West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1877-10-13

hidhlhE ~ ~ Iult 10 dc the last 10 shut
her eyes and the first to open them.
One day however, she served the UNI
happy princess-who, by this time, had
been reduced by her suffering to mere
skeleton-still more cruelty than ever,
and poor little Sunshine, driven TO des-
peration, came To the conclusion that il
would be better 10 be devoured by
wild beasts than longer endure ill-treat-
mcnt.
"Pll not endure it any more" sobbed
the princess to herself, as she crawled
into a ditch, where the old woman or
dered her to sleep, while she passed the
night upon a rustic bench that stood
upon its margin. off | pretend TO fall
asleep, rs usual, she will resign herself
to slumber, and then can steal away
unnoticed. lis better To die at once
than be killed by inches"
And she carried out her resolution.
Closing her eyes, and gradually hush
ing her sobs, she waited until the bag
was fast asleep.
Then cautiously Sunshine crept along
the ditch until she came to a bend i'm the
road.
On turning this point, the princess
sprang boldly from her place of con-
cealment, and started off as fast as she
could run.
1t was long past midnight, and so there
was no one To sec or stop her flight.
On, on she tore, pausing only now and
then, to get breath, in order to keep up
her headlong career.
Nor did she halt until daybreak.
when, quite overcome by fatigue. she
flung herself down upon bed of violets.
soon was the princess wrapped i'm
slumber, haunted by dreams of home.
Bright visions of JOY and happiness they
were, through which she danced "a blithe
and free as the merry sunbeams which
trembled in her path.
But when she awoke il was TO find her
self nothing more than a poor, dirty
beggar child, without shelter, food, or
protector, and stiff and smarting from
recent ill-usage.
Burying her face in her hands, Sun
shine cried long and bitterly. While
rocking herself to and fro upon the bank.
she thus bewailed her fate
Oh, that had not been so thought
less! How silly il was of me not TO bear
In mind the instructions of nv kind
parents! Just for the qualification of
monetary curiosity, not only have
brought much suffering upon myself,
but also caused them great anxiety and
grief! If ever am lucky enough to get
back home again, no glittering bauble
shall ever tempt me to tread upon for
hidden ground again"
Who are your sounded n strange
voice at this moment.
Sunshine started to her feet and looked
round, expecting TO find some human
being close at hand.
But the only living thing she could
discover was large raven, perched on
bough overhead.
Who are your asked the voice again,
and this time our princess discovered
thatit came from the bird.
! / am the Princess Sunshine" replied
she, "who has been lured from her faith
er's palace, robbed, and beaten by a
wicked old woman"
And you are anxious to return ?" in
CURED the raven.
Oh, yes" replied Sunshine, clasping
her hands and upturning her eyes plead
ingly. eff you could only tell me the
way, would love you and care for YOU
all the days of my fife"
That's a bargain, them" said the
raven. Follow me-"
And, Tapping his great black wings,
he flew slowly overhead.
Delighted beyond measure, the little
! princess followed the flight of the bird as
he sailed over hill and dale, until at
length they came to a running stream
that was spanncd by small wooden
bridge.
Sunshine proceeded to cross the stream.
but as she reached the center of the
bridge, 1t gave way with sounding
crash
Uttering piercing scream, she fell
into the water, and instantly sank.
Down, down she plunged, but her
amazement was indeed great, when on
reaching the bottom, she found herself
standing in the beautiful garden belong
ing to her fathers palace, and only a few
steps from the little pearl-wicket.
Oi course her first impulse was to run
to the palace and seek her parents at
once, but voice she recognized cried
out:
Don't forget your bargain, Sunshine.
Let me in. Remember, you have prom
ised to love and care for me all the days
of your life"
1t was the raven, who had alighted on
the ground just outside the wicket.
Oh, mol I'll not forget" cried the
princess. "You shall find me always
| true to my word"
And taking care not to put her foot
outside, she pulled the wicket open, and
the raven hoped into the garden.
But as the wicket closed, what a won
deriul alteration took place in his APP
| pearancel
His sable feathears fell off all at once
and instead of a great bird, Sunshine
6eheld at her side the most gallant and
handsome young prince that ever lived.
Raising his plumed hat he made a
graceful bow, and said
Fair Princess Sunshine. i'm the trans
formed raven who befriended you. behold
the heir 10 the throneOf Cashmere. who
by a wicked enchantment, was turned
INTO bird OF ill-omen two years ago
mat form ! was doomed to wear until n
real princess offered me her love. This
day you have broken the dreadful spell
ana restored me TO my proper shape nor
do think you will ever regret the cir.
cumstance"
am sure ! shall not" replied the
delighted princess. But let us hasten
to relieve my parents Of the anxiety
which too long they have endured on
my account"
And they proceeded, side by side. to