Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1909-12-29
.eoNCE UPON A TIME..

~ ONCE UPON A TIME"
Once upon time there lived q
man who spent all his lifetime in
helping others. but when his end
drew near! and his wealth became
diminished. his friends forsook him,
and he died unmourned by all except
his one son. The boy was promis-
ing lad, and the folk OF the town
wished to renew their friendship
with him, but he would have none Of
1t. NO" he cried, you deserted my
father In the hour Of need, SO 1 do
not want your friendship. have
health and strength and my trusty
gun" and closing the doors Of his
heart against his fellow men, he
went forth to seek his fortune.
On the road he met a hare.
"Oho!" he said. "I'll eat you for my
supper" and leveling his gun he was
about to shoot when the hare sat bolt
upright on his hind legs and plead
ed:
Please, master. spare my life. and
m be OF service to you.''
The youth laughed.
Very we'll, follow me-. and togeth-
er they entered the forest
BY my faith, fox!" cried the
boy '1'll need your hide for a pill
low
Please, MASTER let me be your
slave. Let me live to help YOU IS
very well. Follow behind the
hare" and the three were soon In the
thick OF the forest. Under tree
slept huge bear, and the boy again
raised his gun to AZ his prey, when
again the animal spoke. Z
Let me live. know the road to
fortune. I"
Follow on" said the boy. Berthold
by name, and the odd procession
soon came to castle surrounded by
a deep moat.
How I'd like to own that castle!'
said the boy.
"Sit on my back" answered the
hare. "and I'll leap across the moat;"
In twinkling they we're over. and
Berthold was landed high and dry OIL
the marble floor Of the castle.
II wonder whether the place is de-
serted?" asked Berthold.
"I'll scent the premises for you.' =
answered the fox, and ran OF, In q
few minutes he returned and said:
I'm yonder turret sleeps "a great
giant"
'.I'll shoot him!" cried the youth.
Whereat the fox laughed.
My master, he is covered with a
coat Of. mail, and your little shot
would never penetrate it, q
What shall we do?" asked Ber-
thold.
'.I'll hug him to DEATH" said the
bear, and he left the others to per-
form the deed.
Up, up into the turret crept the
bear, and there lay the sleeping mon
ster. Berthold and his companions
suddenly heard roaring. noise,
which made the castle tremble like
leaves in strong wind. and the boy
thought surely his end was near, SO
he shut his eyes tight and began to
pray.
Suddenly he heard sweet voice
at his side. and looking up he beheld
q lovely maiden smiling on him.
where am IT, cried Berthold, "and
where are my friends, the hare, the
fox and the bear?" s.
Eat your service!" cried grufe
voice! Command me. master, I will
be your faithful servant for ever
more" The hoy beheld fat cook
before him.
And / will be your housekeeper,"
said middle-aged sharp-faced wo-
man. bowling low.
But my animal friends-where
are they?' asked the bewildered Ber-
thold.
Il was the. hare" shyly said the
beautiful maiden; the wicked giant
cast spell over me, which was lifted
only by his death. Will you protect
me?"
with my whole strength and un-
der his breath he murmured, with
my love-
4 was the fox. said the sharp
faced housekeeper; q, too, was be
witched.''
The horrid giant changed me into
=: bear!n cried the servant, and but
for your kindness this morning We
would all have been shot" q
Then the cook got busy preparing
the bsnquet; the housekeeper manag-
ed the house, while Berthold and the
maiden pledged their troth, which
was the beginning Of long life OF
happiness for them both -Philadel-
phfa Ledger.