Daily Kennebec journal., 1883-04-03
OaIts arro Sketfkes.
fHE RUsALKA.
4 Fairy Tale from Polish Folklore.

kUSfG lCITy -upuSC COB>istCh VI ShuA
and sour swamp, so that it could produce
noehing. their ferry boat had become so
old and leaky that hardly person dared
10 venture upon it. The father finally be-
came sick and died. On the day of his
death a great storm arose which swefied
the stream to such height that it carried
away the house and boat, which was Sc
cured only by an old rope. When the
three brothers saw this from an elevated
spot to which they had fled. taking with
them their fathers body, they began to
cry: "What shall we do now? We have
no money with which to pay the expenses
Of our fathers funeral to buy another boat,
or otherwise To maintain ourselves"
While thus in tears On old nan with a
long gray beard suddenly stood before
them. He said to them, why do you
cry. my children2'
"Why should we not cry?" they repli
ed ..our father is dead, we are hungry
and have not a com to purchase bread and
our only means of earning an occasional
penny has by the will OF Providence gone
down the stream in the storm.
The old man tried to cheer them by say
ing: I'll that happened by the will of
God do not be alarmed, but remember
that .all evil has its good side and that
He whom God loves he chastens. and
when he has borne his load patiently bet
ter times will surely be his reward God
will not forsake you. Look up the stream
Wonder lies your boat"
In haste they ran thither and when they
reached the spot they found new stanch
boat as IL Just launched fro n the builders
yard Near by stood many people ready
L. al tkn rtx hn
Of the three brothers sparkled with de-
light. but when they turned back to thank
the stranger, he had disappeared. When
they had returned from ferrying over their
passengers they gave their father proper
burial and invited large gathering to the
funeral feast
From that time forward want fled from
their house and plenty was there instead.
But the old adage, "want has feet. good
fortune hOrns," or. when hard times are
upon US we seek God. but when prosper
itv reigns God is forgotten" proved true
ut least so it was with the two elder
brothers. Although they suffered great
privations they had not spark Of feeling
for the poor. No one would they take
across in their ferry who had not the
means to pay them. Sometimes IN old
beggar or cripple cried hard 10 be taken
to the other side of the river. but they al
ways met with such harsh words and often
blows
The younger brother. Jagello, was of
different behavior when il came his
turn to take charge Of the boat all were
taken over, even those who could not pay.
and the latter he would sometimes give a
coin or two to help them on their way.
When his brothers noticed this they be-
came angry and excluded him from Il
share of the profits of their business :;
thus they became rich while .Iagello re-
mained poor.
Once at twilight when the oldest of the
three had charge OF the boat. the gray
bearded man who had pointed out the new
boat to them at the time of their fathers
death came and said: Please take me
over to the other side | cannot pay YOU.
hut perhaps God will reward you for your
act of charity"
Not recognizing the old man the ferry
man said: IL have nothing to do with the
rewards of God; one does not grow rich
or fat on such expectations.
IF you must have something. then take
this empty purse. il is in good condition
and surely is worth rs much rs your fee"
"No-go first and beg some money,
then come again"
The old man again. after entrcating
him in vain. walked away.
The next dav when it was the second
brothers turn, the gray beard came again
but met with the same treatment. after
having made the same request and offer.
On the third day Jagello had charge
When the old man came his request lo be
taken across was at once complied with.
On the other side the old man asked,
.How about payment for the passage
overp'
Jagello replied: "If you have money
YOU can give what YOU please: II not then
60 In peace. and may God be with you"
AT least take this empty purse as pay
ment. II is old and does not appear to
be of much value. but if YOU shake it and
say, In the name of the Giver of all
good desire gold in plenty. you will see
what happens"
After pressing the purse in the boat
mans hand he vanished. Jagello was
astonished. but pocketed This strange gilt
and walked home. At the supper table
his brothers laughed at him for his stupid
ity, for they had observed from the dis
tance the same old man whom they had
refused TO take over the river, and who
was his only fare that day. but when he
toox out the purse and wished to have
gold in plenty and the house shook as the
heavy gold pieces fell through the roof on
the floor, then the other two greedily gath
cred up the most of it as their share-to
which Jagello did not object.
Now that the younger of the three had
gold In large quantities he shared it with
all who were in need. and every widow
and orphan in the country blessed him.
His brothers. however. were still unsatis-
fed, and envied him his gold-shaking
purse. One dav when watching him they
overheard the words he used The next
night while he was fast asleep they went
softly to his bedside and stole it, alter
which they secretly departed, taking every
thing of value with them. When fairly
out Of their country the two shook the
purse all night, and when they thought
they had gold enough each took an equal
share. One bought n large vessel which
he freighted with goods and sailed TO a
distant land. his ambition being to acquire
. reputation as merchant of great wis
dom and magnitude. Tne other bought Il
caravan of many camels and horses. with
intent tn gain the same renown by land.
But they had forgotten the old saving