Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-02-12
Che family Circle.
Origin of PhllOpRna.

ndu great 1OuuueSS IOr dlnOnuS, anu ate
tn EN- constantly, but nothing would induce
her to marry. and in order to rid herself
of her suitors, of whom there were great
number, she invented the following de-
vice To every prince who sought her
hand, she presented the half of double
almond, while she ate the other half, and
said: eff your lordship can succeed in
getting me to take anything from your
hand before l say the word / remember
then l am ready to become your bride.
But if, on the contrary, you receive any
thing from me, without thinking to speak
these words, then you must agree to have
your hair shaven entirely off your head
and leave the kingdom
This, however, was an artful stratagem,
for, according 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 desire to
give or take anything-who cond refuse
her? So it was useless for her suitors to
make the trial, for when they seemed like
ly to be successful, and had diverted the
princess so that she was about to take
something from them, the couIt-lady al
ways stepped between them, and spoiled
the best-laid plan.
When the princess wished to dispose of
one of them, she would appear so charm
ing 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, as though by
accident Take this as a remembrance
of me" and when he had it in his hands,
before he could think or speak the neces-
sary words, there would spring out at hin,
from it, perhaps a frog, or hornet, or bat
and so startie 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 all the palaces
of the other kingdoms the princes 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 friendly
little gray man had given him an apple
that once year he was privileged 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. So, with the scent from
it came the warning -
If thou wouldst win in the game Of
giving and taking, under no circumstance:
must thou 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 allowed to eat his almond
The princess was secretly much PLEASED
with him, and Immediately handed him al
almond, which his marshal took and place.
: in his mouth The princess inquired wha
this meant, and, moreover, why he constant
ly carried his hands in his girdle.
He replied that at MS court the custom
r was even more strongly enforced than a
r hers, and he dared not give or take any
thing with his hands, at the most, onI
with his head and feet. Then the princes
, laughed and said -
In this case we will never be able t
have our little game together"
/ He sighed and answered -
Not unless you will be pleased to tax
e something from my boots
That can never happen ~ exclaime
the whole court.
: why have you come hither," askc'
q the princess angrily, when you have sue
stupid customs ?''
/ Because you are so beautiful re
: piled the prince. and if cannot VIII
you, may at least have the pleasure o
seeing you
"On the other hand, | have no simila
qualification" said she,
' So the prince remained at the palace
5 and he pleased her more and more bu
f when the humor seized her, she tried i
T every manner to persuade him to take HI
hands from his girdle, and receive some
J., thing from her. She also entertained hin
charmingly, and frequently offered hir
= flowers, bonbons, and trinkets, and FINAL
= her bracelet, but not once did he forge
). and stretch out his hand to take them, 70
b the pressure of the girdIe reminded him i
It time. So he would nod to his marsha
e and he receiving them, saying, We re
member
:, Then the princess would become in
=. patient, and would exclaim : My hand
kerchief has fallen Can your lordshi
pick it up for me ?" Whereupon tn
prince would fasten his spur into it, an
Il wave it carelessly, while the princess woul
I'd
h angrily saying: 81 remember
n Thus year passed away, and the prin
D cess said to herself
This cannot remain so. 1t must b
settled in one way or the other
She said to the prince: -
n 4 have one of the finest gardens in tn
9 world. | will show your lordship over il
e today"
e The prince smet of his apple, and a
:. they entered the garden, he said -
y at is very beautiful here, and in orde
t that we may walk near each other /
e peace, and not be disturbed by the desir
: to try our game, | beg you, my lady, tina
e for this one hour, you will take upon 20
i the custom Of my court, and let you
= hands also be fastened. Then we will b
e safe from each others art, and there wi
+ be nothing to annoy US
II The princess did not feel very safe abou
l. this arrangement, but he begged so stron!
4 I. ly that she could not refuse him this sma
% favor So they went on alone togethe
Il tn their hands fastened in their girdle
The birds sang, the sun shone warmly
and from the trees the red cherries hun
SO low that they brushed their cheeks a
It they passed. The princess saw them an
20 exclaimed -
u What pity that your lordship is nc
., able to pick few for me.''
a Necessity knows no law" said tn
:. prince, and he broke one of the cherrie