Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1873-02-08
From Forney's Weekly Press.
THE ORIGIN OF PHILGNA.
A LITTLE STORY FROM THE GERMAN

There was once beautiful
princes who had a great fondnoss
for almonds, and ate them constant
ly, but nothing would induce her
to marry, and in order to rid hor-
self of her suitors, of whom there
was a great number, sho invented
tho following device; To every
prince who sought hcr hand, she
presented the half of double al.
mond, while she ate the other half,
and said: "If your lordship can
succeed in getting me to take any
thing from your hand before L say
tho word Il remember then I 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 en-
tirely 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 de-
sire to give or take anything, who
could refuse her2 So it was USE
less for her suitors to make the
trial, for when they seemed likely
to be successful, and had diverted
the princess so that she was about
to take something from them, the
court-lady stepped between, and
spoiled tho best laid plan.
When tho princess wished to dis
pose of ono of them, she would ap-
pear SO charming and encouraging
to him, that he would be entirely
fascinated, and when ne sat at her
feet, overcome with joy, then she
would seize upon anything near
her, as though by accident: "Take
this as q remembrance of mo-" and
when he had it in his hands, before
he could think or speak the necces-
sary words, there would spring out
at him, from it, perhaps, frog or
q hornet, or a bat, and 30 startle
him that he would forget tho words.
Then, upon the spot, he was shaven
and away with him. This went on
for some years, and in all the pal.
aces of the other Kingdoms the
princes wore wigs. Thus it came
to, be the custom from that time.
Finally it happened that a for
eign prince camo upon some pecu-
liar business, and by accident saw
the almond princess. Ho thought
her very beautiful, and at once per-
ceived the stratagem. A friendly
little gray man had given him an
apple that once q year he was
privileged to smell, and then there
camo in his mind o very wise idea,
and he had become much renowned
on account of his wisdom. Now,
it was exactly time for him to mako
use of his apple. So, with the
scent from it came this warning:
"If thou wouldst win in the
gamo of giving and taking under
no circumstances must thou either
give or take anything"
So he had his hands bound in bis
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 bis marshal took
and placed in his mouth. The prin-
cess inquired what this meant, and
moreover. why he constantly car
ried his hands in his gridle.
He replied that at his court the
custom was even moro strongly en-
forced 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:
"In this case we will never be
able to have our little game to-
gether."
He sighed and answered:
!" Not unless you will be pleased
to take something from my boots"
"That can never happen I" ex-
claimed the whole court.
"Why have you como hither,"
asked the princese, angrily, "when
you have such stupid customs2"
" Because you are so beautiful"