Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1869-07-16

anu bhiu tO nlIIl ~ Is well lot you, fGlnCe
John, that you have obeyed me and you
shall not find me ungrateful. Know that
am Princess Mary, one of the thirty
daughters of the Underground King My
father has already waited a long time for
you, and is very angry; but you need not
be afraid of him, only mind what | tell
you. As soon as you come into his
presence, down on your knees and crawl
right up to him. He will begin to scold
and make great to.do; but never mind
him, keep on crawling, and you will see
what will happen then"
Princess Mary stamped on the ground,
and suddenly the mouth of cavern
yswned before them, ana they descended
together into the Underground Kingdom,
and stopped in front of palace, which
was all built OF red garnets, and sparkled
brilliantly.
1.-THE THREE TASKS.
Prince John went boldly into the palace
aud saw the Underground King sitting
on his throne, with claws on his hands
instead of fingers, and small green eyes
that glittered like emeralds. Down went
the prince on his knees forthwith. The
hing stamped, and screamed, and scolded
at him; but he, remembering the counsel
of Princess Mary, kept crawling on all.
fOurs The Underground King made a
terrible uproar, but Prince John still
crawled aud crawled till at last the king
himself was so tickled at the sight that
! he fairly burst out laughing.
| It's lucky for you that you've managed
tn make me laugh said he, for now I'm
not going to quarrel with you; but in re-
turn for the disobedience of your father,
who was so long in sending you here, you
must perform three tasks. Be so good as
to build me, this very night, palace with
marble walls, a golden roof, and windows
of crystal there must be a garden all
round it, and ponds in the garden, and in
the ponds, minuows. If you can do it, I'll
give you my best thanks but if you can't
III cut your head off Now be off with
you, and goodnight; it's already late"
"Ah the old wretchl" thought Prince
John "see what plan he has hit upon ~
and he went into the room which they
had given him in the palace, and sat down
very dismslly, not knowing what to do.
Suddenly bee flew up to the window,
beat against the pane, and said, "Let me
inl" Prince John did so but instead of
the bee, in tlOated Princess Mary.
"Why, Prince John, what are you look
ing so grave about? asked she.
ITS not my fault if am grave" said
he; do you see what a piece of work
your father has set me! And what is
more, if can't do it, he's going to cut my
head Off"
Don't put yourself out about that, my
dear prince" said the young lady; "just
go to sleep, and the palace shall be built
all right. All you have to do is to
get up pretty early, and give tap on the
wall with this little hammer"
And sure enough everything happened
& ol,n had A 81. ~
the hammer there stood the new palace
when he came back and saw it, was not a
little astonished.
"Well, you're clever fellow, without
joking" said he. "Now let us see whether
you are as sharp at guessing as you are
skillful at work. Tomorrow I'll range
my thirty daughters in row, and you
must walk past them three times, and the
third time point out my youngest daughter
Princess Mary. If you can't do it, of
goes your head"
Prince John went to his room, and sal
down to think. "Come," said he, "the
old scare-crow has outwitted himself this
timel what difficulty can there be in
pointing her out" Then in f1uttsred the
princess again, and said, "Just this diff
Guilty, that the whole thirty of us are ex
|
tell us by our dresses, and tomorrow we
shall be all dressed alike"
"And what am l to do, them" asked
Prince John, dolefully.
"Tll tell you; shall be that one or
whose cheek you see a small fly. Good
night-Gu TeUoir."
The next day, when Prince John was
sent for, there stood the thirty princesses
in row, all dressed exactly alike. "Now
my clever friend" cried the king, "be sc
good as to walk past these young ladies
three times, and then pick me out Princes
Mary"
The prince stepped forward, and passed
by them the first time; curious prone
made, upon my word but no fly. He wen
by second time-still no flyi Primo,
, Johns head began to feel very loose upol
-. his shoulders but he gathered all hi
f courage, and passed for the third time
, And behold there was the fly sur'
, enough, though he could only just see il
; He pointed to the beauty with the fly, anC
| said, "This is she-Princess Mary p
"Ohol there's something wrong here 7
grunted the king. "You have found he
Q out, it's true; but suspect foul play some
| where. Now be of, for you'll be wantet
: again before long. I'm going to set fire Il
/ W.
!, must stitch me pair of boots with
/. braid, without stirring from the spot. l
, you can't do it, off comes your head "
= The prince went back to his room NOR
a dismal than ever, but Princess Mary wa
already there, and inquired the cause o
@ his trouble. "Cause enough" he replied
a "your father has devised new piece @
work for me-rm to stitch pair of boot
}, with braid. But am I cobbler, pray
am kings son, and would rather di
d than go stitching boots for him"
r "Dear Prince john" said the princes
Il "will you be my husband will try
d save you-are you willing We will e.
u cape together, or perish together I"
Prince John thought this a very goo
q. idea, and agreed at once.
is "We must fly instantly" said the pril
IT cess, and leading Prince John out of I'll
+ room she locked the door, and flung I'll
lie key ever 80 far of. Then taking Il
It prince by both hands, she rose up in Il
air with him, aud they found themselv
ID beside the same lake whence they had d
8 scended into the underground KingdoI
il Prince Johns horse was straying abo
10 the meadow; and as soon as it saw him
re began to prance and neigh, and came ga
Looping up to him. The prince wasted Ii
r tie time in thinking, but leaped on h
le horse, set the young lady behind him, al
a went off at full gallop.
ID Meanwhile, at the appointed hour, Il
ee king sent to call Prince John. The sc
n. wants found his door locked and WHIT
a. they tapped at it, voice like the prince
ia answered from within, "I'm coming {
~ rectly." They went to tell the king, al
ty he waited and waited-but no prime
ty He sent again, and again there was Il
m same answer; but still the prince did n
k, appear; till at last the king got angr
id and bade them drag him out by fore
lie The servants broke open the door, al
lg found nobody within so they went al
Dl, told the king that Prince John was n
m where to be found. The king was
" much put out about this news that he I
ss, but died of vexation. "Quick, and pu
es sue him |" roared he Z" if he escapes,
ed shall be the worse for you all u So
he men started in pursuit.