Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1876-02-26
THE THREE SONGS
OF TIE
HUNCHB ACK.
BY ALEX. DUMAS. THE YOUNGER.

HUNCHB A OK .
BY ALEX. DUMAS, THE YOUNGER.
lTranslsted by N: NJ. expressly for the Ne
York Times
In q solitary chateau on the border
of the Rhine there once lived q youn
knight who had just returned fror
the wars and married his cousi
Yseult.
The bride was beautiful and young
The blended tints Of the lily and res
are not more lovely than the delicat
blooms Of the girlish chatelaine.
The knight no longer cared for tn
excitements of the combat his onl,
desire now was for tha pleasures o
home life. His sword was allowe,
to rest in its scabbard, and he though
about it no more than If it were . dis
taft. As for his armor, he scarcel,
looked at it, though from time to tim
the SUMS rays would light up it
bright surface asifinviting the voun,
man to don It, and ride forth ono,
more. The sun had fts trouble fol
its pains, the armor was left undis
turbed on the wall.
After q time baby son was givel
to the cavalier, and, ss you may vel
think, this arrival made ne end of re
ioicings in the old chateau, for tn,
newcomer was the one link tha
bound still closer the knight and til,
fair Yseult.
All the friends of the happy couple
were now hidden TO the castle, no
forgetting q certain magician whi
lived on the other bank Of the river
and whose life had once upon tim,
been saved by the knight. He founG
the wlse man with q halter about hi
neck charged with having discovered
Iong-hidden truth, and you know
my dear children, there Is nothing
more dangerous than to make and
publish such discovery.
Now there is no doubt that thil
magician was bravo old fellow, who
busted himself in trying to benefi,
humanity; he was very learned, too
and very virtuous. He was old in
wears but always young in feeling
aud inspired the greatest confidence
in all who came near him.
The magician went to the baptism
and saw tho child, who was called
Herman. "My dear Theos," said the
knight, 81 am anxious that my son
shall be happy, and, a. you know
everything, you can tell me what
must do to secure this great good"
The magician replied: "Sir knight,
you have many kinsmen who ought
to DO able to assist you in this mat
ter call them together this evening,
and after the banquet 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 l may also form Q wish for
the child.'
cit is no condition that you exact
from me-" replied the young father,
"but very great honor that you con-
fer. l am sure that you will only
wish what will make my boy both
good and happy"
''Ihis evening, then 2''
"This evening""
At the time appointed YseuIt ap-
peared in the great saloon of recep-
ton, holding in her arms the baby all
in lace aud silk stuffs, 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 cava-
llers who surrounded the cradle,
happiness is very hard to find. We
Ill love this little one because we love
lts parents, and we must all wish for
things most likely to make it happy.
have the power to make your wish
ss certainties. Speak. my friends"
added he, addressing the father, "what
10 You wish for your sou ?"
"Ihat he may be brave" replied
The knight.
"a noble wish," replied Theos,
sand it is the first that should have
'een made but the boy would have
'een brave in any event, for are you
lot his father, aud have you not the
'ame OF being one Of the bravest
nights in Christendom 2" The cav
,lier bowed.
Aud, you. madam, what do you
lesire for your child 2" asked Theos
# Yseult.
THAT he shall love me a. 1 love
i'm" !" replied the mother.
"He will love you madam, ~ soon
8 he is able to know YOU" (Here,
ny reader, you will observe that
.heus was very gallant magician. |
Then turning to one of the older
uests, he said to one of them: "What
% you wish for the son of our host ?'' |
''That he may live as MANY wears
have lived" was the reply.
"And you 2" he asked of another.
THAT he may be always RICH"
"Aud your"
That he may be always strong"
Still there were three more wishes
1ree wishes to be made by tne young
irl.cousins Of the baby.
MAY he have beautiful blonde
air." said the first. "And eyes blue
SAPPHIRE" added the second. s.And
eeth like pearls" wished the third.
"Sir Knight" said Theos, "your
on Will have all that his kinsmen
nd kins-women have desired for
im."
"Thanks, Theos, but you have q
fownlng gift to add to all these"
swell, what is it ?''
You give me permission ~
"4es, for know that it will be
le most precious gift Of all, because
your great wisdom, aud your love
" U.s."
Iheos seemed to turn over in his
mud all possible things that might
'hpiete the happiness of the child.
verybody was silent. Then turning
ward the frail creature, the mayi-
All said: "Thou wilt be brave and
we Thy parents, long years will be
me, and great strength and riches,
ID great beauty shall not be want.
z, but" The magician
aused.
But what ?" asked the whole cir
e OF listeners, whose curiosity was
Used to the highest pitch.
"But thou wilt be hunchback.
as the sad answer. i
4seult cried out, while her husband
'ew pale with anger.
$50 it must be-" said the magician
reading his hand toward the child. ,
seult snatched up her baby-but t
was too late-its little back was al. +
ady deformed. The knight was be- t
ie himself with rage and sorrow,
Traitor and migrate ~ he cried, "thy
ath shall avenge the misfortune Of
y son." And drawing his sword
plunged it into the breast of
zoos. But to the astonishment of 4
, the wounded man neither etagger-
nor fell. Such things are of little a
a