New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-01-30
THE THREE SONGS OF THE HUNCH.
BACK.
BY ALEXANDER DUMAS, THE YouNoR.

In solitary chateau Oh the borders O
the Rhine there once lived young knigh
who had Just returned from the wars an,
married his cousin Yseult.
The bride was beautiful and young
The blended tints of the lily and the rose
are not more lovely than was the delicate
bloom of the girlish chatelaiue.
The knight no longer cared for the ex.
elements of the combat; his only desire
now was for the pleasures of home life.
His sword was allowed to rust in its scab.
bard, and he thought about it no more
than if it were distaff As for his armor,
he scarcely looked at it, though from time
to time the sens rays would light up its
bright surfaes ~ II inviting the young
man to don il, and ride forth cnce more
The sun had its trouble for its pains, Tie
armor was left undisturbed on the wall.
After time baby son was given to the
cavalier, and, as you may we'll think, this
arrival made no end of rejoicings in the
old chateau, for the new conner was the
one link that bound still closer the knight
and the fair Yseult
All the friends Of the happy couple were
now hidden to the castle, not forgetting
certain magician who lived on the other
bank of the river, and whose life had once
upon q time been saved by the knight. He
found the wise man with halter about
his neck, charged with having discovered
. long-hidden truth, and you know, my
dear children, there is nothing more dan
gerous than to make and publish such q
discovery.
Now there is no doubt that this magi-
clan was q brave old fellow, who busted
himself in trying to benefit humanity; he
was very learned, too, and very virtuous.
He was old in years but always young in
feeling, and inspired the greatest conf
dence in all who came near him.
The magician went to the baptism and
saw the child, who was called Herman.
my dear Theos," said the knight, Il am
ANXIOUS that my son shall be happy, and
a. You know everything, you can tell me
The magician replied: "Sir Knight,
you have many kinsmen who ought to be
able to assist you in this matter; call them
together this evening, and after the ban
quet, ask each one to wish something for
your son; will answer that all the wishes
shall be fulfilled, but on one condition"
"And what may that be?"
''That may also form wish for the
child"
1T is no condition that you exact from
me, " replied the young father, "but a very
great honor that you confer. I am sure
that you will only wish what will make
my boy both good and happy"
This evening, then"
''This evening"
At the time appointed Yseult appeared
in the great salon of reception, holding in
her arms the baby, all enveloped in lace
and silk stufs, and fast asleep. Then she
laid it gently down in its cradle of gold
and ivory, while the father invited the
guests to look at his heir, and told them
what the magician had engaged to do.
Immediately after Theos appeared.
"Gentlemen," he said to the cavaliers
who surrounded the cradle, Happiness
is very hard to find. We all love this |
little one because we love its parents, and
we must all wish for it the things most |
likely to make it happy. Ihave the power
to make your wishes certainties. Speak,
nv friend" added he, addressing the |
father, "what do you wish for your SOM"
THAT he may be brave" replied the |
knight.
"A noble wish" said Theos, 'tand it is |
the first that should have been made; but |
the boy would have been brave in any
event, for are you not his father, and have
you not the name of being one of the |
bravest knights in Christendom?" The |
cavalier bowed.
"And you, Madam; what do you de-
sire for your child?" asked Theos of
Yscult.
THAT he shall love me as love him."
replied the mother.
'.He will love you, Madam, as soon as
be is able to know you" Here, my
reader, you will observe that Theos was
very gallant magician.)
The turning toward the older guests, he
aid to one of them, .What do you wish
or the son of our host?"
THAT he may live as many years as I
ave lived" was the reply.
"And your" he asked of another.
.'That he may always be rich"
"And your? l.
.sThat he may always be strong"
Still there were three more Wis. es;