Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-07-11
JACK And THE
MACP|E Pipe,

Jack was QLtle buepue1u wy WV
had nothing In the world but magic
nine. He didn't even know 1t was
magic, but he knew that the tunes ne
played on 1t were as sweet az piro
songs. and every day as be sat under
the trees he would take his pipe from
his pocket and play to while away the
time.
The pipe had been given him BY an
old woman whom he had helped one
day, and. although he never saw her
AGAIN. he always remembered her.
At last Jack discovered that he need
no longer run after his sheep. for they
would come back Of their own accord
when he played a certain tune on his
pipe. He found. too. that the bros
would hop near to hear him play ana
the motionless squirrels would listen.
And then he discovered still more
strange thing. He found that when
the plants were In bud the lowers
would open more quickly If he sat by
and played on his pipe.
But Jacks master. q cruel man. stole
the pipe. and Jack was miserable. II
"a true this old woman came and got
the pipe away. After be had stolen
the pipe the cruel master carried II
always with him In his coat But one
night as he slept the old woman bribed
his servant to give her the coat, paying
| great bag Of gold for the old gar,
ment. Then she went away. This. OF
| course. did not help Jack.
So no determined If possible to dnd
the old woman again. Quietly he lef'
the house and sped down the DARK
road for mnny miles. For days ht
Travelled about. getting more and more
tired and lonely. and Mt last one day
when he wns quite discouraged. NJ
came upon company ut people or
their way to n fair In the next town
| un., ~ all rnnds were the same to hin
he Joined them and before long teuht
himself at the fair ground.
The plnre was gay with flags ant
merry laughter. and as the boy ap
proarhed n thrill of excitement RAJ
through the crowd Hush. hush!
they cried. "The contest is beginning.
Then the boy saw youth step on II
a platform in front Of high throne
on which q noble king and lover!
queen were seated. and. raising pip
to his lips. he began to play.
So well did he play that a hush fel
over the whole assembly. and whe'
he had finished the applause shook tn
air. Then another and another con
testant appeared. and all creates
equal enthusiasm.
"Oh, II l only had my pipe" SAT-
the boy.
At that moment he felt something
smooth and cold slipped into his hand
and. looking down. he perceived III
beloved pipe. and. peertng among IN
crowd to see who had returned 1t
him. he perceived the old woman. VIII
nodded and smiled at him In encouI
agement.
| Joyfully Jack pushed his way to I'd
front and climbed the steps Of tn
platform. At arst he was rathe
frightened at playing before so man
people. but no sooner had he put tn
pipe to his lips md begun to play tina
he forgot all about the crowd ana III
prize and thought only Of his music.
As the wonderful notes foated su
In the air the people were spellboun
with their beauty. ana when ut lengt
the song came TO an end they wer
too touched to applaud.
Then the king came down from nj
throne and placed the crown OF VII
tory on the boys head. and then IN
crowd broke into cheer after cheer.
Then the cid woman who had give
him the pipe hobbled up and told hir
that II was 10 secure the pipe whic
his master had put IN bis coat poke
that she bought the coat nj such
price. and then the lovely queen cam
down from her throne. and when sh
had heard Jacks story from the OF
woman she was 40 touched and 40 d
lighted with his playing that she ash
cd him TO come and 1--we in the palac
| and be her son. for she had none G
her own.
i So Jack went 70 live In the palace
and the old woman took n cottae
| next door. aud 40 everybody was hal