The Delta independent., 1891-02-17
THE pH,LopENA.
The Origin Of the Old Time Amusement II the
Fatherland.


Fsthsrland.
There was once beautiful princess
who was very fond OF eating almonds,
but who did not want to marry.
Therefore she thought Of the follow
ing plan:
She had the half OF double almond
presented to every prince who sought
her hand in marriage-these were
numberless-and she herself ate the
other half, saying:
"If, my dear prince you can from
this time on force me to take anything
from your hand without repeating the
words. Il remember it. 1 shall be
ready for any proposals. But if l can
induce you to take anything from my
portant words, you will have your
princely head close-shaved and leave
my country at once"
But there was catch in this;
namely according to court etiquette,
no one was allowed to hand the charm
ing princess anything under penalty
of death; he must hand it to her lady
OF honor, who would give 1t to the
princess. But if the princess wanted
to give or take anything. who could
prevent her? Thus it was but sorry
pleasure for her suitors, for when
they tried 10 beguile her into taking
som citing from their hands without
Offering it to her, the lady of honor
always interfered and spoiled their
best plans. II the princess wanted to
get rid of a lover for day she would
behave most graciously toward him,
till he was perfectly fascinated, and
then when he was sitting by her, al
most beside himself with joy, she
would take up something near her, as
II by chance-a pomegranate or m
egg-and say, softly: Take this to
remember me BY"
Now, as soon US the prince took the
thing in his hand, thinking. perhaps,
vaguely OF the redeeming words. it
fell apart and out sprahg into his face
u frog, hornet or bat, SO that he start
ed back in alright. and in his fear for
got the words. Then he was shorn on
the spot and sent away.
This had gone on for years, and in
nil the royal houses the princes wore
wigs (these have become fashionable
since them, when it happened that u
foreign prince came to the place on
business and by chance saw the
Almond Queen. He admired her
beauty, but saw through the trick.
f,ta of al
man, had given him an apple which
he was allowed to smell once year;
| and this. for the time, made him very
wise. On account OF this wisdom he
had become celebrated among all
kings. This was just the time to use
the apple. He smelled it, and at once
saw that II he wished to win this
game OF give and take, he must never
under any circumstances give anything
to the princes or take anything from
her. So he had his hands tied down
tightly in is belt, went with his mar
shnl to the court and said he also
would like to eat an almond. The
princes liked him very much and per-
mitted an almond to be given to him.
This his marshal took and put in the
mouth OF the prince. The princess
asked what this meant and why he al
ways had his hands in his belt He
answered that etiquette in his court
was even much stricter than at hers;
he was not permitted to give or take
anything with his hands. only, per-
haps, with his feet or mouth. At this
the princess laughed and said:
"In this way we can never catch
each other"
He shrugged his shoulders and an
swered:
"Only il you will condescend to take
something from my boots"
THAT can never happen'' cried the
whole court.
why did you come here" exclaimed
the princess, angrily, "if you have
such stupid customs?"
because you are very beautiful. Z"
said the prince. "Even though l can
not win you. muy / not be allowed to
look upon you?"
II can make no objection 10 that"
Sn0 Feplleu.
Thus the prince remained at the
| court and the princess liked him better
| and better. but as she also had her
share OF mischief she tried in every
way to beguile him into pulling his
hands out OF his belt, SO that he would
after all take something from her.
She talked to him all the time; gave
him flowers, bon-bous, vinaigrettes and
finally even her bracelet; he was on
the point OF prasping 1t. but then he
felt the belt and remembered and
beckoned TO his marshal, who gathered
up the things, saying:
1--WE remember it."
At this the princess ut last grew i'm
patient, and said:
my handkerchief has fallen on the
floor, you might be SO good as to pick
itup for me-"
The prince took hold of tho dainty
fabric with the tip OF his boot and
waved it around unconcernedly. The
princess stopped over, took the cam
| l,ri,, froyy, hio feat md nriad o,.ily.