, 1859-04-01
THE F1sHERMAN's LOVE.


falry tale, vergeS back to the times OF romance
there reigned in Sicily monarch by the name Of
Ferdinand. It was in those happy days when a
subject, no matter how poor in purse or lowly in
birth, il he excelled in deeds Of arms or other
accomplishments, was received with equal favor
at the court Of the king as the greatest lord Of
the SOIL
Ahigh state Of civilization has obliterated these
old landmarks, and noble birth and gold are now
the only roads that lead to kingly favor, where
once virtue and merit took the prize.
How strange it seems to us, when We read OF
the Guelphs and Plantagenets, that in those good
old times monarch's daughters did not think the
service menial when they washed the feet Of their
fathers guests, as did Cotaire, for her future hus
band, Chilperic, at the gates Of Paris
The king we write of was one Of the noblest and
best Of men. Under his mild sway tho island
iourished bravcly. The strong did not oppress
the weak, nor the rich grind the face Of the poor
He was liberal patron Of the arts and sciences,
for he was a scholar himself and many Of the
noble and talented Of other lands were attracted
to the genial cline and sunny skies, where they
were sure Of protection and patronage from the
generous Ferdinand.
The monarch was a widower, but he had one
fair daughter, so beautiful that poets had written
epics concerning her wonderful charms and many
titled lord had sued for the hand Of the charming
Rosalie, but sued in vain.
Ferdinand, who was far advanced in years, often
wondered that his daughter did not choose mate
| from the rich and noble-born Of tho court. But
fair Rosalie preserved her secret and the mon
arch did not dictate to her as TO her choice. She
had given her heart to one far beneath her, so far
| that even in that romantic age she had never
dared to breathe her secret to her fathers ear.
Some two years previous to the episode Of our
story, on beautiful autumn day, the fair Rosalie
bantered her maids Of honor to take bath in
the sea- They acquiesccd, and as the troop Of
young maidens were expert swimmers, they had
joyous time, each challenging the other to dive
in the depths Of the tepid waters; or, with a
merry laugh, and the challenge "follow my lead
er," breasIing the pillows far out from the main
land.
In the gay pastime, Rosalic outstripped her
competitors, sporting like naiad on thS blue bo-
som of the pillows, while her auburn hair flashed
in the sunlight like banner Of gold, spangled
| with diamonds, and anon disappearing from sight,
as o syren who had sought her coral arbor below.
Very tame seemed the skill Of the other maid
ems, compared to the kings fair daughter-and
so thought one Nieolo Pesk, young fisherman,
who, peering from behind friendly rock, had
long watched the damsels sporting in the waters,
when, suddenly, the princess, who, in her mad
enthusiasm to excel all her companions, had ven
turcd long way from the shore, suddenly cried
out, "Helpl or perishi" and disappeared from
their view. Her companions were paralyzed with
fear, but not so with Nicolo, who was accounted
the bcst swimmer of any age or cline. In an
instant he dove into the sea, and bent his breast
to the billows with so much skill and celebrity,
that in few moments he was at the spot where
Rosalie went down.
Then he, too, disappeared from their view, and
remainded so long a time beneath the waters,
that all coljectured both the youth and maiden
lost, when he suddenly arose at distant point,
and was seen bearing his precious burden aloft,
with Que arm, while he struck out maniully for
tho shore with the other.
They gained the land in safety and when Ros-
alio was recovered TO consciousness by the care
Of her attendants, she explained, that being sud-
denly seized with cTamp, she would have newt
ably been lost il it had not been for the daring
and skill Of young Nicolo
She insisted on conducting the gallant stranger
10 her fathers court, in which he finally acqui.
esced; and, when King Ferdinand heard the great
service that the young fisherman had done his
daughter he felt so grateful that he swore to
grant Nicolo any boon that he might ask, II It
was possible and in his power.
The young fisherman, though clad in the coarse
garments suited to his calling, had a fine, manly
figure, and a bearing that would have done honor
TO lord and, when his dark blue eye fastened
for moment on the lovely form Of Rosalie, the
courtiers frowned and the monarch trembled to
think no had made so rash promise, for he also
saw that q blush did mantle ROsalies fair check
beneath young Nicolo's gaZe.- llF
But he again thought Of the iisherman's great
service, and spake out kindly. .l..J
Choose loEdship, purse Of gold, or what
you will"
"Your majesty" said NicOlo, al would not
barter the good deed I've done to-day for all the
gold that Sicily contains. l would not sell q sin
gle smile that wreathes the ruby lip Of her saved
from death to be proclaimed the monarch Of q
kingdom twice the size Of thine"
"What dOst thou ask, thenl"
"The hand and heart Of tho Princess Rosaiie," 7"
said Nicolo, in firm but deferential tone.
"Thou dost forget thy birth and station" said
the king, sternly. any daughter is not fitting
mate for such as thou art Amonarch's pleasure
should to subjects'Sce law. ] would be len.
lent with thee for the service thou hast done our
house. Pass our rash promise by, and will
place thy fortunes far beyond thy utmost hope"
"Then, Ferdinand, miscalled the Just, already
breaks bis VOW" said Nicolo, bowling coldly.
"Hercaftcr, let men know that truth is not q
Level worn at the courts Of kings" AZ
Father said fair Rosalie, imploringly, as
NicOlo was about to take his departure, "be just
l-be gencrousr
"By heaven! this is too muchl" exclaimed Fer
dinand, now thoroughly angry "My own
daughter sides against me. Dost thou not know,
girl, that the eagle mates not with tho falcon !!
By our sires' graves, thou must look loftier than
this low-born churl, be his service what il may
Begone, thou base-born hind" he added, address
ing Nicolo, "and never dare to enter hero again,
or ! will have thee scourged from the palace
4 gates ." HHI-
"Eathcr," said fair Rosalic, her face now