Wilmington daily gazette., 1873-01-29
The origin Of PhIIOpoena.
A 1lTrIE STORY FROM THE GERMAN.

stantly, but nothing would induce her 10 marry, |
and in order 10 rid herself of her suitors, OF |
whom there were great number, she invented
the following device: To every prince who
sought her hand, she presented the half OF
double almond; while she ate the other halEand
said: Ut your loTdship can succeed in getting
me 70 take anything from your hand before l
say the word I remember then j am ready to
become your bride. But il, on the contrary,you
receive anything from me without thinking
TO speak these words, then you must agree TO
have the hair shaven entirely off your head, and
leave the Kingdom"
This, however, was an artfHl stratagem, for
according 10 the court custom, no one dared to
hand anything directly 10 the princess, but first
70 the court lady, who then offered it to her.
But It. on the other hand. the princess should
desire 10 give or tske>anythingwhQc could refuse
herr So il was useless for her suitors to make
the trial, for when they seemed likely to be
successful, and had diverted the princess so that
she was about to take something from them, the
court lady always stepped between and spoiled
the beat laid plan.
When the princess wished to dispose Of one Of
them, she would appear so charming and
encouraging to him, that he would be entirely
fascinated, and when he sat at her feet overcome
with JOY, then she would seize upon anything
near her, a. though by accident: Take this as
remembrance Of me-" and when he had il in his
hands, before he could think or speak the neces-
sary words, there would spring out at him, from
II. perhaps frog, or a hornet, or bat and 30
staFtle him that he would forget the Words
Then, upon the spot, he was shaven, and away
with him. This went on for some years, and in
aAtho palaces ofthe other Kingdoms the princes
wore wigs. Thus il came to be the custom from
that time. t5-. |tEs
Finally it happened that foreign prince came
upon soma peculiar business, and by accident
saW the almond princess. He thought her very
beautiful, and at once perceived the stTatagehl.
A friendly little gray man had given him an
apple that once year he was pTivlieged to
smell, and then there came in his mind a very
wise idea, and he had become much renowned
on account Of his deep wisdom. Now, it was
exactly time for him TO make use OF his apple.
10. with the scent from il came this Waning
III thou WOuidst win in the game Of giving
and taking, under no ciFcumstances mRst ihon
either give or take anything"
So he had his hands bound in his belt; and
went With his marshal TO the palace, and asked
to be allSNedto eat his almond. The princess
was secretly much pleased with him, and imme'
diately handed him an almond, which his
marshal took and placed in his mouth. The
princess inquired what this meant and more =
over, why he constantly carried his hands in his
giFdls.
He replied that at his court the custom was
even more strongly enforced than at hers, and
be dared not give or take anything with his
hands, at the most, only with his head and feet
Then the princess laughed and saiu;
"ln this case We will never be asle TO have
our little game together"
He sighed and answered:
Not unless you will be pleased to take some
thtng from my bOols" It'S iNIif3 \
That can never happen p exclaimed the
whole court.
Why have you come hither," asked the
Psincess, angrily, "When you have such stupid
customs 2" NJ
Because yOr are 90 beautiful" replied the
prince sand IT, cannot win you. l may d
laaat have the pleasure Of seeing you"
~On the other hand, have no similar graft
6cation," said she.
So the prince remained at the palace, and be
pleased her more and more, bu, when tbs
hum0F seized her, she uied in every manner &c
peRanado him 10 take his hands from his grdle
and receive something from her. She also
eAtsFtalned him charmingly, and frequently
offered him flowers, bonbons, and trinksts. anC
finally her lrscelet; but not once did he forge
and stretch out his hand to take them, for thG
pressure Of his girdle reminded him in time
So he would nod TO his marshal, and he received
them, saying, ave remember"
Then the princess would become impatient
and Wonld exclaim "My handkerchief ha
lalleAl can you lordship pick it up for me 2
WhOReupon the prince would fasien his lspul
into IL and WaYs 1t caFelessly, while the princes
would have 70 bend and remove il from his foo
angvily saying, II remember" %
Thus year passed away, and the princes
sid % heFselE Aa8tf ia ~ tE5isH-l0
This cannot remain so. 1t must be settled
IN one way or the other" van Z
She said 10 the prince;
Il have one Of The finest gardens in the world
will show your Iordship over il to-day"
The prince smelt Of his app,e, and as the
entered the garden, he said:
"IG ia very beautiful here, and in order tina
We may walk near each other ia peace and nc
y eetdistnrbed BY the desire TO Try eur game,
bes you, my lady, that, for this one hour, 20
viii tSke upon y0u the custom Of my court, an
let your hands also be fastened. Then we vii
b sa6 fpoIn each other arts, md there will
nOlhing 70 annoy u.s."
TAepfiAoas did not Eel very safe alioat th
arrangement, but he begged 70 strongly thai sh
o0uAAuOt refuse him tins small favor. So the
went alops, tpgdheH with lheir hands fastcne
IN their girdles The birds sang, the sun shou
warmly, and from The trees the red cherri'
hung 70 low that they brushed their checks
tAS 9hsaPriPper saw 'hem' an
sWhas pity that your lordship is not able
piek aisw ior me"
: g1aA ANoolsiiH knows ns law" said the prime
a md be hEoks one Of the cherries with his teel
fgom branch, and offered Il 10 the prince
nom bis mouth,
Th& paiAos could notklo otherwise tbs
feesiye i from bis mouth, and 80 her lace W