Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-06-07
THE SUMMER PRINCE
TRANSLATED FOR THE DISPATCH ]


he desired. He loved more than all his
lands and treasures his only son, and his one
wish was to see him happy. One power
which this magician had was to produce
change of seasons whenever he desired to
do so, and thinking that the Prince would
be most delighted with summer, it was al
ways summer where the Kings son was.
In the palace garden the flowers bloomed
constantly, the birds sang, the sun shone,
and the air was always warm and mild. If
the Prince went forth into the city, the
winter snow, which was deep on the street,
Immediately thawed, the chilling winds be-
came soft and balmy, and the trees which
had hung with snow and ice became
covered with gay blossoms. Thus the
boy grew up in the midst Of sun
shine and flowers, and he was called
Prince Summer. But he was wise little
fellow, and understood all that his teachers
taught him When but 10 years of age, he
! discovered that his life was very different
from those around him. One day his father
found him sitting in the garden, with sad
look on his face, and he seemed lost in
thought. "What is the matter, my son?"
asked the King, shas anything happened to
displease you, or have you some wish that
has not been gratlfed?"
Prince Summer looked up into the kind
face bending over him, and replied: "My
father, you are very good, and 1t is SO
beautiful here. The sun shines, the roses
bloom, and the birds sing. But don't you
think it is tiresome always to see green
trees, sunny skies, and to feel warm breezes?
Nv books tell me that with other people
there is time when the leaves become red
and yellow, and the withered ones fall to
the ground in such numbers that the chill
dren, running in the forest, make among the
dried leaves beautiful rustling. Gould l
not see that time, father2"
"You speak of fall" replied the King,
"and it shall be as you wish, but, my son,
the summer is the most beautiful"
Then the skies were overcast with dull,
gray clouds, and q rough wind began to
Blow over the fields and whistle through the
trees The boy clapped his hands with joy;
for he had never before seen storm, and 1t
pleased him to watch the branches bow
and bend, as if nodding greeting one to
the other, and to see the leaves whirl about
in the autumn wind. Then the Prince
gathered the ripe, red apples, which had
fallen under the trees, and running through
the forest, wondered at the brilliant colors
of the naples and the rich brown and yellow
of the oaks"
"T thought summer so beautiful" said
the Prince, "but this delightful autumn Is
even more sc"
Thus the weeks and months went by, still
the fall weather remained about the castle,
and the Kings son did not murmur for the
summer But one day he went again to his
father and his face was earnest and thought
full. :,
stMy son." said the King, "what troubles
you? 1t grieves me to see your young face
SO sad"
stMy father" was the reply, "you are SO
good to me that am ashamed to complain;
but the gardeners son tells me that he has
seen both summer and winter, and that
there is vet another time, when it is very
cold, and the earth is all white, as if strewn
with sugar, and the water In the lakes be-
comes SO hard that one can walk upon 1t.
day, called Christmas, when gifts are ex-
changed and every one is happy. q, father,
if could see that time" 80
ssYou are wishing for winter, my dear
child" said the King, "and your wish shall
be granted"
Suddenly the air became colder and the
wind rougher than before. Then, when
snow flakes fell thick and fast, the Princes
delight knew no bounds. He clapped his
hands and shouted for joy. The next morn
ing the roofs of the houses were all white,
and the trees and bushes were bend
ing under their burden of snow. Through
the streets of the city glided gayly-decked
sleighs filled with happy people whose
voices chimed pleasantly with the jingling
bells. When the snow had been swept from
the lakes and ponds there was hard, firm
ice to be seen, over which skaters with gay
shouts were soon speeding. The Prince
could find no words with which to express
his pleasure. Clad in warm furs he would
.exc1aim while gliding over the ice on his
skates, or driving in a sleigh over the frozen
snow: tWho could sigh for summer or
autumn when the beauties of winter are at
hand?"
Then came the Joyous Christmas-tide with
its carols and gifts, and the Kings son
thought that he would be content to know
no other season than winter.
Three years passed by. In other lands
seasons came and went; but in Prince Sum-
mer's land it was always winter. Even in
the middle of July the streets were filled
with snow, and the trees were bare of leaves,
and the lakes were covered with a thick
coating of ice. However, it happened that
the Prince went again to the King, and said:
'tMy father, have favor to beg OF you;
"Say what it is, my son." returned the
King, "for you know that my one desire is
to make you happy"
full" said the Prince, "but 1 long to see
again the green trees and the bright flowers,
to feel the warm air, and to hear the twit-
tering of the birds.
"T6en," said the KIM, ,joyfully "yOu
wish for the summer again?"
'eNo, father" replied the Prince, 'they
call it spring"
"You shall have your wish," said the
King. "but the summer is the most beauti-
full of all
At once the snow disappeared, the frozen
surface of the lake melted, a, warm breeze
stirred the leafy branches, and the storks re-
turned from their home in the South. The
Prince wandered through the palace gardens,
listening to the songs of the birds and gath.
ering the sweet wild flowers, which so lately
had been buried under the snow. But when
several years had passed and the Prince had
grown to manhood, he went to his father
and said: ''Father, give me that season
which you have chosen for me. Give me
summer always and shall be content.
Now the King was delighted, and when
summer once more reigned above the palace
he said to his son: cit is now time that
you brought your bride to the palace.
The Prince agreed with his father, and
at once set out on his travels. But each of
the beautiful Princesses whom he sought
said: ssNo, I do not wish an enchanted
| Prince, who cares only for summer and
pleasure My husband must be brave, and
willing to face all dangers, and any kind of
weather"
| Sad and discouraged, the Prince returned
to his father and when he had told of his
| failures, he said: 'eThe summer is delight
| full, the fall is refreshing, the winter is full
| of pleasure, and the spring has many joys;