THE BELL OF ATRI

Even the dumb animals deserve justice from those whom they have served.

There once lived a king in Atri, Italy, who wanted all his people to be happy. In order to be happy he knew that every one should be kind to those dependent upon him and above all things, be just.

In order that justice be done to every one, he had a large bell hung in the market place. It was to be known as the bell of Justice. Many people came to see it hung. When the men finished their work, the king came before the people and said:

“I have placed this bell in the center of my city so that every one will be near it. I have put a long rope on it. Even a child can reach it. If any one of you feels that you have been unjustly treated, I want you to ring the bell. Whether you be old or young, rich or poor, your story shall be heard, and justice shall be done you.”

The bell hung many years and was rung many times. Every time the bell rang the king came and heard what the person had to say and then did justice to his cause. At last the rope wore off and became short.

“If a child should need to ring, it could not reach the bell. We must get another rope,” said the king. He had to send across the mountains to get one for there was none in Atri.

“Some one may need to ring the bell before the rope comes,” said a man. So he went into his garden and got a grapevine and hung it on the bell. It trailed the ground, but it was a very good substitute for a rope.

An old soldier lived near Atri. He had a horse which had carried him in many battles, but now that he was old and lame and was of no service to his master, he was turned out to shift for himself. He ate the grass along the roadside and nibbled at the hay through the fences. He was very thin and hungry for he could not find enough to eat.

At last he wandered into the market-place and saw that the leaves and tendrils on the vine were still fresh. He reached to get a leaf, and as he pulled at the vine the bell began to ring, “Clang! Clang!” He kept on pulling at the vine and the bell kept on ringing “Clang! Clang!”

The people rushed to see who was ringing the bell and saw the horse. Then the king came and the people told him whose horse it was. The king was in a great rage at the injustice done the old horse. His master was sent for and ordered to build a barn for him and to give him the best hay and grain as long as he lived, or else he would be turned out himself and so the old horse had justice at last.