Oxford Democrat., 1876-11-14
A SlCILIAN WONOER-STORY.
The Shepherd VINO Made the Kjug's
Daughter Laugh.

The Shepherd VINO Made the Kings
Daughter Laugh.
There was once king and q queen
who had an only daughter, whom they
owed very dearly. When she was fifteen
years old she became suddenly very sad,
and would no. lsugh any more. So the
king issued q proclamation that whose
ever made his daughter laugh. whether
be were q prince, peasant or beggsr.
should become her husband. Many
made the attempt. but none succeeded.
Now there was poor woman who had
an only son, who was idle and would not
learn a trade; SO finally his mother sent
him to a farmer to keep his sheep. Oae
day, ss he was driving the sheep over
the fields, he came - well and bent
over it 70 drink. As he did so he saw
handsome ring on the wheel, and. as it
pleased him. he pu. it on the ting-inger
ut his right hand. lie had scarcely put
1t on. however, when he began to sneeze
violently, and could not stop until he had
accidentally removed The ring. Then his
saceziug stopped rs suddenly rs i! had
begun.
"O4~ though. he, "if the RUG has
this virtue. | had letter try my fortune
with L., and sec whether it will not make
ihe sings daughter laugh" So he put
the ring on his left hand and no longer
bad 10 slceze Then be drove the sheep
conc, took leave Of his master, aud
waudclcd toward the city where the
king lived. lie was obliged. however,
to pass through u dense forest, which
was 50 extensive that It sew dark before
he !o,. il. IL thought, Il. the robbers
fad me hero they viii take away my
ring, and then should be a ruined man.
would rather climb q tree and spend
/ the l,.bl here So he climbed tree,
tied himself fast with his belt, and soon
fell asleep. Before ioag thirteen robbers
came and sll down under the tree. and
t:,aod SO loud that the shepherd awoke.
I luo captain OF the robbers said. "Let
each iciA!c what he has accomplished to-
d,y J. and each exhibited what he bad
taken. The thirteenth, however. pulled
out tablecloth, purse and whistle,
and said. have gained to-day the great
est treasures, for these three things
have taken from monk, aud each Of
/ them has a particular virtue. II any one
spreads ont The tablecioth and says, My
/ little labcc!oth, give me macaroni, roast
meat or whatsoever one will, ne will
lind everything there immediately
Likewise. the purse will give AL the
money one wants; and whoever heags
he whistle must dance, whether be will
OF nO.' The robbers at once put the
power Of the tablecloth to the ties, and
went to sleep, the captain laying the
precious articles near himself. When
they were all snoring hard the shepherd
descended, took the three articles, and
erep: away.
The next day he came to the city where
the king lived, and went straight to the
palace. Announce me TO the king" he
said TO the servants: 81 will try TO make
the kings daughter laugh" The SER
wants tried to dissuade him, but he in
sisted on being led before the king, who
took him into a large room in which was
the kings daughter sitting on a splendid
throne and surrounded by the whole
court. If | am TO make the princess
laugh said the shepherd 10 the king,
''you must first do me the kindness TO
put this ring on the ring.fnger OF your
right hand" The king had scarcely done
so when he began to sneeze violently,
and could not stop, but ran up and down
the room sneezing all the time. The en-
tire court began TO laugh, and the kings
daughter could not stay sober, but had to
run away laughing.
Then the shepherd went up to the king,
took of the ring aud said, "Your Majesty,
| have made the princess laugh: to me
belongs the reward What! you
worthless shepherdm ~ cried the king.
"You have not only made me the laugh
ing-stock OF the whole court. but now
you want my daughter for your vile !!
Quick take the ring from him and throw
him into prison."
While there the wonderful tableclolh
provides him and his companions with
plenty to eat, and when it is discovered
and taken from him by the kings orders,
the purse enables them all to live in
comfort. That is also discovered, ard
and nothing is left but the WHISTLE
.Well!" thought the shepherd. "if we
can't eat any more, we will at least