The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-08-15

"No, no, we are wiser than you are"
But skazkas tell us that before their
grandfathers had learned anything. be-
fore their grandfathers were born, there
lived in certain land an old man of
this kind, who instructed 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
replied.
The two elder brothers were such fine,
strapping fellows, so tall and stout
But as for the youngest one, Ivan, he
was like half grown lad or half-hedged
duckling, terribly interior to the others.
Well, their old father died. At that
very time there came tidings from the
King that his daughter, the Princess
Helena the Fair, had ordered 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 a 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 p said Vanyusha, "our
father is dead; which of us is to read
prayers over his grave p
Whoever feels inclined, let him go, "
answered the brothers.
So Vanya went. But for his elder
brothers, they did nothing but exercise
their horses, and curl their hair, and
dye their mustaches.
The second night came.
Brothers !" said Vanya, "I've done
my share of reading. Its your turn
now which of you will go ?"
Whoever likes can go and read.
We've business to look after don't you
NEEDLE"
And they cooked their caps, and
shouted, and whooped, and flew this
way, and shot that way, and roved about
the open country.
So Vanyusha read prayers this time
also-and on the third night too.
Well, his brothers got ready their
horses, combed out their mustaches,
and prepared to go next morning to test
their mettle before the eyes of 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 &C
by ourselves.
So away they went. But Vanyusha
wanted very much to have Il look at the
Princess Helena the Fair. He cried
cried bitterly, and went out to his
fathers grave. And his father hearG
him in his coffin, and came out to him
shook the damp earth off his body, ant
said
Don't grieve, Vanya. I'll help you
i'll your trouble"
And Immediately the old man drew
himself up and Strengthened himself
and called aloud and whistled with {
ringing voice, with a shrill whistle.
From goodness knows whence APP
peared horse, the earth quaking be
meath it, a flame rushing from it's ear
and nostrils. To and fro it flew, ant
if rooted in the ground, and cried:
"What are thy commands ?"
Vanya crept into one of the horse
ears and out of the other, and turneC
into such a hero as no skazka can tel
of, no pen describe He mounted tn
horse, set his arms a-kimbo, and flew
just like a falcon, straight to the HON
of Princess Helena. With wave O
his hand, with a bound aloft, he onl
failed by the breadth of two rows @
beams. Back again he turned, gallope
up, leaped aloft, and got within on
beam-row's breadth. Once more h
turned, once more he wheeled, then she
past the eye like streak of fire, too
an accurate aim, and kissed the fai
Helena right on the lips
Who is he? Who is he? Sto
him Stop him ~ was the cry. Not
trace of him was to be found.
Away he galloped to his fathers grave
} let the horse go free, Frustrated himsel
on the earth, and besought his father
counsel. And the old man held couns,
with him.
When he got home he behaved as
!, he hadn't been anywhere. His brother
talked away, describing where they ha
been, what they had seen, and he hstene
to them as of old.
t The next day there was gatherin
again. In the princely halls there wei
more boyars and mobiles than a sing
, glance could take in. The elder brothe
rode there. Their younger broth,
; went there too, but on foot, meekly al
modestly, just as if he hadn't kisse
the princess, and seated himself in
distant corner. The Princess askt
2 for her bridegroom, wanted to sho
him to the world at large, wanted
give him half her kingdom but IL
/ bridegroom did not put in an appea
ance Search was made for him amor
g the boyars, among the generals evel
= one was examined in his turn-but wit
= no result Meanwhile Vanya look,
: on, smiling and chuckling, and waitil
/; till the bride should come to him he
t self.
t 81 pleased her them" says he, "wh'
r I appeared as a gay gallant now !
e her fall in love with me in my pla
caftan.