Daily Republican., 1879-04-18
'PHILOPENA.
rTs cRICM-A BEAUTIFUL STORY.

There was ono. a beautiful princess
who lad great fondness for almonds,
and ate them constantly, but nothing
could iBduce her to marry, and in order
to rid herself of her suitors, Of whom
there were great nua,5-r, she invent
ed th. following device: To every
prince who sought her hand she pre-
sented the ha.fof a double almond,
whilv she ate the other half and said b.:
"If your lordship can get me to take
anything fromysur haad before can
say the word Il remember then |
am ready to become your BRIDE
But ii on the contrary, you receive
anything from, me without thinking to
speak these words, then you must
agree to have your hat. shaven On
tir-ly off your head and leave the king
dom."
THE, however, was al artful strata
gem, for, aosorhing to thercourt custom
no on. dare to hand anything directly
to the princess, but first to the court
lady, who tAen offered il to her. But
if, on tho either hand, the princess
should d-sire to give or take anything
who could refuse herf 30 it wss
useless for l,er suitors to make the triad
for when thty seemed likely to be suc-
cessfUl, and lad diverted thu princess
50 that she we. abont to take something
from thea, the court lady a!svays step
ped between, and sp, lied tho best laid
plan.
When the princess ished to dispose
of one of them, she wsuld appear 60
charming and encouraging to him, that
hs would he Entirely fascinated, and
when he sat at hei ieet, overcome with
10y, then she would seize upon any
tllng near hrr Oh though by accident:
"Take this as renlemb mbsrance OF me-"
and when hs had it in his hams, bs.
tore he could think or speak the neces-
ssry words, there would ,tpring cut at
him, from it, perhaps a frog, or hornet,
orlat, and SO start!e himtha at heEould
forget the words. Then upon the spot
he was shaven, and away with him.
This went on tor sOas years, andIs, all
tnv palaces Of the other kingdoms the
princes wore wigs. Thus it came To 10
the clls tom from that time.
Finally it happened that a fors;gn
prince came upon SOMA peculiar bu,i-
ness. lie thought her very keautifCl,
aud at once perceived the stratagem.--
A friendly little man had given him
AL apple that Snce year he was priyi.
Legged TO stuell, and there came in his
mlqd very wise idea, and lie mad be-l
come much renowned Oh account Of his
deep wisdom. Now, it was exactly
time for him to make use Of Lis apple.
So, with the scent OF 1t came this
warning:
"If thou wouldst win in the game of
,iving and taking, under no circun-
stances must thou either give or tale
any thing" |
So he lad his hands boundin his belt
and went with his marshal to the pal
ace, and asked to W. allowed to eat his
almond, The princess was secretly
much pleased with him, and immedi-
.tely handed him an almond, which
bis marshal took and placed in his
The princess inquired what
his meant, aud moreover, why he
carried his hands in his
yirdle.
lie replied that at his oonrt the Gus.
.om was even more strongly enforced
i. an at hers, and hs dared not take or
rive anything with his hands, at the
most, with only his head and feet.
Then the princess laughed and said
"ln this case we will never bs able
o have our little game together"
He sighed and answered:
"Not unless you will be pleased to
AXE something from my boots"
THAT can never happenl" exclaimed
he whole court.
"Why have you come hither." asked
he princess angrily, "when you Lave
uch stupid customs 7"
Because you are beautiful" replied !