Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-04-25
THE WITS EssES.

| lived rich nobleman na;ned Sita!!s.
who dwell, IN very grand palace.
He way Il grca; sportsr,aa. and one
day when he was out with a hunting
party no became separated from his
companions.
He lost His. way and night came
on with the darkness Ne stumbled
into n pit ;hht had been dug to trap
wild animals
The pit was very dark and deep.
ana The sides were perfectly smooth.
making 1t impossible for him to climb
out.
lie heard In the darkness roars,
Erow!s. Kisses and chattering noises.
Evidently come animals were also
caught In The trap and could not get
out.
ri,alis spent II night of terror. bu,
strange 10 say HIS companion prison-
crs offered him no harm. At daybrcak
nc heard someone passing on the road
ana ne called in a loud voice: "Hclp.
He!p. | am imprisoned here and am
dying"
The passer-hy was a poor peasant
Feeling CORY for the unfortunate man
he looked down into the pit, saying:
i cannot see you. who are you and
now did yon ct into the pitt"
IN" prisonrr -'iswcred - am a rich
not oman .; vea!ce Ny name il
V:;h.is. I lei! into this pit while out
hun;ing Help me ana viii give
lou a rich reward"
The peasaa; agreed to help the
hooicnan and taking out his knife he
cus :; long, strong branch from a tree.
Ihis branch he fastened to the side
or til. pit. "full yourself up on this. -
lie called. and YOU will get free
The peasant felt something pulling
on the branch and thought II was the
man. but instead. up cante monkey
mat !ca3cd lightly TO the ground. He
was ono OF The prisoned animals. Is
soon as the branch had been lowered
ne hhd seized II ana climbed out
me alarmed peasant thinking an
evil spirit had spoken from the nit
started 10 run. when the voice of
Eitaiis called. oh. don't desert me,
VIII make YOU rich II you will helr
me. At this the peasant again low
cred the branch. bu. this time nm
enormous lion came up and rubbed
against His rescued and purred like
a Zig cat
I The peasant knew that lions can
: not talk any more than monkcvs
/ can. ana was making off again. but
inc nooleman again persuaded hin,
] 10 stay, end when the peasant again
/ lowered the branch, this ti,nc
( II was :, great sankc that came up
instead OF a man. The peasant was
! so alarmed that he fell on his knees
! and prayed. but tho snake did not
/ attempt 10 injure him. Positive now
mat an evil spirit had spoken 10
/ him he vas again leaving, but the
! nooieman was earnestly pleading 10,
hi!h 10 heip him. Then the pcasan,
! said. Il will try once more, but n
| you don't get out this time | will DC
sure 1t is the evil one talking and
Will stay no longe.." He let the
branch down and up came the mobile.
/ man. who was in such nervous.
state that he tainted. Although tho
poor peasant had given much of his
time already, he went for water and
revived hIm and then gave him the
bite of bread he had provided roi
himself. when shall call for my
/ reward? asked the rcscuer at part.
Ing. Any time you like" answered
! the nob.emnn.i So the very next day
I the peasant presented himself at the
palace and asked for hiy, reward, bu,
the noh!cman looked at him coldl.
! ana said to his servants. Drive that
! man away. He is crazy! do no,
know HIM" The asionishcd peasa n
/ went home in very detected frame
! OF mind.
When ne entered his house, such
| sight AZ erected hh, eyes! Before
! his fireplace were seated the monkey
| lidn and serpent that he had saved
| from the pit
/ lie expected them to kill him. blu,
To his great joy the lion purred, the
! serpent cOilcd at hls feet and thu
/ monkey jumped to his arm directine
his attention 10 a large piln of wood
/ the lion brought forth IL great sup.
! ply OF game. The serpent opened
! It's mouth and Il wonderful lowe
rolled out The very next day h,
| took the Jewel to n dealer and no,
knowing the value OF the jewai
asked small sum. and the dealers
| 'uSpicions were aroused ut once
| You are thief, you stole 1t and
| you shall be arrested" At the tria
no one believed his story so the
| judge sent FOR Viiu!is. but when hs
came he pretended ne knew nothing
| CT it.
Every one believed Vitalia. so the
peasant was put in prison for steal.
! Ing and lying. Just then in came
the lion. monkey and serpent. vitalls
| grew deadly pale and cried "Oh
These are the terrible animals tina,
were in the pit with me-" Then the
judge said. "Vitalis you asked the
! man IL he had any Witnesses and Cod
has sent him four"
The evil man was banished from
! the city. and his wealth be, anne the
| property OF the poor peasants.
BY OltVlLE Ct SPENCER