Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-09-28

fast as it could into hole close by.
After leaving this place, the man went
to another town. Here he saw some
boys playing with monkey. They
were making it perform all sorts Of
tricks. without letting the poor crea-
ture rest.
LET the monkey co." said the man,
land | will give you money"
The boys did as he said, and after
paying them, the traveller went on.
After some days he came to third
town, where he saw several boys tore
ing bear to dance, although he was
in chains. They also compelled him
to stand up and walk like man.
Some times he growled. This seemed
to amuse the boys so much the more.
The stranger bought the bear also
and set him free. The bo\r seemed
very much pleased to find himself free,
and walked, away.
The man found to his surprise that
he had spent all his money. There
was not penny, left in his pocket.
He was weary and hungry, but had
last he was nearly dead with hunger
and was tempted to steal. No one
would give him anything to eat. He
took small cake from baker. Then
he was caught by one Of the king
guards and put into strong chest,
which was thrown into the water
There were many holes in the lid of
the chest for the air to come through;
there were also a jug of water and a
loaf of bread inside the chest. These,
however, would not keep him alive
long.
The poor man was in great distress
of body and mind. His limbs were
very much cramped He was afraid
too, that he would soon die of hunger
and thirst. AS he lay still, thinking
over these things, he heard the sound
of gnawing on the outside of the chest.
He listened, and it seemed to him that
he heard more than one creature
working at the lid.
He waited, and it was not very long
before the lock of the chest gave way
and the lid flew open. AS he sat up,
he beheld the mouse and the monkey
and the bear which he had freed 1t
was they who had opened the chest,
because he had helped them. The
man did not know what to say or do.
Neither the mouse nor the monkey
nor the bear seemed to know what
to do next. They just stood still and
waited. AS they stood there think
ing, white, egg-shaped stone fell in
to the water before them.
y This has come just at the right mo-
ment,'' said the bear, "for it is magic
stone and will take it's owner where
ever he wishes to co. .."
The man reached down and picked
up the stone. AS he held it in his
hand, he wished that he were in cas-
tie with gardens and stables. He had
no sooner wished, than he found him
self in a castle with just such gardens
and stables as he had dreamed of
Everything about him was beautiful, so
beautiful that he could not admire it
enough. How he enjoyed himself!
PART II.
One day several merchants happen.
ed to be passing the castle. AS they
were going by the castle, they saw
the beautiful grounds and stables, and
them very much.
Look cried one of them. See
this grand castle standing here. Al
few days ago there was nothing here
but dreary waste of sand. Not
even weeds were to be seeni'
They went into the castle and asked
the man how he had built the palace
SO quickly. He told them that it was
not his work but that it had been done
by his wonderful magic stone.
: THAT is strange" said the mer
chants. "It must be wonderful stone
indeed if it can do such wonderful
things" They wished to behold the
stone. The man brought it out and
showed it to them. They were great
ly pleased with it and asked If he
would sell it.
They offered him all the beautiful
things they had with them-gold, jew
els, fine linen, and many other desir-
able things. These things pleased the
mans fancy. Indeed, he thought they
would be more useful to him than the
magic stone. So he gave the stone to
them, taking in exchange all the goods
which they had. H.
What a great mistake he had made!
Scarcely had the wonderful stone left
his hand when the gold, and jewels,
and fine linen disappeared, and he
found himself again in the chest, float
ing upon water. All he had was the
jug of water and the loaf of bread
which had been there before.
Now the mouse, the monkey, and
the bear, being very faithful, saw all
that had happened and came to help
the poor man. They could not un.
fasten the lock, because it was so
much stronger than the former one
had been. They began to think what
they should do. .N
1--WE must get the magic stone
again." said the bear. I'VE can do
nothing without it"
1t happened that the merchants
who had bought the magic stone re-
manned at the castle. They thought
it very pleasant place to live. So
the mouse, and the monkey, and the
bear set out for the castle.
"NoW YOU must peek through the