The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-06-18
NUMBER 7.
Borrowing Trouble.


More than two hundred years ago there
lived in CASTLE handsome prince and
beautiful princess, who had everything
that good human heart could have ex-
cept trouble. 1t seemed that this could
not come to them. They were young,
full of health, and cheerful; they had
kind and very wealthy parents; and, be-
yond all, they could count friends who
had for them sincere affection, which
is a very rare happiness for persons of
royal blood. Often the princess would
say; :.
does it feel p
And Ferdinand replied, "Alas Isabel,
/ do not know"
"Let us ask our parents to give us
some," pursued Isabel; "they never re-
fuse us anything"
But the king and queen shuddered at
their request:
"No, no, dear children" they cried (;
"you do not know what you ask. Pray
that these wicked wishes may vanish
from your heartsP
But the prince and princess were not
satisfied with this answer. They ap-
piled in secret to the most powerful
cOurtiers, and, to their great astOnish-
ment, met with refusal, accompanied
with a laugh and polite bow. They
even had recourse to the court jester.
"Ah, that trouble is very precious
thing" said the jester. Gone can not
buy it, and it is not to be had for the
asking. But you may borrow it,"
"GoOdp cried the delighted pair.
"We shall borrow some this moment"
"But," added the jester, eff you bor-
row any you must pay back in the same
coin."
"Alas" sighed the prince and princess,
"How can we if we have no trouble
which belongs to usp
"True That is the trouble" an
nounced the jester as he stole away.
"What did he intend those words to
meanT' said the prince, nearly out of
patience "but we need not trouble our
selves about him-he is only a foolP'
Then, in despair, the two children
went in search of their faithful nurse,
who had been in the palace ever since
their birth.
"Dear Catherine!' said they, "We
have never had any trouble. The priests
say it is the common lot of mortals.
Have you had yoursg'
ooh, yes, my darlings; have always
had more trouble than 1 want" replied
the old woman, sadly, shaking her head.
ooh, oh! Give us some! Give us
some, good Catherine!" eagerly ex-
claimed the prince and princess.
But Catherine lifted her hands in
horror, and tottered away, mumbling
prayers.
Then the prince and princess went
down into the garden, and sat upon a
messy seat.
"Nobody will give us what we have
asked for" said Isabel. cit was very
cruel
eyes, very cruel" replied Ferdinand,
taking his sisters hand.
"Our parents never refused us any
thing before" resumed Isabel.
"Neverp p' answered Ferdinand.
"NOr the courtiers," added Isabel.
"Nor the courtiers, echoed Ferdinand
"Nor our dear old NURSE" said Isabel,
with strange feeling in her eyes.
"Nor our dear nurse"
"It is wickednessW
at is insolenceP
cit is ingratitudep
Every great ingratitudew
"It is cruelty !" finished Isabel, with
sobs; "and my eyes are full of tears!
How do you feel, Ferdinand?
every bad, Isabel. | think my eyes
also are wet with tearsP'
Just then the chief gardener came that
way. He fastened to them.
"My dear prince and princess" he
exclaimed, throwing himself on hisknees
before them, "You are weeping! Oh!
Heaven, that those noble and beautiful
children can have trouble? p
"Troublew echoed Ferdinand and
Isabel. "This is trouble, Carlosw
" Assuredly, / think So" said Carlos,
much puzzled.
Then the prince and princess arose
gaily and clapped their hands, and ran
to the palace as happy as two birds.
Their wish was gratified at last.