The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1879-01-09
THE THREE SISTERS.


tiers" Is taken from Mr.. Sergeant's new
book on modern Greece 1t is an old
friend in a new dress, but so pretty is the
dress that its perusal will repay the
trouble, and for this reason, although 1t is
somewhat long. we quote it in ex.enso
from Trlah:
Once upon a time there we've three sis
tiers who slept together.
One night the Fates came TO tell their
fortunes. and safe above their heads; for
each sister had her Fate.
When the first two had spoken, it was
the turn ofthe Fate who belonged to the
youngest sister.
''Mine." she said, being the prettiest,
shall have the best fortune. She shall marry
the kings son.
But the eldest sister had awoke, and
was listening. When the morning had
come she took tie second sister on
one side and told her all that the Fates
had said; and they began TO tyrannize over
the youngest.
One day they resolved TO go and cut
some wood. They therefore made u cake.
and set out. When they had gathered
their fagots theys sat down on the edge o
precipice, so deep that no one could climb
down it on any side. Then the eldest SIS
ter said to the youngest:
Now. little one, come and let me do
your hair.
The little one went. and the eldest be-
gan to arrange her HAIR. But rs she was
doing it she let the cake roll from her
knees to the ground.
There, she SAID. now go and look for
1t!
And she gave her great push, and the
little one fell over the precipice-
The poor child fell TO the bottom, and
being unable to climb up again began to
weep. But then. tehold. Nercid came
to her and said:
by are you weeping, child! Have
you fallen from the rock and cannot get
up again? Come with me and | will take
you for my daughter.
And she took her to her house
So the little girl was very happy with
the Nereid But when Sunday came the
Nereid wanted to go to her church; and
as she would he a long time away. she
told her that she was to open
the copper IN which the serpents were'
and give them something to eat.
You must not be afraid, she added
when you want them to go IN again you
have only to rap with stick on the pot,
and the serpents VIII go IN OF themselves.
Meanwhile the two sisters, when they
got nome again, SAID 10 the sun:
Sun, dear Sun, which Is now the iairest
one! Is 1t one OF us, or she whom We
have thrown overthe precipice'
ut is your sister, he replied.
who Is IN the Nereld s home.
Then the two sisters returned TO the
precipice; and the younger OF the two
pushed the other so that she Tell IN the
same place where the youngest had fallen.
When she was at the bottom sue came 10
the home OF the Nereid. went IN; ana
found her sister; ana the niue one KISSED
her when she saw her,
Then the eldest one began 10 dress her
sisters hair again, and by-and-1y she
stuck poisoned pm IN her mead. Inc
poor little one fell down dead on the spot
and the eldest one ran away.
When the NereId returned she iound
the little one, and took her IN her arms
and wept over her. linen she saw the
pin and pulled II out, and the httie one
came to HE again.
Meanwhile the elder sister haa gone
home; but when she repeated her question
to the Sun and received the same an
swer she returned to the Nereid house;
The Nereid was out again, out she had
forbidden the little one 10 open Ine door;
80 the elder sister took slate OIL the ROOF
and threw IN poisoned grape. Inc HI
tie one ate it and fell down dead again.
This time the Nereid could not IND out
the cause OF her death, SO she put her III
box and threw her INTO the sea. But her
Fate did not desert her, The waves shook
the grape from her mouth and she revived;
and the box foated until IL came 10 tne
king palace. Basilogoulo saw II and told
his servants to bring 1t to land; but when
he found that it was only box he sent It
down to the kitchen.
In the night the NIUE one was hungry
so she opened the lid, got out ate some
food and lay down IN the box again. ms
she did every night. until the servants
found how the food disappeared ana went
and told the hing son
Il see, sand Basiiop2nio: very weh'
| Will go anu ca'ch 'hs .h,ei.
So he went INTO the Kitchen Al mldnight,
and saw the little one come out and
cauvht her in his arms And the kings
SON seeing her so pr.ttv and so sweet.
loved her and took her for his wife.
Then the two sister. said 10 the Sun:
..S,,- - S,r wb;cb ia ,ov, the fair