The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1863-11-14
5or the 9atls 9elk.
RIQUET WITH THE TUFT.

RIQUET WITH THE TUN.
Madam said Riquet politely. tho
her speech was not exactly civil,
nothing shows intellect SO much -
the modesty Of believing one does
not possess it, 80
81 don't know that; but I know l
am a great fool, and it vexes me so
that l wish l was Dead cried the
princess bitterly.
If that is all, madam, ! can east
lily put an end to your grief, for ]
have the power to make the person
love best Is clever Is please. ]
will do it provided you consent 10
marry me-
The princess stood dumb with as
constituent. She-to marry that
little frightful scarcely .
man at all!
81 see,' said Riquet, shat my pro-
posal offends and grieves you. Well
will give you a year to consider
it,"
Now the young lady was so stu.
pid that she thought years end
was a long way of-so long that j,
seemed as if It might not com e al
all, or something might happen be-
tween whites. And she had such q
longing 10 be clever and admired
that she thought at all risks she wo'd
accept the chance Of becoming 50
Accordingly, she promised Rique,
TO marry him that day twelve
months.
No sooner had she said it than
she felt herself quite smother being.
She found she could at once say
anything she chose, and say it in the
most graceful and brilliant way.
She began a lively conversation with
Prince Riquet, and chartered so fast
and so wiitily, that he began to be
afraid he had given her so much
cieverness as 10 leave himself none.
When she returned to the palace, AL
the court were astonished at the
change. She,who had annoyed ev.
rybody by the impertinent.t asteles:
,r downright foolish things she Ut
tered,now charmed everybody BY
her vii, her pleasantness.an and her ex
ceeding good sense. The king him
self began to come to her apartment
and ask her advice on state affairs
Her mother, and indeed the Who'll,
kingdom were delighted; the only
person 10 be pitied was the poo
younger sister,of whom nobody now
took the least notice.
Meantime princes came in throng
to ask in marriage this wonderful
princess, who was as clever as sh,
was beautiful; but she found none t
suit her, probably because the more
sense a lady has, the more difficult
she is to please. As for her promis,
TO Riquet with the Tuft, being giver
in The days when she was 50 dul
and stupid, it now never once cam,
into her head; until one day, bein,
quite perplexed by her numerous
suitors, she went TO take q solitar,
walk and think the matter over
when by chance she came into TN
same wood where she had met tn
prince. There, oil of q sudden. sh,
thought she heard a queer runnin,
about and chattering under ground
Fetch me that spit,' cried one; 'Pu
more wood on the fire. said anoth
Grand by and by the earth opened
showing great kitchen filled will
cooks, cooking a splendid banque,
They were ali working merrily a
their several duties, and singing to
gether in a most lively chorus.
What is all this about!' asked tb,
amazed princes.
"lf you please, madam" reptile,
the head cool, politely. I'VE are cook
ing the wedding-dinner Of Prince
Riquet with the Tuft, who is TO b
married tomorrow"
Tomorrow" cried the Princess
all at once recollecting her promise
at which she was SO frightened tina
she thought she would have faIleI
To the earth. Greater still was he
alarm when, only At a few steps dis
tant. she beheld Riquet. dresses
splendidiy like . prince and . bride
groom.
"You see me. princess, exact I,
my word;and / doubt not you are tn,
same, come to make me the happies
Of mankind"
'.Prince, said the lady frankly, I"
must confess that such was moi my
intention, and | fear ] shall neve
be able 10 do as you DESIRE"
"You surprise me, madam" =
IL can well believe il; and il
had to do with q brute instead of q
gentleman Of sense and feeling,
should Be very uneasy" returned
she; "but since | speak with the
cIeyerest man in the world. I am sure