Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-05-01

~ n III known as Grosshufelten, which was on
lE6&Ml lake The lake is small that l have
forgotten its name, and you will not find
the village on any map OF the country
which is still called Germany 1t Is on the
back where l didn't look
The people in this village greatly annoyed
by a robber baron who dwelt on 4 mountain near
BY and who was in the habit OF levying tribute on
them because he didn't like to work. The last
time that he told them they must pay what he
called their annual dues, they refused to do So The
baron was greatly surprised,-as people are usually
surprised when others refuse do things that they
have been in the habit of doing whether they ought
to or not,-and he resolved to punish the villagers
At first he thought of descending them with
his band and burning their houses but this would
have required effort, he changed his mind and
called before him two magicans whom he kept to
do things by magic which he found easy than
doing them by hand
One of these magicans was a good man who
stayed with the robber only because he was afraid
to go away The other was a bad man who stayed
for no particular
AZ am resolved" said the baron, to kill all the
people in Grosshufelten, because they will not do
what decree"
That seems very natural" said the bad magician.
II now wish to learn the easiest way OF doing it.
continued the robber.
THAT, Also seems very natural, said the good
magician
: The bad magician suggested a number OF methods,
none of which the baron liked, and he finally told
him that he could take a half-holiday, and he would
consult with the good magician. who worked for
less money anyhow.
'.If you are bound to do this thing, the best way
will be to do it quickly and painlessly," began the
good magician.
'You mean the best way for them" said the rob
Der.
eyes, and for you," answered the magician; "fo
then they will have no chance to conceal thei
treasures, and you can get many of them as you
wish"
"Who will carry the treasures back" the baror
asked anxiousy.
"You might make the bad magician do that"
The good magician then proposed 4 plan. Lead
ing from the mountain to the lake was paSsag
which subterranean. CThat is 4 rather lon
word, but it was rather long passage) He sug
gested that through this tunnel he send som
poisonous gas he had invented, which he usual
used for killing potato-bugs This gas would com
up through the lake, be blown into the village, an
overcome the people. The good magician did no
like this idea, but he knew it was more humane tina
anything the bad magician would suggest, an
thought he might get chance to warn the villager
before it carried out, SO that they could escape
The robber baron delighted with the scheme
and, telling the magician TO execute II as soon a
ne could, he proceeded to take his afternoon mai
sleeping that kind of sleep which comes to the III
just.
As soon the good magician that tn
baron sound asleep, he started the gas dow
the passage, and then hurried to the villager
This happened Wednesday, the day whic
dhe people of Grosshufelten made soap, and whe
he arrived he found number of them on the shoi
of the lake. washing out their soapkettles. Jut
the magician started to warn them of their DANCE
the gas began to rise. The water was rather soap
and when the vapor it formed enormol
bubble that covered half OF the lake.
The villagers were greatly astonished, and locke
at the bubble with their mouths open and the
minds closed. The magician who made his livir
by thinking, began to consider the matter. In IL
first place. he knew that if the robber baron four
that he had warned the people he would be vel
angry, and there telling what he would do
there was no telling what he would do when he W;
Mt angry In the next place, the wind might bio
the gas away from the village when the bubb
burst At all events, the magician would have tin
to think and he might devise some plan for savir
the villagers without making the baron angry
While he was considering these things, yout
named Hans Spratzeberger- and-a-few other syl
bles ran to the shore with his bow and arrow.
What are you going to do with that? asked II
magician.
"Pm going to shoot that big bubble, out .her
and see it burst" said Hans.
DO you know what will happen If you do that
inquired the magician. This town will disappe
from the map"
Hans. who did Mt know that the town was Mt c
the map. was much imnresssd. The villagers mar