The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1889-07-20
THE PRINCES QUEST.
A Modern Allegory.
All the Year Round.

Onceupon time there lived Prince
who ought to have been happy, but
wasn't. He reigned in a gorgeous
palace, ard was rich, and powerful,
and great, and had everything he
wanted-that is, at least, he had
everything lac wanted, except the one
thing he wanted more than any
thing else on earth, and to have OBJ
tanned which he would haveg given halt
his kingdom. He would have given
the whole, for the matter of that, on
~ he had promised the other half to
any one who would tell him what it
was he wanted.
Everybody had a guess at it, but
nobody seemed able to hit upon 1t.
Everything that was suggested he
had; everything that wealth could
buy, or skill procure, was his al
READY. So at last he appealed to the
wise men of the city, and they put
their heads together, and found out
the wrong thing, and the Prince be-
came more respondent than ever.
In the palace his jovial compan-
ions made laugh and jest, and kept
the walls forever echoing to the tune
OF their noisy merriment. All day
long they hunted the deer through
the forest glades, or rode a-hawking
in gay cavalcade; and at night there
were feasting, and dancing and song,
and the wine ran free, and the mirth
ran high, and happiness beamed up
on every face except the Princes. In
the midst of all the revelry he sat 81
lent and apart, or Stunned the chase
to muse alone on what this thing
could be; the want of which, with all
his wealth. made life seem so unfin-
ished.
'Oh, is there nothing that will fill
this aching void within me?" sighed
the Prince aloud, one day, as he
threw himself down on the ground
beside n fallen tree. "Oh, is there no
one who can tell me what | want?"
IL can"
1t was q little old man that spoke;
a little, bent, withered man, with
wrinkled face and snow white hair;
but his eyes were brighter than a
boys, and his voice was clearer t han
a sweet-toned bell; and, as he looked
down at the Prince, from his seat on
the tree, he laughed merry, child
ish laugh.
The Prince looked up at him and
wondered how to get there, but was
too surprised to speak, and only
stared in silence at the merry, twink
ling eyes.
'Well," said the little old fellow,
after awhile, "shall l tell you? Would
you like to know what it is you
want, or have you come to the SEN
sible conclusion that after all it ism
worth the knowing? | think you'd
better not know" he said, changing
from gay to grave. 1t may make
you only more unhappy. 1t will
bring you pain and trouble. You
are young and weak-why seek to
know? Rest with the happiness you
have, child. Joy is only reached
through sorrow"
But the Prince needed not the
warning. All eagerness and hope, he
started up and caught the old man
by the hand and would not let him
go.
''Tell me, you who are wise, and
who know" cried he; "tell me what
will ease this gnawing pain, or |
shall die. Tell me and | shall seek
for it through fire and water. l am
strong. not weak-strongto dare, to
suffer, to win. l will find it if it take
me all my life, and cost me all my
treasure.
The old man gently laid his hand
upon the Princes head, and a look
ofpity was in the bright, quick eyes.
LAD" said he, and his voice was
grave and tender. ''thou shalt seek
thy wish. Thou shalt toll for it,
and thy brain shall ache. Thou
shalt wait for it and thy heart shall
pant. Thou shalt pass through sor
rev and suffering on thy search, but
when thou art weary and footsore
the thought of it shall strengthen
thee, when thy heart is heaviest the
thought of it shall raise up, and in
thy darkest hours it shall come to
thee as the touch of n mighty hand.
Prince. it is Love thou lackest. Go
seek it."
So the scales fell from the Princes
eyes, and he stood as one that has
suddenly emerged from the darkness
into light, half bewiidered before he
understood. Then stretching out
his arms he called to Love, as
though he would call her down from
heaven and clasp her to his heart.
"0h, Love-" he cried, "why have
l been SO blind as not to know thy
messenger, who spoke within me? L
might have wandered lonely all
my life uncaring and uncared
for, and never dreamed of thy
dear presence, nor ever have known
that twas for need ofthy sweet voice
that all the world seemed drear."
Full of gratitude, he turned to
thank his mysterious guide, but the
the little old man was gone.
The Princes own sentinels scarce
ly knew their lord when he returned
to the palace, and even the old por-
ter who, twenty years ago, had
rocked him on his knee, looked hard
ut him and seemed inclined to thal-
lenge his breathless entrance Never
was n man so changed in half an
hour before. Out into the woods
had gone a moody, sorrowful youth,
with wavering steps and dreamy
downcast eyes, while back had come
IL gallant Prince, with quick, firm
tread, and head thrown back, and
eyes that flashed with high resolve.
Small wonder if the porter was in
doubt.
In the banquet hall his guests al.
ready invited had arrived, and bur.