The weekly Shasta courier. [volume] (Shasta, Calif.) 1872-190?, 1873-09-13
Princess Helena the Fair.

people dispute the fact, saying, No, no,
we are wiser than you are" But Skdzkds
(folk-tales) tell that before our grandfath-
ers had learned anything, before their grand
fathers were born, there lived in a certain
land an old man of this kind who instruc-
ted his three sons in reading and writing
and all book learning. Then said he to
them:
"Now, my children when 1 die, mind
you come and read prayers over my grave"
Very good, father, very good" they re-
piled.
The two elder brothers were such fine
strapping fellows! so tall and stout! But
as for the youngest one Ivan he was like
halfgrown had, or halffedged duckling.
terribly inferior to the others. Well, their
old father died. At the very time there
came tidings from the king that his daugh
ter, the Princess Helena the Fair, had Or
dered a shrine to be built for her with
twelve columns, with twelve rows of beams.
In that shrine she was sitting upon high
throne, and awaiting her bridegroom, the
bold youth, who, with single bound of his
swift steed, should reach high enough to
kiss her on the lips. A stir ran through
the whole youth of the nation. They took
to licking their lips and scratching their
heads, and wondering to whose share so
great an honor would fall.
Brothers !" said Vanyusha,* sour ia
Their is dead; which of US is to read pray
ers over his grave?"
whoever feels inclined, let him go!"
answered the brothers.
So Vanya went. But for his elder broth
ers, they did nothing but exercise their
Il Xho,, ho;, nj r, ha,r
taches.
The second night came.
Brothers! !" said Vanya, I've done my
share of reading. 1t is your turn, now;
which of you will GOT"
Whoever likes can go and read. We've
business to look after; don't you meddle."
And they cooked their caps cad shouted,
and whooped, flew this way, and shot that,
way, and roved about the open country.
So Vanyusha read. prayers this. time alsss'
and on the third night, >toolA ~ -,
Well, his brothers got ready their horses,
combed out their mustaches, and prepared
to go next morning to test their mettle be-
fore Helena the Fair.
"Shall we take the youngster" they
thought. "No, no. What would be the
good of him? He'd make folks laugh, and
put US to confusion; let's go by ourselves"
So away they went. But Vanyusha
wanted very much to have look at the
Princess Helena the Fair. He cried, cried
bitterly; and went out to his fathers grave.
And his father heard him in his coffin, and
came out to him, shook the damp earth
off his body, and said
don't grieve, Vanya. I'll help you in
your trouble"
And Immediately the old man drew him
self up and Strengthened himself, and called
aloud and whstled with a ringing voice,
with a shrill whistle.
From goodness knows whence appeareda
horse, the earth quaking beneath it, fame
rushing from its ears and nostrils. To and
fro it flew, and then stood still before the
old man, as if rooted in the ground, and
cried:
"What are thy commander"
Vanya crept into one of the horses ears
and out of the other, and turned into such
hero as no skdzka can tell of, no pen can
describe! He mounted the horse, set his
arms a-kimbo and flew. just like falcon,
straight to the home of the Princess Helena.
With a wave of his hand, with bound
aloft, he only failed by the breadth of two
rows of beams. Back again he turned,
leaped aloft, and got within one beam-ro
breadth. Once more he turned, once more
he wheeled, then shot past the eyes like
streak of fire, took an accurate aim, and
kissed the fair Helena right on the lips
"Who is he! Who is he? Stop him
Stop him!" was the cry. Not trace Of
him could be found
Away he galloped to his fathers grave,
let the horse go free, Frustrated himself on
the earth, and besought his fathers coun-
sci. And the old man held counsel with
him.
When he got home he behaved as if he
hadn't been anywhere. His brothers talked
away, describing where they had been,
what they had seen, and he listened to them
as of old.
The next day there was gathering again.
In the princely halls there were more bo-
vars and mobiles than single glance could
take in. The elder brothers rode there.
Their younger brother went there too. but
on foot, meekly and modestly. just as if he
hadn't kissed the Princess. and seated him
self in distant corner. The Princess Hell
ena asked for her bridegroom, wanted to
show him to the world at large, waited to
give nlth malt her kluSuOWj DuI Iue Drlue-
groom did not put in an appearance
Search was made for him among the bo-
vars, among the generals every one was
examined in his turn - but with no result
Meanwhile, Vanya looked on, smiling and
chuckling, and waiting till the bride should
come to him herself
al pleased her, them" says he, "when l
appeared as gay gallant now let her fall
in love with me in my plain caftan."
Then up she rose looked around with
bright eyes that shed a radiance on all who
stood there, and saw and knew her BRIDE
groom, and made him take his seat by her
side, and speedily was welded to him. And
he-good Heavens how clever he turned
out, and how brave, and what handsome
fellow Only see him mount his flying
steed, give his cap cock, and stick his ell
bows a-kimbo! why, you'd say he was a
king, born king you'd never suspect he
once was only Vanyusha.-" Russian Folk
Tales" by W. K. S. RaLston.
>vanya and Vanyusha diminutives of Ivan
john, answering to our Johnny; vanka is another.
more like Jack.
A contemporary speaks Of a fashionable