise OF begsars. Presenting them 5
! pitaIity night, but they received indeed
5oD Rad ag IR euro popped his head 6ut Of the
window, and seeing Pegsars ordered the dogs set
| but not without damage to thelr legs. ., 1,
= thought as much declared lar the scepnc AaS
! Never mind, he can't take 1t to heaven said
Hell find out the weight of the three magis
The reveIIers on with their banqueting
! careIessly They to the dessert, and Fleuriot
enormous cake, when they heard the rafting. of
Postehaise IN the court % o ra"n by four spirited
| Fleuriot stuck his nose out Of the window again,
in ali haste that they be shown up. He even went
himself with a torch to receive them at the haI
purple and gems, with crowns their heads. there
/ entered the three magl
/ Fleuriot, who recognized his guests Of former
! days kept a straight face, and with forced well
| comes he prayed them TO be seated at the taoe.
! THAR ks said Melchior. dryly. do not eat
with who maltreats the poor
! Il make you my compliments said Ralthasar,
in his deep voice, ,.on the manner in which you
! keep your promises
.'Ah! You set the dogs on beggars;" added Kas-
! par feeling his leg. Wait. and I'll play you
/ tune you have not learned yet"
And drawing from his pocket ] little flute the the
counterpart of the one given TO Fleuriot he made
a terrible noise on it IN the tWinkling OF an eye
the table revelers the castle. all dtsap2 Nred
/ and the woodcutter found himself bare and lonely
| on the outskirts OF the forest before his ruined
! hut but his wife and children in tatters-
] .sF'orrl-nateIv'' he reflected Il have my flute
But he searched his pockets in vain. His pockets
were full of holes. and the talisman had dtsap-
! peared with the three magi.
| And since that time at Epfphany-the Feast
of Magi-when they cut the kings cake II Is the