The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1848-09-14
THE LEAP-FROC.
BY HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN.

A Flen, q Grasshopper, and n Leap-frog
once wanted TO see which could Jump high
est; and they invited the whole world, aud
every body else besides, who chose 10 come,
TO see the festival. Three famous Jumpers
we're they, as every one would say, when
they all met together in the room.
i will give my daughter to him who
jumps highest" exclaimed the King; '.lor
il is not SO amusing when there is no prize
to jump for"
The Flea was the first to step forward
lie had exquisite manners, and bowed to
the company on all sides; Tor he had noble
blood, and was, moreover, accustomed to
the society ofman alone; and that makes
aereat difference.
Then came the Grasshopper. He WINS
well-manned, and wore green uniform,
which he had by right Of birth; he said,
moreover, TINT he belonged to an old Egyp-
tian family, and that in tho house where he
then was, he was thought much Of. The
fact was, he bad just been brought out Of
the fields. and pm, in a pas,eboard house,
three stories high, all made ont Of court
card, with tho colorcd side inward; and
doors and windows cut out Of tho body oi
the Queen Of Hearts.
II sing so wei, }" said he, "ihat sixteen
native grasshoppers who have chirped from
infancy, and We. got no house built Of cards
TO live in, grew thinner than they were be-
lore tor sheer yexation, when they heard
me-"
II was thus that the Flea and the Grass.
hopper gave an account Of themselves. and
thought they were quite good enough 10
marry princess.
The leap-irog said nothing; but people
give il rs their opinion that he therefore
thought the more; mud when the housc-dog
snuffed at him with his nose, he confessed
the Lcap-frog was Of good family. The
old counsellor. who had had three orders
given him TO make him hold his tongue, as
serted thnt the leap-irog was prophet; for
that one could sec on his back il there
would be severe or mild winter, aud that
was what one could not see even on the
back Of the man who writes the almanac.
81 say nothing il is true exclaimed the
King; "but | haye my opinion, notwi,li.
standing"
Now the trial was TO take place The
Flen jumped SO high that nobody could see
where he went TO; 50 they all asserted that
he had not jumped a. all; and that was di.-
honorable.
The Grasshoppcr jumped only half ns
high but he leaped into the Kings face.
who said that was ilI.mannered.
The Leup-frog stood still Tor long time
lost in thought; it was believed at last hc
would not jump at all.
~ only hope he is not unwcll," said the
house.dog; when pop! he made jump all
on one side into tho lap Of The rr1,ess,
who was sitting on little golden stool
closely.
Hereupon the King said,
"Thcre is nothing above mv daughter
therefore TO bound up 10 her il the highest
jump that con be made; but for this. one
must possess understanding, and the Leap
frog has shown that he has understanding
He is brave and intellectually
And SO he won the Princess.
dts oil the same to me-" said the Flea
"shc may have the old Leap-frog for all
care. jumped the highest; but in this
world merit seldom meets its reward. a
fine exlcrior is what people look at nova.
DAYS"
The Flea then went into foreign service
where, il is said, he was killed.
The Grasshopper sat without on green
bank. and reflected on worldly things; and
he said too, ..Yes, fine exterior is every.
thing-a fine exterior is what people care
about" And then he began chirpng bis
peculiar melancholy song. from which We
have taken this history. and which NAV,
very possibly, be all untrue, although il
does stand here printed in black and
white.