Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-18

the Kings palace anu watch the sur
prise on His Majestv's face as YOU
would drink the wine from his cup
or take the iood from his hand as he raised
it to his mouth. Or, if you are so anxious
to become rich, why do you not seek the
crown OF the Serpent Queen, which lives
under the great red stone on the other side
of the brook"
The next dav, on his way to the village,
RAYMOND crossed the brook and paused
moment beside the red rock of which his
father had spoken. Remembering that he
had once heard that serpents were fond of
music, he drew out his flute. which he
always carried with him, and began to play
g lively air. Scarcely had he sounded the
first note, when from under the rock a large
serpent OF dazzling whiteness, and wearing
on its head a crown, glittering with jewels,
came forth, and darting out its red, spotted
tongue, hissed in frightful manner. Ray
mond at once ceased his playing, and in
terror fed from the place. When he
reached the village, he hastened to the home
OF old Barthold, noted Ior his wisdom, and
related his adventure.
"If YOU wish to rob the Serpent Queen"
said the old man, 'you must, at sunset,
place a white cloth before the rock. Then
the Queen will appear and place the crown
on the cloth. 1fyou escape across the brook
before the serpent overtakes you, the crown
is yours; but if, in her anger, the serpent
Beizes you, then death will surely follow"
Raymond listened attentively to these
words; but said nothing to his father or
sister of his intention to rob the Serpent
Queen. A few evenings later, when Blanca
was sitting before the cottage door, watch
ing for the return of her brother, Raymond
ran along the path, and, after throwing the
coveted crown in the little girls lap, he
fell fainting to the ground. Bianca'S cries
Of terror brought the shepherd to the SPOT,
and when he saw the jeweled crown, he
knew that his son had seen tine Serpent
Queen, and he feared that death would be
the result. All night long the shepherd
and his daughter watched by the Jedside OF
the unconscious boy, and In the morning
were delighted to see the eyes open and the
flush OF health again appear on the pale
fee; and they listened with interest when
Raymond told how he had allured the Ser
pent Queen to place her crown on the white
cloth, ano how narrowly he had escaped the
sting of the poisonous reptile.
And now what shall we do with the
jewelcd CROWN" asked Blanca.
The shepherd said it must be carried into
the distant city. where it could be sold Tor
much money"
Yes" said Raymond, 'father must sci!
the precious stones, ana then we can have a
new house, servants 10 wait upon us, and
father need not work any more
The shepherd then put the crown into an
old iron chest, which stood in the cottage,
and said that the next day he would carry
it to the city When the little girl was left
alone in the cottage, she took the crown
from Its hiding place, and gazed with ad-
miration on its beautiful gems. as they
sparkled and glistened in the sunlight.
Then she placed the Serpent's diadem on
her head, and having no mirror in the
house, she ran to the brook to gain view
OF herself, and was SO charmed with the
lovely reflection, that she did not at first
hear the sound of horses feet tramping
through the forest. When she raised her
eyes, she saw gay company of riders,
among whom she at once recognized the
count and his fair young daughter. Blanca
arose, made her best curtsy, and was about
to enter the house, when the young countess
exclaimed:
''Oh, fatherlsee that beautiful ornament
which the shepherds daughter wears. 1
must have 1t"
The Count then turned to Bisnca and
asked:
Little girl, how came you in possession
OF such q treasurer"
The shepherd, who had arrived bv this
time, answered for his daughter;
Years ago, while at war, nv father se-
cured this crown as a prize. II your
daughter wishes it, she is welcome to it" ]