The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-07-07

the widow. But she employed her leis-
ure hours in making q rope ladder long
enough to reach up to the princesa'
window.
On the fifth day after her arrival, how
ever, the keepers son locked the princess
up in her chamber, and rode off to fetch
a priest, in order to celebrate their mar
risge the next day.
The widow collected her pige, and
drove them before the tower where the
princess was leaning out Of the window,
weeping.
"Dry your eyes, my pretty lady, and
haste to come with me for will bear
you back to your fathers palace"
"Alas and alasp said the princess. u
fear me this is more than you can do,
good mother, for I am locked in here"
"There are more ways out OF room
than through the keyhole," answered the
widow. ."Let down thread OF your
silken embroidery, and you will see what
I can do"
The princess obeyed; and the old wo-
man tied one end of her rope ladder to the
silken thread, and bade the princess draw
it up. On this being done, and the lad
der firmly fastened in her chamber, the
princess descended safely to the ground.
Then the widow mounted her on Shout,
while she herself rode Longtail, and
Broadears was ordered to run in front to
see if the way was clear.
In this manner they travelled the whole
day and night, and at daybreak next
morning were within ten miles OF the
city. The widow now thought they were
safe; but, on looking back, she saw the
keepers son Qallopine after them at full
speed. Shout and Longtail were nearly
tired out, and she saw they would soon
be overtaken. "Run, Brosdears" said
she,-"run for your life and bring the
city guards" He was of like shot, and
was soon out of sight.
In a short time the keepers son dash,
ed up to them. He seized the princess
by her hair and dragged her to the ground
and would have cut off her head with one
stroke of his sword, had not Longtail
charged at his horee's TANKS and over
turned him. The keepers son sprang
up; and now began fierce battle between
him, the widow, and the two pige. He,
with his sword, had the advantage; and
it would soon have ended fatally for the
brave defenders Of the princess, had not
the latter turned his attention. She had
been gazing along the road to see if there
were any signs OF help, and at the criti-
cal moment cried, 1.-The guards the
guards!' The keepers son turned round,
and seeing a cloud of dust on the high
way rapidly coming nearer, he sprang on
his trembling horse, and galloped off as
fast as he could the way he had come.
In few moments, Broadears was be-
side them, painting and exhausted.
"Pig," said the widow, "you have
indeed been swifr. Where are the
guards?"
"In the city, good mother" gasped
Broadears at last. "From the bill I saw
your distress, and galloped back to help
you; but on the way rolled in the dust,
and kicked it up, hoping thus to deceive
the enemy"
"You did deceive him, brave hog r said
the widow. "You have saved our lives"
said the princess; and they all set off
again toward the city.
You can imagine the Joy of the king
and queen, and the reioicings in the city.
The widow was told to ask what she liked
best for herself and for her pigs.
"For myself, would crave permission
to be dairymaid to your Royal Highness,'
said the widow, after moments hesita-
ton. "But, for my pige, ask that they
may choose for themselves; for one coat
will not fit all backs"
The pigs unanimously begged to have
the rings taken out of their shouts, and
to be turned out into the forests.
These requests were willingly granted,
and they all lived happily ever after. But
the keepers son was never seen or heard
OF again.