Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1872-03-30
A CeyIonesc story.

say, n very wealthy man but
docs not matter which, though
king sounds bettor-hai an onl'
child, a daughter, the heiress OF al
his wealth, who could not, or woul
not speak. He tried all means t
cure her, but in vain. At last h
sent forth u proclamation that who
ever being OF fitted degree, coul,
restore speech to his daughter
could marry her and eventually b.
lord of all her flther's wealth Ma
ny tried, but all failed. At last
prince who had magical gitt-that
OF causing things inanimate to talk
with HIM -camo forward, and wa,
admitted to the hall where the prin
cess was. He spoke to her, anC
tried to induce her to speak, but
answer he got none.
Now, lamp was hanging in. thu
hall, and to it the prince good-hn.
moredly addressed himself. Lamp
said he, 81 will tell you Il story"
"Say on" replied the lamp.
"Wcll," went on the prince, "four
travellers-a carpenter, q painter,
u cloth-merchant, and a jeweler-
set out on u journey. By-and-by
they came to Il rest-housc, halted
there and prepared their food. The
keeper of the rest-house had laid
down on tho floor a log of wood,
very suitable for carving. 1'ho car
penter, seeing this, pulled ont his
carving gear, and carved tho log in
to the shape of a woman, lifcsizo
and exquisitely beautiful. The pain
ter next took his brushes and col
ors, and painted the figure till it
shone as brilliantly fair as Il god
doss. Then the cloth-merchant
opened his packages, chose the fin
nest silks and embroidered robes,
and dressed the figure in the choic-
est bravery. The jewcllor tool,
gems, ,ear-rings, necklaces, and span
giles, and all such things, and be-
dccked the figure with them. Last
of all, the figure was endowed with
life | do not take on mo to cx-
plain how that came about, but it
was the fact !"
"No more do l., said the lamp,
"but, pray, go on. l hate digrcss-
sions p
"Whcn," continued the prince,
"that cxquisitcly, beautiful being
burst into life, all the four fell vio-
lently in love with her, and each
~ ishcd to make her his wife"
"Why, | shaped that matchlcss
figure" said the carpenter.
"And bestowed on her that
complexion" retortod
the painter.
"And | robcd her" exclaimed the
"But what are your choicest robes
to tho costly gems which were my
gift :? A woman is Of littio account
without jewels p cried the jeweIcr.
"Thus they went on clamering
md disputing. Now, o lamp who
was to be declared the rightfu
owner ?"
First the lamp said one and then
another, giving reasons-and what
,ver the lamp said, tho prince CON
,radictcd. The disputo waxed hot
md furious, but seemed never to
,omc to an end.
The princess heard all the dis
,ute, and held her peace a long
mo. At last she could bear to
Jeep silent no longer. So she cried:
You are both silly! The true own
II was none of tho four, but the
eepcr of the rest house, for to him
he wood she was made OF belong
ID p
"Ah ! yes" said the prince. "you
re in the right, my princess And
low that you have spoken, lot me
lain my reward and take you for
ny wife" So they went before the
ing, who was enchanted with the
uro and they were married
traightway and lived happy ever
fterward--at least it is said, the
rincess never gave her husband
ny cause, after marriage, to re-
roach her for too pcrsistently hold
ng her peace.