The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1916-07-03
Copyright, 1916, by the MccIur

Once upon q time many millions
and trillons OF years ago In an island
far off in the southern seas lived a
Queen Of the Mermaids In cave on a
coral reef. Back In her home the
walls were of the glowing pink sea
shells, the floor was white with finest
sand and on her crystal throne shone
pearls and emeralds that caught every
CLINT of the water.
Off on one side was tiny recess in
which was kept the royal jewels, a
crown Of gems and the scepter. These
were carefully guarded night and day
by big fish whose hard shell made
an armor that nothing could pierce.
He was very proud of his post and
very scornful of the other things
which swan about in the sea or came
into the cavern to see the Queen.
II am going away for three days"
said the Queen one morning. And
you will have to be extra watchful
about those jewels. My great enemy,
the cuttle-fish, is in this neighborhood
and intends trying to steal them. Do
you need anyone to help your"
"Of course not" replied the big fish.
81 am enough to take care of them by
myself. I will not be bothered by
anything hanging around. AS for the
cuttle-fish, if he comes here l will
teach him a lesson he will not soon
forget"
See that you stand always before
the keyhole," continued the Queen,
SO that no thief may see the way to
open. ! am going to visit the nymphs
IN the grove on the island above and
they will make me present, know,
Of something fine. Be faithful and let
remember you on my return with a
grand gift"
By noon the Queen and her train of
goldfish swan out Of the cave and left
the big fish alone by the jewel-shelf.
Presently tiny fish no larger than
your hand swan in to chat with him,
but the big fellow was gruff. Il have
no time to waste on such small fry as
you," he said, as he yawned sleepily.
Better run home"
IF you are needing nap, I will
watch for you and wake you up if
anyone comes" said the little fish.
The big one laughed till his hard shell
ratified on the rocks.
Clear out; have no time to waste
talking" he said haughtily. And the
little fish meekly swan out of the
cavern.
But at the mouth of the cave he saw
a dark shadow coming toward him. 1t
was the wicked cuttle-fish, which was
going to get the jewels. BY his side
was shark with sharp, glittering
teeth. The little fish hid behind a
stone in terror
Il tell you what will do" said the
cuttle-fish. l will make a stroke at
him and get him mad so he will chase
me out of the cave. When l get him
outside l will make the water inky
and he will not be able to find the
way back. can then push him over
that boiling spring that comes up out
Of the rock over there. That will
finish his impertinence."
Now the little fish knew that the
cuttle-fish had bag Of ink and could
easily cloud the water so he started
in quickly to tell the big fellow, but
the cuttle-fish was too quick-he
dashed ahead and in a few moments
was fighting with the big fellow He
hit him a crack on the hard shell and
that made the big fish angry For
getting that he must not leave his
post, he darted after the cuttle-fish,
which swan out of the cave But
when they both got outside the big
fish found the water as black as tar
In the darkness he was blinded and
the cuttle-fish easily pushed him right
over the boiling spring, then sprang
back into the cave. The little fish
saw him coming. 81 am just the color
of the rock he said to himself. Il
will squeeze myself right over the
keyhole and it cannot be seen" SO
he damned himself up tightly into the
crack in the stone and completely hid
the keyhole.
That's strange" said the cutie
fish, Il was sure that the hole was
along here" and he swan up and
down for a long time looking. The
poor little fish ached and its scales