The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1891-02-28

The Origin or the Ola Tine A~sssnsst - the
Fsfherlant.

lhcrc WAS once u ocAutltul princess
who was very fond OF eating almonds. |
but who did not want 10 marry.
Therefore she thought OF the follow
ing plan:
She had the half OF a double almond
presented TO every prince who sought
her hand In marriage were
numberless--a she herself ate the
other half. saying:
III. my dear prince. you can from
this time on force me 10 take anything
from your hand without repeating the
words Il remember it, l shall be
ready for any proposals. But II can
induce you TO take anything from my
hand without remembering the inn
portnnt words. you will have your
princely head closet shaved aud 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 IL 10 her lady
OF honor. who would give IL 10 the
princess. But II the princess wanted
to give or take anything. who could
prevent herP Thus il was but sorry
pleasure for her suitors for when
they tried 10 beguile her into taking
som citing from their hands without
Offering IL TO her, the lady OF honor
always interfered and spoiled their
best plans. II the princess wanted TO
get rid OF lover for day she would
behave most gracionsly toward him,
till he was perfectly fascinated, aud
then when he was sitting by her. III
most beside himself with JOY. she
would take up something near her, as
II by chance-a pomegranate or an
egg-and say. softly: Take this 20
remember me by"
Nov. as soon as the prince took the
thing In his hand, thinking. perhaps,
vaguely OF the redeeming words, 1t
fell apart and out sprang into his face
frog, hornet or bat, SO that he start
cd 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
all the royal houses the princes wore
wigs (these have become fashionable
since them. when 1t happened that n
foreign prince came TO the place on
business and by chance saw the
Almond Queen. He admired her
beauty. but saw through the trick.
Now. friend OF his. little old gray
man, had given him an apple which
no was allowed to smell once n 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 smclled 1t. and at once
saw that II he wished 10 win this
game OF give and take. he must never
under any circumstances give anything
TO the princes or take anything from
her. So no had hiG hands tied down
tightly In Is belt went with his mar
shat TO the court and said he also
would like To eat an almond. The
princes liked him very much aud 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 lie
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:
I'm this way we can never catch
each other"
He shrugged his shoulders and an
swered;
"Only II you will condescend TO take
something from my boots. !"
THAT can never happenl" cried the
whole court
why did you come here, exclaimed
the princess. angrily, "if you have
such stupid customs?"
because you are very beautiful, 7"
said the prince. Even though / can
not win you. may not be allowed TO
look upon youP'
I'll can make no objection 10 that
she replied.
Thus the prince remained ut the
court and the princess liked him better
and better. but as she also had her
share CT mischief she tried In every
way TO beguile him into pulling his
hands out OF his belt so that ho would
after all take something from her.
She talked 10 him all the time; gave
him flowers. bon-b ous. vinaigrettes and