Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1872-02-23
A CeylOnese Story.

Long ago, a king-or, as some say. @
very wealthy man, but it does not matter
which, though king sounds bettcr-had
an only child, daughter, the heiress OF
all his wealth, who could not, or would
not, speak. He tried all means to cure
her, but in vain. AT last he sent forth 9
proclamation that whoever, being of fit.
ting degree, could restore speech to hi.
daughter, should marry her and eventu.
ally be lord of all her fathers wealth
Many tried, but all failed. At last q
prince who had magical gift, that OF
causing things inanimate to talk with
him, came forward, and was admitted To
the hall where the princess was. He spoke
to her, and tried to induce her to speak,
but answer he got none.
Now, a lamp was hanging in the hall,
and to it the prince good. d.humoredly ad.
dressed himself. Lamp" said he, "I
will tell you story
"Say on" replied the lamp.
Wcll,' went on the prince. "four
travelers-a carpenter, painter, "A cloth.
merchant and jeweler-set out on a
Journey. By-and-by they came to a rest
house, halted there, and prepared their
food. The keeper of the rest-house had
laid on the floor a log of wood, very suit
able for carving. The carpenter, seeing
this, pulled out his carving gear, and
carved the log into the shape of wo-
man, life-size, and exquisitely beautiful.
The painter next took his brushes and
colors, and painted the figure till it shonc
as brilliantly fair as goddess. Then the
cloth-merckant opened his packages
chose the finest silks and embroidered
robes, and dressed the figure in his choic.
est finery. Then the jeweler took gems,
earrings necklaces, and bangles, and ali
such things, and bedecked the figure with
them. Last of all, the figure was en-.
dowed with life. do not take on me to
eXplain.how that came about, but it was
the fact.
mo more do l." said the lamp; "but
pray. go on. hate digressions!f
When," continued the prince, "that
eXquisitely-beautiful being burst into life,
all the four fell violently in love with her,
and each wished to make her his wife.
Why, | shaped that matchless figure
said the carpenter.
And | bestowed on her that blooming
complexion, retorted the painter.
And robed her. exclaimed the mer-
chant.
But what are your choicest robes to
the costly gems which were my gifts A
"piioli 10 VI lltlle account Without Jew
elsr cried the jeweler.
Thus they went on clamoring and dis
putting. Now, o lamp! who was to be
declared the rightful owners"
First the lamp said one and then an.
other, giving reasons-and whatever the
lamp said the prince contradicted. The
dispute waxed hot and furious, but seem
ed never to come nearer to an end.
The princess heard all the dispute, and
held her peace a long time. AT last she
could bear to keep silent no longer. So
she cried: "You are both siliyl The
true owner was none of the four, but the
keeper of the rest-housc, for to him the
wood she was made of belongedm
"Ahl yes" said the prince, 'you are in
the right, my princessl And now, that
you have spoken, let me claim my reward
and take you for my wife!" So they went
before the king, who was enchanted with
the cure; and they were married straight
way and lived happy ever afterward-at
least, it is said, the princess never gave
her husband any cause, after marriage, to
reproach her for too persistently holding
her peace!