Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-04-04
Gales ano Skftfbes..
TIE RUsALKA.
A Fairy Tale from Polish Folklore.
CONTINUED from Yesterday. }

ing the caution OF Grey Dearu, ana keeping
hold of the rod with one hand with the
other he graspxd the wonderful creature
and drew her ashore despite her struggles
The hook remained in her golden hair as
the sun sank below the horizon, and at
that moment the fishy part of her body
changed 80 that she was entirely human
in form. dressed in great splendor.
Then she said: II am no longer Ru-
salka,-if you desire it will be your wife
and love you to the end Of my life. Take
me to the nearest priest, that our union
NAV be consecrated."
Jagello followed her suggestion with
delight, and when he brought her TO the
priest she was bedecked with diamonds
from head to foot. and in her hand she
held the gold-shakiDg purse. After the
wedding he invited all the people from
miles round to great banquet. While
the guests were still present the bride shook
the purse so that each person took away
as much gold as they could carry.
The couple for time lived very happily
together; nothing was wanting TO them,
vet Jagello still followed his calling.
though instead of taking pay for his SER
vices, he gave to each passenger gold
coin.
Now in this land there ruled king who
had succeeded to the throne of his broth
er, that sovereign having disappeared
suddenly and mysteriously. This king,
hearing Of Jagello's enormous wealth. set
out to visit him, and when he arrived at
his house and saw the beautiful wife, he
resolved to possess himself both of her
and the riches Of her husband. At this
time there occurred a strange darkening
of the sum- and the king, knowing also of
Jagello's wisdom, required that he should
discover the cause OF it, warning him that
should he not succeed he had better not
return for the loss of his head would be
the forfeit.
The Young husband in great distress
told his wife of the kings command, but
she said BE not troubled, my dear
husband, but take this ball of Irvine when
out in the field roll it before you, and it
will proceed and guide you whittier you
ought to go"
Taking an affectionate farewell of his
wife, Jagello obeyed her instructions. and
the ball kept rolling on up hill and down
dale; when it came to rivers it would rise
in the air as if thrown from giants hand,
the boatman following it closely. After
two weeks journeying the ball stopped
at ruined city, where lie thousands of
unburied bodies.
Jagello went on to the next town. and
brought thence a priest and many laborers
to whom be paid high wages to give to all
the bodies proper burial. When the last
corpse was covered the ball began rolling
again, and Jagello again followed. At
81 81 ,uaalS b.,r aa,h oh
place where the sky seemed to m et the
earth, and all other progress was impos-
sible Here there stood a palace of gold
with an amber roof. crystal windows and
diamond doors; the veranda was of
precious stones, and upon the veranda the
ball leaped and became still.
Jagello straightway entered this mag
niticent building, and was met within by
pleasant looking old woman, WHO held
in her nand garment of gold on which
she was working. When she saw him
she sighed and said, Poor mortal, why
did you venture here? Do you not know
that I am the mother of the Sun? My
daughter will soon be here, and should
she see you. she will by glance burn you
into ashes"
Thereupon Jagello told her of his mis-
torture and his errand. ''ln this case"
replied the mother of the Sun. II must
and will help you. if only because you
gave burial to the bodies that you found
on your way hither. Know that there was
underground a dragon OF mighty power,
who hated the city and turned the houses
to ruins and slew all the inhabitants there
of. And now. my daughter the sun will
soon be here. in her wheeled diamond
chariot. drawn by II golden named white
horses for it is here she comes to rest.
Yonder she comes: will hide you. but
pay strict attention to what YOU may hear
her say"
At this she touched him with her needle
and turned him into golden beetle, plac-
ing him on the window sill. Shortly after
the neighing of the II horses was heard
in the court yard and soon the Sun entered
her mothers presence. Having affection
ately greeted her the Sun said, 81 smell a
human being in this room"
Nonsense" replied the mother, ''how
should man be able to come here ?'
The Sun, while doubling her mother.
out of respect did not further insist or con-
tradict her.
Never mind that, but tell me, daugh-
ter. why did you withdraw your light from
the earth about a month ago ?"
How could have done otherwise ?"
the Sun cried. with gloom upon her face.
The monstrous twelve-headed dragon
came from the lower regions attacked the
most beloved of my cities, and even dared
to give me battle. had to Withdraw my
| light in order to be able TO cope with him.
and l might even have fallen into his
hands had it not been for the Queen Of the
Rusalkas, who came to my assistance by
singing enchantingly and showing herself
to my enemy, who. at first sight of her,
forgot his magic. and used that moment
to concentrate all my rays upon him and
burn him to coal then threw him into
the ocean"
The Sun being tired. lay down to rest
and sleep. Her mother then restored
Jagello to his proper shape. and babe him
Immediately turn homeward. He thanked
her, picked up the ball from the veranda.
threw it from him and babe it roll home.
ward.
The dav after his arrival home he went
to the King and told him what he had re-
quired to know. When the King heard
cf the beautiful Rusalka that had en-
chanted by her voice and person the
dreaded dragon. he said: go and find
her: bring her to me and fail not, else