Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-07-29
MIS- IscElLAHEoUs.,
TEE ORIGIN OF PHILopENA,

l. A.
@HERE was once beautiful princess who
|, had a great fondness for almonds, and ate
them constantly, but nothing would induce
her to marry, and in order to rid herself of
her snitors. OF whom there were great nuns
ber. she invented the following device -
:, 10 every, priuce who sought her hand, she
presented hall OF a.double almond, while she
ate the other hall. ;, and said ~"If your Lords
ship can succeed in getting me to take any,
thing from your hand before I say the words
81 remember then l am ready to become
your bride. But if, on the contrary, YOU re-
,ceive anything from mo without thinking to
I'speak these words, then. you must agree, to
have your hair shaven entirely of your head
and leave the kingdom.
| This, however, wasan artful stratagem for
according to the court custom no one dared
| to hand anything directly to the princes, but
| first to the court lady, who then offered it to
her. But if, on the other hand, the princess
| should desire to give take anythine-who
could refuse her 2? So it was useless for her
sutors to make the trial, for when they seemed
likely to be successful, and had diverted the
princess so that she was about to take some-
thing from them, the court-lady alwavs
stepped between, and spoiled the bcst>laid
plan.
uISDOSa
of them she would appear SO charming and
encouraging to him that he would be entirely
fascinated, and when he sat at her feet. over>
come with JOY, then she would seize upon any
thing near her, as though by accident: "Take
this as a remembrance of me" and when he
had it in his bands, bcf;,re he could think or
speak the necessary words. there would spring
out at him frog, or a hornet or a bat. and
so startle him, that hc would forget the words.
Then, upon the spot, he was shaven. and
away with him. . This went on for some wears,
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
siratagem.. 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 very wise idea, and he had become
much renowned on account of his deem wis
dom. Now, it was exactly time for him to
make use of his apple. SO, with the scent
from it came this warning:
/. 'lf .thnn .Mopldst win in the game of Civ
ing and taking, under no circumstances mus.
thou either give or take anything"
a.. 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 prin>
cess was secretly much pleased with him. and
immediately handed him an almond. which
his marshal took and placed in his mouth
The princess inquired what this meant, and.
moreover. why he constantly carried his hands
in bis girdle.
He replied. that at his court the custom
was even more strongly enforced than at hers.
and he dared not give or take anything with
his hands, at the most, only with his head
and feet. Then the princess laughed and
said: 81.
-. ''Ip this case we will never be able to have
our little game together"
He sighed and answered
Mot unless ,yon will be pleased to take
something from my boots,
''That can never happen !" exclaimed the
whole court. =.
"Why have you come hither 2". asked the
princess:angrily, "when you have such stupid
customs z"
Because you are so beautiful" replied the
prince: "And if L cannot win you, NAV at
least have the pleasure of seeing you."
''On the other hand, I have no similar
qualification" said she.
So the prince remained at the palace, and
he pleased her more and more, but when the
humor seized her, she tried in every manner
to persuade him to take his hands from his
girdle, and receive something from her. She
also entertained him .charminely, and fire.,
quently offered him flowers. bonbops, and
trinkets, and finally. bracelet, bu. not once
did he forget and stretch out his hand TO take
them, for the pressure of the girdle reminded
him in time. So ne would nod to his mar
shal, and he received them, saying, owe
remember"
Then the princess would become impatient.
and would exclaim: "My handkerchief has
fallen Can your lordship pick it up for me2"
Whereupon the prince would fasten his spur
into it, and wave it carelessly, while the prip-
cess would have to bend and remove i. from
his foot, angrily saying: :"I remember"
Thus year passed away, and the prin-
cess said to herself:-
''This cannot remain So It must be set
tied in one way or the other"
She said to the prince -
81 have one of the finest gardens in the
world. will show your lordship over it,
to-day.
The prince smelt of his apple, and as thew
entered the garden he said -
at is very beautiful here, aud in order
that we may walk near each other in peace,
and no. be disturbed by the desire to play our
game, [ beg you, my lady, that for this ons
hour, you will take upon. You the custom of
my court, and let your hands also be fastened.
Then we will be safe from each others art,
and there will be nothing to annoy u.s."
=.