Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1891-05-08

The narYesterS, who priced their
sheaves as a rich and blessed gift from
God. werr amazed at this strange = aim
Of their princess. Still, no one dared to
say a word in remonstrence. DULY one
very old man. with thin, gray locks,
v%enturing "a step nearer. said at last:
"Your forgiveness, gracious princess,
but there will be no more rain today.
The storm has passed. See, In the north
cas-; there, Gods bow Of promise, anl
over our heads the sun shines from a
clear sky. Therefore, / think there is
no need Of a house OF sheaves."
The princess became scarlet with
anger. She tossed her head anl said
mockingly. You are indeed Il wonder
ful weather prophet! Your wis .oin fills
me with admiration. But waitl in the
solitude Of a dungeon you shall soon Un-
learn your prophesyings. Think yoa ]
shall stand here to be drenched by rain
like "a common peasant grip ! am Pa
pave. the kings dauglter, anl we are the
richest in the land"
Then spoke the timid Cyanc: Most
gracious princess, though imprisonment
| nd death await ne, ! must speak! Cac
must not thus trample unler foot Coils
blessing. A floor Of shelves, wallis and
a roof Of shelves We're surely never
before heard Of. 1t is a sin, "a grievous
sin, thus TO use the ripe grain. The
stalks are brittle, the ears very dry. and
much must be destro- l and trolden
in the earth by the men III building a
house"
Miserable beggarsl- cried Papave,
'do you dare hesitate fer a few paltry
grains of corn? For what purpose are
your rases and broons? Rake together
agaiu the straw and the corn after | am
gone, and if that is not enough / will
give you u word of advice. Co TO my
father, the king, and make complaint.
Doubtless lie viii pay you. We are the
richest in the land! And now, not a
word more. To work! at once! l CON.
mand you, l, PapaveI'
With anxious looks and many Il shake
Of the head, with repressed murmurs
and with silent prayers that God would
forgive the sacrilege, the poor reapers
built the house.
The floor Of sheave5, the roof Of
sheaycs and the walls OF sheaves. Many
full ears were trodden under foot. Oh.
ii only the poor could have received even
a part Of what was here 50 wantonly
wasted, It was a shame! this "sheai
house, Cyane's blue eyes glistened with
tears. Only Paplve remained unmoved.
When the task was finished Papave,
in her scarlet silk, quickly entered. Cy.
ane, in her blue muslin, had no choice
but to follow.
The floor cracked under their feet,
and still moro of the precious kernels of
corn were shattered out On the wet
earth.
wen done" said Papave proudly.
I'VE arc the richest in the land"
Outside the sun threw its brightest
beams over mountain and valley. sad
denly Il frightful flash of lightning dart
ed from the clear heavens and struck the
sheaf house. a terrible peal OF thunder
filled the air. Instantly the little house
was in flames. The corn cracked in the
heat. Countless sparks from the dry
stalks sprang into the air. Soon the
whole house was one glowing pillar OF
fire. 1t was a fearful sight.
From the midst Of the flames came the
sound Of shrieLs and of prayers. The
prayers from the lips of The gentle Cy
ane; tie shrieks-ah, theEe certainly
came from the naughty Papave. But t.
such fearful punishment might prid,
. well succumb.
The good reapers were not harmed by
, so much rs the singing Of n hair. II
= awestruck silence and almost paralyzeC
F, with fear they stood around the burnin.
+ house. To |extinguisA the flames wa.
out of the question. Far or near II,
water could be obtained. To rescue th,
two unfortunate victims was equally i'm
4 possible, for the whole structure was on
mass of flame.
o So the reapers stood motionleas, witt
/, toll hardened hands fast claspcd, befor
! this colnlnn Of fire. Gradually the flame
subsided, bdrning lower and lower, dy
ing away in a duh red glow, until atlas
i. a little heap Of ashes was all that re
= muined of the house Of shcaves, the Prin
i cess Papave and the maid Cyane.
II Deeply impressed the men returned t
n their work. Only the aged reaper, VIII
had had the courage to warn Papave, be
+, took himself to the palace, there to re
- late to the king and queen the terribl
late OF inc prluctoS uiil utI COilptuloL'
The broken hearted parents realizeI
too late that their own teaching had en-
~ couraged and fostered the pride ard sci
will which had led their daughter TO he
L death.
If The following summer, when the corr
stood golden in the field, from ont tn
p heap Of ashes left lying on the groun
sprung Il beautiful blue flower. the cor
flower, most modest Of all field bio,
i SONS, a fitting type Of the gentle, innC
a cent Cyane. And near by doomed th
klatchrose, a field poppy, n true repre-
q sentative of the kings daughter, PapayC
# in her red silk gown. Yes, even tn
raven black hair and the crown Of tn
princess y may see perpetuated in th
p flower, while the buds arc infUlded in
,s green mantle.
l And as the wind scattered the ashe
N over all the field soon there grew every
# where among the stalks Of corn the blu
corn flower and red field poppy, the typ
Of guilt and innocence. Of loving kind
,e ness and of naughty pride. And so t