The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1872-06-14
FORTUNI0.
\ FAIRY TALE.

King Alfourite was both amiable and
powerful but his neighbor, the Emper-
or Matapa, in the last battle had gained
a complete victory, leaving the king de-
spoiled of all his treasures; these the
emperor conveyed TO his own palace.
In the meantime, King Alfouritc as
sembled the small remains of his army,
and ordered every gentleman and no.
bleman 10 come in person TO assist him,
or pay a large sum OF money.
On the frontiers of his kingdom lived
a nobleman, eighty years OF age, once
extremely rich, but now reduced to
scanty provision for himself and three
daughters who lived with him. When
the old nobleman heard the decree, he
knew not what TO do.
q" am too old to engage in the kings
army he said; land TO pay the tax
would ruin us.
Do not thus atiiict yourself father"
said his daughters.
II, ;" said the eldest, "am young and
robust, and accustomed to fatigue; why
should not | dress myself Is a cavalier,
and offer my services TO the king?'
The old lord, seeing her bent on the
eApcIlhiSHt, 5aNS hlo SoiiSOhIi anu shO
set out.
The princess had not proceeded far
before she observed an old shepherdess,
endeavoring to draw one of her sheep
out of the ditch, into which it had fall
en-.
"What are you doing, Goody?" said
the cavalier.
Alas - replied she, 81 am trying to
save my sheep, which IS almost drown
ed (; but am too weak TO get it out"
. You are very unfortunate" said she,
at the same time squirting on her horse.
Adeu, disguised lady !" said the old
shepherdess.
No astonishment could exceed that
of the daughter.
had better return at once" she
said, since a single glance at me is
sufficient to convince every one that |
am not man.
She accordingly returned.
The second daughter said
4" am both taller and more robust {;
and | would lay any wager | should have
succeeded.
She procured suit of clothes and
another hose, and took the road.
The old shepherdess was on the same
spot. Our young friend asked what was
the matter.
Unfortunate that | am y replied
the old woman; . half my flock have !
lost in this manner, for want of help"
Some one will soon come by, no
doubt" said the cavalier, and was turn.
ing to go, when the old woman cried
out:
Adieu, disguised lady"
So she followed her sisters example,
and returned TO her father, full OF sor-
row and disappointment.
The youngest now entreated she might
not be denied the privilege of trying
her fortune, as we'll as her sisters, to
which, at last, after much pursuasion,
the old lord agreed but AS he had ex
pended a good deal Of money in equip
ping his two eldest daughters, he could
provide the youngest only with poor
old cart-horse and the meanest apparel
imaginable. When these were ready,
the old gentleman embraced her ten.
derby, and she babe both him and her
sisters farewell.
The old shepherdess again presented
herself as before.
" What are you about, my good
woman p said this amiable cavalier
I" can | be of any service to you p and
perceiving the sheep struggling in the
water, jumped off his horse, and pulled
4. out.
Upon this the ol,.'shepherdess turned
to him, and said
" You shall find me grateful for this
kindness. | am fairy, and know well
enough who you are, and | will be your
friend
Accordingly, she touched the ground
with her wand, and the most beautiful
horse, superbly harnessed, stood before
them.
"The beauty of this horse" continued
the fairy, . is his least perfection fol-
he posse sses the rare quality Of eating
only once a week, and the still rarer oil
knowing the past, the present and the
future. If you wish at any time TO know
what on ought 10 do for the best, you
have only 10 consult him you should,
therefore regard him as your best
friend"
The fairy added that if he stood in
need of clothes, money or jewels, he
must stamp with his foot upon the
ground, when a morocco trunk, contain
ing the articles he desired, would in.
stantly make its appearance.
" We must next" she said, supply
YOU with a proper name; and none, ]
think, can be better than that of For.
tunio, since you have had the good for.
tune TO deserve my favor"
Fortunio assured the fairy of eternal
gratitude; he stamped with his foot that
he might procure himself magnificent
suit Of clothes he dressed himself. EN-.
braced his bountiful friend, and pursued
his way.
AT the end of his first days journey,
he though t of sending sum of money
to his sther, and some jewels to his sis