Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-04-24
UntruihfuI Princess.

II anything cOulu DC uOue TOT tH6
Princess, he said: Your Majesties. |
can tell you what is the matter, but to
cure it is beyond my skill. The Prin-
cess intends to tell the truth, in fact
she is peculiarly honest and truthful,
but she was born with singular de-
feet in the tongue, so that she always
says quite contrary ofwhst she means.
AS Your Msjesties will see, | can not
cure such an imperfection as this; but
| will tell Your Majesties who can,
and that is the great fairy doctor who
lives under the witch hazel.
The King and Queen we're very well
pleased to hear this, and took the
Princess to see the fairy doctor.
"Can you cure her toDgue2" they
asked both together.
"0h, yes, returned the doctor. with
a smile that somehow made the Prin-
cess terribly afraid.
go home now, and you will fod
that she will be cured within a
week"
But is there not something to be
done2" asked the Queen.
mo; only go home, and you will
see."
And, finding them still unwilling to
go, the fairy doctor turned his back
on them and refused to speak another
word. So they went home.
All tie way home the Princess was
unusually silent, for she had been
frightened by this visit to the fairy
doctor; but on getting home, and fnd-
ing herselfvery much as usual, she
grew holder, and, being asked what
she had seen. she answered:
"Seenl-Why, wonderous things.
We met party Of six white bears who
could talk, and expect them every
moment."
The King and Queen looked at each
other; but before they could make any
remark, six white bears entered the
palace, and walked up to the Prin-
cess.
I'VE have come to dinner" said the
biggest bear.
But the Princess was so frightened
that she could not speak a word.
I'VE are hungry. too" said one OF
the other bears; while the rest growled
and looked ready to eat the Princess
without salt or pepper
Tell them to be seated, and the
cook to hasten dinner, or we shall all
be eaten" whispered the Queen,
trembling, to the Princess.
The Princess did as she was told,
and the bears sat down to dinner; but
such teeth and claws as they showed
The ccurtiers shook with fear, while
the bears made only mouthful of d
dinner for thirty men, and with angry
growls demanded more. The cook,
who expected TO be torn 10 pieces,
hurried for lis life and the Queen even
went into the kitchen to help. The
Lord High Fiddlestiek. and all the
duchesses and ladies Of honor were
already there. Roasting, and boiling,
and baking, and making biscuit, satin
trains in the gravy, and lace hOunces
in hour-you never saw anything like
it in your life-till there was nothing
more to cook. And still the bears had
not eaten enough.
"0h, what shall we do2 When will
they go2" cried the Queen, in the
kitchen, bursting into tears.
when the Princess speaks the
truth, roared the boars in the dinina
room, SO loud that they were heard all
over the palace.
"Oh, dear mel" sobbed the Princess
II will speak the truth, good Mr.
Bear. never saw any bears, and
never asked any one to dinner
There"
In an instant, the bears had disap
peared, and the dinner stood on the
table as il nothing had happened
After this terrific dinner party, The
Princess was so careful Of what she
said that the kim and Queen really
thought that she was cured But one
day she forge, herself, as they were ali
talking efthe wonderfully small place,
through which human being could
creep; and, tossing her head, said
That is nothing; | can stow mysel
away in the teakettle. | have done i
manYa time.
There was a shout Of laughter bu
the moment the Princess had said th,
words, she rose from her seat anC
orawled into the spOutofthe teakettle
The Queen screamed, aud lifting NJ
the cover, there, sure enough. wal
the Princess, tucked away in the ket
tie.
Come out" cried the Queen.
can't" sObbed the Princess.
But you crept in"
Then the Princess tried to Get ont
but it was OF no use Then the cour
tiers tried to pull her out, hut tha
was Of no use.
AT least, said the Princess TAX
the kettle from the FIRE before the wa
ter begins to boil
Then they tried but they could nc
bulge an inch.
The Princess screamed.
"Oh, shall be bolled-I shall |
boiled Run for the doctor.
Half dozen men ran for the fail
doctor.
Tell her if she does not wish to
boiled, to speak the truth" answerC
the doctor.
Back came the men, not a momel
too soon; the water was getting uhcor
fortably warm.
What did he ssy?-what did !
say2" cried everybody.
ITO speak the truth, if she does n
wish TO be boiled, answered the me
sengers.
oh, it burns--I was never inside
kettle before, cried the Princess.
And there she was, standing on I
floor Ike the rest, and quite cured
her love for uttering falsehoods. S
has never told an uBtruth since.
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