The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-05-25
Selected story.
THE TWELVE MONTHS.
A BOHEMIAN TALE.

WIdoW Win Two children. IDe eluet VINO
was only her step-daughter, was named Do
brunka; the younger, who was as wicked as
her mother, was called katinka. The mother
worshipped her daughter, but she hated Do
brunka, simply because she was as beautliuI ~
her sister was ugly. Dobrunka did not even
know that she was pretty, and she coulu my
understand why her step-mother flew ln5o I.
rage at the mere sight OF her. The poor emu
was obliged to do all the work Oh tle MUS
she had to sweep, cook, wash, sew, spun, "ea a,
cut the grass and take care OF tne COW, "hiie
Katinka lived like princess, tkat Is 10 say,
Dobrnnla worked with good will, and took
reproaches and blows with the gentleness OF a
lamb: Int nothing soothed her step-mother,
for every day added to the beauty of the elder
sister and the ugliness of the younger "They
are growing up" thought the mother, "and
suitors will soon appear who Will refuse my
daughter when they see this hateful Dobrun-
ka who grows beautiful on purpose to snitc
me. Unjust get rid of her, cost what it NAV .
One day in the middle of January. Katinka
took fancy for some violets. She called Do
brunka, and said, go to the forest and bring
me bunch OF vlolets, that may put them in
my BOSOM and enjoy their fragrance"
"Oh, sister, what an idaa!' answered Do
brunka; las If there We're any yiolets under
the snow!" "a ii..
Hold your tongue, stupid fool" returned
her sister, and do as | bid you! If you 40
not go to the forest and bring me back bunch
of violets, will beat you to a jelly" Upon
TINS, the mother took Dobrunka ny me arm,
put her out of the door, and drew the Doll ON
her.
The poor girl went to the forest weeping bit
terly. Everything was covered with snow;
there was not even a footpath. She lost her
way, and wandered about till, famlshins with
hunger and perishinS with cold, she entreated
God to take her from this wretched life.
All at once she saw q light in the distance
She went on, climbing higher and higher, un-
til at last she reached the top of huge rock
upon which great fire was built. Around the
fire were twelve stones, and on each stone sat
motionless figure, wrapped in large man
tie, his head covered with hood which tell
over his eyes. Three of these mantles were
white like the snow, three were green like the
grass of the meadow, three were golden like
the sheaves o. ripe wheat and three We're pur-
pie like the grapes of the vine. These twelve
figures, gazing at the fire in silence, were the
Twelve Months of the year
Dobrunka knew January by his long white
beard. He was the only one that had a staff
in his hand. The poor girl was terribly fright
ened. She drew near, saying in timid voice,
MY good sirs, please to let me warm myseii
by your fire; am freezing with cold" ...
January nodded his head. why have you
come here, my chldY' he asked What are
you looking tor'"
II am looking for violets," replied Dobrun-
ka.
This is not the season for them; there are
no violets in the time of SNOW, said January,
in his gruh voice. ~ ta-a-
81 know it," replied Dobrunka, sadly; "but
my mother and sister will beat me to jelly if
do not bring them some. My good SlrS please
TO tell me where can find them"
Old January rose, and turning TO young
man IN a green mantle, put his stall IN has
hand, and said to him, Brother March, this is
your business"
March rose in turn, and stirred the fire with
the staff, when behold the flames rose, the
snow melted, the buds put forth on the trees,
the grass turned green under the bushes, the
flowers peeped through the verdure, and the
violets opened-it was spring.
Make haste my child, and gather your vio-
lets" said March. ..i-.t..lt.
Dobrunka gathered large bouquet, thanked
the Twelve Months, and joyfully ram home.--
You can imagine the astonishment of Katinka
and the stepmother. The fragrance of the vio-
lets filled the whole house.
Where did you find these fine thngs?" ask
ed Katllka, in disdainful tone. .4
up yonder, on the mountain" answered her
sister. 1T. looked like great blue carpet un-
der the bushes" 80 $500
Katinka put the bouquet in her bosom, and
did not even thank the poor child.
The next morning the wicked sister, as she
So tldiing by the stove, took a fancy for some
strawberries. e.-
go to the forest and bring me some straw.
berries" said she to Dobrunka '- -'~s-
'"Oh, sister, what an idea! as if there were
any strawberries under the snowi" -
Hold your tongue, stupid fool, and do as
bid you. Ii you don't go to the forest and
bring me a basket of Strawberries L will beat
you to jelly
The mother took Dobrunka by the arm put
her out of the door, and drew the bolt ON her.
The poor girl returned to the forest, looking
with ali her eyes for the light she had seen the
day before. She was fortunate enough to spy
1t, and she reached the fire trembling and al
most frozen. '.-t -ii'-Al ..t 'it ...
The Twelve Months were in their places, mo-
tiopless and silent
My good sirs," said Dobrunka. "pease to
let me warm myself by your fire; 1 am almost
frozen with cold"
why have you returned?" asked January.
What are you looking for?"
Il am looking Tor Strawberries" answered
she. 4s4,.
This is not the season for them" returned
January, in his gruff voice; there are nc
Strawberries under the snow"
Il know II" replied Dobrunka sadly; "but
my mother and sister will beat me to Jelly ii
do not bring them fome. Ny good sirs
please TO tell me where can find them"
sold January rose and turning TO a man in
agoIden mantle, he put his staff in his hand
saying, Brother June, this is yonr business
june rose in turn, and stirred the fire with
his stan, when behold! the flames rose, the
snow melted the earth grew green, the trees
were covered with leaves, the birds sang, and
the flowers opened-it was summer Thou
sands OF little white stars enamelled the turf
then turned to red strawberries, looking in
their green cups, like rubies set in emeralds.
Make haste, my child and gather your
strawberries" said June.
Dobrunka filed her apron, thanked the
Twelve Months, and joyfuliy ran home. You
may imagine the establishment of Katnka and
the stepmother. The fragrance of the straw
berries filled the whole house. al
where did you find these things?" asked
Katinka, in disdanful voice. i'
up yonder on the mountain" answered he1
sister; there were SO many CT them that they
looked like blood poured on the ground"
katinka and her mother devoured the straw
berries, without even thanking the poor child.
The third day the wicked sister took fancy
for some red apples. The same threats, the
same insults, and the same violence followed
Dobrunka ran to the mountain, and was for
tunate enough to find the Twelve Months
warming themselves, motioness and silent.
You here again, my child2' said old Janu-
airy, making room for her by the fire. Do
brunka told him, with tears, how if she did not
bring home some red apples her mother and
sister would beat her to death. eg
Old January repeated the ceremonies of the
day before. Brother September" said he to
gray-bearded man in purple mantle, "this
is your business" .
September rose and stirred the fire with the
stall when, behold! the flames assembled the
snow melted, and the trees put forth a few vel
low leaves, which fell one by one before the
wind; it was autumn. The only flowers were
few late pinks, daisies and immorteles Do
brunka saw but one thing, an apple tree with
its rosy fruit.
Make haste. my child; shake the tree, said
Septempber
She shook it and an apple fell; she shook ii
again, and second apple followed
Make haste, Dobrunka, make haste home p'
cried September in an imperious voice.
The good child thanked the Twelve Months,
and joyiully ran home. You NAV imagine the
astonishment OF Katinka and the stepmother
Green apples in January! Where did Won
get these apples?' asked Katinka.
up yonder ON the mountain; there is a tree
that IS as red with them as a cherry tree in
July"
why did you bring only two? You ate the
rest on the way" y.I
oh, sister, did not touch them was only
permitted TO shake the tree twice, and but two
apples fell"
hef SISTER, who ran away crying.
Inc wicked girl tasted one OF the aDples. she
n ,le never eaten anything so delicious in her
lie, nelther had her mother How they re-
GREETED not having any morei
Mother, said Katinka, give me my fur
CLOAK VIII go TO the forest, aud find the tree
anu wnether L am permitted or not, will
ours" fP va "
The mother tried to stop her. A sno;led
child listens TO nothing. Katinka wrannid H.,
self IN her for cloak, drew the hood over r.
head, and fastened away
Everything was covered with snow: tbere
was not even footpath, Katinka lost her yvav
put she pushed on spurred by pride and eoveil
business. She spied light in the distance
She climbed and climbed till She reached The
piaee, and found the Twelve Months, each
SSattu on ms stone, motionless and silent
"thout asking their permission she M,