St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1884-02-16
ORIGIN OF THE PHILOPENA.

ms IS the story OF beautiful Ger.
man Princess who was very fond of al.
monds, and would not marry. In orde,
to carry out these intentions she hit upor
The following plan: When Prince pre-.
sented himself as sui;or for her hand
(and legions of Princes came) she
would offer him an almond with twin
Kernels. The Prince had to eat one OF
the kernels and she would eat the other.
Now, she would say, IF Your high
ness can induce me to accept any thing
out OF your hands without my saving i
remember. shall marry you; but if
can induce Your hi.hness to accept anv
thing from my hands without YOUR say
ing the saving words, then YOUR Prince
~ head shall be clean shaven, and YOU
shall be dismissed forthwith from my
dominion.
There was trick in this proposal,
for court etiquette forbade any one
under penalty of death-to present anv
object directly to the beautiful Princess.
The object had TO be handed first to the
maid of honor. who would then hand it
herself to her royal mistress. But, on
the other hand. if the Princess chose to
take herself any ODE or hand it to
any one, who could forbid it? Thus
the poor su tors had miserable time
of it. Try as hard rs they would to
tempt the Princess to accept any thing
from their hands, the maid of honor
was sure to step in and spoil their very
best laid plans. Should the Princess,
on her side. wish to get rid of a suitor.
she had only to be gracious to him and
tcwitch him with her beauty and kind
ness. She wo Id offer him a seat by
her side, and picking up something
lying near her, n pomegranate or an
egg, she would present it, with sweet
smile. and whisper softly: keep this
in memory of me- As soon,
however. as the Prince, intoxicated
with delight. would take the object in
his hands. and whilst ready. perhaps,
to say the saving words, all at once
would the object burst open, and out of
1t would Jump frog, or hornet or bat.
and fly in his face, causing him so much
surprise and CONSERVATION that he
would forget to say the words. His
head would be shaved at once, and Oh
Ne would be dismissed ignominiously.
This had gone on for several years,
and all the palaces of the land were
filed with young Princes wearing wigs
(the fashion of wearing WIGS at court
dates therefrom) when Il foreign Prince.
travelling incognito. happened to see
this beautiful almond Princess. He
found herbeauty equal to her fame, and
being determined to win her for HIM
self. he soon discovered the ruse which
she had employed hitherto. Now, this
Prince, more fortunate than the former
suitors. had talisman of his own, in
the shape of an apple given him by an |
old wizard. friend of his family. If
in case of great difficulty he would |
smell the apple, bright thought would |
rush TO his mind. and way lie found |
out Of the difficulty. The talisman
operated once a year only. The occur
renee however. of one idea in every
had properly ensured I
to the Prince fame for superior
mind amongst all the Kings of his ac-
quaintance, The time for using the I
tai S8an having come round again. he
sn apple and this is the idea which
ocSuDsd to him: '1f you are to win
in this game OF giving aad taking, you
must never, under any circumstances,
either present any thing to the Princess
,r accept any thing from her, He.
therefore, had his hands firmly tied in
MS belt and accompanied by his
he proceeded TO the palace of
he Princess where he bravcly an
himself ready to lose his hair
md his life for the chance of winning
uch n priceless treasure The Princess
vas very much pleased with the
'rince's appearance and with his
peech. and She ordered at once that
louble almond be brought in. She ate
me of the kernels and presented the
'ther to the Prince. At once the
MARSHAL stepped up, took the almond
rom her hands and placed it in the
'rincc mouth.
The Princess wondered and asked :
What this m, ant: also. why he always
arried his hands i'm his belt. The /;
'rince answered. that. alas. at his ]
ourt the etiquette was even more Sc s
ere than ut her own. He was not per-
n:ttei to take or give any thing with I
is hands. but only with his feet and I
cad, and that merely in cases of ex- '
RENE urgency. At this the Princess q
.ughed and said: I'm this case we can i
OF even engage our forces in the com c
II contest" The Prince shrugged U
is shoulders and replied: Not unless
on condescend to accept something
ON my boots That must never Q