The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-04-22
The Origin of Philopocna.

who had a great fondncss for almonds,
and ate them constantly, but nothing
would induce her to marry and in order
to rid herself of her suitors, Of whom
there were a 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 half and said 'Ifyour lord
ship can succeed in getting me to take
anything from your hand before | say the
word i remember, then | am ready to
become your bride. But if, on the con,
trary, you receive anything from me-
without thinking to speak these words,
then you must agree to have your hair
shavcn entirely off your head and leave
the kingdom
This, however, was an artful strata
gem, for accordance to the court custom,
no one dared to hand anything directly
to the princess, but first to the court lady,
who then offered it to her. But if, on
the other hand, the princess should de-
sire to give or take anything-who could
refuse her So it was useless for her suit.
ors to make the trial, for when they
seemed likely to DO successful, and had
diverted the princess so she was about to
take something from them, the court lady
always stepped between, and spoiled the
best laid plan.
When the princess wished to dispose
of one Of them, she would appear so
charming and encouraging to him, that
he would bo entirely fascinated, and when
he sat at her feet, overcome with joy,
then she would seize upon anything near
her, as though by accident:
Take this as a remembrance of me,
he could .hinl, or speak tie "SSsces5aFs
words, there would spring out at him,
from 1t, perhaps a frog or hornet, or
bat. and so startlc him that he would
forget the words. Then, upon the spot,
he was shaven, and away with him. She
went on for some years, and in all the
, palaces Of the other kingdoms the prin-
ces wore wigs. Thus it came to be the
, custom from that time
, Finally it happened that foreign
, prince came upon some peculiar business,
, and by accident saw the almond princess.
He thought her very beautiful, and at
once perceived the stratagem. A friend
, ly little gray man had given him an ap.
! pie that once year he was privileged to
smell, and then there came into his mind
very wise idea, and he had become
. very much renowned on account of his
! deep wisdom Now, it was exactly time
e With the -scctt aiGunSe Of. bis .apnlf~ - S.
G If thou wouldst win in the game oI
e giving and taking, under no circumstan.
r ces must thou either give or take any
/ thing
=. So he had his hands bound in his belt
t aud went with his marshal to the palace
c aud asked to be allowed to eat an almond
= The princess was secretly much pleaseC
e with him. and Immediately handed hin
J, an almond, which his marshal took ant
p placed in his mouth. The princess in
quired what this meant and, moreover
9 why he constantly carried his hands il
e his girdle.
n lie replied that at his court the Gus
y torn was even more strongly enforced thai
it at hers and he dared not give or tax
1t anything with his hands, at the most, b
C could only give or take with his hea
le and feet. Then the princess laughe
1t and said:
" In this case | am afraid we will neve
a. be able to have our little game together
ID lie sighed and answered;
Or Not unless you will be pleased to stoo
IN down and take something from my boots
c. That can never happen" exclaime
; the whole court.
Why have you come hither !? aske
the princess angrly, when y ou haN
\ hsuch stupid customs ?
Nl because you are so beautiful replie
=. the prince. And Ii cannot win 20
~ Tmay at least have the pleasure Of sc
ingyou.'
IN. 'On the other hand, have no simil
he qualification said she.
~ So the prince remained at the palac
and he pleased her more and more, b
as when the humor seized her, she tried
IN, every manner TO persuade him to Ia
L. his hands from the girdlc, and recei
ck, something from her. She also entertain
him charmngly, and frequently offer
6; him flowers, bonbons, and trinkets, al
finally, her bracelet, but not once did
nd forget and stretch out his hand to ia
Ter them, for tho pressure of the girdle l
bi- minded him in time. So he would n
to his marshal, and he received them, sa
his ing, we remember
ok, Then the princess would become il
on, patient, and would exclaim My han
10. kerchief has fallen can your lordst
p pick it up for me? Whereupon I
ok, prince would fasten his spur into it, a
ry, wave it carelessly, while the prime
csc would have to bend and remove it FRI
en- his foot, angrily saying Il remember
Al; ; Thus year passed away and the pr
ler, cess said to herself;
This cannot remain so 1t must
lid settled in one way OF the other
10; She said to the prince:
"a Il have one of the finest gardens in
50. world, l will show your lordship over
nd, to-day
The prince smelt of his apple, and
ont they entored the garden, said:
'nt- 1T is very beautiful here, and in
od- der that we may walk near each other
and peace, and not be disturbed by the
nd, sire to try our game, | beg you my la
that for this one hour you will take W
ton, you the custom of my court, and let y,
oro, hands also be fastened. Then we '
ans, be safe from each others art, and tn
two will be nothing to annoy u.s.
nts, The princess did not feel very s
about this arrangement, but he beg
iut- so strongly that she could not refuse
rat this small favor. So they went on al