Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-12-05
Farm and FlreStde.
THE ORIGIN or PHILOPOBN.s.

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duee her to marry, and in order to rid her.
self of her suitors, of whom there were
great number she invented the following
devices To every prince who sought her
hand she presented the half of double al
mond, while she ate the other half, and
said, "If your lordship can succeed in get
ting me TO take anything from your hand
before say the words L remember then
am ready TO become your bride. But If,
on the contrary, you receive anything from
me, without thinking TO speak these words
then you must agree TO have your hair
shaven entirely off your head aud leave the
Kingdom"
This, however, was an artful stratagem,
for according TO the court custom, no one
dared to hand anything directly 10 the
princess, but first to the court lady, who
then offered 1t TO her. But If, on the other
hand, the princess should desire TO give or
take anything-who could refuse her? SO
it was useless for her suitors to nuke the
trial; for when they seemed likely 10 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 best laid plan.
When the princess wished to dispose ofon
of them, she would appear so charming and
encouraging to him that he would be en-
tirely 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 remembrance of
me-" and when he had it in his hands, be-
fore he could speak the necessary words,
there would spring out at him, from it,
perhaps a frog, or 4 hornet, or bat, and
SO starte 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 tho princes wore wigs.
Thus it came to be the custom from that
time
Finally ii happened that foreign prince
came upon some peculiar business, and by
accident saw the almond princess. He
thought her very beautiful, but at once
perceived the stratagcm. 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,
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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
this warning:
''If thou wouldst win the game of giving
and taking, under no circumstances 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 cat his almond.
The princess was secretly much pleased
with him, and Immediately handed him
an almond which his marshal took and
placed in his mouth. Tho princess asked
what this this meant and moreover, why
he constantly carried his hands in his Cir
die.
He replied that at his court the custom
was even more strongly enforced than her S
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:
''In this case we will never be able to
have our little game together
He sighed and answered:
''Not unless you will be pleased TO take,
something from my boots
THAT can never happen" exclaimed the
whole court.
"Why have you come hither?" asked the
princess, angrily, "when you have such
stupid customs?'
because you are so beautiful replied
the prince. "And if / cannot win you,
may at least have the pleasure of seeing
you"
"On the other hand, I have no similar
gratification," said she.
So the prince remained at the place, 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 take something from
her. She also entertained him charming
ly, and frequently offered him flowers,
bonbons and trinkets, and finally her
bracelet, but not once did he forget and
stretch out his hand to take them, for the
pressure of his girdle reminded him in
time. So he would nod 10 his marshal
and he receiving them, saying, 1--WE re-
member"
Then the princess would become i'm
patient and would exclam: "My hand
kerchief has fallen! Can your Lordship
pick it up for me?" Whereupon the
prince would faslen his spur to it, and
wave it carelessly while the princess would
have TO bend and remove it from his foot,
angrlly saying, 81 remember
Thus year passed away, and the prime
ess 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. J will show your Lurdship over it
to-day"
The prince smelt of his apple, and as
they entered tho garden, he said:
ut is very beautiful here, and in order
that we may walk near each other in peace,
and not be disturbed by the desire to try
our game, I beg you my lady, that for this
one hour, you will take upon you the GUS
tom 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."
The princess did not feel very safe about
this arrangement, but he begged so strong
ly that she could not refuse him this small
favor. SO they went on along together
with their hands fastened in their girdles.
The birds sang, the sun shone warmly.
and from the trees the red cherries hung
so low that they brushed their cheeks as
they passed. The princess saw them and
exclaimed:
"What a pity that your lordship is not
able to pick few for me!
Necessity knows no law" said the
prince, and he broke one of the cherries