The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-11-29

~ HERE wa once a great fiat coun-
try. where the moon was always
red 1t rose above the horizon in
the evening. like an absent-mind-
ed sun that had forgotten 10 set. and on
moonlight nights it foated high in the
dark sky, like the radiant red globe of a
giant lamp. In the gray twilight, when
the moon was new" it looked as
though 'snife had been lunged into the
sky, leaving a Jagged red wound.
For many years. even longer than the
Oldest peasant could remember. the
moon had shown red. and for many
years also the fair faces Of the maidens
in the fat country had been wan and
pale Some people believed that the
Moon Man had drawn all the color
from the maidens' cheeks, but no one
ever thought of mending matters until
the Greea Knight with the Winged Pony
came along.
This Knight was a very brave youth
who devoted his lifetime to making 9TH
er people happy.
Just because he did this there were
many people who believed him to be
crazy.
His armor was Of glittering green
and his pony was jet black. with two
beautiful scarlet wings. which when
spread enabled him to fly instantly with
his master 20 any part of the universe.
The Green Knight was in search OF
adventure when he alignted In the fiat
country and dismoGsted from his pony.
The pony's name, by the way, was
SchWarszpferdch which will be easy
Tor you to remember.
After Schwartzpferdchen had been
stabbed at an inn and fed with golden
oats. which were the only kind Of oats
that he would eat. the Green Knight
left him to rest and set out for a walk.
He had been doing good for others so
much lately that he was feeling rather
tired, but. YOU see. he was a knight Of
olden times and was much too polite TO
admit it even 20 himself
Schwartzpferdchen stood in the stable
and munched his golden oats while his
master sauntered forth exploring the
fat country.
He passed many farmhouses and saw
in the fields groups of peasan az maidens
who toiled and sang. He noticed that
they were pale and that their songs
were not as merry as one would have
expected He continued on his way. but
not one ruddy faced peasant girl greet
cd his sight as he passed farmland and
garden. It last he thought: Surely
there EaUst be some reason why all
these pretty r1aidens are so pale. Per
haps they arr unhappy If so. Schwartz
pferdchen md have work 10 do here. "
He inquired at length OF a peasant
girl who vas gathering cabbages.
Tell me. damsel why is it that L see
no rosy checks among those of YOU at
work in the open air, which should
bring bright color 10 your pretty faces
Alas. Sir Knight she replied, cour-
tcsying low. Ills said that the Moon
Man draws the roses from our cheeks
10 tint the moon globe red
"A red moon. indeed exclaimed the
Green knight in estonishment; thar
must be a strange sight
Far over the field bell tolled softly
and the peasant maidens laid aside their
farming implements and. placing the
baskets of vegetables on their should
ers, took their way from the fields tC
the neighborlns farmhouses TO rest fol
the night
The Cabbage Girl lifted her basket
and courteSying once more, said to the
Green Knight See, the moon is rising
now The farm maidens hasten. there
fore lest the Moon Man draw the blood
from their hearts as well as theiI
checks 30 and she went on her way while
the Green Knight stood gazing in won
der al the blood red moon, which threw
burning rays of light upon the earth.
AS he watched the round rosy bail ne