Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-04-05

edlkd III ". 1Du Itleu upset lne Dual
Storm Wind blew from his cheeks a
strong blast which drove the skiff near,
then BY another blow the skiff upset, and
the Rusalka was swimming in the water.
Then Jagello called upon Old Frost, say
ing
"old Frost need fheei
Come at once and aid me-"
While the boat was flying toward him.
Old Frost came. and asked how he could
be of service. JagellO said: "By max
ing it possible to capture the Rusalka :"
Old Frost, by waving his hand, caused
the water 10 CONCEAL round about-Jagello
stepped upon the ice and threw his line
30 that the golden fsh-hOok fastened it.
self in the Rusalka's hair. lie drew her
TO the land. placed her upon his wagon
and ordered the bal! to guide him home
ward. While upon the journey the Rusal
ka would not speak or take notice OF her
.;apior. but when she was brought face to
face with Jagello's wife the two fell into
each others arms and the amazed Jagello
was soon informed that the Rnfalka queen
was his wile's sister.
Upon the next dav all three made their
way to the king and the Rusalka at once
found favor in the kings eye and he asked
her to become the queen OF his people and
his vile, She, however, replied that that
could not be until she was the possessor
of the self playing guitar. The king or
dered Jagello Immediately to 90 in search
oi the guitar; tor should he fail to bring
II, he would net only lose his own life.
bat his wife would be cast into a dungeon.
When ont Of the palace. his wife and SIS
ter-in-law cheered Jagello and told him
what to do in order 10 procure the won
deriul instrument. "In addition to the
ball of twine," said his wife, take this
gold handkerchief. and use it when YOU
think that all escape or rescue seems im-
possible"
For the third time Ja9ello started on a
journey. After travelling a week he came
to the shore OF large lake, in the centre
of which was u beautiful island. As he
stood medita,ing how he should reach IT.,
an old man in II boat came by. and to
Jegello's great delight he recognized him
ns the gray beard he had ferried over the
river years ago, receiving the gold-shak-
ing purse as payment. The old man said,
How goes it with YOU, my good friend,
and what are you doing here?"
IL am following my guide, the ball of
irvine; for when it had rolled thus fur, it
jumped in the air and saw it descend on
yonder island; how TO get there know
not. but when there, am to get the self
playing guitar and bring it To the king"
THAT is rather hard task for YOU, for
that instrument is in the possession of
Stomotor, The lord of the island; but YOU
took me over in your boat. let me return
the favor with mi.'e."
Jagello in few moments found himself
on the island, and followed the track of
the ball. which rolled and stopped right
in front of the palace where stood Stomo-
tor. the mighty and iich lord who in Il
gruff voice crisd out, What do you here
on my territory? '
II came to take away from this island
the selfplaying guitar" replied Jagello,
trembling.
"IIa, ha," laughed the owner. THAT is
not bad, but | will humor YOU in YOUR
bold undertaking and name only one con-
dilion.-simply this: II you shall be able
TO keep from sleeping over night YOU shall
have it. il not your life will end on this
island. Do YOU agree p'
What could Jegello do? 10 90 back
without it even should he reach the main
land would be death lie thought it best
W agree W tliiS liHHi ttHultlnn Oh lnc most
who conducted him to a large underground
chamber which ut once locked itself from
the outside. On the door of his new quar-
ters grew kind OF poppy whose odor
threw him into heavy sleep. During
the night Stomotor entered, and had hard
work to akaken him; and finally when
Jagello opened his eyes he was told that
he had not fulfilled the condition. and
hence he should never leave the island
alive.
Jegello begged hard for his life. but all
to no purpose; he called for the Storm
King and for Old Frost, but they had no
power where he was.
Stomotor caused the floor to sink still
deeper underground until it rested in
room whose walls were OF crystal. studded
with diamonds, and the gold was piled in
heaps in the corners. At first Jagello
thought that it was all dream, but when
he had been three days without food and
drink he knew that it was real enough and
that terrible death stared him in the face
Not an outlet could he perceive; from
somewhere he could hear the songs of the
nightingale. the call OF the cuckoo. the
cooing of the lurtle-dove and the rushing
If q swift stream. but within nothing met
his eye save the crystal walls, the light
giving diamonds and the worthless gold.
which he now dispi>ed. In his despair he
remembered the little steel cross which
his mother gave him on her de 9TH bed he
took il from his bosom and in doing so he
also took out the gold handkerchief and
laid il on the floor near him.
Meanwhile Stomotor stood upon the out
side looking in TO see his prisoner die hu,
at the sight of the handkerchief he irem-
bled. recognizing it rs one lie had pre-
scented 10 his Younger sister. the Rusalka
princess. The floor of the cryial chamber
at once rose on level with the ground.
the door opened, and Jsgello walked forth
Stomotor asked him how he came in pos.
session of the handkerchief. ,Jagcilo told
him his story. Sjomotor embraced him.
gave him the self-playing guitar, and sent
him on with boat 5 crew to the mainland
Upon the journey back. his wife came to
meet him. and on his way home he related
to her all that had happened to him.
When the king heard of Jagello's return
he ordered him 10 be brought before him
without delay. Not only was he eager to
see and hear this most wonderful instru-
ment. but still more TO marry the Rusalks
queen. A feast was ordered and the seals
ri honor We're given TO the two sisters ana
,Iageilo. Alter the renaSt the king asked