Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-11-10

hhol0 was OHCe Young huSslin prince
who was as cruel aS Russian princes alone
could be. He made nothing of insulting
and abusing any one; he would ruthlessly
lead the chase across the fields of Young
corn. which were the peasant ) only hope
of subsistence, and making nothing of
trampling down women, feeble old men,
or children, if they we're 10 his way.
On one occasion, being more thln half
intoxicated, he saw beautiful child
playing in the road before the door of IL
poor peasants hut, and he rode delber-
ately over it, and when its mother, with
frantic cries. rushed forth and lifted it
from the ground it was quite dead The
poor woman grief WAS so great, the
dead child was so beautiful, and the wrath
of those who witnessed the scene was so
intense, that even the cruel prince could
not be quite Indifferent to what he had
done.
Having watched the woman for a while,
he drew his purse from his pocket and
rode toward her.
"Here," said he, dropping it into her
lap, here is money enough to make you
rich among other peasants; you haze
other children, or will have: They are
always plenty, one more or less, what
does it matter? See, now you are rich
stop crying"
"But as she spoke, the woman lifted his
purse in her hand and flung it in his face
Take back your blood money she
said. My child was worth more than all
the gold in Russia. But listen insolent
prince! A poor peasant woman can do
no harm, but she can see the harm that is
coming. My mother was Il wise woman :;
also can see into eternity. The horse
that has been the death of my darling
will be the cause of yours before long
Yes, he will rid the world of you. thank
Heaven. 1t is written. | read it Go,
and leave me with my dead.
AS the woman spoke the prince turned
pale. He was very superstitious, and the
belief in prophecy was strong in those
dsys. Without making answer he rode
away. His followers ut his bidding scat
tered the contents of his purse among the
crowd, who at once changed their curses
to cheers, and the broken hearted woman
was left alone.
As for the prince he rode home as fast
us he could, and so great was the impress
sion made by the words that the poor
peasant mother had uttered that he at
once ordered his horse, II great favorite,
of which he had been fonder than be ever
was of any living being, sent away to Il
distant portion of the country. rhe ami
NAL was to be cared for rs though it was Il
human being; IA house was to be built for
him, and he was to be closely confined
therein, if he, the prince himself, ever
visited that portion Of the country. OF
course these orders were strictly obeyed.
The favorte steed went into u sort of
royal exile, and the prince used to ride
other horses when he trampled down
other peasants corn.
People remembered the prophecy, how
ever, and many secretly hoped for its
luliIlment. The unhappy mother had the
reputation for a sort of second sight,
believed in by those of her nation.
However, time passed on. A year went
-three-four. The fifth came,
During this time the prince had heard no
tidings of his banished favorite. At last
he inquired about him, and heard that he
had been dead for long time. LazineSS
and overfeedmg had killed him.
$50, cried the prince, she will not be
my death at least! A dead horse can kill
nobody.
And then,a AS though the animal were an
enemy who had been thwarted in some
evil intent. the desire to see his dead body
and trampe over it seized upon his
master.
Attended by great train he set out for
the place where the horse had lived and
died. The remains had heen laid with
respect in Il sort of tomb built for the
purpose.
Let me see them," cried the prince.
His word was law. The tomb was
opened. Only the skeleton of the poor
beast remained, but beside this the prince
stood with an look of triumph upon his
countenance.
so" cried he, ''you were to be my
death, were you? An! ah! you cannot
run away with me now, nor throw me.
defy you to bite me or kick me. See
how quietly you alloA me to kick you"
As he spoke he bestowed upon the skull
of the dead animal disdanlul kick.
But on the instant his laughter changed
into cry of anguish, and his courtiers
saw him writhing on the ground in agony
close about his leg was twisted black and
hideous object with fierce eyes and dartlng
head. 1t was a venomous serpent which
had coled itself within the hollow of the
skull of the dead horse, and which the
kick the prince had given him had aroused
to wrath.
The sting proved deadly. In few
hours the prince was dead, They bore
him home to be buried in the tomb of his
fathers. No one grieved for him; and at
her door stood the peasant whose pro-
phecy had been fulfilled. Other children
now played at her knee, but she had not
FORGOTTEN her murdered little girl.-Select.