Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1902-06-25


the old woman, sharply, "and yo,
might let them carry you on to thos'
who have better means of making yo,
comforta ble."
Nay, granny" said the maiden
the young man seems weary. IT'S tru'
we have little, but that little may b.
blessing to him with less. Let hin
stay"
Hes but a wandering vagabond,'
said the old woman. "Let him &C
about his business, if he has any. Il
he has none, let him find some. an
too old to feed more than one idler."
The maiden flushed and glanced al
her spinning-wheel, the bobbin OF
which was filled with fine thread. She
seemed about to speak, but sighed anG
said nothing.
DAME" said Pendragon, Jr., to the
old woman, "you have bitter tongue
But it may be that can convince yor
1 am no idling vagabond. said had
only my good staff to depend upon;
but still there are worst friends than
a good staff. Mine has virtue great.
er than many another, Let me give
you notion of it's powers"
So saying, Pendragon, Jr., stepped
to the door, and seeing the dragon-hy
resting on the fence-rail, he suddenly
waved the wand and pronounced few
magic words. This was done so quick
ly that even if the dragon-fy had
known what was to be done it could
hardly have escaped. AS it was, the
insect could not move before it was
changed into beautiful little white
pig, which squealed with astonishment
and rage.
Pendragon, Jr., was laughing heart
lily at the antics of the little animal,
when he was amazed to see the old
woman jump toward him. He tried
to avoid her, but she was as spry as
cat, and before he could get away
she seized the second-best wand from
his hand. Then she began to wave it
over her head and to dance about with
glee.
soho and aha!" she cried; "a brave
young man art thou, O Pendragon,
Jr.! Thou wouldst be wiser than thy
1etChSA, anu SCC "1ldU CuOu ldSG
done! Thou hast changed thy old
father into white pig! Ohio and aha!
Now shall the young fool go to join
the old fool!''
The old woman waved the wand
over her head. and behold! Pendra-.
gon, Jr., became white pig, Jr., and
squealed with rage and establishment,
just as the elder Pendragon had done
only few moments before. AS soon
as the change was accomplished the
old woman tried to drive the two
pigs into the pen that stood near the
cottage.
Now, all pigs are hard to drive;
but two magicians that have been
changed into pigs against their will
are the hardest of all to drive. One
ran this way, and the other ran the
other way, and the old woman
chased them until she was tired and
ready to drop. Then she called to
the maiden who stood near, looking
very sad and very solemn at the
same time.
"Come, Betty, thou lazybones, help
me to drive these two little squeal-
ing porkers into the pen. Else will
it be the worse for thee!"
"Give me the stick, then, Granny"
said Betty; and without remember
ing that it was a magic wand the
old woman handed Betty the slender
stick.
AS soon as Betty held the magic
wand safely in her hand she seemed
changed from a quiet country maiden
into proud princess. She faced the
old woman, and with terrible look
said, "Now, thou wicked witch, thou
art about to receive punishment for
all thy wrong-doing! Behold, I COM
mand thee to become cross old
cat!"
The old woman could not help her.
self, and SO when Betty waved the
wand there suddenly appeared in
stead of the old woman a very ugly
old cat, who spat and clawed about
as If she was in a very bad temper.
"Unless you behave yourself will
change you into rag DOLL" said
Betty. "Now away with you, and try
to do no more mischief!"
With last terrible howl the cat
ran away down the road, and was
seen no more.
The two little pigs meanwhile
stood perfectly still, with their eyes
as wide open as pigs eyes ever are.
AS soon as the old cat was gone
Betty turned to them, and with
wave of the wand restored Pendra-
gon,. Jr., to his true shape, and hand
ed him the wand again.
Il thought you would like to re-
store your father to his own shape
YOURSELF she said. ct seems more
dutiful."
$50 it does," he replied; and in a
moment more the old magician stood
before them we'll as ever.
Before you go,'' said Betty to the
father and son, II wish to give YOU
both a word of warning. To you.
Pendragon, Jr., would say this:
Remember to learn your business
before you begin to practice it. If
it had not been for me the old witch
would have succeeded in capturing
both your father and yourself. She
had been the enemy of your family
for many centuries, and would have
been glad to ruin you both."
"Why, was that old Elspeth, the
witch?' asked Pendragon, ST., much
surprised.
Eyes, said Betty. "And you would
have known her in a moment had
you not been SO silly as to leave