Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1872-10-03
PRINCE And PEASANT.
FROM THE GERMAN.

-f FROM THE GERMAN. -.. If
A few years ago, 4 young Russia
Prince, handsome, rich, of fine eultiir,
and an amiable character, visited tn
baths of Liebenstein, in Thuringla. II
led quiet and secluded life, avoide
fashionable society, and passed much c
his time in solitary rambles about til
hills and WOODS. One day, lost j
thought, he was slowly sauntering nea
the ruins of an old castle, which stoo
among trees apart from the highway
when his attention was arrested by
pleasant voice calling to him from be
hind. He turned, and saw. beautiful
peasant girl stepping briskly along tn
path by which he, had come, in on
hand holding bunch of wild flower
lit was May), and in the other hand
kerchief. .I,.
" Is this yours, sill? ?" she asked simply
and with pleasant smile holding ou
the handkerchief. '.
He took it mechanically, surprised ou
of courtesy, for the moment, by th'
lovely apparition. The girl was tall
graceful in shape, and fresh and b1auti
ful as the flowers she had plucked. Hat
the Prince been acquainted with Eng
lish poetry he would have been remin
ded of Wordsworth's description o
Lucy:
"She shall lean her ear mad
| In many secret place.
| Where rivulets dance their wayward rotnt
| And beauty born of mGrmuring sound =.
| shall pass into her face"
But being a Russian Prince, he only said
to himself, ''What a beauty she is =!
Thuringian fashion, she wore a gay
colored kerchief wrapped turban-iike
about her head, concealing her luxuri-
ant hair, but leaving her forehead eX-
posed; while her tasteful peasant-dresS
set off her figure TO the best advantage
She was already turning away when the
Prince, coming suddenly to his senses,
courteously thanked her for her trouble,
"There is nothing to thank me for 81
she answered with pleasant smile; at
was no trouble to pick up handker-
chief" .' .-i-i. A
"May ask for whom you have gath
cred these flowers 20 ...-...f
"Only for home. Tomorrow is Sun
day, you know; and l always like to
have flowers in the window OH that
day" s.;. .tt.i.f- -e.5--.
While talking, they had approached
the edge of the wood, and the Prince,
from delicacy towards his, companion,
parted with her there; but not without
having begged permission to visit her
home on the morrow. 1t was granted
with a charming frankness and sim
plicity that completed the conquest of
his heart. $50 -" fffi 81
The remainder of the day passed
heavily with the young Prince. Twen-
ty times before night came, he wander
ed up and down the path where he had
met the peasant girl; and when, after
hours of restless waking, lie fellasleep,
it was still to dream OF her. The next
morning he went to church; but not to
listen to the good village pastor, whose
excellent, sermon passed unheeded by
his ears, while his eyes rested on beau
tiful face, and his thoughts followed
them. Leaving the church, immediate
ly after service, he was proceeding to
join! the young girl and her parents,
when he heard q familiar voice calling
him by name. The next moment his
uncle Dimitry had grasped his hand,
and, in Russian manner, kissed him on
the forehead, mouth, and both cheeks.
/ i'sThank God, have found you at
last, my dear Alexander" heexclaimed,
in a hearty voice; 81 have been hunt
ing for You more than an hour in this
miserable village. But you don't seem
to be very much elated bymy coming
Am I in the way Of any thing, young
man % .i'i' p. IN ~. .-s.a3
NO, dear uncle; l am only on my
way to pay visit" a., ~ .,...r
"Oh, there's time enough for that.
We will order dinner at the hotel, and
meanwhile can tellyou about home"
Alexander followed his uncle to the
hotel; but while they sattalking on the
piazza it did.notl escape the experienced
man of the world that his nephew was
sitting on pins and needles all the time.
More amused tlfan veXed, lie suddenly
changed the conversation. and, BY adj
roit questioning, soon discovered that
Alexander had made no acquaintance
with the guests, or with the resident
families of rank and fashion. ''Then
where the devil have you thrown your
heart?" he demanded at last, somewhat
peremptorily ''for 1t is evident you are
over head and ears in love. FOoling
your time away with some pretty peas
ant girl, ELI! 2" ,hi rg st, r.s.. e
"Now, my dear uncle ruo s5l.i
"Tut, tut, where's the harm? One
must do something to XIII time in such
a hole as this" ''''. A"" --'l' ~
'' 81 don't see why you call it hole"
said Alexander, feeling little foolish,
and anxious to change the conversation.
81 never saw more beautiful scenery,
more romantic .5...
"Quit your enthusiasm about beauti-
ful scenery and romantic what-nots. |
have been bored to death in the most
beautiful place in the world, where l
could not find people to my liking. l
shall leave for Baden-Baden this eve-
ming, and leave you to opursuc your love
affair till you are tired of it. 1t is only
little past noon; so, to your manor
ata, and return at four. Meanwhile, |
will take cigar, and alnuse myself as