The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1902-02-13
A TALE OF THE MAGI
[From the French of Andre Thsuriet.l


a village in Langres.
Trey were tired, and their arms were
nearly broken with the weight Of the vases
OF perfume which they intended for the
Son Of Mary. Moreover, they were nearly
dead of hunger and thirst SO they Knocked
at the first door they came to and begged
hospitality.
The house, or rather the hut, on the Dor
der of the forest, belonged to a woodcutter
named Fleurot. who dwelt there with his
wife and four tots.
Overcome with fatigue, the three kings
! fell against the door, and when the wood
cutter opened it, they begged a meal and
bed.
''Alasl good people" said Fleuriot, 81
! have only che bed for myself and pallet
! for my children. As for supper, we can
only offer you boiled potatoes and rye
bread Neverthe less, enter and if you are
not too hard to please we will try to help
| you.
| SO the kings entered, and they were served
potatoes, which they ate with gusto. The
woodcutter and his wife gave them their
bed. The strangers slept soundly, with the
exception of kaspar WHO liked his ease.
| He found the bed narrow between the
stout Ralthasar and the giant Melc nor
Before setting out the next morning Bal
thasar, who was the most generous of the
three kings, said TO Fleuriot:
I'D like to offer you something out of
gratitude for your hospitality"
'Wc gave it freely, good people, and we
expect nothing" said the woodcutter, hold
ing out his hand, nevertheless.
Then Ralthasar said: 81 have no money,
but | would like to leave you a souvenir of
more value. Feeling in his pocket he drew
out little orieu 81 flute which he present
ed to Fleuriot The peasant, taken aback,
made long face, and Balthasar continued:
while playing this flute, if 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. disap-
peared around the turn of the road Denis
Fleuriot, scornfully balancing the flagelot
in his hand, said to his wife:
"They needn't have given us quite such
stupid thing as fagelot. Still, just to
see whether they were poking fun at us,
I'm going to try it,
Then he shouted: 81 wish to have some
white bread, venison pie and a bottle of
wine for breakfast"
All at once, to his great astonishment,
| while he played little popular air, there
appeared a table covered with a fine white
cloth, and bread, and venison pie, and wine
just what he has asked for.
Then, when he was assured of the power
of his flute he did not stop there, as you
may well believe, but he asked for any anG
everything that came into his head. He
| played from morning to night. He had new
clothes for himself and his wife and chill
| lren, money in his pockets and his table
amply supplied.
In place of his tumblpdown hut he haC
a superb chateau. which he filed with cost
| ~ rugs and furniture. and when all wa
| eady he gave a great banquet TO show his
new establishment.
| He gave his servants orders not to permI
any beggars or troublesome people on any
Dretext whatever to enter the court, tia
] The festivities might not be interrupted. u.
even went 50 far as to station two gree
5rutes of footmen, armed wi,h bluGecors
with strict orders to keep eff any ST. o}.cr
" vagabondS who approached the prer
ses
Thus, sure of uninterrupton, the que
ave themselves up to enjoyment, waggil
heir jaws. swiggng the good wine, an
canning their stomachs to the point ,
bursting their buttons.
Now the three kings, having placed tho
offerings at the feet of the infant "eaG
we're returning from bethlehem. rassil
Tie forest, they recognizedthe viliGge wne'
hey had slept and seeing the bri.liar.
ighted chateau, kaspar said, G2Ettl.ag%
| o Balthasar: I'm curious to know VIC.
ar our man has not misused the little fiE,'
and now. since he Is rich, whether he ktC'
his promise to be good to the poor
said Balthasar, laconically: Let's {.
see
I Changing their beautiful garments f.,
rags, they assumed tie gui,e Of begear
Presenting themselves tAus at the caste
gate they begged hospitality for the mig
)ul they were received, indeed, vCIr baG9
they insisted, and made a great commotiou.
until Fleuriot popped his head out of tie
window. and, seeing beggars, ordered to
logs set upon them, so that they made of
1t great speed, but not withcut damage
20 their legs.
Il thought as much" declared the skep-
ia kaspar, who had been bitten in the
calf.
Never mind, he can't take it to Heaven!
said the giant Melchior.
Hell find out the weight of the three
magis' Indignation
The jewellers went on with their banquet
ing, carelessly. They came to the dessert,
md Fleuriot, huge knife in his hand, was
about to cut the enormous cake, when they
heard the rafting of a postchaise in the
court, drawn by four spirited horses, ca
Darisoned in gold.
Fleuriot stuck his nose out of the window
again, and this time, pereeving noble guests,
ne ordered in all haste that they be shown
up. He went himself with a torch to re
,eive them at the hall door. Then, in all
the pomp of apparel, clad in purple and
gems, with crowns on their heads, there
entered the three mag
Fleuriot, who recognized the guests OF
'ormer days, kept a straight face, and with
,orced welcomes he prayed them to be seat
ed at the table.
Thanks" said Melchor, dryly, eve dc
not eat with one who maltreats the poor"
Il make you my compliments said Bal
hasar in his deep voice, ION the manner
in which you keep your promises"
"Ah You set the dogs on beggars!
added Kaspar, feeling his leg. 'Wait, and
III play you tune you have not learned