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Title: Puss in Boots
Date of first publication: unknown
Author: Anonymous
Date first posted: September 21 2012
Date last updated: September 21 2012
Faded Page eBook #20120924

This eBook was produced by: David Edwards, Peter Lasota
& the online Distributed Proofreaders Canada team at http://www.pgdpcanada.net




                                  PUSS
                                   IN
                                  BOOTS.


                              [Illustration]


                                 London;
                           Printed and Sold by
                         J. T. WOOD, 278, Strand,




PUSS in BOOTS.


[Illustration]

A miller who had three sons when he was dying he divided what he
possessed among them in the following manner, he gave his mill to the
eldest, his ass to the second, and his cat to the youngest.

The two elder brothers, were satisfied, but the youngest sadly
complained, my brothers said he may do well in the world but for me
when I have eaten my cat, and made a cap of his skin, may die of hunger.
The cat who was present overheard what passed, and rising on her hind
legs, thus addressed her master, do not afflict yourself, my good
master, you have only to get me a pair of boots made, and a bag, and
then you will see you have no cause to complain. The cat's master was
amazed to hear the cat speak, and began to think that there was some
mystery in the affair, but immediately procured the boots and bag for
puss. When he had obtained what he asked for, he equipped himself in his
boots and putting the bag-string about his neck, he went forth to a
rabbit warren, in which there was plenty of rabbits. He put some bran
and parsley into the bag, and stretching himself at full length as if he
were dead, awaited the result. The bag was soon filled with rabbits
which puss killed, and hastened directly to the palace, and asked to
speak to the king. Being introduced to the king, he bowed and said I
have brought your Majesty these rabbits as a present from my lord the
marquis of Carabas, (this was the title puss bestowed upon her master,)
who commanded me to bear them to your Majesty. Tell the marquis replied
the king, that I am greatly obliged to him. After this puss continued to
carry presents to his Majesty, once at least in every week.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

One day the cat heard that the king was to ride out with his daughter,
by the side of a river. Running home he said to his master, if you will
follow my advice, your fortune is certainly made. Go and bathe yourself
in the river, just in the place where I will show you and leave the rest
to me. He did so, and while he was bathing the king passed that way.
Puss directly ran to the carriage and bawled help, help, or the marquis
of Carabas will be drowned. The king put his head out of the window of
his carriage to see what was the matter, when perceiving the cat who had
brought him so many presents he ordered his attendants to go directly to
the assistance of the marquis out of the river. The cat ran to the
carriage and told his majesty, that when his master was bathing some
thieves ran off with his clothes. The king hearing this ordered one of
his richest suits his wardrobe contained to be brought to the marquis.
The king insisted on his getting into the carriage, and taking a ride
with them, when the king's daughter became violently in love with him.
The cat then ran before them to a meadow that was a reaping and told the
reapers that if they did not tell the king, who was passing that way,
that the meadows belonged to the marquis of Carabas, they should be
chopped as small as mince meat. The king did not fail to ask the reapers
to whom the meadows belonged? To the marquis of Carabas, said they all
at once. He gave a similar charge to all the people he met with, so that
the king was greatly astonished at the splendid fortune of my lord the
marquis of Carabas.

[Illustration]

       *       *       *       *       *

Puss at length arrived at a stately castle, which belonged to an Ogre,
the richest ever known, for all the lands his majesty had admired were
his. Puss asked to speak with him. The Ogre received him civilly as any
Ogre could do and desired him to be seated. I have been informed said
Puss, that you have the gift of changing yourself to all sort of
animals. That is true said the Ogre and he changed himself in to the
form of a lion after he had quitted that form. Puss said, I have been
further informed that you have the power of taking the form of the
smallest animal also, but I confess I think this is impossible.
Impossible! you shall see, and at the same instant he changed himself
into a mouse, upon which the cat sprang upon him and devoured him in an
instant. Meantime the king ordered his attendants to drive up to the
gates to take a nearer view of it. The cat hearing the noise of the
carriage on the drawbridge, immediately came out, saying, your majesty
is welcome to the castle of my lord the marquis of Carabas. The king
declared the castle was the most magnificent building he had ever seen
in his life, and so much was he charmed with the riches, and amiable
qualities of the marquis, that he gave his daughter in marriage. The cat
became a great favourite, and never after ran after rats and mice,
except for his amusement.

[Illustration]




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| TRANSCRIBERS NOTES:                                               |
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| Title page: Straud, ==> Strand,                                   |                               |
| Page 1: yongest ==> youngest                                      |
| Page 2: and began ==> and began to                                |
| Page 3: equiped ==> equipped                                      |
| Page 5: river the cat ran ==> river. The cat ran                  |
| Page 6: tne ==> the                                               |
| Page 7: haye ==> have                                             |
| Page 7: magnificient ==> magnificent                              |
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| Minor variations in spelling and punctuation have been preserved. |
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[The end of _Puss in Boots_ by anonymous]