Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1874-06-27
BORROWING TROUBLE.
A sketch for Certain People.

A Sketch for Certain People.
More than two hundred years ago
there lived in Castillo a handsome
prince and beautiful princess, who
had everything that a good human
heart could have except 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, beyond all, they
could count friends who had for them
sincere affection, which is very rare
happiness for persons of royal blood.
Often the princess would say:
Ferdinand, what is trouble? How
does it feel?'
And Ferdinand replied, "Alas !
Isabel, I do not know"
Let us ask our parents to give us
some," pursued Isabel; "they never
refuse 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 hearts"
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 laugh and polite bow. They
even had recourse to the court Jester.
"Ah, that trouble is very precious
thing" said the Jester. "One cannot
buy it, and it is not to be had for the
asking. But you may borrow it."
"G0od |" cried the delighted pair.
"We shall borrow some this mo-
ment."
"But," added the lester, "if you
borrow any, you must pay back in the
same coin"
"Alas |" sighed the prince and prin-
cess. elbow can we, if we have no
trouble which belongs to us ?"
"True That is the trouble" pro-
nounced the jester, as he stole away.
"What did he intend those words to
mean p said the prince, nearly out of
patience "but we need not trouble
ourselves about him-he is only q
fool !"
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 p said they. We
have never had any trouble. The priests
say it is the common lot of mortals.
Have you had yours ?"
"Oh, yes, my darlings I have al
ways had more trouble than I want"
replied the old woman, sadly, shaking
her head.
"Oh, oh |! Give us somel Give us
some, good Catherine" eagerly ex-
claimed tho prinoA and princess.
But Catherine liftod her hands in.
horror, and tottered away, mumbling
prayers.
Then the prince and princess went
down into the garden, and sat upon
messy seat.
Nobody will give us what we have
asked for" said Isabel. cit is very
cruel"
eyes, very cruel" replied Ferdi-
nand, taking his sisters hand.
"Our parents never refused us any
thing before" resumed Isabel.
Never p answered Ferdinand.
"Nor the courtiers," added Isabel.
"Nor the courtiers," echoed Ferdi-
nand.
"Nor our dear old nurse" said Isa-
bel, with strange feeling in her eyes.
"Nor our dear nurse"
eft is wickedness 7
Z" 1t is insoIence p
" It is ingratitude u
every great ingratitude y
"Ib is cruelty p finished Isabel, with
sobs "and my eyes are all full of
tears How do you feel, Ferdinand ?"
every badly, Isabel. I think my
eyes also are wet with tears u
Just then the chief gardener came
that way. He hastened to them.
"My dear prince and princess !" he
exclaimed, throwing himself on his
knees before them. "YoL are weep
ing Oh, that these noble and beauti-
full children can have trouble p
"Trouble p echoed Ferdinand and
Isabel. "This is trouble, Carlos?"
"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 gratifed at last.