Year: 1879

The stranger bowed with an air Of
humility, but made no reply.


"Well," said the king, 'you know |
suppose, that you deserve to be hanged.
But will pardon you on one condition
that you succeed before tomorrow
evening in stealing from my herdsmen
the black bull that l prize SO highly"


The little man was in despair. "Sire,"
he said, 'you know that what you ask
is impossible. How can l carry off an
animal that is always so vigilantly
guarded, that roams about the field and
the forest between two keepers


However, he went out took a long
rope, and walked for some time until he
the two herdsmen passed every morning
with the prize bull.


There he paused, and suspended him.
self by his rope to one of the lower
branches; but he took care not to make
slip knot, lest he should really hang
himself. He hadn't long to wait before
the two herdsmen came by, leading the
black bull.


"Sce,!' cried one man to the other,
''there is some unfortunate wretch who
has been hanged"


"Most probable that villain who has
been giving us SO much trouble lately"
was the quiet rejoinder. "Well, he de-
serves his fate"


And then they passed on.


No sooner were they out of sight than
our friend slipped down from his exalt-
ed position, and, carrying the rope with
him, ran across the grass to another
bend in the road, along which the herds
men would have to pass. Then he chose
another sturdy y-looking tree. to a branch
of which he again suspended himself.


The herdsmen were not long in max
ing their appearance.


There's another poor wretch who has
been hanged!" cried one.


'.It's the same one we saw before" ("
said his companion.


Nonsense p exclaimed the first speak
er; "are you silly? How can one man,
dead or alive, be in two places at the
same time %


I'm bet you new coat that it is the
same"


"Done. Well run back to see if the
little man in the mouse-colored clothes
Is still hanging from the old oak tree.
But first let US tie the bull up


So they made the animal fast to the
trunk of a tree, and then they started of
in desperate hurry to see who had lost
the bet. But no sooner were they out
of sight than the little man slipped
down from his perch and walked off in
triumph with the bull.


When he presented himself with the
bull next day before the king. the latter
was very angry. and said unless he stole
his own queen from his side he should
surely be hanged.


The little man was much disheartened
but for all that he determined to try
The king meanwhile gave the strictes
orders that the queen should under n,
circumstances expose herself to the dan
ger of being induced to 60, or forcibl,
carried away.


That same evening towards dusk
holy friar might have been seen slowl
vending his way towards the palace t
collect aims and broken meat for th
poor. He begged of every one he met
and when the queen had contribute
her might he thanked her humbly.
Your majesty is both merciful an
LIBERAL" he then added. sand pities,
am sure. the poor unfortunate who tc
morrow will expiate his crimes on th
gallows. He is very anxious to see yor
and wishes to impart to you few ST
crets of the utmost Importance. "
Secrets !" exclaimed the queen, t
whom few people impaired secrets. i"
should like to know some secrets"
The first secret will enable you a
ways to get your own way. The secon
! will teach you how to retain the affe'
, tions of all around you. And the thin


is the secret of life long beauty"
, The queen jumped up and elasped hi
hands. an learn those r
0 "Then you must be quick about j


for the little man can only reveal b
e secrets whilst he is free. The very m
o ment he becomes prisoner, he loses b
t power of imparting them"


"Then take me to him at once-b
r stop-I forgot-the king has Civ,
i strict orders that am not to leave Il
house. Oh, what am | to do 2"


"Then the king is wicked tyrant. VI
IF does not deserve to be obeyed. But


you won't come, why the secret mu
l. die with its possessor, unless"
d "Unless what p asked the quee
}. with eagerness.


"Unless some moro trusting la
l. chooses to confide herself to my care" !"
1t was bad enough to remain in igr
= | rana Of tha coorak hnr.cnlE h.,f 40. h